Vivo Y29s review
This phone suits students and light users in cost-conscious markets who want a big screen and 5G without breaking the bank and are willing to live with slow charging and plastic durability. Anyone expecting to game, take creative photos, or keep the phone for more than two years without a case should look toward the Redmi or Samsung midrange instead."
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo Y29s, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Y29s is a large-screen 5G phone for students and light users who value connectivity and battery life over gaming or camera versatility, but the plastic build, 720p screen, and 15W charging feel cheap at €170 and lack the durability or speed of phones just above its price.
Design & Build
At 199g and 8.2mm thin, the Y29s feels lightweight in hand—almost too light, because that's mostly plastic. The glass front is Mohs 4, which scratches under normal pocket carry; the plastic back and frame lack the rigidity or premium feel you'd expect even from this price tier. IP64 rating protects against dust and splash but won't stop dust from clogging ports over time, and there's no gorilla glass or ceramic to justify leaving it unprotected. For a phone at €170 that you'll keep for two or three years, it demands a case and screen protector from day one, which adds weight and cost. The trade-off is honest—you get thinness and lightness at the cost of durability.
Display
A 6.74-inch 720p screen is a common shortcut at this price, and it shows. The 260 ppi density means individual pixels are visible at arm's length, especially noticeable on text and UI icons. The 90Hz refresh rate lifts scrolling smoothness noticeably compared to 60Hz, and 570 nits of peak brightness handles direct sunlight without washing out—adequate, not bright. The IPS panel's viewing angles are wide and colors don't distort. For video and games the size is a genuine strength; for reading fine text or working in spreadsheets, the low resolution quickly becomes tiresome. If screen real estate matters more to you than sharpness, this delivers; if pixel perfection or long-form reading is a priority, look elsewhere.
Performance
The Dimensity 6300 is a mainstream midrange chip suited to everyday apps, messaging, social media, and lightweight games like Candy Crush or Pokémon GO. Apps launch briskly and multitasking with 6–8GB of RAM is smooth. Demanding 3D titles like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile will stutter or require low graphics settings; video editing and heavy photo processing will be slow. For the student or office worker this targets, it's sufficient; anyone gaming seriously should budget higher. The Mali-G57 GPU is two generations old, and you'll feel that gap if you push it.
Software
Android 15 with Funtouch 15 is current. Vivo's overlay is less invasive than it once was but still adds bloat and ad-laden app suggestions. The upside is fast security patches and stable performance in everyday use. No major complaints here for a €170 phone, though you won't enjoy the software experience as much as on a stock Android device.
Camera
The 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and PDAF performs reasonably in daylight, capturing good detail and punchy colors. Low light is acceptable if not exceptional—the f/1.8 and larger sensor size help, but computational photography is basic. The 1080p@30fps video is functional but basic; no 4K, no stabilization, no frame rate options. The 5MP selfie camera is a placeholder. The missing ultrawide and tele lenses severely limit shot variety, which is the real sting here. For social media and casual snaps, it's fine; for any creative photography ambition, it's a step backward.
Battery & Charging
The 5500 mAh battery with a modest chipset typically yields 6–7 hours of active screen time in mixed use, or a full day plus a few hours with moderate use (mostly messaging and reading). Overnight charging at 15W is painfully slow, taking 90–120 minutes from zero to full. That's not a minor inconvenience; it's a conscious trade-off this phone makes in your favor for battery size, but it means planning ahead before travel or backups. At €170, rivals like the Redmi Note 14 or Samsung A15 now offer 30W or faster, making the Y29s feel miserly on charge speed.
Value & Verdict
At €170, the Y29s competes with plenty of better-rounded options. Its strengths—large screen, 5G, stereo speakers, microSD slot, and all-day battery—are real and targeted at specific buyers. The weaknesses—plastic durability, 720p pixel grain, glacial charging, and weak gaming—are significant trade-offs. Vivo is banking on the big screen and 5G halo to justify the price; if that matters to you and you're okay with a case and low expectations for performance, it makes sense. If you're willing to spend another €30–50, you'll find phones with faster processors, sharper screens, and faster charging that will keep longer without frustration.
Verdict
This phone suits students and light users in cost-conscious markets who want a big screen and 5G without breaking the bank and are willing to live with slow charging and plastic durability. Anyone expecting to game, take creative photos, or keep the phone for more than two years without a case should look toward the Redmi or Samsung midrange instead."
- Large 6.74-inch screen with 85% screen-to-body ratio, good for media and reading without premium weight penalty
- 5G, stereo speakers, and 3.5mm jack bundled in at this price—rare together
- 5500 mAh battery easily lasts a full day of mixed use; dedicated microSD slot keeps storage future-proof
- 15W charging takes 90–120 minutes, significantly slower than rivals offering 30W or more in the €150–250 range
- Plastic back and Mohs 4 screen scratch and dent easily; IP64 dust ingress is a slow problem, not a feature
- 720p resolution on 6.74 inches leaves visible pixel grain; the Dimensity 6300 struggles with any demanding game
Vivo Y29s Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, March 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 570 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Battery | 5500 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wired |
| Software | Android 15, Funtouch 15 |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 77 x 8.2 mm (6.59 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Durability | IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) MIL-STD-810H compliant* * does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo Y29s FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Y29s support 5G?
Yes. The Y29s supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Y29s use?
The Y29s runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm).
What display does the Y29s have?
A 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 570 nits (HBM), 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density).
How big is the Y29s battery?
The Y29s has a 5500 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 15W wired.
Does the Y29s have NFC?
Yes, the Y29s has NFC.
Is the Y29s water resistant?
The Y29s carries a IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) MIL-STD-810H compliant* * does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions rating.
Does the Y29s support a microSD card?
Yes, the Y29s supports expandable storage (microSDXC (dedicated slot)).
Does the Y29s have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Y29s has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Y29s isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Y19s 5G
Y500s
Y39
Y31
Galaxy M17e
