Vivo Y18i : In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, finding a smartphone that balances affordability with functionality can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Enter the Vivo Y18i – a budget-friendly device that’s making waves in the competitive smartphone market of 2025. With its impressive battery life, decent display, and practical features, this entry-level contender deserves a closer look from budget-conscious consumers.
Vivo Y18i Design and Build Quality
The Vivo Y18i sports a modern, sleek design that belies its affordable price point. Available in two elegant color options – Gem Green and Space Black – the device strikes a balance between style and practicality.
Weighing approximately 185 grams, it feels substantial without being cumbersome, allowing for comfortable one-handed operation.
The phone features a water-drop notch design, which houses the front-facing camera while maximizing screen real estate.
While it doesn’t boast premium materials like glass or metal, the polycarbonate body is well-constructed and feels durable enough to withstand daily wear and tear. One notable omission is the lack of a fingerprint sensor, which might disappoint users accustomed to this convenience feature.
Display Capabilities
At the heart of the Vivo Y18i is a 6.56-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1612 × 720 pixels. Though not the sharpest screen in its category, the display delivers vibrant colors and acceptable viewing angles for everyday use.
What truly sets it apart from competitors in this price range is the 90Hz refresh rate, which provides notably smoother scrolling and a more responsive user experience.
The display reaches a peak brightness of 840 nits, ensuring good visibility even under direct sunlight – a feature not commonly found in budget smartphones.
Additionally, the low blue light technology helps reduce eye strain during extended viewing sessions, making it suitable for late-night browsing or media consumption.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the Vivo Y18i is the Unisoc T612 octa-core processor, built on a 12nm process. While not a powerhouse by any stretch, this chipset adequately handles essential tasks like web browsing, social media, and light multitasking.
The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB via a dedicated microSD card slot.
Day-to-day performance is generally smooth, with minimal lag when navigating the interface or switching between applications.
However, users should temper their expectations when it comes to gaming or resource-intensive applications. Simple casual games run well, but graphically demanding titles may struggle, even at lower settings.
Camera System
Photography enthusiasts on a budget will find the Vivo Y18i’s camera system serviceable, if not revolutionary. The rear setup consists of a 13MP primary sensor (f/2.2) paired with a 0.08MP depth sensor (f/3.0).
In well-lit environments, the main camera captures decent photos with reasonable detail and color accuracy. Portrait mode, assisted by the depth sensor, produces acceptable background blur, though edge detection can be hit or miss.
The 5MP front-facing camera handles selfies adequately in good lighting conditions but struggles in low-light scenarios. Video recording capabilities are basic, with 1080p recording at 30fps being the maximum option available.
While not competing with mid-range or flagship devices, the camera system performs reasonably well considering the price point.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the Vivo Y18i’s strongest selling points is its robust 5000mAh battery, which easily powers through a full day of moderate to heavy usage.
Average users might even stretch this to a day and a half or two days with lighter use. This impressive battery performance makes the Y18i an excellent choice for users who prioritize longevity over cutting-edge features.
The device supports 10W charging, which isn’t particularly fast by today’s standards. A full charge takes approximately 2-3 hours, so overnight charging remains the most practical approach. While faster charging would have been welcome, the exceptional battery life somewhat compensates for this limitation.
Software Experience
The Vivo Y18i runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14, offering a relatively clean and intuitive user interface with useful customization options.
Vivo’s software includes several thoughtful features, such as App Retainer, which intelligently manages background processes to optimize performance and battery life.
The company has committed to providing security updates for up to two years, which adds value to the overall package. However, major Android version updates may be limited, which is typical for devices in this price segment.
The software experience includes some pre-installed applications that might be considered bloatware, but most can be uninstalled or disabled according to user preference.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The Vivo Y18i offers comprehensive connectivity options, including dual SIM support (nano + nano + microSD), Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS.
The device features a USB Type-C port, which is becoming standard even in budget offerings. It supports 4G networks with dual VoLTE for enhanced call quality, though 5G connectivity is absent – an understandable omission at this price point.
Other notable features include face unlock functionality (though less secure than fingerprint authentication), a dedicated headphone jack, and decent stereo speakers that provide adequate audio for casual listening. The device also includes basic sensors like an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.
