Vivo S18 specifications and in-depth review

Vivo S18

Manufacturer: Vivo

The Vivo S18 is a sleek smartphone offering a solid combination of performance and display. With a large 6.78″ OLED display and a slim profile, the device delivers an enjoyable viewing experience. Its 185.8 g weight and 7.5 mm thickness make it comfortable to hold while maintaining a high-end design.

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, the Vivo S18 features 16GB of RAM and a 512GB storage capacity. The phone also supports fast charging with an 80W charging speed, ensuring quick power-ups. Additional features include 5G support, NFC, and a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization for clear photos and videos.

Pros
  • Supports 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds.
  • Has a high-quality curved display, enhancing the viewing experience.
  • Includes a built-in video light for better visibility in low-light conditions.
  • Equipped with a USB Type-C port for modern, reversible charging and data transfer.
  • Offers advanced Bluetooth features like aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive for superior audio quality.
Cons
  • Lacks support for wireless charging, limiting charging convenience.
  • Does not include sapphire glass display, which could improve durability.
  • Does not feature an e-paper display, which some users might prefer for readability in bright light.
  • No stereo speakers, which could limit audio quality for media consumption.
  • Lacks a radio, which may be a drawback for users who rely on this feature.
Who is this for?

This product is ideal for users seeking a high-quality curved display for immersive viewing and those who need reliable connectivity with 5G support for fast data speeds. It's also suitable for individuals who prioritize advanced Bluetooth features like aptX and aptX HD, which enhance audio performance. Additionally, the built-in video light makes it a good choice for users who need to capture photos or videos in low-light conditions.

Who is this NOT for?

This product may not be suitable for users who require wireless charging or prefer devices with durable displays like sapphire glass, as it lacks both features. Additionally, users who rely on stereo sound or need an e-paper display for better readability in bright environments may find this product lacking in those areas. It's also not ideal for those seeking a built-in radio or advanced motion tracking capabilities.

Design:

water resistance Water resistant
weight 185.8 g
thickness 7.5 mm
width 75.1 mm
height 164.4 mm
volume 92.5983 cm³
Ingress Protection (IP) rating IP54
has a rugged build
can be folded

The Vivo S18 offers a well-balanced design with a slim and lightweight build. Weighing just 185.8 g and measuring 7.5 mm thick, it remains comfortable to hold while delivering a solid feel. The device is water resistant with an IP54 rating, ensuring protection against dust and splashes. With dimensions of 164.4 mm in height and 75.1 mm in width, the phone provides a good screen-to-body ratio. The overall volume of the device is 92.6 cm³, contributing to a sleek profile without sacrificing functionality.

Display:

Display type OLED/AMOLED
screen size 6.78"
pixel density 453 ppi
resolution 1260 x 2800 px
refresh rate 120Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
contrast ratio 8000000:1
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Vivo S18 features a 6.78″ OLED/AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 px, offering a sharp and vibrant visual experience. With a pixel density of 453 ppi, the display ensures crisp details, while the 120Hz refresh rate contributes to smooth scrolling and gameplay. The screen also supports an Always-On Display for convenient information at a glance, though it does not include features like HDR10 or branded damage-resistant glass.

Performance:

internal storage 512GB
RAM 16GB
Chipset (SoC) name Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
GPU name Adreno 720
CPU speed 1 x 2.63 & 3 x 2.4 & 4 x 1.8 GHz
GPU clock speed 950 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 3200 MHz
semiconductor size 4 nm
Supports 64-bit
DirectX version DirectX 12
Has integrated graphics
OpenGL ES version 3.2
Uses big.LITTLE technology
Has TrustZone
maximum memory bandwidth 25.6 GB/s
maximum memory amount 16GB
uses multithreading
Thermal Design Power (TDP) 6W
DDR memory version 5

The Vivo S18 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, offering a blend of performance and efficiency. With 16GB of RAM running at 3200 MHz and 512GB of internal storage, the device ensures smooth multitasking and ample space for your data. The CPU features a combination of clock speeds up to 2.63 GHz, while the Adreno 720 GPU provides solid graphics performance. This setup is complemented by support for 64-bit processing, DirectX 12, and multithreading, ensuring the phone can handle a variety of tasks with ease.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 50 & 8 MP
wide aperture (main camera) 2.2 & 1.9f
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 50MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 2160 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
has a BSI sensor
has a CMOS sensor
has continuous autofocus when recording movies
Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
supports slow-motion video recording
has a built-in HDR mode
has manual exposure
has a flash
optical zoom 0x
has manual ISO
has a serial shot mode
has manual focus
has a front camera
Has laser autofocus
Shoots 360° panorama
has manual white balance
shoots raw
has touch autofocus
has manual shutter speed
can create panoramas in-camera
wide aperture (front camera) 2f
Has timelapse function
Has a front-facing LED flash
has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) front camera
has a front-facing camera under the display
Has a RGB LED flash
has 3D photo/video recording capabilities

