In a highly competitive smartphone market, brands often try to strike the perfect balance between performance, aesthetics, and affordability. With the Vivo Y36, Vivo has taken a bold step to appeal to users who want a device that doesn’t just work well but also looks and feels premium.
Positioned in the budget-to-mid-range category, the Vivo Y36 aims to deliver a user experience that rivals phones well above its price tag. From a sleek glass back design to a smooth 90Hz display, powerful Snapdragon chipset, ample RAM, and fast charging support — the Y36 seems to have the right mix of features for everyday users and casual gamers.
But how does the Vivo Y36 truly perform in real-world usage? Is it just a stylish package with average internals, or is it a well-rounded smartphone for its segment? In this detailed article, we unpack everything you need to know about the Vivo Y36, from design and display to performance, battery life, camera, software, and more.
Design: Premium Look and Feel That Stands Out
Right out of the box, the Vivo Y36 impresses with its design. It’s a phone that doesn’t try too hard to be flashy but ends up attracting attention anyway — thanks to its polished, modern aesthetic. One of the biggest highlights is the use of a glass back (a rarity in this segment), which gives the device a more high-end feel.
Available in attractive color options like Meteor Black, Vibrant Gold, and Crystal Green, the Y36 features a dual-ring camera design that adds a symmetrical and stylish touch to the rear. The edges are slightly curved, making it comfortable to hold for long periods, while the flat frame design gives it a more modern, iPhone-like feel.
Despite having a large display, the phone remains lightweight and slim enough for easy one-handed use. At the front, you get a center-aligned punch-hole cutout that adds to the symmetrical appeal and offers a distraction-free viewing experience.
Overall, the Vivo Y36 is a clear winner in terms of design — it looks and feels more premium than many of its competitors.
Display: A Smooth Experience with 90Hz Refresh Rate
The Vivo Y36 features a 6.64-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2388 x 1080 pixels. It supports a 90Hz refresh rate, which significantly improves the user experience, especially when scrolling through apps, browsing social media, or playing games.
While it’s not an AMOLED panel, the IPS LCD used here delivers decent color reproduction, good brightness levels, and wide viewing angles. The 90Hz refresh rate is well-optimized, making interactions feel fluid and responsive.
The screen-to-body ratio is impressive, thanks to the slim bezels and punch-hole design. Whether you’re watching Netflix, browsing YouTube, or playing light games, the display offers a satisfying experience for a phone in this category.
Performance: Reliable and Efficient for Daily Use
Under the hood, the Vivo Y36 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, a capable 6nm chipset designed for efficient performance. While it’s not a powerhouse meant for hardcore gaming, it handles everyday tasks — such as app switching, social media, video streaming, and casual gaming — with ease.
The processor is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which is more than enough for multitasking and storing apps, media, and games. The RAM can be expanded virtually by an additional 8GB using Vivo’s Extended RAM 3.0 feature, helping with smoother performance during heavy usage.
On the gaming front, the Snapdragon 680 can run popular titles like BGMI, Free Fire, and Asphalt 9 at medium settings with stable frame rates. It’s not a gaming phone, but for most average users, it’s more than capable.
In terms of software, the phone runs Funtouch OS 13, based on Android 13. The UI is clean and fluid, with multiple customization options, a system-wide dark mode, dynamic themes, and privacy enhancements. Vivo has done a good job in optimizing the software for smooth performance, even on mid-range hardware.
Camera: Balanced Imaging for Everyday Use
The Vivo Y36 is equipped with a 50MP dual rear camera setup, accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor. While it doesn’t boast ultra-wide or macro lenses like some of its rivals, the camera system is tuned for reliable everyday photography.
In daylight, the 50MP sensor captures sharp and vibrant images with good dynamic range. Colors are slightly boosted, giving photos a more lively look — something that most social media users prefer. Close-up shots have decent detail, and the AI scene detection helps optimize settings based on what you’re shooting.
Portrait mode works well, with decent edge detection and background blur. The 2MP depth sensor assists here, but it’s mostly the software doing the heavy lifting.
Low-light photography is decent for the price. There is a dedicated Super Night Mode, which helps brighten shadows and reduce noise, but results can be hit or miss depending on the lighting.
On the front, you get a 16MP selfie camera housed in the punch-hole cutout. Selfies come out crisp and well-lit, especially in outdoor lighting. The camera also supports beauty modes, filters, and portrait effects.
Video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps — acceptable for casual video shoots and video calls but nothing extraordinary.
Battery Life: Long-Lasting Power with Fast Charging
Powering the Vivo Y36 is a 5000mAh battery, which delivers excellent endurance. On average use — involving browsing, video playback, messaging, and social media — the phone can easily last a full day and a half without needing a top-up.
Even under heavier use, the Y36 comfortably gets through a day on a single charge. The efficient Snapdragon 680 chipset plays a big role in optimizing power consumption.
The phone supports 44W FlashCharge technology, which Vivo claims can charge the device up to 70% in around 30 minutes. That’s an impressive number for a mid-range device and makes the charging experience far less frustrating.
USB Type-C is standard, and Vivo includes the charger in the box — a welcome move when some brands are skipping it entirely.
User Experience: Smooth, Clean, and Customizable
The Funtouch OS 13 running on the Vivo Y36 is fast, fluid, and packs a host of features aimed at user convenience. It brings enhanced privacy controls, improved multitasking support, and smoother animations. Vivo has made notable improvements in reducing bloatware and unnecessary ads.
Key features include:
- Ultra Game Mode: Enhances gaming performance and disables distractions.
- iManager: Keeps the system clean and optimized.
- Smart Split: Allows for split-screen multitasking.
- Dynamic Color Themes: Automatically adjusts UI based on wallpaper colors.
Overall, the software experience is polished, with a nice blend of features and simplicity.
Connectivity and Extras
The Vivo Y36 comes with all the essential connectivity options you’d expect in this price range:
- Dual SIM 4G VoLTE
- Dual-band Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth 5.0
- GPS with GLONASS
- FM Radio
- USB Type-C
There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button, which is fast and reliable. Face unlock is available and works well in good lighting.
The phone also carries IP54 dust and splash resistance, which adds an extra layer of durability — again, something not very common in this segment.
Audio and Multimedia
The Vivo Y36 features a single bottom-firing speaker, which gets loud enough for everyday use, but stereo speakers would have been a welcome addition. Audio output via 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth is clean, and the phone supports standard codecs for wireless audio.
With its large display, vibrant colors, and decent speakers, the Y36 is a great device for watching YouTube, OTT content, or casual gaming sessions.
Who Should Buy the Vivo Y36?
The Vivo Y36 is aimed at users who:
- Prioritize stylish design and premium feel
- Want a smooth 90Hz display
- Need all-day battery life with fast charging
- Appreciate a clean, reliable user interface
- Take casual photos and social media content
- Use their phone primarily for media, calling, messaging, and multitasking
It may not be the best pick for hardcore gamers or those who want ultra-wide or telephoto cameras, but for most average users, it hits the right balance.
Final Verdict: An All-Rounder With Style and Substance
The Vivo Y36 delivers where it matters — design, battery, display, and everyday performance. While it may not be the most powerful phone in its segment, it offers one of the most balanced packages with very few compromises.
Its premium looks, strong battery life, reliable cameras, and fast charging make it a worthy option for anyone seeking a daily driver that looks and feels more expensive than it is. Add to that Vivo’s brand value, software maturity, and service network, and the Y36 becomes a solid recommendation in the mid-range smartphone category.