vivo Y28, the newest addition to vivo’s entry-level Y series, is an affordable device that offers both the brawn and beauty.
Its massive 6000mAh battery is among the largest capacities in its segment, plus it comes with a plethora of other features that are useful for day-to-day use.
With a price tag of P7,999 for the 8GB+128GB model and P9,999 for the 8GB+256GB configuration, this phone is now available at vivo physical stores nationwide and online via Shopee, Lazada, and the brand’s website.
We spent some time with the vivo Y28 and put it through its paces. Read on to discover if it’s worth the buy.
Long-lasting battery
The vivo Y28’s 6000mAh battery gave us more than a day of mixed use, which included browsing social media, making a few video calls, playing a few games, watching on YouTube and streaming apps, and with Wi-Fi always on. On standby and with Wi-Fi and automatic update on, it lasted several days before prompting us of low battery.
The 44W FlashCharge feature allowed us to charge the phone from less than 10% up to almost 50% in half an hour. It took us around an hour to fully charge the phone.
Under the hood are a MediaTek Helio G85 processor and a Mali-G52 GPU. Our review unit comes with an 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage that can be further expanded via microSD
The Game Mode and Multi-Turbo 5.5 technology work together to give users optimized performance when playing games. There’s also an option to extend the virtual memory to up to 8GB. It can handle light games well with minimal lag. Mobile Legends (and probably similar game titles) must be set to low graphics settings to ensure near smooth performance.
Pretty & protected
The vivo Y28 comes with IP64 rating for splash and dust resistance, which adds a layer of protection to the phone. We still recommend handling the phone with extra care, especially around liquids, as it is not fully waterproof.
Build-wise, the vivo Y28 looks pretty and feels solid to hold. If we’re basing it by the design and construction alone, this phone seems to be at a higher price bracket than it actually is.
Our review unit came in the striking Gleaming Orange colorway, a vibrant shade that’s sure to attract attention. For those who prefer something more subdued, an Agate Green option is also available.
The glossy back with glittery finish, the metallic frame and camera housing, and the minimal branding at the lower left add to the overall premium look of the vivo Y28. The rear panel can get fingerprint smudges, but they aren’t very noticeable due to the shiny finish. A clear case is included with the phone to help prevent fingerprints.
The buttons and ports are in the typical locations. The volume keys and power button are on the right side, and both are clicky and responsive. On the left is the card slot/tray, which accommodates dual nano-SIMs.
The USB Type-C port is at the bottom edge, sandwiched between the 3.5mm audio port and a speaker. With these, there’s a choice for a stable wired audio connection or a decent and loud enough speakers. Of course, connecting headphones via Bluetooth is also an option.
At 199 grams, this device feels sturdy but is still comfortable to hold for long periods.
Lights, camera, action!
The square module at the back houses the dual cameras: a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth lens, along with an LED flash.
The pictures taken with this phone are decent at best. Good lighting is a must to get sharp and good quality images, and even then they appear a bit washed out. Photos taken indoor or in low light settings appear grainy and undersaturated.
The 13MP front camera is in the hole punch notch at the top part of the display. Selfies taken from this show obvious beautification; the output quality ranges from underwhelming to good, depending on the lighting.
Still, both cameras are useful for everyday documentation and video calls.
The rear camera system also includes vivo’s Dynamic Light, which can be set to light up for different functions. It illuminates when there’s a new notification, alerting users of incoming message, update, or call even when the phone is facing down. The Dynamic Light can also flash in sync with the camera’s countdown timer or with the music playing on the phone.
Smooth and bright
The 6.68-inch HD+ (1608 x 720) LCD display offers a 264ppi pixel density, and up to a 90Hz refresh rate. Slim bezels flank the sides and the top part of the screen, while a slightly thicker bezel can be found at the bottom.
For an entry-level device, the display is good enough. It’s not as sharp compared to more premium devices—icons appear pixelated and text are not crisp at closer inspection. It does, however, produce fairly vibrant images for an LCD screen, so watching videos and viewing images are something one can enjoy on this phone.
The display can reach a maximum brightness of 1,000nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions.
This phone runs on the Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14. It’s simple and easy to navigate, plus it includes several options for personalization and improving the performance. It comes with several bloatware out of the box, but nothing that can’t easily be removed or uninstalled. There’s no option for face recognition, but it does have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Speed says
For its price, the vivo Y28 already offers a lot of features that casual and productivity users will appreciate: it has a premium feel and look, the performance is decent, and the battery lasts long. While the screen and camera could be better, they’re understandable given the affordable price tag.
