Vivo Z1 Comprehensive Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Vivo Z1 is a smartphone that made its debut in the mid-range market in May 2018 and became available the following June. It sought to strike a balance between performance, design, and affordability, offering features that stood out among its competitors. Although the technology landscape has changed significantly since 2018, the Vivo Z1 remains a testament to Vivo's commitment to providing quality devices at reasonable prices. Let's delve into the specifics of what this device has to offer.

Design and Build

The Vivo Z1 sports a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 154.8 x 75 x 7.9 mm and weighs 149.3 grams, making it a lightweight and comfortable device to hold. The device is constructed with a glass front and a plastic back, housed within a plastic frame. Offering a Hybrid Dual SIM setup, the phone can support two Nano-SIM cards in a dual standby mode. The available color options, including Sapphire blue, Enamel blue, Hyun red, Enamel black, Black gold limited edition, and Aurora Special Edition, provide a range of choices to suit personal styles.

Display

The Vivo Z1 features a 6.26-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels and a 19:9 aspect ratio, providing a pixel density of approximately 403 ppi. This translates to vibrant and sharp visuals, making it ideal for media consumption, gaming, and everyday tasks. The screen-to-body ratio of roughly 84.2% ensures an immersive viewing experience while maintaining a compact form factor.

Performance

Under the hood, the Vivo Z1 is powered by the Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 chipset, a commonly used SoC in mid-range smartphones of its time. The octa-core processor setup comprises 4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores and 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver cores. The Adreno 512 GPU handles graphics processing, enabling smooth gameplay and visual rendering. This combination of CPU and GPU ensures that the Vivo Z1 can handle multitasking and intensive applications with relative ease.

Memory and Storage

The Vivo Z1 comes in various configurations catering to different user needs. It offers internal storage options of 64GB paired with 4GB RAM or 6GB RAM, and a larger 128GB storage option with 6GB RAM. For users who need additional space, the device supports microSDXC cards, albeit through a shared SIM slot. This expandable storage option is a valuable addition for users who store large media files, apps, or games.

Camera Capabilities

The Vivo Z1 features a dual rear camera setup, with a 13 MP primary sensor equipped with phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and a 2 MP depth sensor for enhanced portrait shots. The rear camera system supports features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, allowing users to capture stunning photos in various lighting conditions. The rear camera can also record videos in 4K at 30fps, or 1080p at 30fps, offering flexibility in video recording quality.

On the front, the Vivo Z1 boasts a 12 MP selfie camera with an f/2.0 aperture and wide-angle capabilities. The front camera is adept at capturing clear and vibrant selfies, and it can also record 1080p videos at 30fps, making it suitable for vlogs and video calls.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 3260 mAh battery. While it may not be the largest battery available in the market, it is optimized alongside the Snapdragon 660’s power efficiency to deliver a full day of moderate use. It supports standard charging speeds, and while it may not feature fast charging technology, it adequately supports the needs of regular users.

Software and User Interface

Out of the box, the Vivo Z1 runs on Android 8.1 Oreo, layered with Vivo’s proprietary Funtouch 4 OS. Funtouch OS is known for its iOS-like aesthetics and unique features, such as smart gestures and custom settings for a personalized user experience. Although Android 8.1 might be considered outdated by current standards, the operating system still offers a range of features and stability for the average user.

Connectivity and Network

The Vivo Z1 supports GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring comprehensive network coverage across various regions. Internet speeds on the device are up to HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps and LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps, providing fast and reliable connectivity. Other connectivity options include dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and an FM radio. However, it lacks NFC support, which might be a consideration for users who frequently rely on contactless payment systems.

Additional Features

The Vivo Z1 is equipped with a range of sensors including a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. The rear fingerprint scanner is positioned for easy accessibility and quick device unlocking. Additionally, the device retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to use wired earphones or headphones without the need for adapters.

Pricing and Availability

At launch, the Vivo Z1 was priced at approximately 180 EUR, positioning it as a highly competitive option in the mid-range market segment. Its pricing, combined with its features, made it an attractive choice for consumers seeking value for money. Over the years, the device’s price may have fluctuated depending on the region and current market conditions.

In conclusion, the Vivo Z1 upon its release was a commendable entry in the mid-range smartphone market. It delivered a balanced package aimed at users who value performance, design, and cost-effectiveness. While newer models and technology have surpassed its capabilities, it remains a notable part of Vivo's lineup, illustrating their dedication to producing devices that cater to various consumer needs and preferences.