×
Foldable phones are getting a lot better. Here’s every model you can buy in 2025.

Foldable phones are getting a lot better. Here’s every model you can buy in 2025.

Tech-news

Foldable phones started life as a gimmick. They were demonstrably worse in terms of usability compared to typical smartphones and were a lot more expensive. Over the years, the price has remained mostly consistent, but the foldables themselves have improved significantly, making their price-to-performance ratios more justifiable. There are also way more than there used to be, and that competition has been good for consumers.

With the launch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7, Galaxy Z Flip 7, and the upcoming launch of the Pixel Pro 10 Fold, you may be curious what the current foldable market looks like. There still aren’t a ton of foldables out there, but they are much more plentiful than they once were.

For the purposes of this list, we’ll discuss the foldables currently on the market, but you can still find virtually every foldable phone ever made on sites like eBay, Swappa, and other used phone marketplaces. We’ll also have a guide to our favorite foldables coming soon, so stay tuned.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7


Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Read our full Galaxy Z Fold 7 review.

Let’s start with the latest edition to the foldable family, and that’s the Galaxy Z Fold 7. It’s arguably the best foldable that Samsung has released yet. It houses a number of improved specs and hardware advancements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (which is now discontinued, although you can still find new stock on some online retailers). If you want a flagship, Westworld-style foldable phone with a huge display, this is the top contender so far in 2025.

So, what makes the Z Fold 7 so good? It’s the lightest Fold that Samsung has released to date, shaving precious grams off the weight. Our reviewer Alex Perry also said it’s incredibly thin and simply feels great in the hand. The 8-inch screen is the largest ever housed in a Fold, and Samsung also redesigned the hinge. As we said in our review, “Samsung’s latest Z Fold phone is [our] favorite yet thanks to its gorgeous form factor, great displays, and solid camera array.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7

close-up of the cameras on the Galaxy z flip 7


Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

Read our full Galaxy Z Flip 7 review.

The Fold’s younger sibling is also on the menu if you want something more traditional. Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 7 is the tippy top of the Flip lineup from the Korean tech giant, and it’s definitely packing some great stuff. The AMOLED external display increased to 4.1 inches in size and goes right up to the edge of the screen. It functionally covers the entire front half of the phone while folded, giving it some honest-to-goodness usability. Crucially, this “AI flip phone” also easily fits in your pocket — imagine that?

Like the Z Fold 7, it also houses numerous software and hardware improvements over the Flip 6, which has been officially discontinued. It features the largest battery in a Flip device yet, and a decent camera array (two out of three of the cameras are really good, in our testing). It’s also a lot more affordable than the Z Fold 7 at $1,100 — that’s $900 less than the least expensive Fold model. At its current price, specs, and feature set, the Z Flip 7 can compete with standard smartphones better than any other foldable on the market right now. 

Our chief complaint? While we haven’t had any performance issues yet, we do wish it came with a Snapdragon processor.

Motorola Razr family

four motorola razr ultra smartphones in a grid


Credit: Motorola

We’ve been complaining about the Motorola Razr flip phones since 2020, but we have good news: With the 2025 edition of the Motorola Razr, the company has finally figured out the modern flip phone. This phone is a heck of a lot of fun.

Technically, there are three smartphones in the Motorola Razr foldable family. However, they’re all essentially the same phone with some spec bumps as you move up the pricing ladder, so we’ll talk about all three of them here. The most powerful is the flagship Razr Ultra, which includes flagship specs and a $1,300 price tag. With a higher price tag than the new Z Flip 7, the Razr Ultra has to be damn good to win over shoppers. Fortunately, we think it largely does.

Mashable’s tech editor Timothy Beck Werth has been testing the Motorola Razr Ultra, and he’s been very impressed so far. “The cameras could be slightly better for a flagship IMO, but other than that, I’ve been loving this phone. Like all foldables, it’s a huge conversation starter, and I love being back on a flip phone. The displays are incredible, and the battery life lasted over 24 hours in my testing.”

Following that is the Razr Plus at $999 and the base Razr at $699. The former comes with a Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 while the other comes with a Dimensity 7400X chip, making the Plus a flagship model and the regular Razr a midrange device overall. All three phones are widely regarded as superior to Moto’s prior foldables and are reasonable choices if you aren’t thrilled with the Galaxy Flip 7. As per the norm in 2025, they also come with some AI goodies if you’re into that sort of thing. 

Pro tip: Since the debut of the Z Flip 7, you can now find select colors of the Razr Ultra discounted to $1,099, and with 512GB of storage, too.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

a person holding open the pixel 9 pro fold


Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Read our full review of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

Next up is the current foldable in Google’s lineup, although we 100 percent expect the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to be released at the Made by Google event on Aug. 20. In any case, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a reasonably good foldable, and it competes pretty well with the Galaxy Fold 6. It isn’t quite as strong in terms of specs as the newer Galaxy Fold, but it makes up for it by shaving $200 off the price. We’ll have to wait and see if the Pixel 10 Pro Fold keeps up that trend, or if the price increases, which it might. Cough, tariffs, cough.

