Vivo Z1Pro review: Choose this for top-notch performance, not interface

Consider this phone for its camera, performance and exceptional on-battery time. However, if ease of use is important and you stream videos on OTT platforms, this might not be your best bet.

Business Standard : Chinese electronics manufacturer BKK Electronics’ smartphone brand Vivo has made a comeback to India’s affordable midrange smartphone segment with the launch of the Vivo Z1Pro. The smartphone boasts a segment-first punch-hole screen, a big-capacity battery of 5,000 mAh, a triple-camera module on the back, and reflective glass-like design. With regard to specifications and features, the phone seems to be a feature-rich option in its segment. But is it worth your money? Let’s find out:

Design

Like most budget and midrange smartphones, the Vivo Z1Pro has a curved glass-like reflective cover on the back and a polycarbonate chassis. Though the phone looks premium, it is not sturdy and gets easily scratched. The phone’s front profile, on the other hand, is a different story altogether. It boasts a punch-hole screen, which no other smartphones in the same segment has. Therefore, the phone’s front profile looks much more modern than other smartphones in the same segment, such as the Realme 3 Pro (review) and Redmi Note 7 Pro (review).

Display

The phone sports a 6.53-inch display of a fullHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), stretched in a tall 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The screen is stretched from edge to edge, leaving limited bezels on the sides. However, like other smartphones with notch-screen or punch-hole screens, it also has a thick bezel on the bottom that somewhat spoils its front profile.

While the display is bright, vivid and sharp, it is not tuned for multimedia consumption; it does not have a Widevine L1 certification. As a result, you can stream videos available on the over-the-top platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Videos at a maximum resolution of only 480p — not HD or fullHD. The screen’s touch response is also weak. In regular day-to-day usage it works fine, but a lag is noticed during aggressive gaming sessions.

Camera
The Vivo Z1Pro sports a triple-camera module on the back, featuring a 16-megapixel primary sensor of an f/1.78 aperture, an 8MP ultra wide-angle lens and a 2MP depth sensor. Though not the most versatile triple-camera set-up — it lacks telephoto lens — it is a decent one. The camera user interface (UI) is loaded with multiple modes, including an artificial intelligence (AI) beauty mode and night mode. The camera is fun to use as a point-and-shoot module, but the additional modes leave much to be desired for people who like exploring and experimenting.