vivo S20 Pro In-Depth Review: A Refined Evolution of the Slim and Stylish Flagship

vivo S20 Pro In-Depth Review: A Refined Evolution of the Slim and Stylish FlagshipIn recent years, smartphone manufacturers, while pursuing ultimate performance, often sacrifice slimness and lightness, resulting in many flagship phones feeling as thick and heavy as bricks. However, the vivo S20 Pro takes a different approach, achieving a significant upgrade in performance, imaging, and battery life while maintaining a slim and light profile

vivo S20 Pro In-Depth Review: A Refined Evolution of the Slim and Stylish Flagship

In recent years, smartphone manufacturers, while pursuing ultimate performance, often sacrifice slimness and lightness, resulting in many flagship phones feeling as thick and heavy as bricks. However, the vivo S20 Pro takes a different approach, achieving a significant upgrade in performance, imaging, and battery life while maintaining a slim and light profile. It's a prime example of a slim and stylish flagship. This review will delve into the vivo S20 Pro, dissecting its advantages and disadvantages across aspects such as design, display, performance, camera system, battery life, and other features.

I. Design: Solidified Purple Mica, Elegant and Noble

The vivo S20 series maintains its consistent elegant style, avoiding drastic changes. The upper left corner of the back cover still features the familiar camera Deco design: a circular camera module surrounded by a ring flash and ambient light sensor, consistent with the previous generation's design language. The S20 Pro cleverly integrates the "100X" inscription into the camera module, symmetrically complementing the telephoto lens, enhancing the overall design.

In terms of color, the vivo S20 series offers classic black and white, plus two distinctive colors: "Phoenix Feather Gold" and "Purple Qi Donglai." "Phoenix Feather Gold" is inspired by phoenix feathers, showcasing unique Chinese cultural connotations; while the "Purple Qi Donglai" (Purple Auspicious Aura), the color of our review unit, is even more stunning, resembling solidified purple mica, exhibiting different luster under varying light, exuding an elegant and noble aura. This gem-like texture is sure to capture the hearts of many female consumers.

The front features a subtly curved screen, a 6.67-inch 1.5K resolution (2800x1260) display with a 2000Hz instant touch sampling rate, 460PPI high pixel density, 10-bit color depth, 100% P3 color gamut, and a 120Hz refresh rate, as well as a peak brightness of up to 5000 nits, delivering a clear and detailed display. Notably, the vivo S20 Pro uses the same BOE Q10 light-emitting element as the iQOO 13, which the company claims reduces power consumption by 10%, improves color accuracy by 50%, and reduces ghosting by 15%. It also supports 3840Hz ultra-high-frequency PWM dimming and has received SGS low blue light eye protection certification, improving both eye protection and power consumption. Although the bezels are relatively wide, the overall display effect is still satisfactory, although the default color is slightly cool and requires manual adjustment to the appropriate color temperature.

The mid-frame features a curved design, smoothly transitioning with the 3D glass back for a comfortable, rounded feel. However, the slightly protruding camera module remains noticeable, and the mid-frame material is plastic, somewhat inconsistent with its flagship positioning.

II. Display: Subtly Curved Screen, Excellent Display Performance

The vivo S20 Pro boasts a 6.67-inch subtly curved screen with a 2800x1260 pixel (1.5K) resolution and a high pixel density of 460PPI, resulting in a clear and detailed display. The 10-bit color depth and 100% P3 color gamut enhance color performance, making images look realistic and vivid. The 120Hz refresh rate and 2000Hz instant touch sampling rate provide a smooth and fluid user experience. Furthermore, the screen supports a peak brightness of up to 5000 nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight.

The vivo S20 Pro's BOE Q10 light-emitting element significantly improves power consumption, color deviation, and ghosting, further optimizing the display quality. The 3840Hz ultra-high-frequency PWM dimming effectively reduces screen flicker, minimizing eye strain, and earning SGS low blue light eye protection certification. While the overall back design is excellent, the relatively wide screen bezels detract slightly from the visual appeal, requiring users to weigh their preferences.