In any case, what you get here is a Pixel that folds. You get Google’s clean Android software design with its excellent camera processing. Even though the Tensor G4 isn’t the strongest processor, it still holds its own and will do everything you ask it to do. The only downside, according to our review, is that the colors are boring and Google shovels a bunch of AI features into phones that folks may or may not use. Otherwise, it’s a solid competitor.

OnePlus Open

a top view of the oneplus open foldable phone


Credit: Alex Perry / Mashable

Read our full review of the OnePlus Open.

OnePlus entered the foldable market in late 2023 with the OnePlus Open. It’s another competitor to the Galaxy Fold 7 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold market with a vertically opening hinge with a tablet-sized inner display. It holds up in some areas, like the excellent displays and generally good design. While its hardware is a little dated compared to foldable phones released in 2025, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip is still perfectly capable, and the rest of the spec sheet holds up surprisingly well. 

Mostly, the concern with the Open is that OnePlus hasn’t released another one. The successor was initially delayed to 2025, and then eventually cancelled. This was considered a bad idea by just about all the foldable fans out there, as the original Open was cheaper than the Galaxy Fold 7. OnePlus has said that they’ll continue supporting the Open, which is good because they’re still selling it. It seems to go on sale quite often for $1,500, which is $500 less than Samsung’s most recent offering.

The world has more foldable phone options than the U.S.

We’ve covered all the top foldable phones for sale in the United States at this time. However, international markets have a lot more options than North American markets, where Samsung, Google, and Motorola reign mostly unchecked. That may change in the future, but for now, those are the three brands we recommend checking out if you’re an early adopter and mobile nerd, like us. You can get your hands on these international smartphones without jumping through a lot of hoops or paying a premium.

Honor Magic V3

The Honor Magic V3 is the first of a slew of Chinese-made foldables that may or may not be directly available in the U.S. market. At the time of its launch, the Magic V3 was the thinnest foldable on the market at 9.3mm, a title that has since been taken by Samsung and Oppo. Released in late 2024, it has specs that compete with the big dogs, although it’s about six months behind in terms of design improvements.

Mashable Deals

Even so, the phone is reasonably good. It has modern amenities like a 120 Hz display, an IPX8 water resistance, and a 5,150 mAh battery. It’s also equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, giving this thing flagship-level chops. Honor has launched this phone globally, so you can buy it anywhere except in North America, per the company’s product page. It’s still available at specialty shops and places like eBay.

Oppo N5

The Oppo N5 made waves when it launched as the world’s thinnest foldable (at the time). Thin phones have been met with mixed reactions over the years, but this is the year of ultra-thin phones. They are easier to hold but often come with compromises like less battery life. Samsung’s S25 Edge is a prime example of this. In any case, the N5 is a vertical folding phone like the Galaxy Fold 7, and still comes with some decent specs. 

It comes with a 6.62-inch outer screen and an 8.12-inch inner screen, matching Samsung’s Fold 7 in those areas. It also comes with a massive 5,600 mAh battery, which is also larger than the Fold 7, despite being a similar size. Overall, it’s a monster of a phone. Unfortunately, it’s a little tricky to get. The Oppo N5 is only available from specialty shops and places like eBay. It’s sold brand new in Asia, but that’s about it. It’s too bad, because the price in Singapore puts this phone at around $1,800.

Huawei Mate X6

Huawei started making the Mate foldables around the same time as Samsung, making it one of the phone makers with the most experience in this area. The Chinese brand’s latest foldable model is the Huawei Mate X6, which includes some pretty snazzy stuff, like a leather back that gives it a very premium look. It’s a book-style foldable with competitively sized screens and specs. It’s a perfectly competitive smartphone. 

The only two knocks against it: Huawei’s modern phones don’t run Android (and thus lack the Google Play Store), and it’s not widely available in the U.S. market. There are ways around both of these downsides, although Google has warned against using its apps on Huawei phones in the past. In any case, it’s a stylish smartphone. Here in the States, you can only get it from resellers, and you’ll definitely pay a huge premium. 

Vivo X Fold 5

The Vivo Fold 5 is the latest in Vivo’s lineup. It launched in 2025 in many parts of the world. In some ways, this is the most impressive foldable on the list. Its 6,000mAh battery is top of the class while keeping the weight at 217 grams, which is very impressive. It’s a bit thicker than other 2025 foldables at 9.2mm compared to some others that are around 8mm. It also has the highest IP dust rating of any foldable at IP5X. 

Like many of the foldables here, it’s available in China only, but you can buy them from specialty shops and eBay if you really want one. At ¥7,999 (that translates to about $1,100), it’s one of the cheapest foldables on the market in 2025, which is especially impressive given its spec sheet. The book-style foldable isn’t our first choice, but it’s definitely not a bad choice. 

The foldable market keeps growing

More phone makers are coming out with new foldable phones with increasingly good specs. Just a few years ago, dust and water resistance were considered a fantasy for foldables, and now there are models with both. Screen durability has also improved considerably in a short period of time. In a few years, we may see even less expensive foldables that continue to push the envelope.  

Of course, there’s one massive mobile brand that’s missing from this list — Apple. And rumor has it everyone’s favorite fruit company is hard at work at the yet-unnamed iPhone Fold, which we’re hoping to see in 2026, if not sooner.

