Vivo X60 (Shimmer Blue, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) Without Offers

After use of 1 yr 10 months, after an software update installed and plugged in for charging, the screen got an green line. The above appears very common damage to vivo phones as seen on YouTube.

I am a research heavy person, and go through every possible source of information available out there when it comes to a purchase decision this significant. As a prospective smartphone buyer in 2021, these were the factors I was looking for (in no particular order)

Must haves:
1. Camera (hardware and software both) – with a kid around, some ambitious travel plans post Covid, one would want to capture all the precious moments in best quality
2. Reliable and performant processor – To drive everyday usage without hiccup, plus for making the device stay future proof
3. Screen quality – having used an IPS panel last, I knew how superior OLED is

While 5G connectivity (for the sake of staying future proof), software, battery life and affordability were the good to have factors. Here is how this phone ranks againts these factors:

1. Camera – 9.5
Trust me, I am nitpicking here while deducting that half a point, mainly for scope of improvement in the auto focus area. This phone captures “The Best” photos in low lights (even with shaky hands) and snaps comparable to other top of the line camera phones in normal lighting conditions. Vivo has actually procured partners’ (Zeiss) quality hardware instead of just adding their name to the camera label and incorporating a few color processing algos (ahem OP9).

2. Processor – 9
Snapdragon 865 is way more than what I would have settled with at this price point. Trust me, even an SD750G is enough as a daily driver, SD865 is 60% faster per benchmarks. A flagship processor also helps with better Image processing, all the way driving the camera scores. “Sone pe Suhaga”

3. Screen – 9.5
Samsung FTW. A 120 Hz Super Amoled panel is probably second to only a few other panels (MI 11 Ultra housing one of those). Sort of a commodity feature now a days, good to see there were no corners cut

4. Connectivity – 7.5
Regular 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Deducting marks for 5G (speculative) connectivity. For an upcoming technology with very little details out, the only important decision making factor is the support of ample number of 5g bands. X60 supports only two 5G bands, so this is where a few corners were cut similar to Oneplus 5G devices. Though it’s possible to enable more bands in future through software updates, I’d advise not to count on it. Those who are looking to buy a 5G ready device for future, should opt for phones with more number of bands supported (Samsung, Xiaomi, Moto etc)

5. Battery life is decent (got 6-7 hours of SOT with moderate usage). Fast charging more than makes up for it however.
Software experience could be a drag, expecting Vivo to excel in it too going forth much in the same way as their hardware innovations.

6. In-box accessories turned out better than expected- especially the case feeling like it’d save me from the hassles of buying one every 6 months for the plastic going pale.
Few cons I could find were (a) Lack of dual speakers, (b) a non functional 3.5mm jack to usb C connector. Latter is more of a faulty accessory, but something I can definitely live with.

7. Full marks for keeping the base variant affordable and not pushing a regular Indian user to their limit through heavy marketing (cough OP9 cough).

8. Phone looks and feels premium. I personally like the shimmer blue variant.
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Comparing with other similar options:
– Oneplus 9R has too inferior a camera, almost identical chipset, better software through
– S20 FE comes at 30% higher price point, with a few distinct advantages though (Knox, wifi6, wireless charging). Could still qualify as a worthy phone justifying the premium
– Mi 10T 5G – Poorer screen, inferior camera
– Poco F3 (could launch as Mi 11x) – Not a great camera.
– Samsung A52 5G/A72 – these phones have IP68 ratings and superior software, but at the trade off of mid range hardware. Plus, a few users suggested that these phones lacked a premium feel.

To summarize, a phone with top of the line hardware at an aggressive price point. True flagship killer indeed, a tag Oneplus seems to be losing lately.