The new vivo Y19s smartphone combines style and durability in a practical package, positioning itself as a contender in South Africa’s competitive mid-range market. Released on 7 February 2025, this addition to vivo’s Y series aims to balance aesthetics with functionality at an accessible price point.
With dimensions of 8.1mm thickness and 198g weight, the Y19s offers a relatively slim profile. The device’s ergonomic design appears geared toward everyday use, with vivo emphasizing its pocket-friendly nature.
A notable design element is the Dynamic Light feature integrated with the camera module. This customizable notification light allows users to set different colors for various scenarios including calls, camera countdown, gaming, music, and charging – adding a personalised touch to an otherwise standard smartphone design.
The Y19s comes in two color variants: Pearl Silver with an iridescent coating that produces rainbow-like reflections, and Diamond Black featuring a more subtle diamond-textured finish.
In a statement, Tony Shi, General Manager at vivo South Africa, indicated the company’s focus on “making top-tier performance accessible and affordable” through products like the Y19s.
For visual performance, the 6.68-inch Dotch Display features a 90Hz refresh rate, which should provide reasonably smooth scrolling. The screen brightness reaches up to 1000 nits, which could be beneficial for outdoor visibility in South Africa’s sunny climate, though this high brightness activates automatically only in intense lighting conditions according to the manufacturer’s footnotes.
The display carries TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification when used with the eye protection mode, potentially reducing eye strain during extended viewing. Audio is delivered through dual stereo speakers that vivo claims can boost volume by up to 300% compared to standard speakers.
On the durability front, the Y19s comes with SGS Drop Resistance Certification and Military-Grade Certification, suggesting enhanced protection against impacts. The IP64 rating indicates basic protection against dust and water splashes, though users should note this doesn’t mean the device is waterproof.
Power comes from a 5150 mAh battery that vivo states maintains health for up to four years based on laboratory testing, though real-world performance may vary.
For photography, the Y19s offers a 50 MP main camera with portrait and night modes. While the specifications appear promising on paper, actual image quality would require hands-on testing to evaluate properly.
Available at R3,499 or on contract through Vodacom stores, the vivo Y19s enters the market as a mid-range option that attempts to balance features with affordability. For consumers considering a new smartphone within this price range, the Y19s presents an option that merits comparison shopping against similarly priced competitors.