Days before the local launch, we were lucky to be of the few tech sites to check out this possibly promising V smartphone from Vivo Philippines. Here's our verdict on the Vivo V11
We already put in our judgment on the looks of this device thru this link
Vivo V11 comes out with Funtouch OS 4.5 based on Android 8.1 Oreo. If you are coming from Vivo V9, there are not that much learning curve. With the halo full view display, more details can be seen on the notification bar (especially that I used it as a mobile hotspot). The phone comes with the "base" model of Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 (as the said SoC now described that the SD 660 can be varied from 1.95 GHz to 2.2 GHz - as benchmark numbers is a bit lower) at 1.95 GHz but it does not matter to us. It is still a big jump over the V9 which made us happy plus with 6 GB of RAM so multitasking galore - no problem. If there is one big improvement that I am still waiting on this custom UI, support more apps on multi-window mode which up to this date, Vivo has this record
Connectivity on V11? Thumbs up on all departments from calls, texts, OTG, Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile data and GPS
On benchmarks, no wonder that Vivo V11 did not hit the usual 130k+ on Antutu. Seven out of nine sensors working on this handset including gyro
Battery life? With it's 6.4 inch FHD+ AMOLED display and 3,400 mAh battery, the phone survived in 16 hours and 50 minutes in our battery rundown test. Used it for days as a daily driver in heavy mode and in 6 hours of screen on time, it was an easy 1.5 days for us. The dual-engine fast charging support that they mentioned, it will fully charge the phone in 2 hours. For those who are asking, the phone is compatible to QC 3.0 as I tried it from a certified QC 3.0 powerbank plus if you will gonna see the "yellow lightning" icon while charging, that's already the proof
On gaming, we did a little. You can have PUBG on high settings without that much problems
On security, it's our choice between the in-display fingerprint sensor (which worked effectively as long your registered finger/s were on target and has the proper pressure to do it) or face unlock which worked for me most at the time. In a way, the said fingerprint unlocking tech cannot cope if you have that bit powdery fingers
On camera, there were some additions and improvements. The usual rear and selfie camera modes were present that you might already saw on Vivo V9 but with the addition of Google Lens and there are now 4 picture sizes from 4:3, 16:9, 1:1 fir for classic square IG posts and 19.5:9 ratio which worked best for us especially with the recent Vivo V11 local launch which they have a bug number of ambassadors plus their officials too (so panorama will just be an option for me). \
We never heard that much on their selfie camera either on India or PH launch but as I came as a V9 user, improvements were visible like I shot a selfie in total darkness and used the display as a selfie flash and their 6 modes of lighting effects (I am a fan of monochrome background). Back to the rear cameras, bokeh is also a-ok too as well as some of our low light shots. On HDR, Jovi helps the user as it will automatically adjust depending on the environment
Vivo V11 rear camera samples
Vivo V11 bokeh rear camera sample
Vivo V11 selfie camera samples - lighting on natural, studio, stereo, loop, rainbow, monochrome background in that order
Selfie in total darkness using screen flash
On extras, this might affect you. With the relevance of "widevine" issue that happened to Poco F1, we were curious to put the V11 in the test too and sad to know, that it got the same scenario at Widevine L3 which means you cannot stream HD videos on Netflix but our lines are open for the brand about what can do or their statement about his discovery. For those who are asking, it has an FM radio
Unlike on V9, Vivo V11's processor was on the right timing this time with SD 660 processor which now for us, we can easily inject in the conversation for those who are into high midrange-powered devices against the Kirin 710 and Helio P60 (which they also have soon on the upcoming V11i). The price is Php 5,000 compared to the previous model but it has the right asking price with a better processor, better camera output, fast charging, less prone to fingerprint smudges, brand new color languages, bigger display and smaller notch plus excellent battery life. The cons for me will be the micro USB, the widevine discovery that is same to Poco F1 and less app support on multi-window mode. Overall, it is their best Vivo V-series smartphone to date.At Php 19,990, I will gonna give 4.25 out of 5 for Vivo V11
