There are some smartphones that can steal your attention at just first glance, while there are some devices that will surprise you with its performance. Luckily for Vivo, the Chinese mobile brand was able to pull off a great handset that's attractive inside and out – meet the Vivo V15.
 |
| Vivo V15 Review; A total head-turner! |
The V15 is almost identical to the V15 Pro, though the latter comes with more powerful specs and features. To be honest, I personally underestimated the V15 because I thought it has an inferior overall performance than the pro variant. However, as I used the handset for numbers of months, I didn’t notice that it became one of my favorite phones that I’ve ever played around with.
As it exceeded our expectations from its design to its overall performance, we can say that the V15 has a lot of things to offer. But for now, let’s dig deeper to see if it can also deliver your mobile needs!
PHYSICAL:
The V15 comes with flashy color variants. However, our team received its limited-edition Blossom Pink model, which is a total head-turner, as it is dressed with a refreshing colorway. The device also features a gradient design, but what makes it unique is its simpler than other devices offered in the market. Also, it’s a brave move that the handset yells pink because there are only few phones that have a girly physique.
 |
| Vivo V15 Blossom Pink |
In addition, we’re impressed how Vivo balanced its chic appearance and its premium-looking body. Housed in a polycarbonate material with a glass-like finish, the V15 can standout and disguise as an expensive smartphone. In fact, it’s so classy and sophisticated that our team might choose it over other devices when it comes to its design.
 |
| Pop-up Camera |
The V15 sports an elevating camera, and if you’re worried if it won’t last long, then don’t be bothered because we can assure you that it is sturdy enough even when we shook it during our tests. Meanwhile, unlike the V15 Pro, it has no in-display fingerprint scanner, and instead, Vivo equipped it with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor.
 |
| Fingerprint Scanner |
At the back, you’d notice that it has an obvious camera bump, which can be hidden through its good-looking and durable phone case. Speaking of its clear case, we’re happy how we can still use it without one because – unexpectedly – it can’t easily attract fingerprints and smudges. Well, thanks to its light color. But don’t get us wrong, as we still recommend consumers to use its protective case because the phone has a slippery body, and is heavy at 189.5 grams. Hence, solid grip is a must!
Meanwhile, its function keys were all thoughtfully placed somewhere we can easily reach it. And unlike the V15 Pro, its 3.5mm audio jack is located at the bottom, which we prefer than having it on top.
DISPLAY:
The V15 boasts a 6.53-inch IPS screen with FHD+ 2340 x 1080 resolution. As it is mounted with a pop-up camera, the device was able to deliver an immersive all-screen display that pampered us when we watched videos and played games.
 |
| 6.53-inch FHD+ all-screen display |
Moreover, the device has accurate colors with punchy details. It works well, too, even when we used it under direct sunlight. Also, it has a wide range of brightness level. So, yup, you can go as dim as you want.
Though we’ve seen better than this, we just can't complain with its quality considering its price tag.
See Also: Vivo Y90 Live Images, Specs Leaked
SOFTWARE:
Just like its brother, the V15 is also loaded with Funtouch 9 based on Android 9.0 Pie. Its interface looks clean, and is easy to navigate. Similar with other Android skin, Funtouch 9 gives off a colorful appearance that makes the interface livelier.
Users can also eliminate its on-screen navigation keys to take advantage of its all-screen display. Meanwhile, it has no app drawer, which means that users must create their own folders to organize their apps.
 |
| Software |
Navigation is easy, as well. Users must swipe down to reveal their notifications, while swiping up from the bottom will give them the shortcut keys. Swiping from the left, on the other hand, will bring users to Jovi Smart Scene.
Unlike the V15 Pro, the V15 ditches its Face Unlock function, which might be a turn off for some consumers, as it also has no in-display fingerprint scanner. But personally, we don’t mind if it lacks a Face Unlock feature because we don’t want to overtask its pop-up camera.
Pre-installed apps include Facebook, Lazada, WPS Office, TikTok, WeSing, and the usual Google native apps.
PERFORMANCE:
Under the hood, Vivo packed the V15 with Helio P70 octa-core processor, Mali-G72 MP3 graphics, 6GB RAM, and 128GB storage. These are one of the downgrades from the Pro variant, but it is still powerful to accommodate your daily mobile tasks.