Source link
#Foldable #phones #lot #Heres #model #buy

Related Posts

OpenAI said Friday it has suspended work on some aspects of its upcoming model Astra after an internal review found it had made significant advancements in agentic coding and cybersecurity — enough to warrant concern over its capabilities.

OpenAI said in a blog post Friday that this model, which is still in development, reached its “critical cybersecurity threshold,” meaning it could independently identify and carry out cyberattacks against traditionally well-protected real-world systems. Under the company’s “Preparedness Framework,” which it created in 2023, this triggered additional safeguards.

“While we continue to benchmark and assess this model, our preliminary evaluations indicate strong enough performance that we cannot rule out Critical capability level at this time,” OpenAI wrote. “Astra is an upcoming model, and was not involved in exploiting Hugging Face.”

The disclosure highlights an unusual moment in the topsy-turvy and still nascent frontier AI labs sector. Companies across every industry hold back products over potential risks, including for safety and cybersecurity concerns. But they rarely announce those decisions publicly when it’s a product that is still under development.

In this case, OpenAI is already under scrutiny after a different unreleased model breached Hugging Face’s systems during internal testing — the first verifiable incident of an AI lab losing control of its model. Since then, OpenAI and AI labs such as Anthropic have disclosed other incidents in which AI models breached their sandboxes and posed threats during cybersecurity tests.

The string of cases — seems like a new disclosure every day now — has triggered varying reactions from cybersecurity experts, lawmakers, and the AI labs themselves. Some express fear and call for stricter oversight. But there’s also a bit of flexing. In certain circles, any AI lab with a model that has that kind of capability will be seen as an impressive advancement.

OpenAI said it was sharing this information because it believes “it’s important to be transparent with the public and the safety and security communities about this potential shift in capabilities.”

The AI lab said it’s also taking action, including enacting stricter security controls and pausing internal activities involving Astra that don’t meet these beefed guardrails. OpenAI said it is working with relevant government agencies and “select AI safety organizations” to test the capabilities for this model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#OpenAI #slowed #Astra #model #development #security #concerns #TechCrunchOpenAI">OpenAI says it slowed Astra model development over security concerns | TechCrunch OpenAI said Friday it has suspended work on some aspects of its upcoming model Astra after an internal review found it had made significant advancements in agentic coding and cybersecurity — enough to warrant concern over its capabilities. OpenAI said in a blog post Friday that this model, which is still in development, reached its “critical cybersecurity threshold,” meaning it could independently identify and carry out cyberattacks against traditionally well-protected real-world systems. Under the company’s “Preparedness Framework,” which it created in 2023, this triggered additional safeguards. “While we continue to benchmark and assess this model, our preliminary evaluations indicate strong enough performance that we cannot rule out Critical capability level at this time,” OpenAI wrote. “Astra is an upcoming model, and was not involved in exploiting Hugging Face.” The disclosure highlights an unusual moment in the topsy-turvy and still nascent frontier AI labs sector. Companies across every industry hold back products over potential risks, including for safety and cybersecurity concerns. But they rarely announce those decisions publicly when it’s a product that is still under development. In this case, OpenAI is already under scrutiny after a different unreleased model breached Hugging Face’s systems during internal testing — the first verifiable incident of an AI lab losing control of its model. Since then, OpenAI and AI labs such as Anthropic have disclosed other incidents in which AI models breached their sandboxes and posed threats during cybersecurity tests. The string of cases — seems like a new disclosure every day now — has triggered varying reactions from cybersecurity experts, lawmakers, and the AI labs themselves. Some express fear and call for stricter oversight. But there’s also a bit of flexing. In certain circles, any AI lab with a model that has that kind of capability will be seen as an impressive advancement. OpenAI said it was sharing this information because it believes “it’s important to be transparent with the public and the safety and security communities about this potential shift in capabilities.” The AI lab said it’s also taking action, including enacting stricter security controls and pausing internal activities involving Astra that don’t meet these beefed guardrails. OpenAI said it is working with relevant government agencies and “select AI safety organizations” to test the capabilities for this model. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.#OpenAI #slowed #Astra #model #development #security #concerns #TechCrunchOpenAI

blog post Friday that this model, which is still in development, reached its “critical cybersecurity threshold,” meaning it could independently identify and carry out cyberattacks against traditionally well-protected real-world systems. Under the company’s “Preparedness Framework,” which it created in 2023, this triggered additional safeguards.

“While we continue to benchmark and assess this model, our preliminary evaluations indicate strong enough performance that we cannot rule out Critical capability level at this time,” OpenAI wrote. “Astra is an upcoming model, and was not involved in exploiting Hugging Face.”

The disclosure highlights an unusual moment in the topsy-turvy and still nascent frontier AI labs sector. Companies across every industry hold back products over potential risks, including for safety and cybersecurity concerns. But they rarely announce those decisions publicly when it’s a product that is still under development.