Price and Value Proposition
As of May 2025, the Vivo Y18i is priced at approximately ₹8,749 in India and $143 in the USA, positioning it firmly in the budget segment.
When evaluated against similarly priced competitors, the Y18i offers compelling value, particularly for users who prioritize battery life, display quality, and basic functionality over cutting-edge performance or camera capabilities.
The inclusion of a 90Hz display, substantial battery, and the latest Android version gives the device an edge over some competitors. However, the lack of a fingerprint sensor and modest processor performance might steer power users toward slightly pricier alternatives.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Impressive 5000mAh battery with excellent endurance
Smooth 90Hz display with good brightness
Modern design with attractive color options
Expandable storage up to 1TB
Android 14 out of the box
USB Type-C connectivity
Decent performance for everyday tasks
Competitive pricing
Cons:
No fingerprint sensor
Average camera performance, especially in low light
Limited gaming capabilities
Slow charging speeds
No 5G connectivity
Plastic build might feel less premium
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.56″ IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1612 × 720 pixels, 840 nits peak brightness |
| Processor | Unisoc T612 Octa-Core (12nm) |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable up to 1TB) |
| Rear Camera | 13MP (f/2.2) + 0.08MP depth sensor (f/3.0) |
| Front Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) |
| Battery | 5000mAh with 10W charging |
| Operating System | Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14 |
| Connectivity | Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB Type-C |
| Colors | Gem Green, Space Black |
| Weight | 185 grams |
| Price | ₹8,749 (India), $143 (USA) |
User Experience and Performance
The Vivo Y18i delivers a user experience that exceeds expectations for its price point. The combination of Funtouch OS 14 and the 90Hz display creates a responsive interface that feels smoother than many competitors in this segment.
Basic tasks like messaging, social media browsing, and video streaming run without noticeable issues, though more demanding applications may cause occasional stutters.
Battery optimization is excellent, with the device intelligently managing background processes to maximize endurance.
The inclusion of features like Dark Mode and Eye Protection further enhances the user experience, particularly for those who spend extended periods looking at their screens.
Call quality is clear and reliable, with the dual VoLTE support ensuring better connectivity in areas with spotty network coverage.
The speaker quality is adequate for personal use, though external speakers or headphones are recommended for a more immersive audio experience.
Target Audience
The Vivo Y18i is ideally suited for:
Budget-conscious consumers seeking reliable performance without breaking the bank
Students or young professionals requiring a dependable device for communication and basic productivity
Users who prioritize battery life over cutting-edge features
First-time smartphone buyers or those seeking a secondary device
Elderly users who need a simple, long-lasting phone with a visible display
Comparison with Competitors
When placed alongside similar offerings like the Realme C61, Samsung Galaxy A06, and Vivo’s own Y18, the Y18i holds its ground admirably. It offers better battery life than many competitors and the 90Hz display gives it an edge in terms of user experience.
However, devices like the Vivo Y18 provide better camera capabilities and slightly improved performance for a marginal price increase.
The lack of 5G connectivity might be a disadvantage compared to some similarly priced alternatives that have begun incorporating this feature.
However, with 5G infrastructure still developing in many regions, this may not be a significant concern for most users in the target demographic.
Vivo Y18i Conclusion
The Vivo Y18i represents a thoughtful balance between affordability and functionality in the increasingly competitive budget smartphone market.
While it won’t satisfy power users or photography enthusiasts, it excels at delivering reliable performance, exceptional battery life, and a pleasant user experience at an accessible price point.
By focusing on practical features rather than gimmicks, Vivo has created a device that addresses the essential needs of budget-conscious consumers. The Y18i demonstrates that a smartphone doesn’t need to break the bank to provide a satisfying experience for everyday use.
For those prioritizing longevity, display quality, and basic functionality over cutting-edge specifications, the Vivo Y18i represents one of the more compelling options in the sub-$150 segment of 2025.
It’s a testament to how far budget smartphones have come, delivering features that would have been unimaginable at this price point just a few years ago.
Whether as a first smartphone, a reliable backup device, or a practical choice for users with modest requirements, the Vivo Y18i deserves consideration from anyone shopping in the budget segment who values battery life and overall user experience above all else.