Last week, Qualcomm released their first budget 5G chip, the Snapdragon 480. The chipset is exceptional, not just in its integrated 5G modem but also in its best-in-class performance. And it just debuted in the market with the Y31s, Vivo Y30's successor.
The Snapdragon 480 is the first in Qualcomm’s 400 series to offer an integrated 5G modem. The Snapdragon X51 baked into it works on both mmWave (the short-range 5G) and sub-6 networks. And with its launch, a wave of affordable, accessible, and powerful budget phones is on its way. Vivo Y31s is the first. It’s currently up for pre-ordering in China and should go global in the weeks that follow.
The Y31s chip is built on an 8nm fabrication process that was, until recently, reserved for Qualcomm’s more premium hardware. Vivo Y31s screen hits a fluid 90Hz refresh at a 1080P resolution, but the Snapdragon 480 can render up to 120fps. It’s a 6.58” IPS LCD with a tear-drop notch bleeding into it.
In its price bracket, the image signal processor is also the first to support three cameras shooting up to 64MP images simultaneously. Vivo Y31s has two cameras; one a primary 13MP unit and another a 2MP that works for depth-sensing. The selfie camera on Vivo's new model 2021 has an 8MP sensor behind it.
Pair these upgrades with the new CPU and GPU, which according to Qualcomm, are twice as fast and efficient. The AI engine inside the Vivo Y31s also offers vast improvements in performance over its predecessors. The radically redesigned OriginOS is being rolled out to Vivo’s flagship devices for now. So the FunTouchOS 10.5, based on Android11, powers the Y31s. 6GB of memory handles multi-tasking, and the UFS 2.1 storage is 128GB.
Vivo Y31s packs a 5000 mAh battery that fast charges over 18W. It’s available in Monet gradient, charcoal, and cherry red colors. The USB interface is Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack is present. It’s priced at 1,698 Yuan (~ Rs. 42,000).