GadgetsLab: VIVO Y28

Reviewed by Alyssa Joji Silva

Visually appealing — this best describes the vibrant and energetic gleaming orange look of the vivo Y28. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Y27, this smartphone comes with several upgrades that are worth checking out.

DESIGN 4 / 5

vivo has significantly upgraded its mid-range smartphone with vivo Y28’s premium look, featuring a metallic high-gloss frame that adds a touch of sophistication to its vibrant color. Weighing only 199g and measuring 8.09mm thick, it’s remarkably slim and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The back of the smartphone is a composite plastic material decorated with glitter particles that shimmer under light, creating a dynamic flow pattern that I had fun playing with. Vivo also retains its signature small logo at the bottom left corner.

Looking closely at the camera module, I noticed a subtle yet elegant 3D diamond pattern on the sides, making the camera look even better. Also, the dynamic light feature (the small circle beside the second camera lens) is reminiscent of a small “aura light” design, enhancing its visual appeal.

The front camera design of the vivo Y28 has been upgraded to a hole-punch style, providing more screen space for a better viewing and editing experience. The vivo Y28 boasts an eye-catching overall design, and its gleaming orange finish adds a touch of satisfying vibrancy. But if this color is not your style, the vivo Y28 also comes in agate green, giving off a forest vibe.

HARDWARE 4 / 5

Complementing these performance scores, the vivo Y28 features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable with an additional 8GB RAM and up to 1TB ROM, making it fully equipped to enhance its performance capabilities. Its operating system is Funtouch OS

Complementing these performance scores, the vivo Y28 features 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, expandable with an additional 8GB RAM and up to 1TB ROM, making it fully equipped to enhance its performance capabilities. Its operating system is Funtouch OS 14 overlaid on Android 14, offering a user-friendly and customizable interface that ensures a seamless and personalized experience.

The vivo Y28 features a 6.68-inch screen display with a 1608x720 resolution, perfect for enjoying videos and gaming. Combined with a 90Hz refresh rate and a high-brightness eye protection display, reaching up to 1000nits of brightness, it ensures a clear, vivid visual and smooth performance for all work and play needs. Moreover, it has an IP64 rating for protection against dust and water splashes, thus minimizing the need for frequent cleaning while ensuring durability.

Its camera system includes a 50MP main camera and a 2MP bokeh camera, while the front camera has 8MP. As for battery life, the vivo Y28 has a 6000mAh battery that lasts for days and a 44W charger that quickly recharges, keeping up with any tasks and games.

USER EXPERIENCE 4 / 5

vivo’s ability to create eye-catching devices is undeniable. The vivo Y28’s design is so sophisticated that I initially mistook it for a flagship smartphone. Its fresh appearance caught my eye immediately because of its major glow-up over its predecessor. A minor complaint is that its back cover material could be prone to fingerprint smudges during prolonged use. Happily, it is bundled with a clear jelly case that can help protect against smudging to maintain a pristine appearance.

Beyond its impressive color and design, the vivo Y28 also delivers solid performance. As a mid-range smartphone, the main camera takes decent photos, but image quality may be inconsistent. With good lighting, image colors are vibrant and details are sharp. However, in low light or when zooming in, image quality can deteriorate (same with the front camera). As for shooting videos, the main and front cameras can capture videos in 1080p and 720p at 30 frames per second. However, the videos can be slightly grainy and shaky due to the low frame rate and lack of stabilization.

The miniature dynamic light feature of the vivo Y28 isn’t just for a show; it serves a practical purpose that is convenient for busy individuals. For example, it can alert you to notifications, count down during selfies, and even dance to your music. You can customize its blinking behavior with three settings: dynamic for rapid blinking, rhythm for normal blinking, and soft for slow blinking. So, even when placed face it down, the smartphone can still alert you through this additional feature. The 90Hz responsive display of the vivo Y28 is able to deliver smooth scrolling and animations.

In the realm of gaming and entertainment, the vivo Y28 may not be a powerhouse but it delivers solid performance for casual gamers and entertainment enthusiasts. I was able to play Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with a high frame rate and medium graphics for clear visuals and responsive controls, allowing me to easily navigate and engage with the action. For Call of Duty, I set the graphics to low and the frame rate to medium. Although this means the visuals aren’t as crisp, the game remains playable and runs without major issues.

In addition, the vivo Y28’s Ultra Game Mode provided helpful customization options to optimize the gaming experience. While the vivo Y28 performs well with less demanding games, it may heat up and lag when running more graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact and Wuthering Waves.

Overall, the vivo Y28 is an excellent entertainment companion. Its vibrant 1080p display, dual stereo speakers, and powerful volume booster that reaches up to 300% make it ideal for movies, games, and music. Even at maximum volume, the audio quality remains impressive, with clear vocals and distinct melodies. Although the bass may be subtle when playing music, it’s still noticeable and adding depth to the sound.

With all of these upgraded features, the vivo Y28 still manages to deliver impressive battery life. Even with regular use, including streaming, browsing, and gaming, the battery often lasts well into the next day with 30-40% still remaining by the time you’re ready to recharge. However, as with any smartphone, your actual battery life may vary depending on how intensively you use power-hungry features like in gaming. But overall, the Y28 strikes an excellent balance between performance and battery longevity, making it a dependable companion for day-to-day tasks.

VALUE 4 / 5

Priced at PHP7,999 for the 8GB+128GB model and PHP9,999 for the 8GB+256GB version, the vivo Y28 offers options to suit different needs. The higher price of the 256GB version may raise some eyebrows, but the extra storage could be worth the investment for those who need it. Meanwhile, the 128GB version offers excellent value, providing a solid balance of features and performance.

WHAT'S HOT

• 6000mAh battery capacity

• 300% volume booster

• Dynamic light

WHAT'S NOT

• Image quality can deteriorate in low light

• No camera stabilization

BOTTOMLINE

Strikes a good balance between performance and battery life.