vivo’s latest Y series offering aims to shake up the mid-range smartphone market. The Y100, announced on 3 July, brings a host of premium features to the affordable segment, potentially outclassing much of its competition.
The Y100’s design immediately catches the eye. Available in Crystal Black and Breeze Green, the latter showcases vivo’s signature colour-changing technology. When exposed to sunlight or UV light, the Breeze Green variant shifts from a light to a deeper green hue. It’s not just a party trick; the effect is meant to evoke “the gentle whisper of grass swaying in the wind,” according to vivo.
But the Y100 isn’t just about looks. vivo has packed this device with features typically reserved for pricier models. A 6.67-inch AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1800 nits – specs that wouldn’t be out of place on a flagship phone. Dual stereo speakers capable of 300% volume output complement the visual experience, potentially making the Y100 a portable entertainment powerhouse.
Under the hood, the Y100 offers up to 16GB of RAM (8GB physical + 8GB extended) and 256GB of storage. While vivo hasn’t specified the processor, this memory configuration should handle multitasking with ease.
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the 50MP main camera with autofocus. vivo is touting various portrait modes, including Bokeh Flare and Multi-Style Portrait templates, suggesting a focus on social media-ready shots.
Battery life shouldn’t be a concern, thanks to a 5000mAh cell. More impressively, the Y100 supports 80W fast charging, which vivo claims can juice up the battery to 80% in about 30 minutes. The company also touts a “4-Year Battery Health” feature, though details on this are scarce.
Durability is another strong suit. The Y100 boasts IP5X dust resistance and IPX4 water resistance, meaning it should survive splashes and dusty environments. vivo claims the device has undergone rigorous testing, including an 8000-cycle steel wool wear test and a 9H pencil hardness test.
Tony Shi, GM at vivo South Africa, said: “Continuing the evolution of the vivo Y series, we are proud to introduce our latest offering, Y100. It embodies functionality, performance, and reliability, all in one device.”
The vivo Y100 is available now through major networks in South Africa, priced at R9,999.