In this case, OpenAI is already under scrutiny after a different unreleased model breached Hugging Face’s systems during internal testing — the first verifiable incident of an AI lab losing control of its model. Since then, OpenAI and AI labs such as Anthropic have disclosed other incidents in which AI models breached their sandboxes and posed threats during cybersecurity tests.

The string of cases — seems like a new disclosure every day now — has triggered varying reactions from cybersecurity experts, lawmakers, and the AI labs themselves. Some express fear and call for stricter oversight. But there’s also a bit of flexing. In certain circles, any AI lab with a model that has that kind of capability will be seen as an impressive advancement.

OpenAI said it was sharing this information because it believes “it’s important to be transparent with the public and the safety and security communities about this potential shift in capabilities.”

The AI lab said it’s also taking action, including enacting stricter security controls and pausing internal activities involving Astra that don’t meet these beefed guardrails. OpenAI said it is working with relevant government agencies and “select AI safety organizations” to test the capabilities for this model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#OpenAI #slowed #Astra #model #development #security #concerns #TechCrunchOpenAI">OpenAI says it slowed Astra model development over security concerns | TechCrunch

OpenAI said Friday it has suspended work on some aspects of its upcoming model Astra after an internal review found it had made significant advancements in agentic coding and cybersecurity — enough to warrant concern over its capabilities.

OpenAI said in a blog post Friday that this model, which is still in development, reached its “critical cybersecurity threshold,” meaning it could independently identify and carry out cyberattacks against traditionally well-protected real-world systems. Under the company’s “Preparedness Framework,” which it created in 2023, this triggered additional safeguards.

“While we continue to benchmark and assess this model, our preliminary evaluations indicate strong enough performance that we cannot rule out Critical capability level at this time,” OpenAI wrote. “Astra is an upcoming model, and was not involved in exploiting Hugging Face.”

The disclosure highlights an unusual moment in the topsy-turvy and still nascent frontier AI labs sector. Companies across every industry hold back products over potential risks, including for safety and cybersecurity concerns. But they rarely announce those decisions publicly when it’s a product that is still under development.

In this case, OpenAI is already under scrutiny after a different unreleased model breached Hugging Face’s systems during internal testing — the first verifiable incident of an AI lab losing control of its model. Since then, OpenAI and AI labs such as Anthropic have disclosed other incidents in which AI models breached their sandboxes and posed threats during cybersecurity tests.

The string of cases — seems like a new disclosure every day now — has triggered varying reactions from cybersecurity experts, lawmakers, and the AI labs themselves. Some express fear and call for stricter oversight. But there’s also a bit of flexing. In certain circles, any AI lab with a model that has that kind of capability will be seen as an impressive advancement.

OpenAI said it was sharing this information because it believes “it’s important to be transparent with the public and the safety and security communities about this potential shift in capabilities.”

The AI lab said it’s also taking action, including enacting stricter security controls and pausing internal activities involving Astra that don’t meet these beefed guardrails. OpenAI said it is working with relevant government agencies and “select AI safety organizations” to test the capabilities for this model.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

#OpenAI #slowed #Astra #model #development #security #concerns #TechCrunchOpenAI
S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor.

All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang.

vivo S2 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

The vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

Design & Hardware

vivo S2 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With Battery Life to Spare The 2026 smartphone market has been a bit difficult to deal with. Buying a phone has always been about choosing what matters most to you. Some need their phone to run demanding games for hours, while others love to show off a fancy design and a camera that takes pictures worthy of an Instagram story. If you’re the latter, vivo has just resurrected the S-lineup. For the uninitiated, the first S1 targeted style-conscious, younger consumers, and the new S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor. All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang. vivo S2 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryThe vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. Design & Hardware Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers. To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed. The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow. Display Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport. vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector. Performance & Software You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that. Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days. Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps. I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well. Battery Life & Charging Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive. When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health. Cameras Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major. Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front. Verdict Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. #vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo

Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers.

To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed.

The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow.

Display

Front display of the S2

Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport.

vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector.

Performance & Software

A person playing CODM on the vivo S2

You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that.

Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days.

Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps.

I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well.

Battery Life & Charging

A person using google maps on the vivo s2

Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive.

When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health.

Cameras

Closeup of the camera module on the S2

Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major.

Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front.

Verdict

Back design of the S2

Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

#vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo">vivo S2 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With Battery Life to Spare The 2026 smartphone market has been a bit difficult to deal with. Buying a phone has always been about choosing what matters most to you. Some need their phone to run demanding games for hours, while others love to show off a fancy design and a camera that takes pictures worthy of an Instagram story. If you’re the latter, vivo has just resurrected the S-lineup. For the uninitiated, the first S1 targeted style-conscious, younger consumers, and the new S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor. All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang. vivo S2 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryThe vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. Design & Hardware Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers. To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed. The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow. Display Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport. vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector. Performance & Software You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that. Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days. Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps. I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well. Battery Life & Charging Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive. When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health. Cameras Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major. Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front. Verdict Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. #vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo

follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor.

