Vivo Y36i specifications and in-depth review

Vivo Y36i

Manufacturer: Vivo

The Vivo Y36i is an entry-level Android 13 smartphone built around a 6.56-inch IPS LCD touchscreen with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 180Hz touch sampling rate. It runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chipset, a 7 nm octa-core processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, with an external memory slot available for additional capacity. The device has a slim profile at 8.1 mm thick, weighs 186 g, and includes a 5000 mAh battery with 15W fast charging and a charger in the box.

The rear camera is a single 13 MP CMOS sensor at f/2.2 with phase-detection autofocus, HDR, timelapse, slow-motion recording, and a selection of manual controls including exposure, ISO, focus, and white balance. Video recording tops out at 1080p at 30 fps. On the connectivity side, the Vivo Y36i supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX HD, Wi-Fi 5, dual SIM, and USB Type-C, though NFC is absent. Navigation is handled by GPS with Galileo support and a compass, and a fingerprint scanner is included for biometric security. The 3.5 mm headphone jack and built-in radio round out the audio options, alongside a single speaker setup.

Pros
  • A 5000 mAh battery provides substantial capacity for extended daily use, with a charger included in the box
  • 5G support is present alongside Wi-Fi 5, covering modern network connectivity needs
  • The 90Hz refresh rate with a 180Hz touch sampling rate delivers a noticeably smoother scrolling and touch response experience for an LCD display
  • An external memory slot allows storage to be expanded beyond the built-in 128GB
  • aptX HD Bluetooth support enables higher-quality wireless audio output compared to standard Bluetooth codec transmission
  • The 3.5 mm headphone jack and built-in radio add wired audio flexibility without requiring adapters
Cons
  • The display resolution of 720 x 1612 px results in a pixel density of only 269 ppi on a 6.56-inch screen, which limits sharpness for text and detailed content
  • Only 4GB of RAM is available, which may restrict multitasking and the performance of memory-demanding applications
  • The rear camera is a single 13 MP lens with no optical image stabilization, limiting shooting flexibility and low-light stability
  • NFC is absent, ruling out contactless payments and NFC-based data transfers
  • The device has no gyroscope, which limits compatibility with certain motion-sensitive applications and augmented reality experiences
  • Fast charging tops out at 15W with no wireless charging support, which may slow down recharging compared to devices with higher wattage options
Who is this for?

The Vivo Y36i is a reasonable fit for everyday users who prioritize battery endurance and 5G connectivity over raw performance — the 5000 mAh cell handles extended daily use comfortably, and 5G support keeps the device relevant on modern networks. The 90Hz LCD display with a 180Hz touch sampling rate suits casual browsing, social media, and light media consumption well enough, while the expandable storage via external memory slot benefits users who store a lot of photos, music, or offline content. Those who regularly use wired headphones will appreciate the retained 3.5 mm audio jack, and the aptX HD Bluetooth support adds value for users with compatible wireless audio accessories.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who multitask heavily or run demanding applications will find 4GB of RAM a limiting factor, as memory constraints can affect the smoothness of switching between multiple apps. The single 13 MP rear camera without optical image stabilization is not suited to users who prioritize photography, particularly in challenging lighting conditions or when capturing moving subjects. The 720p display resolution spread across a 6.56-inch screen produces a pixel density of only 269 ppi, making it a poor fit for users who are sensitive to screen sharpness during reading or detailed content viewing. The absence of a gyroscope and NFC also rules it out for users who rely on augmented reality applications or contactless payment functionality.

Design:

water resistance None
weight 186 g
thickness 8.1 mm
width 75.4 mm
height 163.7 mm
volume 99.978138 cm³
has a rugged build
can be folded

The Vivo Y36i has a conventional, non-folding form factor measuring 163.7 mm tall, 75.4 mm wide, and 8.1 mm thick, with a total volume of approximately 99.98 cm³ and a weight of 186 g. It does not feature a rugged build and carries no water resistance rating, meaning it offers no certified protection against moisture or dust exposure.

Display:

Display type LCD, IPS
screen size 6.56"
pixel density 269 ppi
resolution 720 x 1612 px
refresh rate 90Hz
touch sampling rate 180Hz
has branded damage-resistant glass
supports HDR10
supports HDR10+
Always-On Display
supports Dolby Vision
Has a secondary screen
has a touch screen

The Vivo Y36i features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1612 px and a pixel density of 269 ppi. The panel runs at a 90Hz refresh rate with a 180Hz touch sampling rate for more responsive input handling. Branded damage-resistant glass is not present, and the display does not support HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, or Always-On Display. There is no secondary screen, and the panel is not glossy or curved.

