Vivo S20

Specification

Vivo S20 Review: Style Icon or Just Another Mid-Range Selfie Phone?

In the crowded mid-range smartphone market, standing out requires more than just specs — users want a stylish design, impressive cameras, balanced performance, and reliable software. That’s where Vivo’s S-series comes in — especially for users who love selfies, style, and smooth user experience.

This year’s Vivo S20 continues the trend with a sleek design, upgraded front and rear cameras, and some clever software tricks. But is it just a “selfie phone,” or does it offer more than meets the eye?

Let’s break it down — from camera to battery to real-life performance, here’s the Vivo S20 full review.

1. Design & Build: Slim, Sleek, and Stylish

Vivo knows its audience — and with the S20, they’ve clearly focused on design.

• Ultra-slim design: Just 7.2mm thin, feels feather-light in hand (171g)
• Glass back panel: Matte finish — premium feel, less fingerprint
• Color Options: Sunset Melody, Midnight Jazz — glossy gradients for style lovers
• Frame: Plastic but sturdy, good grip
• IP54 Dust & Splash Resistance: Not full waterproof, but safe in light rain

Verdict: One of the best-looking phones in this price range — ideal for people who value aesthetics and in-hand feel.

2. Display: Vibrant and Smooth

The Vivo S20 features a 6.44-inch AMOLED FHD+ display, which might sound modest but delivers a surprisingly premium experience.

• Resolution: 2400×1080, 20:9 ratio
• Refresh Rate: 90Hz — smooth scrolling and animation
• Touch Sampling: 180Hz for responsive gaming
• Brightness: Peak ~800 nits — readable outdoors
• HDR Support: HDR10 certified for Netflix & YouTube

Color Accuracy: AMOLED vibrancy is vivid but not overblown
Bezels: Super slim, with a tiny notch

Verdict: Excellent screen for content consumption, especially Netflix, Instagram, and casual gaming.

3. Performance: Capable, Not Cutting Edge

The Vivo S20 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage (expandable via microSD).

Performance in Real Life:

• Social media: Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp — fluid and quick
• Multitasking: Can handle 15+ apps without reloads (thanks to RAM Boost)
• Gaming: COD Mobile runs at High graphics, BGMI on Smooth + Ultra

Benchmarks:

• Geekbench Multi-core: ~1700
• AnTuTu: ~280,000

Thermals: Slight warmth during heavy gaming, but stays under control

Verdict: Good enough for 95% of users. If you’re not a heavy gamer, you’ll barely feel any limitations.

4. Camera: Selfie King with Smart Tricks

📷 Rear Cameras:

• 64MP Main Camera (f/1.8)
• 8MP Ultra-wide
• 2MP Depth Sensor

🤳 Front Camera:

• 44MP Selfie Camera with Eye Autofocus

Daylight Shots:

• Main sensor captures sharp, detailed photos
• Colors are slightly boosted, but still natural
• Ultra-wide is good, but lacks detail in corners

Low-Light:

• Night Mode improves brightness and noise reduction
• Not flagship level, but better than many in its price

Selfie Camera Highlights:

• One of the best selfie experiences on Android
• Eye-tracking autofocus keeps you sharp
• Skin tones look natural, filters are optional

Video Recording:

• Rear: 4K @ 30fps | Front: 4K @ 30fps
• Stabilization is solid, especially in 1080p
• Eye AF works in videos too — rare in this range

AI Features:

• AI Face Beauty, Multi-style Portrait, Super Night Selfie
• Dual-view video: Record from front + rear at once

Verdict: If selfies are your priority, this is the best camera under ₹30,000. Period.

5. Gaming and GPU: Good for Casual and Mid-level Gamers

Chipset: Snapdragon 720G
GPU: Adreno 618

Tested Games:

• COD Mobile: High settings, no lag, 1-hour session smooth
• Asphalt 9: High settings — no stutter, looks great
• BGMI: Smooth + Ultra (40fps) — stable, but not flagship grade

Battery Drain (30 min):

• COD: ~10%
• Asphalt 9: ~9%
• BGMI: ~11%

Touch response: Snappy
Heat: Gets warm after 45+ minutes, not alarming
Gaming Mode: Blocks notifications, optimizes CPU & GPU during gameplay

Verdict: Not a gaming beast, but capable and stable for casual to moderate gaming.

6. Battery Life: Compact but Well-Managed

Battery: 4000mAh
Charging: 33W Fast Charging (charger included)

• SOT (Screen-on-Time): 6.5–7 hours on average
• Full charge in ~65 minutes
• 0–50% in just 28 minutes
• Standby drain: Very low — efficient software tuning

Verdict: Easily lasts a full day with regular use. Power users may need a top-up by evening.

7. Software Experience: Clean and Feature-Packed

OS: Funtouch OS 11 (based on Android 11 → upgradable)
UI Style: Much improved — clean, minimal bloat

Special Features:

• Always-On Display
• Ultra Game Mode
• Smart Split & App Clone
• AI Album sorting
• In-built screen recorder

Updates: 2 years of Android updates + 3 years of security patches promised

Verdict: Much cleaner than earlier Vivo UIs — smooth, fluid, and loaded with smart features.

8. Audio, Network, and Biometrics

• Speakers: Single bottom-firing — loud but not stereo
• 3.5mm Jack: YES — a big plus for wired audio users
• Fingerprint Sensor: In-display — fast and accurate
• Face Unlock: Quick, even in low light
• Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1

Verdict: No major complaints — solid performance in all connectivity and sensor areas.

9. Who Should Buy the Vivo S20?

Perfect For:

• Selfie and Instagram lovers
• Style-conscious users
• People who prefer light, slim phones
• Mid-level gamers
• Clean UI and dependable battery users

Skip If You:

• Need flagship-level gaming
• Want stereo speakers
• Prioritize rear camera over selfie

Final Verdict:

The Vivo S20 is not just a “selfie phone” — it’s a well-rounded mid-range phone with an ultra-slim design, strong selfie camera, smooth AMOLED display, and reliable day-to-day performance.