All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang.

vivo S2 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

The vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

Design & Hardware

vivo S2 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With Battery Life to Spare The 2026 smartphone market has been a bit difficult to deal with. Buying a phone has always been about choosing what matters most to you. Some need their phone to run demanding games for hours, while others love to show off a fancy design and a camera that takes pictures worthy of an Instagram story. If you’re the latter, vivo has just resurrected the S-lineup. For the uninitiated, the first S1 targeted style-conscious, younger consumers, and the new S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor. All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang. vivo S2 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryThe vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. Design & Hardware Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers. To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed. The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow. Display Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport. vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector. Performance & Software You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that. Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days. Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps. I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well. Battery Life & Charging Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive. When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health. Cameras Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major. Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front. Verdict Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. #vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo

Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers.

To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed.

The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow.

Display

Front display of the S2

Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport.

vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector.

Performance & Software

A person playing CODM on the vivo S2

You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that.

Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days.

Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps.

I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well.

Battery Life & Charging

A person using google maps on the vivo s2

Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive.

When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health.

Cameras

Closeup of the camera module on the S2

Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major.

Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front.

Verdict

Back design of the S2

Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

#vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo">vivo S2 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With Battery Life to Spare

The 2026 smartphone market has been a bit difficult to deal with. Buying a phone has always been about choosing what matters most to you. Some need their phone to run demanding games for hours, while others love to show off a fancy design and a camera that takes pictures worthy of an Instagram story. If you’re the latter, vivo has just resurrected the S-lineup. For the uninitiated, the first S1 targeted style-conscious, younger consumers, and the new S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor.

All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang.

vivo S2 Review

Hisan Kidwai

Summary

The vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

Design & Hardware

vivo S2 Review: A Stylish Mid-Ranger With Battery Life to Spare The 2026 smartphone market has been a bit difficult to deal with. Buying a phone has always been about choosing what matters most to you. Some need their phone to run demanding games for hours, while others love to show off a fancy design and a camera that takes pictures worthy of an Instagram story. If you’re the latter, vivo has just resurrected the S-lineup. For the uninitiated, the first S1 targeted style-conscious, younger consumers, and the new S2 follows the same formula. It features a camera visor-inspired design, with fun colors, a Sony IMX852 camera sensor, and the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor. All this at a price of ₹39,999 seems like a decent deal given the great AI price surge of 2026. But is it worth your money? To find out, I got the S2 for review and took it with me on a trip to Vietnam. It served as my primary phone in the country, thanks to the eSIM support, and I took about 300 photos in the brutal summer heat on the beaches of Nha Trang. vivo S2 ReviewHisan KidwaiSummaryThe vivo S2’s design is simply lovely. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. Beyond that, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. Design & Hardware Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers. To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed. The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow. Display Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport. vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector. Performance & Software You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that. Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days. Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps. I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well. Battery Life & Charging Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive. When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health. Cameras Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major. Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front. Verdict Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind. #vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo

Design is where the vivo S2 gets full marks, simply because it’s beautiful to look at. I’ll say this straight: the horizontal visor is the best implementation of the camera module. It not only doesn’t get in the way but also keeps the phone from wobbling on a table. The same benefits apply here. There are two cutouts for the camera setup, with the flash sitting on the right. Color options, of which there are three, comprise Silk White, Regal Bronze, and Sapphire Blue. I received the Silk White model for review, and it’s a looker. The back has a silk-like finish that shines in different ways as the light hits. There’s also a wave-like pattern that adds to the overall appeal and makes it more premium. Thankfully, the finish is matte, so you don’t need to worry about greasy fingers.

To confirm it wasn’t just me liking the design, I also gave the phone to my friends and family, all of whom had similar reactions. I could also see a few people looking at what phone I was using at the airport. Another thing you’ll notice with the S2 immediately is its build. Instead of the flat sides we’ve all gotten used to, the S2 has a curved aesthetic. The frame and rear glass curve toward each other, and it really does feel good. Sometimes I miss the old curved aesthetic, and it’s nice that vivo is keeping the trend alive. The corners don’t dig into your palms, and people with smaller hands shouldn’t have much trouble using it one-handed.

The sides are obviously plastic, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While I was fiddling around at the airport looking for my passport, I dropped the phone on the moving walkway, and it landed directly on one corner. The S2 survived unscathed, and after that, I just kept it inside the pre-bundled case. Since it was rainy season in Vietnam, the S2’s IP68 and IP69 ratings were quickly put to the test. The phone can survive being submerged in water, so all your pool photos should be fine. That said, please don’t take your phone into the ocean since saltwater can still cause damage. There’s also the fingerprint sensor on the front, and it’s pretty standard. It’s an optical unit, so dirty fingers could be a problem, and it’s a bit slow.

Display

Front display of the S2

Good smartphone displays have become pretty common, especially on flagships. And even though the S2 isn’t a flagship phone, its display is up to the mark. For some context, the 6.8-inch AMOLED panel has a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. All this, as expected, translates to a great multimedia experience. Colors look vibrant, blacks are inky deep, and skin tones look natural while I binge-watched “Ted Lasso” at the airport.

vivo claims a peak brightness of 3,000 nits, and while I don’t carry a light meter on vacations, I can tell you that it’s plenty bright. The S2’s display was legible even in direct sunlight when I tried to read the cab number, and I wasn’t squinting much. A few other nice additions include an SGS-certified eye protection filter and Low Flicker Certification. Both are designed to make the display easier on the eyes, particularly at night. vivo hasn’t specified the exact type of glass it uses on the S2. Since I didn’t drop the phone after the first fall, I can’t comment much on how it’ll survive drops. But as a general rule of thumb, curved panels are less resistant than flat ones, so I’d recommend keeping the pre-applied screen protector.

