Vivo Y36i review
The Y36i suits budget-conscious buyers in emerging markets who need 5G, dual-SIM, and a phone that goes days between charges. If you prioritize a sharp display, swift charging, or gaming performance, competing phones at the same price offer better specs; this is a battery-first, performance-later choice.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo Y36i, 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 Y36i is a budget 5G phone with a large 5000mAh battery and spacious 6.56-inch display, but the 720p resolution feels dated at this screen size and the 15W charging is slow. It suits users who prioritize battery life and dual-SIM connectivity over sharp screens and snappy performance.
Design & build
At 186 grams and 8.1mm thick, the Y36i is comfortable to hold and fits easily in a pocket. The glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back keep weight down without feeling fragile. It's a straightforward slab design that prioritizes practicality over aesthetics. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is reliably quick, and the phone's modest footprint makes one-handed use feasible despite the large screen.
Display
The 6.56-inch IPS LCD is where budget corners are most visible. While the 90Hz refresh and 840-nit peak brightness (HBM) are strengths—sunlight legibility is solid and scrolling feels smoother than 60Hz—the 720p resolution is a step backward for 2024. At 269 ppi, text, icons, and fine detail are visibly soft up close, a compromise that rivals at this price have mostly abandoned by moving to 1080p. If you spend hours reading or doing detailed work on your phone, this will wear on your eyes.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 6020 is an entry-level chip that handles daily tasks without complaint: messaging, browsing, social media, and light productivity apps run smoothly. Multitasking is stable, and app launches are snappy enough. Gaming is where limits appear—demanding titles like Genshin Impact will stutter, and even lighter games may struggle at 90Hz. For someone who wants a no-fuss second phone or a device for casual web use, the performance suffices; power users shopping at this price will feel the compromise.
Software
Android 13 with Vivo's OriginOS 3 skin is clean and responsive on this hardware. Update support from Vivo for budget devices is typically limited, so do not expect major Android upgrades beyond Android 14 or 15. Security patches should arrive regularly enough for a phone in this segment. The experience is bloat-free compared to many rivals, which is a plus at this price.
Camera
The 13MP main camera captures decent daylight shots with the f/2.2 aperture and PDAF, but there is no optical zoom, night mode, or computational photography tricks. Video maxes out at 1080p 30fps, functional but not impressive. The 5MP selfie is basic but adequate for video calls. Do not expect portrait mode with accurate depth or hands-on zoom control; cropping into the 13MP sensor is your only workaround. For casual snapshots and social media, it works; for anything beyond that, a phone with a dedicated ultrawide or night mode would be worth the step up.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh capacity is the Y36i's defining strength. Light to moderate use—scrolling, messaging, video playback—easily stretches to a full day, often into the evening. Heavy gaming or continuous video streaming will pull you off before sundown, but for the target buyer who uses a phone as a tool rather than a gaming device, this battery is genuine relief. Charging at 15W, however, is slow; expect 1.5 to 2 hours from empty to full. In 2024, rivals at this price often hit 30W or 33W, so the Y36i's charging speed is noticeably behind.
Value & verdict
At around 160 EUR, the Y36i occupies a specific niche: budget buyers in markets where dual-SIM and 5G are essential, who also value all-day battery life. On those terms, it delivers. The trade-offs are real and worth naming—the 720p display is genuinely dated, charging is slow, and performance is entry-level—but if your daily routine is messaging, social media, and light work rather than gaming or media production, the Y36i's long battery and connectivity trump those shortcomings. Buyers who want a sharper screen or snappier performance should stretch to a phone 50 to 100 EUR higher; those who prioritize battery endurance and find a 5G network in their region will find this phone honest value.
Verdict
The Y36i suits budget-conscious buyers in emerging markets who need 5G, dual-SIM, and a phone that goes days between charges. If you prioritize a sharp display, swift charging, or gaming performance, competing phones at the same price offer better specs; this is a battery-first, performance-later choice.
- 5000mAh battery easily lasts a full day on light to moderate use without topping up
- 5G connectivity and dual-SIM support rare at this price point
- Large 6.56-inch display with 90Hz refresh and 840-nit peak brightness handles sunlight well
- Keeps a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio
- 720p resolution at 6.56 inches leaves text and icons noticeably pixelated compared to rivals offering 1080p at the same price
- 15W charging takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge, slower than most competitors in 2024
- Dimensity 6020 struggles with heavy apps and multitasking; demanding games will stutter
Vivo Y36i Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, December 09 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main camera | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Anti-stroboscopic sensor |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 15W wiredReverse wired |
| Software | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo Y36i FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Y36i support 5G?
Yes. The Y36i supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the Y36i use?
The Y36i runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm).
What display does the Y36i have?
A 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM), 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density).
How big is the Y36i battery?
The Y36i has a 5000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 15W wiredReverse wired.
Does the Y36i have NFC?
No, the Y36i does not list NFC support.
Does the Y36i support a microSD card?
Yes, the Y36i supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Y36i have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Y36i has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Y36i isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
Y28 5G
G2
Y03
Y37 5G
Galaxy M06 5G
