The Vivo Y78+ is a mid-range smartphone released in mid-2023, part of Vivo’s Y series, offering a solid balance between performance and price. Featuring a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, and a 5000mAh battery, the Y78+ aims to provide users with an affordable yet premium experience. However, like most smartphones, the Vivo Y78+ is not immune to issues and bugs.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common problems, performance quirks, and user complaints that have surfaced regarding the Vivo Y78+, helping you decide whether it’s still a worthy purchase in today’s market or if there are better alternatives available.
1. Display Issues: Flickering and Brightness Inconsistencies
The Vivo Y78+ comes with an impressive 6.78-inch AMOLED display, which delivers vibrant colors and deep contrasts. However, several users have reported issues with screen flickering and brightness inconsistencies that negatively impact their viewing experience.
Common display problems include:
- Screen flickering at low brightness settings, particularly noticeable in dark environments.
- Inconsistent brightness levels, where the screen doesn’t maintain uniform brightness during usage, especially when adaptive brightness is enabled.
- Color shifts when viewing the screen from different angles, although this is not uncommon in AMOLED panels.
User experience:
"I noticed that when I turn the brightness all the way down, the screen flickers, especially at night. It’s distracting, especially when I’m reading."
Potential solutions:
- Disable adaptive brightness and manually control the brightness to avoid flickering.
- Adjust the refresh rate (if available) to a stable 60Hz rather than the dynamic refresh rate to minimize flickering at lower brightness levels.
- Keep the phone’s software updated, as future updates might address these display inconsistencies.
2. Performance Issues: Lag and App Crashes
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 and equipped with up to 12GB of RAM, the Vivo Y78+ should theoretically provide smooth performance for most tasks. However, some users have encountered performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and even app crashes.
Key performance complaints:
- Lag during multitasking, especially when switching between multiple apps or using intensive apps like games.
- App crashes, particularly with social media apps or games, where the phone either closes the app unexpectedly or freezes momentarily.
- Slow app launches, even with less demanding apps, indicating poor memory management.
User feedback:
"The phone runs smoothly most of the time, but when I have several apps open, it starts to lag. Some apps like Instagram have crashed a few times while I was using them."
Possible solutions:
- Clear the cache of frequently used apps and restart the phone to improve overall responsiveness.
- Use the phone’s Performance Mode (if available) to optimize resource usage during heavy tasks or gaming.
- Disable or limit background processes through the settings to reduce memory consumption.
3. Camera Performance and Software Bugs
The Vivo Y78+ boasts a 50MP dual-camera setup, which performs well under favorable lighting conditions. However, users have reported issues with the camera app and image quality inconsistencies, particularly in low-light situations.
Common camera-related problems:
- Slow focus and shutter lag, leading to blurry images, especially when trying to capture moving subjects.
- Camera app freezes when switching between modes (e.g., switching from photo to video mode), which can sometimes cause the phone to become unresponsive.
- Overprocessing of images, where photos appear unnatural due to excessive use of filters or post-processing algorithms, particularly in portrait mode.
User experience:
"The camera is great in daylight, but indoors or at night, the photos turn out a bit grainy, and it sometimes struggles to focus on the subject."
Fixes:
- Keep the camera app updated to benefit from bug fixes that may resolve issues like slow focus or shutter lag.
- Use third-party camera apps like Open Camera, which might offer more consistent results in different lighting conditions.
- Reduce post-processing settings if the camera app offers manual control to prevent over-smoothing or unwanted effects.
4. Battery Life and Charging Problems
The Vivo Y78+ comes with a 5000mAh battery, which is generally sufficient for all-day use. However, some users have raised concerns about battery drain and slow charging speeds, especially after several months of usage.
Battery-related complaints include:
- Fast battery drain even with moderate usage, especially if the phone’s display is set to a higher refresh rate.
- Slow charging speeds, even when using the original charger, with some users reporting that the phone takes longer than expected to charge fully.
- Battery percentage fluctuations, where the battery drops significantly within a short span of time, then stabilizes.
User feedback:
"I love the battery life when it’s fully charged, but after a few months, it doesn’t last as long as it used to. Charging also seems slower than before."
Solutions:
- Activate the phone’s Battery Saver mode to extend battery life during heavy usage.
- Ensure that you’re using the original charger and cable, as third-party chargers might not support fast charging.
- Limit background activity of apps by checking battery optimization settings to prevent unnecessary battery drain.
5. Connectivity Issues: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and 5G
The Vivo Y78+ supports Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and 5G, making it a well-rounded device in terms of connectivity. However, some users have reported connectivity issues, particularly with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.
Common connectivity problems:
- Wi-Fi drops, where the phone frequently disconnects from networks, even when other devices remain connected.
- Bluetooth connection instability, especially with wireless earbuds or car systems, where the connection intermittently drops or lags.
- Inconsistent 5G performance, with some users experiencing slower-than-expected speeds even in 5G-enabled areas.
User experience:
"I’ve had issues with the Wi-Fi cutting out at random times, and Bluetooth with my wireless earbuds sometimes disconnects for no reason."
Potential fixes:
- Reset network settings in the phone’s settings to fix persistent Wi-Fi or Bluetooth issues.
- Disable the smart network switch feature, which automatically switches between mobile data and Wi-Fi, as this can cause instability in connections.
- Keep the phone’s software updated, as updates often address known connectivity bugs.
6. Software Bugs and UI Glitches
Running Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13 (based on Android 13), the Vivo Y78+ offers a customized Android experience with many features. However, some users have encountered software bugs and UI glitches that affect the overall smoothness and user experience.
Reported software bugs include:
- Notification delays, particularly for messaging apps, where messages or notifications arrive late or don’t appear at all until the app is opened.
- Random UI freezes or crashes, especially when navigating through menus or opening multiple apps at once.
- Animations stuttering, where transitions between screens or apps don’t run smoothly, even when the phone is set to a higher refresh rate.
User feedback:
"Sometimes the phone freezes for no reason, and I have to wait a few seconds before it responds again. I’ve also missed a few notifications from WhatsApp because they just didn’t come through."
Fixes:
- Restart the phone regularly to keep the system running smoothly and to clear out background processes.
- Disable unnecessary system animations or set the refresh rate to 60Hz to improve smoothness.
- Check for software updates, as Vivo frequently rolls out patches to fix bugs and improve overall performance.
Conclusion: Is the Vivo Y78+ Worth Buying?
The Vivo Y78+ offers a good package for those looking for a mid-range smartphone with a large AMOLED display, decent battery life, and capable cameras. It’s suitable for users who want a stylish phone with modern features at a relatively affordable price. However, its performance issues, camera inconsistencies, and battery concerns may detract from the overall experience, especially for more demanding users.
If you’re someone who uses their phone primarily for social media, streaming, and light gaming, the Vivo Y78+ should meet your needs. However, if you require a more consistent camera performance or need a phone that handles multitasking and heavy usage better, there are more reliable alternatives in the same price range.
Recommended alternatives:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro: Offers a smoother performance with better software optimization and an equally strong AMOLED display.
- Realme 11 Pro: A better option for camera enthusiasts and those looking for a well-rounded mid-range phone with fewer reported issues.
- Samsung Galaxy A54: Known for its reliable performance, long-term software support, and better overall optimization for apps and multitasking.
In conclusion, the Vivo Y78+ is a decent choice for casual users, but for those who want better performance stability and reliable connectivity, other mid-range competitors might provide a better experience.