- It features a quad-rear camera setup of 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Priced at RM1,499 / SGD 599
I’m sure most of us here have heard of vivo. The brand primarily releases phones that are more camera-centric, and one of their latest, the vivo V17 Pro is no different.
We managed to get our hands on a review unit, so we tested the device to see how it holds up as a smartphone for 2019.
The first thing I noticed on the phone was the lack of a notch. While pleasing to the eyes, I personally am not a huge fan of the whole mechanical front camera design.
While disgusting, notches can be easily forgotten if they’re not as massive as the Google Pixel 3 or the iPhones.
Looks aside, the phone stood out to me for its whopping 6 camera setup: 4 in the back and 2 in the selfie camera.
You heard that right, 2 cameras are built into the selfie camera to bring your selfie game to the next level, or in my case, to a level (I’m not a huge fan of selfies).
| Specifications | |
| Display | 6.44-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED |
| Dimensions | 159 x 74.7 x 9.8 mm |
| Camera | Quad Rear Camera: 48MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP Dual Front Camera: 32MP + 8MP |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 |
| Memory | 8GB RAM |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Battery | 4,100mAh |
Lights, Cameras, More Cameras, Action!
The dual front camera setup is not a very common thing. It makes total sense that this was the next progression. It packs a 32-megapixel sensor and an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
But do we actually need that many megapixels for a front camera? My gut tells me no, but I’m sure social media enthusiasts will find this useful.
Even with all the beautification modes turned down, there is still a level of smoothing going on. So, I did what any other normal man would, turn everything to the max instead.
What happened next kind of blew my mind.
My face was longer, my blemishes were gone, my eyes were bigger, and I had a prominent jawline (don’t think I ever had one). The problem was—I no longer looked like me.
The wide-angle selfie cam to me is a plus as it allows everyone to get into a wefie without squishing together. That said, the selfies do come out fairly nice and with a good level of detail.
Up next, the rear cameras. As mentioned, there are 4 sensors at the back this time and the shots they produce do not disappoint.
The shots captured from the telephoto lens are quite detailed and colourful. However, if you switch to the ultra-wide camera, the pictures taken are quite noisy.
Specs That Didn’t Really Impress
I’ll have to be honest. The specs of the phone didn’t really impress me aside from the 4,100 mAh battery and the USB-C port.
The 4,100mAh battery should last through a normal day’s use and in my experience it did—but as usual, it depends on how you use it.
If you heavily game, socialise and browse, then you’ll need a top-up in the middle of the day.
The benefit is that it comes with a USB-C connection, which means that I didn’t have to bring multiple cables when I go out.
The notch-less display does make it good for watching videos and gaming. The display is of sound quality and could even come out on top against other flagship devices out there.
Gaming is still doable on the phone, but don’t expect flagship performances. I tried to play a few rounds of CoD Mobile on it and while it was not too shabby, it did stutter every now and then.
It’s also weird to see this 2019 phone be equipped with a lesser processor when other phones within the same price range can come up with top-of-the-line processors.
Another problem I have with the vivo phones is with the OS, Funtouch. It definitely takes some getting used to when it comes to going about the phone.
It even has a shortcut centre that looks awfully similar to the one that you’d get on an iPhone.
There Are Some Pluses
The vivo V17 Pro comes packaged with a headphone jack, so that is naturally a plus to me. I like having the option of plugging it to the audio jack in my car instead of relying on Bluetooth.
It also has an in-display fingerprint reader so you don’t have to grope all around the back of the phone for it.
Unlocking the phone with my fingerprint was a little hit and miss. Sometimes it registers, sometimes it doesn’t.
The weird part was that it allows for facial recognition unlock after a few failed attempts of fingerprint reading. I wish I could have that enabled from the get-go.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a phone that’s great at taking pictures then this is a phone is a good shout.
But other than that, you’re looking at a mostly unremarkable phone with a price tag that other phones can match with a better performance (though maybe with a not-as-good camera).
So, it boils down to performance vs camera. If photos are all you do with your phone, then the vivo V17 Pro will service you well.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good camera for the price | Processor could be better |
| Headphone jack | Ultra-wide angle shots can look very noisy |
- You can find out more about the vivo V17 Pro here.
VP Verdict is a series where we personally try and test out products, services, fads, and apps. Want to suggest something else for us to try? Leave a comment here or send the suggestion into our Facebook page.