Vivo V19 5G is a rugged, AI-ready phone that won’t dent your wallet

In the ever-crowded budget smartphone market, it takes more than a decent spec sheet to stand out. The new Vivo Y19 5G, launched in India this week, attempts to do just that by being unapologetically practical. It focuses on what actually matters to its target audience – students. And it tries to deliver on that brief with an impressive mix of durability, endurance, and just enough flair.

The Y19 5G builds meaningfully on the May 2024-launched Vivo Y18 5G by giving it more polish, more punch, and importantly, more personality. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about the Vivo Y19 5G.

Vivo V19 5G launched in India: Everything you need to know

We’ll start with what makes this phone more than just another Rs 10K slab. The Vivo Y19 5G is IP64-rated, meaning it can withstand accidental splashes and dusty backpacks alike. It also boasts MIL-STD 810H-grade durability, a standard you’d usually associate with military gear, not student-friendly smartphones. And for those eyes glued to screens all day (or night), it comes with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification for reduced eye fatigue.

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At 6.74 inches, its HD+ IPS LCD display may not be flagship-grade, but it nails the essentials. The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel smooth.

Powering the Y19 5G is the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, a competent 6nm processor that strikes the right balance between power efficiency and performance. Paired with up to 6GB LPDDR4X RAM, it’s well-equipped for multitasking. Think note-taking, video calling, and endless YouTube spirals.

It runs on Android 15-based FunTouch OS 15, and what elevates this beyond standard software fare is Vivo’s smart AI integration. Students get access to features like: AI Erase for clearing up photobombers or messy whiteboard shots, AI Photo Enhance for Instagram-worthy images with zero effort, and AI Document Scanner which is perfect for digitising notes, forms, or that one missing assignment

Photography isn’t the main focus here, and that’s okay. The 13MP main sensor should get the job done for scanning notes, capturing quick snaps, or shooting casual reels. It’s accompanied by a 0.08MP sensor that helps with depth detection. Up front, there’s a 5MP camera for selfies.

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With a 5,500mAh battery, you can expect a full day (or more) of real-world usage, given that the processor is also quite power efficient. There’s also support for 15W fast charging.

Vivo V19 5G: Pricing and availability

Vivo is clearly serious about its student-first positioning and that’s reflected in the pricing and added incentives. The Y19 5G starts at Rs 10,499 for the base 4GB+64GB variant. The 4GB+128GB model costs Rs 11,499, while the top-tier 6GB+128GB version is priced at Rs 12,999. Last year’s Vivo Y18 costs about Rs 8,000 right now, while the newly-launched Vivo Y19e also boasts a similar price tag.

It’s available across Vivo India’s online store, select e-commerce platforms and retail partners. Wrapped in two slick color options including Titanium Silver and Majestic Green, the Vivo Y19 looks slick while keeping the costs in check.

As for added incentives, buyers using select bank cards get an instant discount of up to Rs 750. Verified students can claim an additional Rs 500 discount, making this one of the most accessible 5G phones for young buyers in the country. For the latest news surrounding the world of tech, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.