The Vivo S1 launched in Pakistan with a lot of excitement. It promised a beautiful design, a great screen, and strong camera features. For a while, it was a top choice for many looking for a mid-range phone. But years later, is the Vivo S1 still a good phone to buy? The market is full of new options.
This article gives you a complete look at the Vivo S1. We will dive deep into its pros and cons. We are not just listing specs. We will analyze what it feels like to use this phone every day. We will talk about its display, performance, camera quality, and battery life. This will help you decide if the Vivo S1 is the right phone for your needs and budget in Pakistan today.
The Good Side: Vivo S1 Pros
The Vivo S1 came with several features that made it stand out. Let’s explore the advantages that made this phone a popular choice.
Stunning Super AMOLED Display
One of the biggest strengths of the Vivo S1 is its screen. It has a 6.38-inch Super AMOLED display. This is a feature usually found in more expensive phones. The screen produces deep blacks and vibrant colors. Watching videos or looking at photos on this phone is a treat. The colors pop, and everything looks sharp and clear.
The display also has a Full HD+ resolution. This means text and images are very crisp. For daily use, like browsing social media or reading articles, this high-quality screen makes a big difference. It reduces strain on the eyes. The phone also includes an in-display fingerprint scanner, which was a very modern feature at its launch. It adds to the premium feel of the device.
Impressive Battery Life
Battery life is very important for users in Pakistan. The Vivo S1 excels in this area. It comes with a large 4500 mAh battery. For most users, this battery can easily last a full day of heavy use. This includes calls, messaging, social media, and some video watching. With light to moderate use, you might even get it to last for a day and a half.
The phone also supports 18W Dual-Engine Fast Charging. This means you can charge the large battery relatively quickly. When you are in a hurry, you can get a good amount of charge in just 30 minutes. This combination of a big battery and fast charging makes the Vivo S1 a very reliable phone for people who are always on the go.
Capable Camera System
For its price, the Vivo S1 offered a flexible camera setup. The back of the phone has three cameras. The main camera is a 16MP sensor that takes clear and detailed photos in good lighting. The colors are natural, and the photos are good enough for social media.
It also has an 8MP ultra-wide camera. This lets you fit more into your pictures, which is great for landscapes or group photos. The third camera is a 2MP depth sensor. This helps create the bokeh effect in portrait mode, where the background is blurred to make the subject stand out.
The front camera is a 32MP sensor. This was a huge selling point. It takes very sharp and detailed selfies. For people who love taking selfies, the Vivo S1 was a fantastic option. The camera app also includes many beauty modes and filters to enhance your photos.
The Other Side: Vivo S1 Cons
No phone is perfect. The Vivo S1 has some weaknesses that you should know about before making a decision.
Average Performance for Gaming
The Vivo S1 is powered by the MediaTek Helio P65 chipset. It also has 4GB of RAM. For everyday tasks like calling, texting, using WhatsApp, and browsing Facebook, this combination is perfectly fine. The phone feels smooth, and apps open quickly.
However, the performance is not ideal for heavy gaming. Games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty can run on this phone, but you will have to use low to medium graphics settings. Even then, you might experience some lag or dropped frames during intense moments. If you are a serious gamer, this phone might not meet your expectations. Newer phones in the same price range now offer more powerful processors designed for gaming.
Micro-USB Port Instead of Type-C
When the Vivo S1 was released, many new phones were already moving to the USB Type-C port. Unfortunately, the Vivo S1 is stuck with the older micro-USB port. This has two main disadvantages. First, micro-USB is not reversible, so you have to make sure you are plugging it in the right way. This can be annoying.
Second, data transfer speeds are slower with micro-USB compared to Type-C. While it supports fast charging, the port itself feels dated. In today’s market, almost all new Android phones use Type-C. Owning a phone with a micro-USB port means you might need to carry a separate cable when your friends all have Type-C devices.
Plastic Body and Dated Design
The Vivo S1 has a plastic back and frame. While the gradient finishes look attractive, the phone does not feel as premium as devices with a glass or metal body. The plastic is also more prone to scratches over time. You will likely need to use a case to keep it looking new.
Additionally, the design with the waterdrop notch at the top of the screen now looks a bit dated. Many new phones offer punch-hole displays, which provide a more modern and immersive viewing experience. While the design is not bad, it does show the phone’s age when compared to newer models.
Final Verdict: Is the Vivo S1 Worth It Today?
The Vivo S1 was a strong mid-range phone when it launched. It offered a fantastic display, long battery life, and a great selfie camera. These are still valuable features.
Today, you can find the Vivo S1 in the used market in Pakistan for a very affordable price, often between PKR 25,000 and PKR 35,000. At this price, it can be a good choice for a secondary phone or for a user with basic needs. The screen is still better than many new budget phones. The battery life remains a huge plus.
However, you must consider its cons. The gaming performance is average, and the micro-USB port is outdated. For a similar price, you can find newer used phones or budget devices that might offer a more powerful processor and a more modern design.
If your main priorities are a beautiful screen and a battery that lasts all day, the Vivo S1 is still a decent option. But if you are a gamer or want the latest features, you should probably look at newer alternatives.
If you’re exploring mid-range smartphone options, check out our detailed comparison of the Infinix Zero Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy A Series for a clearer buying decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the price of a used Vivo S1 in Pakistan?
A used Vivo S1 in good condition typically costs between PKR 25,000 and PKR 35,000 in Pakistan, depending on its condition.
2. Is the Vivo S1 good for gaming?
The Vivo S1 can handle casual games well. However, it struggles with heavy games like PUBG Mobile on high settings. It is not recommended for serious gamers.
3. How long does the Vivo S1 battery last?
The 4500 mAh battery can easily last a full day with normal to heavy use. With light usage, it can extend to a day and a half.
4. Does the Vivo S1 have a good camera?
Yes, the Vivo S1 has a capable camera system for its price, especially its 32MP front camera, which takes excellent selfies. The rear cameras perform well in good light.
5. Does the Vivo S1 use a Type-C port?
No, the Vivo S1 uses an older micro-USB port for charging and data transfer, not a modern USB Type-C port.
