Vivo is a Chinese technology company that specializes in designing and developing smartphones, smartphone accessories, software and online services. It is one of the leading smartphone brands in the world, with a global market share of 8% in 2021. Vivo is known for its innovative features, such as in-display fingerprint scanners, pop-up selfie cameras, and flying drone cameras. Vivo also offers a wide range of devices, from budget-friendly to flagship-level, to cater to different consumer needs and preferences. In this blogpost, we will explore the history of Vivo, its history, and its pros and cons as a smartphone brand.
Vivo group of phones: A review of the past and present
Vivo was founded in 2009 by Shen Wei, who is still the CEO of the company. It started as a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, a conglomerate that also owns other smartphone brands like Oppo, Realme, and OnePlus. However, Vivo claims to be an independent company that does not share any resources or technology with its sister brands. Vivo initially focused on the Chinese market, where it gained popularity for its high-quality audio and music features. It also sponsored various music events and shows, such as The Voice of China and Sing! China.
In 2014, Vivo expanded its business to other countries in Asia, such as India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It also entered the African market in 2016. Vivo became one of the first smartphone brands to introduce 4G LTE devices in these emerging markets, which helped it gain a competitive edge over its rivals. Vivo also invested heavily in marketing and branding, hiring celebrities and sports stars as its ambassadors and endorsers. For example, Vivo became the official smartphone sponsor of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022.
In 2017, Vivo made headlines by launching the world's first smartphone with an in-display fingerprint scanner, the X20 Plus UD. This technology used an optical sensor under the screen to read the user's fingerprint and unlock the device. This was a breakthrough innovation that solved the problem of placing a fingerprint scanner on a bezel-less or curved screen. Vivo also launched the NEX series in 2018, which featured one of the first bezel-less displays with a pop-up selfie camera. This design eliminated the need for a notch or a hole-punch on the screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience.
In 2020, Vivo entered the European market for the first time, launching its products in countries like the UK, France, Italy, and Spain. It also partnered with Zeiss, a German optical company, to co-develop mobile imaging technology for its flagship smartphones. The first product of this collaboration was the X60 series, which featured a Zeiss-branded quad-camera system with a gimbal stabilization mechanism. This system improved the image quality and stability of photos and videos taken by the phone.
In 2021, Vivo continued to innovate and impress with its concept phone, the Apex 2020. This phone had no physical buttons or ports on its body, but instead used pressure-sensitive sensors and wireless charging. It also had no visible camera module on its back or front, but instead used a flying drone-like camera that detached itself from the phone when needed. This camera could hover in the air and take photos or videos from different angles and distances. This was a futuristic vision that showcased Vivo's creativity and ambition.
Vivo's product portfolio consists of several series that target different segments of the market. The X series is Vivo's flagship line that offers premium features and performance at mid-range prices. The V series is Vivo's mid-range line that focuses on stylish design and selfie cameras. The Y series is Vivo's budget line that offers basic functionality and affordability. The S series is Vivo's youth-oriented line that emphasizes trendy design and entertainment features. The T series is Vivo's latest line that offers 5G connectivity and fast charging at competitive prices.
Below is a list of the latest (2023) and most popular Vivo smartphones:
Vivo S16 series:
- Vivo S16
- Vivo S16 Pro
Vivo S17 series:
- Vivo S17
- Vivo S17 Pro.
- Vivo Y77 5G
- Vivo Y77 Pro 5G
- Vivo Y78
- Vivo Y78 Plus
- Vivo Y78 5G
- Vivo V29
- Vivo V29 Pro
- Vivo V29 Lite
- Vivo V27
- Vivo V27 Pro
- Vivo V27 Lite
As a smartphone brand, Vivo has many strengths and weaknesses that affect its appeal and reputation among consumers. The many pros and cons of Vivo phones can be evaluated based on seven different criteria we've set as the standard for evaluating a phone's overall performance. These criteria include design, performance, camera, battery, price, software, and customer service.
Some of the pros of Vivo phones are:
Innovation: Vivo is one of the most innovative smartphone brands in the world, constantly introducing new features and technologies that enhance the user experience and differentiate its products from others. Vivo is not afraid to experiment with unconventional designs and concepts that challenge the norms and expectations of the industry.
Price: Vivo offers great value for money by providing high-end specifications and features at reasonable prices. Vivo phones are often cheaper than their competitors with similar or even inferior performance. Vivo phones are also widely available in both online and offline channels, making them accessible to more customers.
Camera: Vivo is known for its excellent camera quality and capabilities, especially for selfies. Vivo phones have high-resolution sensors, advanced lenses, and powerful software that enable users to capture stunning photos and videos in various scenarios and modes. Vivo phones also have unique camera features, such as gimbal stabilization, flying drone camera, and dual-view video.
Battery: Vivo phones have large and long-lasting batteries that can support heavy usage and multitasking. Vivo phones also have fast-charging technology that can replenish the battery quickly and conveniently. Some Vivo phones even have wireless charging and reverse charging features that add more flexibility and convenience.
Some of the cons of Vivo phones are:
Bloatware: Vivo phones come with a lot of pre-installed apps and services that are often unnecessary or unwanted by the users. These apps take up storage space, consume battery power, and slow down the performance of the phone. Some of these apps also display ads or notifications that can be annoying or intrusive.
Updates: Vivo phones are not very consistent or timely in receiving software updates, especially for Android versions and security patches. Vivo phones often lag behind other brands in terms of software support and maintenance. This can affect the functionality and security of the phone, as well as the user satisfaction and loyalty.
Performance: Vivo phones are not the best performers in their respective segments, especially when compared to other Chinese brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Realme. Vivo phones often use lower-end or older processors, RAM, and storage than their rivals, which can affect the speed and smoothness of the phone. Vivo phones also tend to have lower screen refresh rates, lower speaker quality, and lower water resistance than their competitors.
In conclusion, Vivo is a successful and popular smartphone brand that has a history of innovation and a diverse product portfolio. Vivo phones offer many advantages, such as innovation, price, camera, and battery, but also have some drawbacks, such as bloatware, updates, and performance. Vivo phones are suitable for customers who value creativity, quality, and value over performance, updates, and simplicity.
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