The past year has been marked by steady smartphone launches, but only a few devices have managed to stay memorable long after the review period. From camera upgrades to more efficient chipsets and bigger batteries, several vivo releases stood out in 2025 for offering the right balance of performance, practicality, and design. These are the units we used for weeks at a time, carried during workdays and weekends, and eventually found ourselves recommending to different types of users.
Here are the five vivo phones that left a strong impression this year, along with what made them shine when we held them ourselves for testing.
vivo X300
While we handled the device only for a few hours during its launch, the vivo X300 ended up as one of the most reliable all-around devices we used in 2025. It caters to users who want a flagship experience without going into the complexity of foldables or pro-tier add-ons. Its biggest strength is its imaging setup (200MP ZEISS Main Camera and ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera), which consistently delivers accurate colors and cleaner details in both daylight and indoor lighting. Portrait photos look natural, and the zoom performance remains usable even when shooting distant subjects.
The ZEISS Master Color Display also made a difference in daily use. Its smooth refresh rate, color accuracy, and outdoor visibility made it easy to use under direct sunlight. For long commutes or late-night work sessions, it was comfortable for reading, watching videos, and navigating different apps.
The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset handled multitasking well. Even with multiple apps running, switching between them felt fluid, and background tasks stayed stable. Battery endurance was enough to last a full day while still leaving room for light gaming or streaming before bedtime. Charging speeds were fast enough to avoid overnight plug-ins.
The X300 is best suited for users who want a dependable high-end device that excels in photography, overall speed, and display quality without pushing into luxury territory.
vivo X200 FE
The vivo X200 FE positioned itself as a more accessible choice for buyers who want a taste of premium features without the flagship price tag. It struck that middle ground effectively in our tests, delivering strong performance for everyday tasks, social media use, and light creative work.
Its 50MP ZEISS Telephoto Camera was solid for sharing-ready shots with less need for post-editing. Colors leaned towards natural tones, and indoor performance was better than expected for its category. This made it a reliable companion for casual documentation, quick product photos, or daily travel snapshots.
One of the device’s biggest strengths is its balance between size, weight, and hand feel. It’s compact enough to use with one hand, light enough to carry during long commutes, and looks refined enough for professional use. The display quality remained consistent during gaming, video calls, and streaming.
The X200 FE’s software stays clean and practical, giving users access to features without burying them under unnecessary menus. The 6500mAh BlueVolt battery offered an all-day lifespan, even under heavy browsing and messaging. For students, young professionals, or users upgrading from older mid-range models, the FE model delivers a near-flagship experience at a more affordable price point. View our full review here.
vivo V60
The vivo V60 earned a spot in this list because of how well-rounded it is as a daily driver. It’s the kind of phone that covers work, leisure, and communication without calling attention to itself, and sometimes that’s exactly what users need.
Battery life was one of its strongest points. During our time with the device, it consistently lasted a full day with enough margin for late-night use. Charging was quick and practical for users who forget to plug in before sleeping.
Its 50MP ZEISS Super Telephoto Camera and 50MP ZEISS Main Camera handled bright environments with ease and maintained detail in indoor settings. Colors appeared natural, and autofocus was fast enough for quick shots, which helps during travel or unexpected moments. For people who take many photos of food, pets, or daily scenes, the V60 delivered shareable images with minimal effort.
The device also performed well with gaming titles and heavy apps. The combination of its Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset and software optimization kept the interface smooth, even with a full screen of active apps. The display stood out for its clarity and overall comfort, especially during long viewing sessions.
Overall, the V60 is best for users looking for a balanced phone that can handle school, work, entertainment, and casual photography without pushing into higher pricing categories. View our full review here.
vivo V60 Lite
The V60 Lite surprised us in the best way. For a more budget-friendly model, it delivered strong battery life and one of the more enjoyable displays in its segment. The large screen made it ideal for binge-watching, reviewing documents, or scrolling through social media during breaks. Its 6500mAh BlueVolt battery consistently stood out during testing, surviving long days that included gaming sessions, video calls, and heavy browsing.
The performance was stable for its price. Most mainstream apps ran smoothly, and the device handled multi-hour use without discomfort or excessive heat. For students and young workers who rely on their phones for both entertainment and productivity, the V60 Lite offered enough power and endurance to keep things running throughout the day.
Its simple design also made it easy to pair with different cases, and its lightweight build helped with one-handed use. As an all-around device for budget-conscious users, the V60 Lite delivered the essentials with more comfort than expected. View its top features here.
vivo Y29
Among the more affordable models we tried this year, the vivo Y29 stood out for its practicality and dependability. It’s a straightforward device designed for users who want solid battery life, stable performance for daily tasks, and a clean interface.
The Y29 handled messaging, browsing, banking apps, and video calls without trouble. It maintained consistent battery performance during workdays, making it a good entry-level option for everyday communication. Its camera system produced clear photos in daylight and was dependable enough for documentation, school tasks, and social media posting.
The software remained simple to navigate, and the device felt light and easy to carry in small bags or pockets. For users looking for a trustworthy budget phone, the Y29 presented itself as one of the easiest to recommend in its category. View our feature here.
These five vivo devices stood out in 2025 for different reasons, but all of them brought a mix of practicality, thoughtful features, and strong performance for their respective price points. Whether you need something powerful, balanced, entertainment-focused, or budget-friendly, there’s a model here that matches what the past year taught us about real-world smartphone use.
You can purchase these vivo devices at vivo stores, kiosks, and authorized dealers nationwide, and online at vivo’s official shops: vivo e-Store, Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop.
