The MidRanger To Beat Vivo V19

The Vivo V19 is the latest midrange release that follows Vivo’s longstanding “make the same, but better” mantra. Everything implemented in the V19 feels like it’s designed to make people turn away from pricier flagship devices.

- Liu Hongzuo

For instance, the Android 10 device by Vivo has both in-display fingerprint sensor and camera-based facial recognition capabilities, with an option to combine both inputs for a secure unlock method at a personal level. It brings dual front cameras to satisfy folks who love selfies, while also packing an AI quad-camera configuration on the rear. It also has a whopping 4,500mAh and 33W proprietary fast charging technology. The V19 even has a microSD card slot and a 3.5mm audio jack - features that have always given mid-range phones a slight edge over flagship counterparts. At a sticker price of just $599, is the Vivo V19 the 2020 mid-range smartphone we’ve all been waiting for?

Frankly, it’s quite challenging to tell apart the Vivo V19 from Huawei’s P40 series smartphones. The make is similar, down to the choice of the metal rim holding the plastic rear and display panel together. The rear camera housing adopts the same rectangular shape found on the P40 too. While the V19 is not original in design, it still offers a flagship looking device at a mid-tier price point, so that’s a plus point in favor of Vivo.

On the Vivo V19 is a 6.44-inch Super AMOLED display rated at Full HD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080 pixels), working out to a pixel density of almost 409ppi. Super AMOLED panels on phones are generally comfortable for viewing, with its signature vibrant colourisation and warm colour temperatures.

The V19’s single firing loudspeaker is located next to the USB Type-C port at the bottom. It has a bass-heavy sound profile with slight bloat in the middle range frequencies. The speaker packs an impressive maximum volume, but it trades that volume for clarity.