Performance:

internal storage 128GB
RAM 4GB
Chipset (SoC) name MediaTek Dimensity 6020
GPU name Mali G57 MP2
CPU speed 2 x 2.2 & 6 x 2 GHz
GPU clock speed 950 MHz
Has integrated LTE
RAM speed 2133 MHz
semiconductor size 7 nm
Supports 64-bit
Has integrated graphics
Uses big.LITTLE technology
CPU threads 8 threads
maximum memory bandwidth 17.07 GB/s
L2 cache 1 MB
L1 cache 512 KB
maximum memory amount 16GB
uses multithreading
DDR memory version 4
L3 cache 2 MB

The Vivo Y36i is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 6020, a 7 nm octa-core chipset configured as 2 cores at 2.2 GHz and 6 cores at 2.0 GHz, using big.LITTLE architecture with multithreading support across 8 threads. It comes with 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM at 2133 MHz and 128GB of internal storage, with the chipset supporting up to 16GB of RAM and a maximum memory bandwidth of 17.07 GB/s. Graphics are handled by the integrated Mali G57 MP2 GPU, clocked at 950 MHz. The cache hierarchy includes 512 KB L1, 1 MB L2, and 2 MB L3, and the chipset integrates LTE with full 64-bit support. Internal storage sits at 128GB, and the platform supports expandable memory via an external slot.

Cameras:

megapixels (main camera) 13 MP
wide aperture (main camera) 2.2f
Has a dual-lens (or multi-lens) main camera
megapixels (front camera) 5MP
has built-in optical image stabilization
video recording (main camera) 1080 x 30 fps
Has a dual-tone LED flash
number of flash LEDs 1
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
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) 1.8f
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 Y36i features a single rear camera using a CMOS sensor, with a 13 MP resolution at f/2.2 and phase-detection autofocus for stills, along with touch autofocus and continuous autofocus during video. Optical image stabilization is not included, and the sensor is not back-illuminated. Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30 fps, with slow-motion recording also available. Manual controls cover exposure, ISO, focus, and white balance, though manual shutter speed and RAW capture are not supported. HDR, timelapse, burst mode, and in-camera panoramas are all present, while 360-degree panoramas, laser autofocus, and 3D capture are absent. A single LED flash is included, with no dual-tone or RGB option. The front camera is a 5 MP single-lens unit at f/1.8, mounted conventionally above the display without a front-facing flash.

Operating system:

Android version Android 13
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 Y36i runs Android 13 and includes a practical set of privacy features covering clipboard warnings, location privacy options, and camera/microphone access controls, though Mail Privacy Protection and cross-site tracking blocking are not available. App tracking can be blocked at the OS level, and on-device machine learning is supported. Customization options include theme customization, dynamic theming, dark mode, and an extra dim mode, while focus modes and app offloading are not present. Usability features span split-screen multitasking, Picture-in-Picture, full-page screenshots, a media picker, customizable notifications, sharing intents, Live Text, voice commands with offline recognition, widgets, a child lock, and multi-user support. Games can be played while still downloading, and phone tracking is built in. The OS is free and open source, but direct OS updates from the vendor are not available, and both Quick Start and Wi-Fi password sharing are absent. Battery health check is also not included.

Battery:

battery power 5000 mAh
has wireless charging
Supports fast charging
charging speed 15W
comes with a charger
has a removable battery
has a battery level indicator
has a rechargeable battery

The Vivo Y36i is equipped with a 5000 mAh non-removable rechargeable battery that includes a battery level indicator. It supports fast charging at 15W, and a charger is included in the box. Wireless charging is not available on this device.

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 Vivo Y36i retains a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired audio and includes a built-in radio. On the wireless side, it supports aptX HD for higher-quality Bluetooth audio transmission, though aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, and LDAC are not available. The device has a single speaker rather than a stereo setup.

Connectivity & Features:

has 5G support
Wi-Fi version Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)
SIM cards 2 SIM
Bluetooth version 5.1
has an external memory slot
Has USB Type-C
USB version 2
has NFC
download speed 2770 MBits/s
upload speed 1250 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

The Vivo Y36i supports 5G connectivity alongside Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) and Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), with dual SIM capability and an external memory slot for storage expansion. Bluetooth 5.1 is on board, and wired connectivity is handled via a USB Type-C port running at USB 2.0 speeds. Cellular download speeds reach up to 2770 Mbit/s and upload up to 1250 Mbit/s. Navigation is covered by GPS with Galileo support, a compass, and an accelerometer, though a gyroscope and barometer are absent. Security is managed through a fingerprint scanner, with no 3D facial recognition or iris scanner present. NFC is not included, and features such as emergency SOS via satellite, crash detection, DLNA certification, infrared sensor, heart rate monitor, ANT+, HDMI output, motion tracking, and a built-in projector are all absent. No stylus is included.

Miscellaneous:

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

The Vivo Y36i includes a video light to assist with illumination during video recording. The display is flat with no curved edges, and neither sapphire glass nor an e-paper panel are used.

Final Verdict

The Vivo Y36i is a straightforward entry-level smartphone that covers the basics for light everyday use, with its most notable strengths being 5G support paired with a 5000 mAh battery that offers solid network relevance and dependable daily endurance. The 90Hz display, expandable storage, and retained 3.5 mm jack add practical value for users with modest needs, though the device's 4GB RAM, 720p screen resolution, and limited camera setup mean it falls short for users who demand more from their handset. The absence of a gyroscope and NFC further narrows its appeal for modern feature expectations. For users whose daily usage revolves around communication, casual browsing, and media playback without heavy multitasking demands, the Vivo Y36i delivers an adequate and functional experience within its defined scope.

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