Performance & Software

A person playing CODM on the vivo S2

You can have all the fancy design and display in the world, but none of it is of any use if the phone can’t open Instagram quickly for a little doom scroll session. Fortunately, that’s not the case with the vivo S2. It’s powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360 Turbo processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. I’ll say this straight: DDR4X RAM should not be inside a sub-40K phone. Sadly, that’s the consequence of AI, and we can’t really blame vivo for that.

Everyday performance on the S2 is quite good. It opens and closes regular apps without a hitch or stutter, keeping the experience smooth. Heavy apps open quickly, and vivo’s new OriginOS is a great version of Android. Animations are fluid and clean, and the UI is full of customization options for you to change the phone’s vibe. It’s not overwhelming, and I got used to the interface in just a couple of days.

Since this is 2026, vivo has bundled a few AI features, including transcription tools and Smart Call Assistant, along with the vivo Office Kit. Sadly, except for AI erase, you don’t get many AI editing features, which was a bummer. I also noticed some stutters when flicking through different applications, but nothing major. What was more annoying, though, was the bloatware. I counted roughly 20 pre-installed applications even after saying no to installing anything in the first place. Thankfully, vivo vivo allows users to remove all apps.

I also ran a series of benchmarks to test the raw performance of the Dimensity 7360 Turbo. In Geekbench, scored 1,017 in the single-core test and 2,987 in the multi-core test. In AnTuTu, the S2 went just shy of the million mark with a score of 990,781. For context, those numbers are similar to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. vivo has also incorporated a big vapor chamber inside the S2, which I put to the test in CODM. Even on Very High graphics settings and Ultra frame rate, it held up pretty well. There was no noticeable lag or jitter during intense combat, and the phone only got warm after a 30-minute session. To help protect battery health, there’s bypass charging as well.

Battery Life & Charging

A person using google maps on the vivo s2

Given the slim profile of the S2, I expected the battery life to be nothing to write home about. The truth is, however, way different. With a capacity of 7,050 mAh, the S2 is a battery champ, capable of lasting multiple days on a single charge. I used the phone for navigation while walking around Nha Trang looking for a lunch spot. I then headed to the beach in the evening to capture some photos, and ended the day by taking a few more photos and watching some YouTube videos. I ended that day with about 40% charge remaining, which is pretty impressive.

When it was finally time to recharge, the 44W fast charger came in handy. It took the phone from 20% to 80% in around 50 minutes, which should be enough for any demanding day. vivo also says the cell should be good for over 1200 charging cycles without losing much health.

Cameras

Closeup of the camera module on the S2

Given that the vivo S2 targets younger, style-conscious buyers, photography is understandably a big part of the pitch. The vivo S2 houses the 50MP Sony IMX852 sensor, and that’s it. There is a secondary camera, but it’s a 2MP sensor and no ultrawide action. That said, the photos from the main sensor are really good. With enough light, the S2 captured rather pleasing photos of Nha Trang’s cityscapes. The shots had plenty of detail, while colors leaned toward the vibrant side, which I personally like. Contrast was mostly spot on as well. The camera sometimes overexposed the sun, but nothing major.

Since there’s no telephoto sensor, the S2’s main camera also doubles as the portrait lens. The same generally held true for portrait shots, with skin tones being true to their color, and a nice shallow depth of field. As far as nighttime photos are concerned, the images do benefit from vivo’s processing, which tries to retain colors and balance everything. However, I did notice a lack of sharpness in photos here, which was further exaggerated by the long shutter times. Moving subjects can be a problem. Video recording tops out at 4K 30 FPS, and they are fine. The resulting shots are clear and very usable in daytime. Selfies are another highlight, with rather good sharpness and colors. Plus, you can also record 4K videos from the front.

Verdict

Back design of the S2

Starting at ₹39,999, the vivo S2 is an interesting phone, marking vivo’s return to a segment it hasn’t explored in a while. And I must admit, I love this design. It’s practical while still managing to turn heads. If you like your tech to make a statement, then there aren’t many choices in the market. Beyond the design, there’s a big 6.8-inch AMOLED panel that’s great for watching movies, while the Dimensity 7360 Turbo proved capable of handling everyday tasks and games like “CODM” without much trouble. The cameras, or should I say the camera, are good enough for daytime photos, but struggle with sharpness at night, so keep that in mind.

#vivo #Review #Stylish #MidRanger #Battery #Life #SpareVivo

Flock Safety’s automatic license plate reader cameras have become targets of public ire and, increasingly, vandalism, with people stealing or destroying them in the dead of night. The company at one point had a plan to keep its eyes open in a way that would be harder to detect, according to 404 Media: by equipping dashcams on rideshare and delivery vehicles with the ability to scan plates while on the road.