III. Performance: Powered by Dimensity 9300+, A Top Performer Among Slim Phones

The vivo S20 Pro is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, offering robust performance. It easily surpasses 2.1 million points in AnTuTu benchmarks, leading among slim phones. During daily use, whether running large games or multitasking, it runs smoothly without lag. However, due to its slim profile and lack of a powerful cooling system, the vivo S20 Pro doesn't offer a performance mode, slightly limiting its performance potential and not reaching the level of its competitors using the same chip. Nevertheless, it's sufficient for most users' daily needs.

IV. Camera System: Flagship-Level Imaging Configuration, Undeniable Strength

The vivo S20 Pro's camera system is a major highlight. The front features a 50-megapixel distortion-free soft-light selfie lens with 0.8x to 2x free zoom, delivering excellent selfie results. The rear main camera uses a 50-megapixel IMX921 sensor with a large 1/1.56-inch sensor and OIS optical image stabilization, producing clear, sharp images with accurate color reproduction. The ultrawide-angle lens has been upgraded to a 50-megapixel JN1 sensor with autofocus, significantly improving its practicality. Most commendable is the telephoto lens, employing the same IMX882 periscope telephoto lens as the vivo X200 series: a 50-megapixel, 1/1.95-inch sensor, f/2.55 aperture, supporting telephoto macro photography, with image quality comparable to flagship models.

The S20 Pro's image processing algorithms have also been upgraded, resulting in more pleasing and natural colors overall. However, the AI telephoto mode still shows noticeable processing artifacts, leading to somewhat unnatural-looking photos a problem inherited from the vivo X200 series. For video recording, the S20 Pro supports 1080P 60fps and 4K 60fps recording, and can seamlessly switch between the three lenses at 1080P 60fps, highlighting vivo's dedication to video capabilities. Additionally, the S20 Pro introduces the "One-Shot Camera" feature, enabling easy photo printing with compatible portable printers. While the "One-Shot Camera" filters could be improved, the animation effects and filter options demonstrate vivo's thoughtful design.

V. Battery Life: 5500mAh Large Battery, Long-Lasting Power

The vivo S20 Pro packs a large 5500mAh battery and supports 90W wired flash charging, significantly improving battery life. Even with heavy use, it easily lasts a full day. However, it does not support wireless charging.

VI. Other Features: NFC, Infrared Remote Control, IP64 Rating, etc.

The vivo S20 Pro features NFC for various NFC applications; infrared remote control for convenient appliance operation; and an IP64 rating for some water and dust resistance (a downgrade from the previous generation's IP68/69). Furthermore, the S20 Pro supports kilometer-level off-grid communication and dual speakers, enhancing user experience.

VII. Conclusion: A Well-Rounded Slim and Stylish Flagship, But with Shortcomings

The vivo S20 Pro is a very strong slim and stylish flagship phone with significant improvements in performance, imaging, and battery life, all while maintaining a lightweight design. It stands out in the slim phone market. However, the plastic mid-frame, the use of a rotor motor, and the IP64 rating somewhat detract from its high-end flagship positioning.

Advantages:

• Dimensity 9300+ processor, strong performance;

• Excellent camera system, outstanding image quality;

• 5500mAh large battery, long-lasting battery life;

• Slim and lightweight design, comfortable grip;

• Exquisite design, stunning appearance;

• Rich feature configuration, including NFC and infrared remote control;

Disadvantages:

• Plastic mid-frame and rotor motor, slightly cheap feel;

• IP64 rating, average water and dust resistance;

• Default color is slightly cool, requiring manual adjustment;

• Noticeable AI processing artifacts in telephoto images;

Overall, the vivo S20 Pro is a well-rounded slim and stylish flagship phone suitable for users prioritizing slimness, aesthetics, and photography. However, if you prioritize extreme cost-effectiveness and top-tier performance, other more budget-friendly options might be better suited. The 12+256GB version starts at 3299, and the 16+512GB version is 3999.

Finally, thank you for reading this in-depth review of the vivo S20 Pro.