The Vivo Y17 is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver a balanced experience for users who prioritize battery life, camera capabilities, and a sleek design without breaking the bank. While it may not compete with flagship devices, it holds its own in the mid-range segment, offering features that cater to everyday needs. Let’s dive deeper into what this device has to offer.

At first glance, the Vivo Y17 impresses with its modern aesthetic. The phone features a glossy plastic back with a gradient finish that catches the light elegantly, giving it a more premium look than its price tag suggests. The rear-mounted fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed, and the device feels comfortable in hand thanks to its curved edges. The 6.35-inch IPS LCD display dominates the front, with a small waterdrop notch housing the front camera. While the resolution is limited to 720 x 1544 pixels, the colors are vibrant, and the brightness is adequate for indoor use, though it may struggle under direct sunlight.

Under the hood, the Vivo Y17 is powered by the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, paired with 4GB of RAM. This configuration handles day-to-day tasks like social media browsing, messaging, and light multitasking without significant hiccups. However, demanding apps and games may reveal its limitations, with occasional frame drops and longer load times. Storage-wise, the device comes with 128GB of internal space, which is generous for a budget phone, and it supports expandable storage via a microSD card slot—a welcome feature for media-heavy users.

One of the standout features of the Vivo Y17 is its massive 5,000mAh battery. In real-world usage, the phone easily lasts a full day, even with moderate to heavy use, and can stretch into a second day for lighter users. Unfortunately, the charging speed is a letdown, as the included 10W charger takes nearly three hours to fully replenish the battery. A faster charging solution would have been a significant upgrade, but at this price point, compromises are expected.

The camera setup on the Vivo Y17 is another area where it punches above its weight. The triple rear system consists of a 13MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots. Daylight photos from the main camera are sharp with decent dynamic range, though details can soften in low-light conditions. The ultra-wide lens is fun for capturing broader scenes, but distortion is noticeable at the edges. The 20MP front camera performs well for selfies, with skin tones appearing natural and ample detail in good lighting. Vivo’s software enhancements, such as AI beautification, add versatility for selfie enthusiasts.

Software-wise, the phone runs on Funtouch OS 9, based on Android 9 Pie. While the interface is clean and intuitive, the outdated Android version is a drawback, as it misses out on newer features and security updates. Vivo’s custom skin includes useful additions like gesture navigation and a system-wide dark mode, but bloatware is present, with pre-installed apps that can’t be uninstalled. Performance optimizations help keep the experience smooth, but heavy users might notice occasional stutters.

For connectivity, the Vivo Y17 covers the basics with dual SIM support, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and a microUSB port—a puzzling choice in an era where USB-C is becoming standard. The absence of NFC means no contactless payments, but the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack will please those who rely on wired audio. The speaker is loud but lacks depth, and the sound quality is average at best, so headphones are recommended for media consumption.

In conclusion, the Vivo Y17 is a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize battery life and camera versatility. Its design is appealing, and the large display is great for media consumption, though the resolution could be sharper. Performance is adequate for casual use, but power users may find it lacking. If you can overlook the slow charging and outdated software, this phone offers good value for its price range.

Vivo Y17 Full Specifications:

Display: 6.35-inch IPS LCD, 720 x 1544 resolution, 19.3:9 aspect ratio

Processor: MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm), Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)

GPU: PowerVR GE8320

RAM: 4GB

Storage: 128GB internal, expandable via microSD (dedicated slot)

Rear Cameras: 13MP primary (f/2.2), 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 2MP depth sensor (f/2.4)

Front Camera: 20MP (f/2.0)

Battery: 5,000mAh, 10W wired charging

OS: Funtouch OS 9 (based on Android 9 Pie)

Connectivity: Dual SIM, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, microUSB, 3.5mm jack

Dimensions: 159.4 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm

Weight: 190.5g

Colors: Mineral Blue, Peacock Blue

Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face unlock, AI camera enhancements