The Vivo S18 features a dual-lens main camera with a 50MP and 8MP setup, offering a wide aperture of 2.2f and 1.9f for better light capture. The camera supports optical image stabilization to reduce blur, and phase-detection autofocus for sharp, fast photos. On the front, a 50MP camera ensures high-quality selfies, complemented by features like manual exposure, HDR mode, and the ability to shoot timelapse videos. However, it does not include optical zoom or a dual-tone LED flash.

Operating system:

Android version Android 14
has clipboard warnings
has location privacy options
has camera/microphone privacy options
has Mail Privacy Protection
has theme customization
can block app tracking
blocks cross-site tracking
has on-device machine learning
has notification permissions
has media picker
Can play games while they download
has dark mode
has Wi-Fi password sharing
has battery health check
has an extra dim mode
has focus modes
has dynamic theming
can offload apps
Has customizable notifications
has Live Text
has full-page screenshots
supports split screen
gets direct OS updates
has PiP
Can be used as a PC
Has sharing intents
has a child lock
Supports widgets
Is free and open source
Has offline voice recognition
has voice commands
Tracks the current position of a mobile device
is a multi-user system
has Quick Start

The Vivo S18 runs on Android 14, offering a range of privacy and customization options. Features like location privacy, camera/microphone access control, and clipboard warnings help ensure user security. The device also supports theme customization, dark mode, dynamic theming, and customizable notifications for a tailored experience. Additionally, it includes useful tools like Live Text, PiP mode, split screen, and offline voice recognition, though it does not support Wi-Fi password sharing or direct OS updates.

Battery:

battery power 5000 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 80W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The Vivo S18 is equipped with a 5000 mAh rechargeable battery that supports fast charging at 80W, ensuring quick power-ups. Although it does not feature wireless charging or a removable battery, it comes with a charger included and provides a battery level indicator for easy monitoring. The battery is designed to be efficient, offering convenient recharging with a reliable power source.

Audio:

has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
has stereo speakers
has aptX
has LDAC
has aptX HD
has aptX Adaptive
has aptX Lossless
Has a radio

The audio experience on this device is enhanced with support for advanced Bluetooth audio codecs, including aptX, LDAC, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive, ensuring high-quality wireless sound. However, it lacks a 3.5 mm audio jack, stereo speakers, and radio functionality, which may limit some users seeking more traditional audio options.

Connectivity & Features:

release date December 2023
has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5.4
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
download speed 5000 MBits/s
upload speed 160 MBits/s
Has a fingerprint scanner
has emergency SOS via satellite
has crash detection
is DLNA-certified
has a gyroscope
supports ANT+
Has a heart rate monitor
has GPS
has a compass
supports Wi-Fi
Has an infrared sensor
has an accelerometer
has a cellular module
Has a barometer
has an HDMI output
Uses 3D facial recognition
Has an iris scanner
Stylus included
supports Galileo
Has motion tracking
Has optical tracking
Has a built-in projector

This device supports 5G connectivity, offering fast download speeds of up to 5000 MBits/s and upload speeds of 160 MBits/s. It is equipped with a USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and supports multiple Wi-Fi standards, including Wi-Fi 6. Additionally, it features GPS, a fingerprint scanner, and a range of sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, and compass. However, it lacks an external memory slot, infrared sensor, and satellite SOS functionality.

Miscellaneous:

has a video light
Has sapphire glass display
Has a curved display
Has an e-paper display

This device features a curved display for a more immersive viewing experience and comes with a built-in video light for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. However, it does not include sapphire glass or an e-paper display, which are commonly seen in premium devices.

Final Verdict

The product offers a solid blend of connectivity and performance, making it a strong choice for users seeking fast 5G speeds and advanced Bluetooth audio features such as aptX and aptX HD. Its curved display enhances the viewing experience, while the built-in video light adds convenience for low-light photography. However, it may not be the best option for those seeking features like wireless charging or an e-paper display. Overall, this device caters well to users looking for modern connectivity and a premium display experience, but those with specific needs may find some limitations.

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