As of this writing, this smartphone can be purchased in Malaysia at a price of RM1099. Going to social media, there are no less many who welcome his presence. But personally I think it's nothing more than a mid-range device that gives full focus to general use. Arguably more suitable for daily tasks, learning and entertainment among certain user groups such as students or families.
But what about the group of users who are looking for devices for various other uses? The use of a long first session, for example? I personally do not recommend this device for you either. The price is also not so cheap to put it as a budget device, but if you want to try it is not wrong. The reason is that this device has its own pros and cons. Surely some of the readers will wonder, why am I saying this? Actually, the answer is in the comment article below.
Specifications
VIVO Y36 5G
6.44″ IPS LCD screen, 60Hz
1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi)
Mediatek Dimensity 6020 processor (7nm)
2 x 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 chips
6 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55
Mali-G57 MC2 Graphics Chip
RAM 8GB RAM
Internal Load 256GB ROM
Primary Camera 50MP f/1.8 (wide), PDAF
2MP (depth)
Selfie Camera 16MP f/2.5, (wide)
5000mAh battery
Wired 44W
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM nano / 5G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof IP54
Scan System Fingerprint scan
Face scan
Sale Price RM1099 (8GB/256GB)
SCREEN AND DESIGN
Start the review article by talking about the design of the device. The good, light and thin finish continues here. The combination of flat and boxed sides of the body provides comfort when held. The overall frame with rounded corners also improves the experience. But the glossy finish of the glass gives a counter implication.
It feels slippery which is very easy to trap dirt when used without a frame leaving it vulnerable to the risk of damage. At a glance the back panel of the device looks the same as the previous generation. It sports a medium-sized camera bump on the left corner, but only the main dual-camera system is used. There is also an LED Flash available which is very useful for taking pictures in very dim conditions.
The screen is 6.44-inch IPS LCD with FHD+ resolution. The top has a small hole that replaces the notch in the previous generation. These changes also make the device look neater to meet today's design standards. The use of the LCD panel is also not as bad as expected because it can still be used as usual, especially for daily activities such as surfing the web and watching videos. But the color accuracy is definitely not as good as it looks lifeless.
The power and volume buttons are made of aluminum and are located on the right side. Moving to the top you can see the presence of a hybrid SIM tray that supports a nano-sized SIM and a micro SD slot. Finally the device also has a USB-C charging slot, a mono speaker and a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom.
This speaker can produce loud sound but the performance is not at a good level, in fact it sounds too loud for maximum volume. But it's a different story when used with earphones that make the audio sound better.
Next, whether you notice it or not, I'm not talking about the physical fingerprint scanning system because it's built under the screen. It can work very well when the fingers are clean and not wet. As an option there is also a face scan system available which makes it easier to use.
The device also passes the IP53 waterproof rating which means there is no need to worry about damage involving minimal liquid. But do not submerge the device in water on purpose. Then the device also has NFC which is one of the features required in a smartphone these days.
SOFTWARE AND USE
Android 13 is used with the FunTouchOS 13 launcher on the device. In general the interface is simple which makes it easy to navigate and looks like a native Android launcher. It also comes with the ability to customize the color of the interface elements with the background automatically, in addition to a more diverse selection of widgets.
Another interesting feature is extended RAM that can add up to 8GB of RAM virtually without the option of a smaller size. FunTouchOS 13 also focuses on a better photography experience with new stabilization that helps reduce image shake. Not only that, the recorded video can also be re-edited with the ability to adjust or mute the audio during the process.
However, the part I don't like about FunTouchOS is the layout of the application in the settings is a bit cluttered. Every symbol and icon is seen using the same color which can cause confusion. In fact, it is not clear that there are times when it is necessary to bring written information for each category. This is in contrast to the more tidy, systematic and cheerful experience of using OriginOS.
Another issue that may need to be touched on is that some apps cannot be downloaded from the Play Store. For example Netflix does not appear at all when searching, instead I had to install it by sideloading. The issue of fat pre-downloaded apps and unnecessary ads also occurs on the device.
BENCHMARK – Dimensity 6020
MediaTek Dimensity 6020 mid-range processor is used on the device. 8GB RAM memory is provided with 8GB RAM virtual RAM capability if necessary, then the internal storage is 128GB. Here are the scores recorded through Antutu and Geekbench 6 tests with the closest competitors:
Geekbench 6
Vivo Y36 5G – 648/1638
Oppo A98 5G – 885/2034
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G – 876/1972
iQOO Z7X – 899/2109
AnTuTu 3D
Vivo Y36 5G – 368,767
Oppo A98 5G – 411,010
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G – 400,999
iQOO Z7X – 410,677
From daily use, I realized that there is a significant intermittent problem. Scrolling on the main interface feels less smooth, as does scrolling between menus and applications. The waiting time is quite long for the application to be launched, I can also notice. The situation is more complicated when the application is often stopped by force (force close) when in use.
This situation must cause a feeling of frustration especially when being used to reply to an important text and suddenly the application closes by itself. The device also feels slow for certain types of primers, but it's good that overheating issues don't occur throughout the review. However, the unit used for this review is still in the testing stage, so it is highly likely that the same will not happen with the officially marketed device.
CAMERA
The main camera system used consists of a 50MP wide and 2MP depth sensor that also supports video recording up to 1080P/60FPS. Meanwhile, the 16MP selfie camera can record video limited to 720P. The camera modes provided are Night, Portrait, Photo, Video, 50MP, Pano, Documents, Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Pro, Double Exposure, Dual-view and Live Photo.
The maximum zoom support is 10X but the best is only up to 2X, meanwhile the built-in beauty function is also supported with the ability to take more beautiful selfies without makeup. Keter's provision of two types of built-in stabilization system options also add value to the device. However, significant shortcomings begin to appear when there is no ultra-wide sensor and OIS system provided.
Picture quality is generally good when there is perfect lighting, regardless of whether it is taken indoors or outdoors. Images taken with the main camera have details that are vivid and color reproduction is also comfortable to look at. How I found significant post-processing on the image in some cases.
Next the device also has a built-in night mode that can be used for the rear and front cameras. The reproduction of the image is seen brighter than the automatic mode but depends on the surrounding lighting because the blooming problem still occurs.
BATTERY
The 5,000mAh battery used can be considered a standard size for most devices today. Battery life can last up to 21 hours in moderate use with a SOT of around 6 hours. On heavier usage, SOT can be enjoyed for more than 9 hours which lasts with SOT reaching 12 hours.
After the battery runs out, the 44W wireless charging support provided can ensure that the device can be fully charged in almost an hour. The charging head is also provided with a white USB-A to USB-C cable.
What's in the Box?
Here's what you get with every device purchase in Malaysia.
1x Vivo Y36 5G.
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x 44W Charger.
1x User Manual.
1x Silicone Frame.
1x SIM Pin.
Conclusion
The advantage of Vivo Y36 5G lies in the memory and storage which is large enough for daily needs. Long-lasting battery performance also gives another added value to the device. Photography ability is also acceptable, you can just share something interesting especially on social media.
The lack of performance makes me not recommend it for those who are used to powerful devices. Issues that occur can cause discomfort among users. Next, the issues found on the FunTouchOS software are expected to be more mature and can be improved in the future, at least making it more user-friendly.
Pro
A combination of oversized memory and storage
Large battery capacity
Camera capabilities are acceptable.
Support NFC
Cons
Performance is not satisfactory.
Dumping fat apps and unnecessary ads.
The FunTouchOS launcher is less mature.