vivo’s Y-series has long appealed to budget-conscious users seeking reliable performance, and the vivo Y35, launched in August 2022, carries forward that legacy with some notable enhancements. Positioned as a “punched‑up” entry-level phone, this device offers a compelling mix: bold design, fast charging, robust battery life, and adequate everyday performance. Let’s explore its core strengths—and weaknesses—in detail.
1. Design & Build Quality
- Dimensions & Feel: Measuring 164.3 × 76.1 × 8.3 mm and weighing 188 g, the Y35 delivers a sturdy feel that’s easy to grip without feeling heavy
- Back Cover: The matte finish in Dawn Gold and Agate Black variants resists fingerprints and gives it a slightly premium touch.
- Durability: IP5X dust and IPX4 water resistance are firsts for the Y series, implying protection from light splashes and dust intrusion.
- Layout: Buttons and ports include a side-mounted fingerprint integrated into the power key, a volume rocker, USB‑C port, 3.5 mm headphone jack, mono speaker, and a triple-slot tray (dual nano‑SIM + microSD)
Verdict: Elegant and practical. While modern phones lean toward glass and metal, vivo opts for plastic with a polished finish and certified durability.
2. Display Experience
- Screen: A 6.58‑inch FHD+ IPS LCD with 1080 × 2408 resolution (~401 ppi)
- Refresh & Brightness: Smooth 90 Hz refresh rate, up to 550 nits peak brightness—great for outdoor visibility .
- Notch & Bezels: A dated V-shaped notch and thick bezels, particularly the chin, give it a conservative look.
Verdict: Functional for streaming and gaming, though notch and bezel design feel old-school. The high refresh rate is a nice touch in its range.
3. Performance & Memory
- Processor: Snapdragon 680 (6 nm), 8 cores, max 2.4 GHz, paired with Adreno 610 GPU .
- RAM & Storage: 8 GB LPDDR4X, plus 8 GB virtual RAM; 128 GB or 256 GB storage plus microSD card support up to 1 TB .
- Everyday Use: Seamless social media, browsing, light gaming—YouTuber and reviewer Anecdotes cite smooth gameplay in titles like Mobile Legends and COD Mobile .
- Game Mode & Features: Includes Multi‑Turbo 5.5 and Ultra Game Mode to allocate resources effectively .
Verdict: Excellent for daily tasks and moderate gaming. The extended RAM feature boosts multitasking performance, making it above typical budget expectations.
4. Cameras & Imaging
- Rear Setup: Triple camera array—50 MP main (f/1.8), 2 MP depth, 2 MP macro; LED flash included
- Front Camera: 16 MP selfie camera, 1080p@30fps video recording .
- Image Quality:
- Daylight: Sharp, contrasty, natural colors with good detail .
- Low Light: Adequate; Super Night Mode helps but noise can emerge
- Selfies: Fine for social media but can appear washed‑out in bright conditions
Verdict: Reliable primary shooter with decent pictures in most scenarios. However, selfie and secondary sensors are basic.
5. Battery & Charging
- Capacity: Large 5,000 mAh battery
- Charging Speed: 44 W FlashCharge—70% in ~34 minutes; 15% to 100% takes around an hour-plus .
- Usage Endurance:
- ~14 hours HD streaming,
- ~7 hours graphics-heavy gaming,
- Full day to day-and-a-half for moderate use
- Extras: Reverse wired charging turns Y35 into a power source
Verdict: One of its strongest suits—quick recharge and prolonged uptime.
6. Software & Features
- OS & UI: Ships with Android 11 and Funtouch OS 12
- Security: Biometric unlocking via side fingerprint (0.24 s) & face wake
- Utilities: Funtouch extras include iManager (clean-up), blue light filter, Audio Booster (+5 dB), and widget support .
Verdict: Packed with conveniences, though occasional bloatware and ads appear in the system.
7. Audio Quality
- Speaker Setup: Single loudspeaker with Audio Booster 2.0 for amplified sound .
- Earphone Audio: Maintains 3.5 mm jack and offers Hi‑Res 24‑bit/192 kHz audio playback
Verdict: While not stereo, the boosted mono speaker is solid. Headphone users will be well-supported.
8. Connectivity & Network
- Wireless: Wi‑Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS (multi-system), USB‑C, no NFC en.kalvo.com.
- Cellular: LTE only—no 5G. Sub‑6 GHz LTE bands supported globally .
Verdict: Standard connectivity—suitable where 5G isn’t a blocker. LTE coverage is broad; check local bands before purchasing.
9. Pros & Cons
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Bold premium design, matte back | V‑notch and thick bezels look dated |
| IP56-rated dust/water resistance | No 5G capability |
| 90 Hz FHD+ screen, Audio Booster speaker | Rear secondary cams not performative |
| Snapdragon 680 with 8+8 GB RAM | Bloatware and occasional ads in OS |
| Massive 5000 mAh battery, 44 W fast charging | Selfie colors can feel washed-out |
| Triple-slot (dual‑SIM + microSD) | Mono speaker instead of stereo |
| Reverse charging, security features | Android 11 – may take time to update |
10. Who’s It For?
The vivo Y35 excels for users who value battery life, quick charging, and a smooth, stutter-free everyday experience on a budget. It’s excellent for students, commuters, casual gamers, and multimedia fans but less ideal for power users who need 5G or top-tier gaming performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the vivo Y35 support 5G?
A: No. It’s a 4G-LTE phone only and doesn’t support any 5G bands
Q2: Is the vivo Y35 waterproof?
A: It has IP5X dust and IPX4 splash protection, meaning it’s resistant to dust and light water splashes—but not meant for swimming or heavy rain exposure .
Q3: How long does the battery last?
A: With everyday use, it lasts a full day or more. In lab tests: ~14 h of streaming or ~7 h of gaming on one charge .
Q4: How fast is the charging?
A: 44 W FlashCharge brings you to ~70% in 34 minutes; full charge takes around 60–70 minutes .
Q5: Can I expand storage?
A: Yes. It has a triple slot system that supports up to 1 TB microSD alongside dual SIMs .
Q6: What version of Android does it ship with? Will it be updated?
A: Ships with Android 11 + Funtouch OS 12. Some regions have updated to FunTouch OS 14 (based on Android 13), though that sometimes affects battery life post-upgrade .
Q7: How good is the camera quality?
A: 50 MP main camera captures crisp, detailed shots in good light. Low-light performance is decent, though selfies may look washed-out in bright conditions .
Q8: Does vivo Y35 feature face unlock or fingerprint sensor?
A: Yes—side-mounted fingerprint (~0.24 s unlock) and Face Wake are both available .
Q9: Is there stereo sound?
A: No, but it does have a louder-than-average mono speaker thanks to the Audio Booster feature .
Q10: What alternatives compare well?
A: Other Snapdragon 680 phones like Redmi Note 12 4G, but none match vivo for fast 44 W charging or IP splash resistance. If 5G is essential, consider Redmi’s 5G lineup.
Final Verdict
The vivo Y35 is a well-rounded budget phone with real strengths where it counts—battery life, fast charging, smooth performance, and pragmatic storage expansion. Sure, it leans on older aesthetics and lacks 5G, but those trade-offs feel small next to its daily perks: grab-and-go charging, fluid UI, and reliable cameras.
For anyone looking for capable, everyday performance with modern convenience, the Y35 remains a solid, sensible pick.
For more specifications and updates, visit the official page.