In a pitch presentation apparently prepared for the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, Flock reportedly talked up a planned partnership with Nexar, a popular dashcam manufacturer. The theoretical deal would have used Nexar’s network of cameras to scan vehicle plates as drivers went about their business. Flock apparently suggested that it would create a network of more than 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and other delivery service drivers who would all serve as eyes for the company.

Flock’s partnership with Nexar never came to fruition. But the fact that it failed doesn’t really minimize the concern that the company tried to make it happen. Importantly, it’s not clear that drivers would have been made aware of the fact that their camera was serving as a snitch or not—it’s possible the scans would have taken place without any obvious indication that what was being captured on their dashcam was being shared with Flock—and presumably with law enforcement.

Gizmodo reached out to Flock for additional information but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Nexar is already engaged in a pretty massive project of collecting data from its drivers. The company claims to anonymize data collected from its dashcams and sells it to third parties and publishes a fully user-generated, real-time map called CityStream. Whether drivers are aware of the fact that they are contributing to this or not is unclear—per 404 Media, in some jurisdictions, users are automatically contributing their data to CityStream and have to opt out of sharing.

Flock also isn’t the only company to apparently think up the idea of turning vehicles into mobile surveillance for “safety” purposes. Earlier this year, a company called BusPatrol—which uses cameras on school buses to identify people who blow past the “Stop” sign arm deployed—came under fire when it was revealed that it was planning to let law enforcement use those cameras to scan license plates. Given the abuses that law enforcement across the country have already committed with access to Flock cameras, seems the last thing they need is more camera angles to sift through.

#Flock #Reportedly #Turn #Uber #Drivers #Mobile #Snitchesartifical intelligence,Dashcams,flock,Flock Safety,license plate readers,Lyft,Uber">Flock Reportedly Tried to Turn Uber Drivers Into Mobile Snitches Flock Safety’s automatic license plate reader cameras have become targets of public ire and, increasingly, vandalism, with people stealing or destroying them in the dead of night. The company at one point had a plan to keep its eyes open in a way that would be harder to detect, according to 404 Media: by equipping dashcams on rideshare and delivery vehicles with the ability to scan plates while on the road. In a pitch presentation apparently prepared for the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, Flock reportedly talked up a planned partnership with Nexar, a popular dashcam manufacturer. The theoretical deal would have used Nexar’s network of cameras to scan vehicle plates as drivers went about their business. Flock apparently suggested that it would create a network of more than 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and other delivery service drivers who would all serve as eyes for the company. Flock’s partnership with Nexar never came to fruition. But the fact that it failed doesn’t really minimize the concern that the company tried to make it happen. Importantly, it’s not clear that drivers would have been made aware of the fact that their camera was serving as a snitch or not—it’s possible the scans would have taken place without any obvious indication that what was being captured on their dashcam was being shared with Flock—and presumably with law enforcement. Gizmodo reached out to Flock for additional information but did not receive a response at the time of publication. Nexar is already engaged in a pretty massive project of collecting data from its drivers. The company claims to anonymize data collected from its dashcams and sells it to third parties and publishes a fully user-generated, real-time map called CityStream. Whether drivers are aware of the fact that they are contributing to this or not is unclear—per 404 Media, in some jurisdictions, users are automatically contributing their data to CityStream and have to opt out of sharing. Flock also isn’t the only company to apparently think up the idea of turning vehicles into mobile surveillance for “safety” purposes. Earlier this year, a company called BusPatrol—which uses cameras on school buses to identify people who blow past the “Stop” sign arm deployed—came under fire when it was revealed that it was planning to let law enforcement use those cameras to scan license plates. Given the abuses that law enforcement across the country have already committed with access to Flock cameras, seems the last thing they need is more camera angles to sift through. #Flock #Reportedly #Turn #Uber #Drivers #Mobile #Snitchesartifical intelligence,Dashcams,flock,Flock Safety,license plate readers,Lyft,Uber

stealing or destroying them in the dead of night. The company at one point had a plan to keep its eyes open in a way that would be harder to detect, according to 404 Media: by equipping dashcams on rideshare and delivery vehicles with the ability to scan plates while on the road.

In a pitch presentation apparently prepared for the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, Flock reportedly talked up a planned partnership with Nexar, a popular dashcam manufacturer. The theoretical deal would have used Nexar’s network of cameras to scan vehicle plates as drivers went about their business. Flock apparently suggested that it would create a network of more than 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and other delivery service drivers who would all serve as eyes for the company.

Flock’s partnership with Nexar never came to fruition. But the fact that it failed doesn’t really minimize the concern that the company tried to make it happen. Importantly, it’s not clear that drivers would have been made aware of the fact that their camera was serving as a snitch or not—it’s possible the scans would have taken place without any obvious indication that what was being captured on their dashcam was being shared with Flock—and presumably with law enforcement.

Gizmodo reached out to Flock for additional information but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Nexar is already engaged in a pretty massive project of collecting data from its drivers. The company claims to anonymize data collected from its dashcams and sells it to third parties and publishes a fully user-generated, real-time map called CityStream. Whether drivers are aware of the fact that they are contributing to this or not is unclear—per 404 Media, in some jurisdictions, users are automatically contributing their data to CityStream and have to opt out of sharing.

