A Surprisingly Solid Choice: Vivo Y19 Review
My Unexpected Journey to the Vivo Y19
I was in a bit of a pickle when my old Samsung phone started acting up. I'd never used a Chinese phone before, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
After doing my research and weighing my options, I narrowed it down to the Samsung Galaxy A30 and Vivo Y19. And, in the end, the Vivo Y19 won me over.
What sealed the deal:
Battery life was a major draw for me – the Vivo's massive 5000mAh battery is a huge upgrade from my old phone.The IPS display was another selling point – it's so much better for my eyes than my old phone's screen.More storage space was a must-have for me, and the Vivo Y19 delivers with its 128GB of internal storage.And, let's be real, a more powerful processor is always a good thing – the Vivo Y19's got a beast of a processor under the hood.I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to buy the Vivo Y19 at first – it's a big phone, and I was worried it would be too bulky for me. But, after using it for a while, I've gotten used to its size, and it's actually really comfortable to hold.
First Impressions
When I first got the phone, I was a bit disappointed – it's a lot bigger than I expected, and it feels really heavy in my hand.
But, as I started using it, I realized that the size isn't so bad after all. In fact, it's actually really nice to have a big screen – it's perfect for reading, gaming, and watching videos.
The phone arrived with a pre-applied screen protector and a clear silicone case. The case wasn't great, but it lasted me a month or so until I got a better one from AliExpress.
The phone's body is made of a nice, dark blue plastic, and the phone's name is gold-embossed on the back panel, along with the camera lenses in gold frames. It looks really stylish and premium.
The Vivo Y19 has a pretty unique lock screen, and it took me a while to get used to it. But, now that I'm used to it, I actually really like it – it's quirky and fun.
The phone's got a feature called ultra-wide-angle camera, which is perfect for taking group photos or landscapes.
I transferred data from my old phone using the Easy Share program in no time, and none of my data was lost – it's a great program.
The Vivo Y19 has a pretty cool feature called facial recognition, which lets me unlock the phone quickly and easily.
PROCESSOR
The Vivo Y19 never gives me a second of lag, and for my lifestyle, the speed is perfectly normal. I'm used to waiting a few seconds for my old phone to load contacts, but here everything happens way too fast – sometimes I accidentally tap on something and it opens instantly.
The Vivo Y19 is marketed as a gaming phone, which speaks to its power. For example, I played PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds for about 4 hours, and it drained the battery by 80% – no lag whatsoever.
Memory
I've got 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for my needs. I've also installed a 32 GB microSD card, which gives me even more storage space.
The Vivo Y19 occasionally reminds me to clean up the memory, which I appreciate because it's something I rarely think about in my daily life.
SCREEN
I've read a lot of discussions and comparisons between AMOLED and IPS screens, but when I went to check out the Samsung A30 in person at the store, the screen seemed too bright and aggressively blue to me.
As a relatively mature person, I find IPS matrices more comfortable for my eyes. SMS messages are displayed really large and easy to read, web pages are optimized for reading, and the bigger screen means my eyes get tired less quickly.
BATTERY
So far, it's lived up to the manufacturer's claims – it's lasted two days without needing a charge. I've been using the phone for most of the day, often watching videos.
The charging brick that came with the phone is really powerful – 18 watts. Fast charging is a breeze: it can go from 0 to 100% in just a couple of hours.
Drop tests and whatnot
The Vivo Y19 has fallen about ten times onto linoleum and a few times onto concrete, all while it was in a case. So far, so good.
I'm not advocating for using your phone as a projectile, but it does give you some idea of its durability in small drop tests. No water submersion tests were conducted (thankfully), but it's withstood a few rain showers without issue.
Ringtones and sound
The ringtone is ridiculously loud, and I'm loving the custom one I set up. It's not too annoying, and the melody isn't too important to me – as long as it's loud and clear, which it is.
Sound quality is top-notch in both regular mode and loudspeaker mode, making it perfect for conference calls.
A few minor complaints in an otherwise excellent package
I have to admit, even after a week with this device, I still find a few minor annoyances.
1) The battery level indicator in the top-right corner of the screen is tiny, and I often can't see the actual percentage – I can only make an educated guess based on the battery's color.
2) There's no system status bar on the main screen, so I have to swipe down and check for any missed calls or notifications.
Radiation concerns
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any official information on this, and that's really disappointing – it would've been fascinating to know.
But, to be honest, I don't use the phone near my bed before sleep, and I'm not too concerned about radiation.
Where I bought it
I purchased this from the official store, and I think it's one of the best options – you get a screen protector and case, plus you can apply a discount coupon.
Oh, and the phone came with a nice little welcome card:
THE VERDICT:
I have to admit, I was nervous when I bought this phone from a relatively unknown brand – it was a scary thought to switch from a familiar brand that had been acting up lately. But, as it turns out, my fears were unfounded.
So, what's the takeaway? I've got a solid, big phone that's perfect for reading, gaming, making calls, writing, taking photos, and all the usual stuff. Honestly, I don't see a huge difference between this and the phones I used to use from a well-known brand. Only time will tell how well it'll hold up, but I'll update this review if anything changes.
And, weirdly, the size doesn't seem so huge anymore – I've gotten used to the big screen and it's actually really comfortable to hold now.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
The Vivo Y19 has been my faithful companion for almost three months now, and I can confidently say it's a great phone for its price. It's been a reliable helper and has yet to let me down. I've learned not to be afraid of trying out new brands – sometimes they can give the big guys a run for their money.
If you're on the fence, I'd say go for it – don't be afraid to try something new. You might be pleasantly surprised.