We ran the device on our preferred benchmark apps to give us a preview about its actual performance, here are the results:
 |
| Benchmark Scores |
As our main driver, the V15 never disappointed us. It offers smooth mobile experience, and it can flawlessly switch from one app to another. It didn’t lag when numbers of apps are also running in the background.
In terms of gaming, the phone can handle our favorite games like Mobile Legends and Mortal Kombat. It also features Game Cube, which enhances our gaming experience.
Its back panel becomes warm when we’re continuously using it, and when it’s approaching low battery level. It’s manageable, though.
Related: Vivo Y7s with Helio P65, 6GB RAM and 4,500mAh Battery Launched
 |
| 32MP Pop-up Camera |
CAMERA:
The V15 is also banked with great photography capabilities. It sports a triple-rear camera setup composed of 12-megapixel f/1.78 main shooter, 8-megapixel f/2.2 wide lens, and 5-megapixel f/2.4 depth sensor. For selfies, it is mounted with a 32-megapixel f/2.0 Samsung ISOCELL GD1 pop-up snapper.
Here are some of our sample photos:
 |
| Indoor |
 |
| Indoor (Wide) |
 |
| Outdoor |
 |
| Lowlight |
 |
| Selfie |
 |
| Selfie with AI Sticker |
The V15 produces great images with accurate colors and good details. However, there were times when photos became too warm, while taking wide shots made the images appear too soft.
Meanwhile, capturing low light images would be better when using its night mode. In fact, it almost has the same quality as images produced by the Pro variant.
For selfies, the device can take natural-looking photos, but to achieve this, you might consider turning off its AI Beautification. It can shoot great portrait images, as well, noting that it has nice and accurate bokeh effect.
 |
| Connectivity |
CONNECTIVITY:
The V15 comes with basic connectivity features. It’s a dual-SIM device that can support LTE connection. If you run out of data, the handset can connect to WiFi 802.11 ac, as well. Other connectivity features include Bluetooth 4.2 and GPS.
All of these functioned well during our tests. We have never experienced a poor signal reception, too.
BATTERY:
The V15 is equipped with a larger 4,000mAh battery than V15 Pro’s 3,700mAh stamina. Our actual usage suggests that it can last up to 10 hours, while its PCMark Battery Life Test claimed that it can last more than 11 hours. Tapped as our main phone, we used it for our basic communications, social media browsing, and casual gaming.
 |
| PCMark Battery Life Test |
The device also supports dual-engine fast charging. With this, it only took us two hours and almost 15 minutes to fully charge the phone.
VERDICT:
Overall, Vivo was able to make the V15 a great smartphone even if it works as a toned-down variant of the Pro model. It also boasts powerful specs that are complemented with trendy features. Though it lacks some offerings like the in-display fingerprint scanner, we could say that it offers enough things to meet all your mobile needs.
 |
| Vivo V15 |
The V15 flashes a stunning design that can battle out any smartphones available in the market. It has immersive screen, as well, which is made possible by a sturdy pop-up camera. Under the hood, the device is loaded with capable specs that will allow users to enjoy heavy mobile tasks such as gaming.
If you’re looking for a camera-centric smartphone, then, the V15 can also satisfy your craving as it comes with A-grade photography capabilities. Moreover, it has a long battery life that can power up you activities all throughout the day.
Originally priced at Php17,999, consumers can now get the Vivo V15 for only Php15,999! A great deal for its price!
So, is it a yay or nay? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!
Vivo V15 Specs (Philippines):
- Dual SIM, supports LTE connectivity
- 6.53-inch FHD+ Ultra FullView (2340 x 1080) capacitive touchscreen, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 91.64% screen-to-body ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
- Dimensions: 161.2 x 75.9 x 8.5mm
- Weight: 186 grams
- Android 9 Pie with Funtouch OS 9
- 2.1GHz octa-core CPU, Helio P70 chipset, Mali-G72 MP3 GPU
- 6GB RAM
- 128GB storage
- 12MP f/1.78 + 8MP f/2.2 + 5MP f/2.4 triple rear cameras
- 32MP f/2.0 front camera
- Multimedia Player
- 3.5mm audio jack
- WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- Bluetooth 4.2
- GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
- MicroUSB
- Jovi AI
- Fingerprint scanner
- Battery: 4,000mAh non-removable with dual-engine fast charging
- Price: Php15,999