vivo closes 2022 with the Y02 as the most affordable offering in its current lineup. Priced at under Php 6k, this entry-level device covers the basics: an octa-core processor, a large 5000mAh battery that can last for over a day, and a decently-sized display. Its biggest drawbacks are its tiny 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, which limits the apps you can install on the Y02 and hinders its multi-tasking potential. We review the vivo Y02 and see who is this budget phone for in the Philippines.

 

How does the Y02 look and feel?

The Y02 definitely looks better than the competition in the Php 5k segment. While you get a familiar plastic body with a frosted, non-glossy finish, the large circle housing the camera and LED flash is what makes the Y02 look visually appealing. The large circle has a chrome accent to make it appear more premium than what it actually costs. Its use of a MicroUSB port for charging may turn off people, but we’d give the Y02 some slack given its asking price.

The plastic body has flat sides that gently hug the 6.51-inch display of the Y02. It may look dated with its notch, thick chin, and HD+ resolution, but the Y02’s display is bright enough for it to be used outdoors. There’s no fingerprint scanner here, so you’ll have to depend on face unlock or the old-school PIN code.

Can the Y02’s cameras stand out at the Php 5k price point?

They can match the Php 5k competition, but you’ll need to manage expectations with its basic setup: 8-megapixels for the main camera and 5 megapixels for selfies. Both cameras can shoot 1080p video, but you’ll have to dial down your expectations when it comes to overall performance. Daylight shots are acceptable–even if highlights can get blown out, but low-light shots are not as flattering. Image quality dips significantly when shooting in low light, so we highly advise using the LED flash for better quality photos–even at the cost of shutter lag due to its modest internals.

Should you want to use the Y02 for taking photos or videos, you need to have good lighting conditions to make the most out of them. It’s really hard to ask much from a Php 5k phone, but the Y02 does put up a fight in terms of delivering decent camera performance.

 

What’s it like to live with the Y02?

Being an entry-level phone, the Y02 is not the fastest out there, and it can be slow at times. Powering it is a 4-year-old Helio P22 processor that’s paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. The processor is what you’d expect at a Php 5k price point, but we think the RAM and storage are considered small for 2022 (and 2023) standards.

Having only 2GB RAM limits the apps you can install on the Y02 (we could not install games like Genshin Impact or even Asphalt 9 on it), and also limits its multitasking capabilities. During our time with it, the phone was already at a snail’s pace with two apps open, and the bloatware that comes with FunTouchOS does not help either: the included bloatware eats up not just storage space, but RAM as well. While it’s hard to remedy its meager RAM, the Y02 does have a MicroSD slot should you need extra storage.

While it does not have the best performance, the Y02 shines with battery life, where we were able to push its 5000mAh battery to last 21 hours and 12 minutes on PCMark’s battery benchmark test. That easily translates to more than a day of use and as much as two full days before needing to charge it with 10w MicroUSB charging.

Who is the Y02 for?

The vivo Y02 is aimed at first-time smartphone owners in the Philippines who have a tight budget and minimum requirements. As long as they can use it for social media and can last for more than a day (or two), the Y02 ticks all the must-haves for any first-time smartphone user.

vivo Y02 Review Philippines Specs

• Helio P22 processor
• 2GB RAM
• 6.51-inch HD+ IPS display
• 32GB internal storage
• 8-megapixel f/2.0 main camera with PDAF
• 5-megapixel f/2.2 front camera
• 4G, LTE
• WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC
• GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
• Face Unlock
• 5000mAh battery
• 10w charging
• Android 12 (Go Edition), FunTouch OS 12

 

vivo Y02: Price and where to buy in the Philippines

The Y02 is priced at Php 5,299, and is available at all authorized vivo stores nationwide and at vivo’s own online store, Lazada, and Shopee. As part of vivo’s Paskong la vivo Loca promo, the Y02 has a promo price of Php 4,999, which will last until January 31, 2023.