A comprehensive review of the Vivo S18 Pro phone

A comprehensive review of the Vivo S18 Pro phone

Greetings! Today, I’m thrilled to present an in-depth review of the vivo S18 Pro, a cutting-edge smartphone set to hit the market on January 13, 2023. This comprehensive analysis will delve into every facet of the device, from its sleek design to its robust features, equipping you with all the necessary details to make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality:

• Elegant Aesthetics: The vivo S18 Pro showcases an exquisite design, blending premium materials to achieve both elegance and durability.
• Impressive Form Factor: With dimensions of 164.4 x 75.1 x 7.5 mm and weighing just 188g, the phone strikes a balance between a sizable display and comfortable handling.
• Durable Construction: Crafted with a glass front and a sturdy plastic frame, the device is not only visually appealing but also resilient to daily wear and tear.
• Splash Resistance: Sporting an IP54 rating, the S18 Pro is designed to withstand dust and splashes, enhancing its overall durability.

Display and Multimedia:

• Immersive Visuals: The phone features a state-of-the-art AMOLED display, boasting 1 billion colors and a peak brightness of 2800 nits, delivering vibrant visuals with exceptional clarity.
• Generous Screen Real Estate: The expansive 6.78-inch display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate ensures an immersive viewing experience.
• Enhanced Audio: While lacking a 3.5mm headphone jack, the S18 Pro compensates with 24-bit/192kHz audio support, providing high-quality sound output.

Performance:

• Powerful Processor: Beneath the hood, the S18 Pro is equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ processor, a formidable octa-core chipset with a combination of high-performance and power-efficient cores.
• Ample RAM: Users can choose between 12GB and 16GB RAM variants, ensuring smooth multitasking and optimal performance for demanding applications.
• Graphics Prowess: The Immortalis-G715 MC11 GPU enhances graphical performance, making the device suitable for gaming and multimedia consumption.

Operating System and UI:

• Android 14 with OriginOS 4: The S18 Pro runs on Android 14, customized with OriginOS 4, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.
• User-Friendly Interface: The custom UI enhances usability with additional features and optimizations, making navigation intuitive for users of all levels.

Camera Capabilities:

• Triple Rear Camera Setup:
  • A 50MP wide lens with f/1.9 aperture for detailed and vibrant primary shots.
  • A 12MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom for capturing distant subjects.
  • A 50MP ultrawide lens for expansive and immersive shots.
• High-Resolution Selfie Camera: The 50MP front camera ensures stunning selfies with autofocus and dual-LED flash support.
• Video Capabilities: Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 30fps, providing users with versatile shooting options.

Battery Life:

• Long-Lasting Battery: With a non-removable 5000mAh battery, the S18 Pro promises all-day usage even with moderate to heavy usage.
• Rapid Charging: The inclusion of 80W wired charging and PD support ensures quick replenishment of the battery, minimizing downtime.

Price:

• Affordable Luxury: The vivo S18 Pro is priced at approximately 410 EUR, offering a competitive package of features and performance for its cost.

Connectivity and Storage:

• Versatile Connectivity: Supporting a range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, CDMA2000, LTE, and 5G, the S18 Pro ensures fast internet speeds and reliable call quality.
• Generous Storage Options: Choose from 256GB with 12GB RAM, 256GB with 16GB RAM, or 512GB with 16GB RAM variants, all featuring UFS 3.1 storage for quick data access.

Additional Features:

• Security and Sensors: The phone incorporates an under-display fingerprint sensor along with a suite of sensors, including accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.
• Wireless Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support ensure seamless connectivity.

Advantages:

1. Sleek Design: The vivo S18 Pro features an elegant design with premium materials, providing a visually appealing and durable build.
2. Large AMOLED Display: The expansive 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate delivers vibrant visuals and a smooth viewing experience.
3. Powerful Performance: Equipped with the Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ processor and up to 16GB of RAM, the phone ensures seamless multitasking and smooth performance.
4. Versatile Camera System: The triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP wide lens and 2x optical zoom telephoto lens, along with a high-resolution 50MP selfie camera, offers versatile and high-quality photography.
5. Ample Storage Options: Users can choose from generous internal storage options of 256GB or 512GB, providing substantial space for apps, photos, and videos.
6. Long-Lasting Battery: With a 5000mAh battery, the S18 Pro promises all-day battery life, and the inclusion of 80W wired charging ensures quick replenishment.
7. IP54 Rating: The phone’s dust and splash resistance with an IP54 rating adds a layer of durability, protecting it from everyday elements.
8. High-Quality Audio: Despite the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, the S18 Pro supports 24-bit/192kHz audio, ensuring a high-quality audio experience.
9. Advanced Connectivity: Supporting a wide range of network technologies, including 5G, and featuring Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and USB Type-C 2.0, the phone offers advanced connectivity options.
10. Customizable UI: Running on Android 14 with OriginOS 4, the S18 Pro provides a user-friendly interface with customization options to enhance the user experience.

Disadvantages:

1. No Expandable Storage: The absence of a card slot means users cannot expand the storage beyond the internal options, potentially limiting storage flexibility.
2. No 3.5mm Headphone Jack: The exclusion of a headphone jack may inconvenience users who prefer traditional wired headphones.
3. Plastic Frame: Despite the glass front, the phone features a plastic frame, which, while contributing to a lighter weight, may be perceived as less premium than metal or other materials.
4. No Wireless Charging: The S18 Pro lacks wireless charging capabilities, a feature increasingly common in premium smartphones.
5. Custom UI Learning Curve: While the custom OriginOS 4 enhances the user experience, some users may need time to adapt and navigate the interface efficiently.
6. No FM Radio: The absence of a radio may disappoint users who enjoy traditional FM radio broadcasts.
7. Limited Video Recording Options: While the camera system excels in photography, the absence of 4K video recording at 60fps might be a drawback for users seeking higher frame rate options.
8. Non-Removable Battery: The 5000mAh battery is non-removable, limiting the user’s ability to replace it independently.
9. No Stereo Speakers: Despite having a loudspeaker, the S18 Pro lacks stereo speakers, potentially impacting audio quality in multimedia consumption.
10. Pricing: While competitively priced, some users may find the 410 EUR price tag relatively high, considering the intense competition in the smartphone market.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the vivo S18 Pro stands as an impressive contender in the smartphone market, excelling in design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and connectivity. Priced reasonably at 410 EUR, it offers an attractive combination of features and specifications. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or an everyday user, the S18 Pro is poised to meet and exceed your expectations, making it a compelling choice in today’s competitive smartphone landscape.

FAQs:

Q1: Does the vivo S18 Pro support expandable storage?

• No, the S18 Pro does not have a card slot for expandable storage. However, it offers ample internal storage options of 256GB and 512GB.

Q2: Is the vivo S18 Pro water-resistant?

• Yes, the phone comes with an IP54 rating, making it resistant to dust and splashes.

Q3: Can I use wired headphones with the vivo S18 Pro?

• No, the S18 Pro does not feature a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, it supports high-quality audio output through the USB Type-C port.

Q4: How fast is the charging speed of the vivo S18 Pro?

• The S18 Pro supports 80W wired charging, ensuring quick replenishment of the 5000mAh battery.

Q5: Is the phone’s operating system customizable?

• While the S18 Pro runs on Android 14 with OriginOS 4, the degree of customization may vary. Users can explore themes and settings to personalize their experience.