Flock also isn’t the only company to apparently think up the idea of turning vehicles into mobile surveillance for “safety” purposes. Earlier this year, a company called BusPatrol—which uses cameras on school buses to identify people who blow past the “Stop” sign arm deployed—came under fire when it was revealed that it was planning to let law enforcement use those cameras to scan license plates. Given the abuses that law enforcement across the country have already committed with access to Flock cameras, seems the last thing they need is more camera angles to sift through.

#Flock #Reportedly #Turn #Uber #Drivers #Mobile #Snitchesartifical intelligence,Dashcams,flock,Flock Safety,license plate readers,Lyft,Uber">Flock Reportedly Tried to Turn Uber Drivers Into Mobile SnitchesFlock Reportedly Tried to Turn Uber Drivers Into Mobile Snitches Flock Safety’s automatic license plate reader cameras have become targets of public ire and, increasingly, vandalism, with people stealing or destroying them in the dead of night. The company at one point had a plan to keep its eyes open in a way that would be harder to detect, according to 404 Media: by equipping dashcams on rideshare and delivery vehicles with the ability to scan plates while on the road. In a pitch presentation apparently prepared for the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, Flock reportedly talked up a planned partnership with Nexar, a popular dashcam manufacturer. The theoretical deal would have used Nexar’s network of cameras to scan vehicle plates as drivers went about their business. Flock apparently suggested that it would create a network of more than 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and other delivery service drivers who would all serve as eyes for the company. Flock’s partnership with Nexar never came to fruition. But the fact that it failed doesn’t really minimize the concern that the company tried to make it happen. Importantly, it’s not clear that drivers would have been made aware of the fact that their camera was serving as a snitch or not—it’s possible the scans would have taken place without any obvious indication that what was being captured on their dashcam was being shared with Flock—and presumably with law enforcement. Gizmodo reached out to Flock for additional information but did not receive a response at the time of publication. Nexar is already engaged in a pretty massive project of collecting data from its drivers. The company claims to anonymize data collected from its dashcams and sells it to third parties and publishes a fully user-generated, real-time map called CityStream. Whether drivers are aware of the fact that they are contributing to this or not is unclear—per 404 Media, in some jurisdictions, users are automatically contributing their data to CityStream and have to opt out of sharing. Flock also isn’t the only company to apparently think up the idea of turning vehicles into mobile surveillance for “safety” purposes. Earlier this year, a company called BusPatrol—which uses cameras on school buses to identify people who blow past the “Stop” sign arm deployed—came under fire when it was revealed that it was planning to let law enforcement use those cameras to scan license plates. Given the abuses that law enforcement across the country have already committed with access to Flock cameras, seems the last thing they need is more camera angles to sift through. #Flock #Reportedly #Turn #Uber #Drivers #Mobile #Snitchesartifical intelligence,Dashcams,flock,Flock Safety,license plate readers,Lyft,Uber

Flock Safety’s automatic license plate reader cameras have become targets of public ire and, increasingly, vandalism, with people stealing or destroying them in the dead of night. The company at one point had a plan to keep its eyes open in a way that would be harder to detect, according to 404 Media: by equipping dashcams on rideshare and delivery vehicles with the ability to scan plates while on the road.

In a pitch presentation apparently prepared for the Georgia Office of the Attorney General, Flock reportedly talked up a planned partnership with Nexar, a popular dashcam manufacturer. The theoretical deal would have used Nexar’s network of cameras to scan vehicle plates as drivers went about their business. Flock apparently suggested that it would create a network of more than 350,000 Uber, Lyft, and other delivery service drivers who would all serve as eyes for the company.

Flock’s partnership with Nexar never came to fruition. But the fact that it failed doesn’t really minimize the concern that the company tried to make it happen. Importantly, it’s not clear that drivers would have been made aware of the fact that their camera was serving as a snitch or not—it’s possible the scans would have taken place without any obvious indication that what was being captured on their dashcam was being shared with Flock—and presumably with law enforcement.

Gizmodo reached out to Flock for additional information but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Nexar is already engaged in a pretty massive project of collecting data from its drivers. The company claims to anonymize data collected from its dashcams and sells it to third parties and publishes a fully user-generated, real-time map called CityStream. Whether drivers are aware of the fact that they are contributing to this or not is unclear—per 404 Media, in some jurisdictions, users are automatically contributing their data to CityStream and have to opt out of sharing.

Flock also isn’t the only company to apparently think up the idea of turning vehicles into mobile surveillance for “safety” purposes. Earlier this year, a company called BusPatrol—which uses cameras on school buses to identify people who blow past the “Stop” sign arm deployed—came under fire when it was revealed that it was planning to let law enforcement use those cameras to scan license plates. Given the abuses that law enforcement across the country have already committed with access to Flock cameras, seems the last thing they need is more camera angles to sift through.

#Flock #Reportedly #Turn #Uber #Drivers #Mobile #Snitchesartifical intelligence,Dashcams,flock,Flock Safety,license plate readers,Lyft,Uber

Post Comment