RAG Demo

Tag: Launched 2023

  • Vivo Y200

    Vivo launched the Y200 in India in October 2023, borrowing design cues from the V-series, including a slim profile and the Aura light ring for portraits. It was largely sold through offline retail stores, where Vivo has a strong presence, and competed with the Samsung Galaxy A14 5G, Oppo A79 and Redmi Note 12 5G.

    The 6.67-inch AMOLED display at 120Hz looks vibrant and smooth, giving it an edge over many LCD rivals at retail. The Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is an entry-level 5G chip, suitable for calls, social media and streaming but limited for gaming. Critics noted that the price was high for this level of performance. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 offered the usual Vivo features.

    The 64 MP main camera with OIS takes stable daytime photos, and the Aura light helps illuminate faces at night. The 2 MP depth sensor adds little. The 16 MP selfie camera is decent for video calls. The 4,800 mAh battery with 44W charging lasts a day. Buyers focused on value could get faster chips online for less, but the Y200's looks and retail availability appealed to many.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 21,999 (base variant)
    India launchOctober 2023
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1
    RAM8 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Rear cameras64 MP main with OIS + 2 MP depth
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery4800 mAh
    Charging44W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    ColoursJungle Green, Desert Gold

    What we like

    • Slim and stylish design
    • 120Hz AMOLED display
    • OIS main camera with Aura light
    • Widely available in offline stores

    What could be better

    • Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 is underpowered for the price
    • No ultrawide camera
    • Online rivals offer better value

    Who should buy it

    Offline shoppers who want a stylish, slim phone with a good display.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (October 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo T2 5G

    The Vivo T2 5G launched in India in April 2023 as a Flipkart-focused budget 5G phone. It stood out for its compact 6.38-inch AMOLED display at a time when most rivals had grown past 6.6 inches, and for including optical image stabilisation on its main camera. Competition came from the Redmi Note 12, Samsung Galaxy M34 and Realme 10 Pro.

    The AMOLED panel refreshes at 90Hz and offers good colours and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The Snapdragon 695 was a widely used, efficient chip that handled social media and moderate gaming well, though it was showing its age. The phone is light and easy to use one-handed. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 brought familiar Vivo features and some preinstalled apps.

    The 64 MP main camera with OIS takes steady, detailed photos, while the 2 MP depth sensor adds little. The 16 MP selfie camera is decent. The 4,500 mAh battery is smaller than most rivals, but the efficient chip and compact display keep endurance reasonable, with 44W charging. The Redmi Note 12 offered a larger screen and battery, but the T2 suited people who wanted a smaller phone.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 18,999 (base variant)
    India launchApril 2023
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.38-inch, AMOLED, 90Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 695
    RAM6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Rear cameras64 MP main with OIS + 2 MP depth
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery4500 mAh
    Charging44W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    ColoursVelocity Wave, Nitro Blaze

    What we like

    • Compact AMOLED display
    • OIS on the main camera
    • Light and easy to hold
    • Efficient Snapdragon 695

    What could be better

    • Smaller 4,500 mAh battery
    • Only 90Hz refresh rate
    • No ultrawide camera

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a compact 5G phone with a good screen and stable photos.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (April 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo V29 Pro

    Launched alongside the V29 in October 2023, the V29 Pro targeted buyers who wanted better portrait photography and stronger performance. It added a dedicated 2x portrait telephoto camera and the more powerful Dimensity 8200, while keeping the slim curved design. Competition came from the OnePlus 11R, Oppo Reno 10 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A54.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display offers 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Dimensity 8200 delivers noticeably quicker performance than the standard V29's Snapdragon 778G, with better gaming frame rates and app loading. The thin body and smooth glass finish make it feel premium. Funtouch OS 13 was the same as on the V29, with useful features and some clutter.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX766 main camera, 12 MP Sony IMX663 portrait telephoto with 2x zoom and 8 MP ultrawide form a flexible setup, and the Aura light helps with portraits at night. The 50 MP front camera captures detailed selfies. The 4,600 mAh battery with 80W charging is adequate. For buyers who wanted a telephoto lens below 40,000 rupees, it was among the few choices at the time.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 39,999 (base variant)
    India launchOctober 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8200
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX766 main + 12 MP Sony IMX663 2x portrait telephoto + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging80W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo

    What we like

    • Dedicated 2x portrait telephoto
    • Dimensity 8200 performance
    • Sharp curved AMOLED display
    • Aura light for night portraits

    What could be better

    • 4,600 mAh battery is modest
    • Priced close to the OnePlus 11R
    • Bloatware in Funtouch OS

    Who should buy it

    Portrait photographers who want a telephoto lens in a slim mid-range phone.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (October 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo V29

    The Vivo V29 launched in India in October 2023 with a focus on design, portraits and durability. It brought an IP68 rating to the V-series for the first time in this price range, along with a curved 1.5K AMOLED display and a slim, colourful body. Competitors included the Samsung Galaxy A54, Oppo Reno 10 and Nothing Phone (2).

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED panel offers a 1260 x 2800 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, and looks excellent. The Snapdragon 778G was an older chip by then, but it remained efficient and handled most games well. The phone's thin profile and light weight made it comfortable to carry. Funtouch OS 13 offered good features but shipped with apps that many users would rather remove.

    The 50 MP main camera with OIS, paired with the Smart Aura light, produces flattering portraits in dim conditions, while the 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro play supporting roles. A 50 MP autofocus front camera continues Vivo's selfie focus. The 4,600 mAh battery with 80W charging gives a day of use and refills quickly. The Galaxy A54 offered longer updates, but the V29 had a better display and faster charging.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 32,999 (base variant)
    India launchOctober 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 778G
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging80W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursHimalayan Blue, Majestic Red, Space Black

    What we like

    • Sharp 1.5K curved AMOLED display
    • IP68 rating in a slim body
    • Aura light improves night portraits
    • 80W fast charging

    What could be better

    • Snapdragon 778G was ageing
    • Average secondary cameras
    • Preinstalled apps

    Who should buy it

    Portrait lovers who want a slim, water-resistant phone with a great screen.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (October 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo V27 Pro

    Vivo launched the V27 Pro in India in March 2023 as a fashion-forward phone with a colour-changing rear panel that shifted shade under sunlight. The V-series has always prioritised design and selfie cameras, and the V27 Pro followed that formula while adding a capable Dimensity 8200 chip. It competed with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro, OnePlus 11R and Samsung Galaxy A54.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display at 120Hz is vivid and immersive, and the slim body feels light for its size. Dimensity 8200 provides strong performance that comfortably handles gaming and multitasking, better than the Exynos chip in the Galaxy A54. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 offered plenty of customisation, but reviewers continued to note duplicated apps and preinstalled software.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX766V main camera with OIS performs well, and Vivo's Aura light ring helps with portraits at night. The 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are secondary. A 50 MP autofocus selfie camera remains a V-series strength. The 4,600 mAh battery with 66W charging gets through a day. Against the OnePlus 11R, it offered a nicer design and selfie camera but less raw performance.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 37,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8200
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX766V main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging66W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMagic Blue, Noble Black

    What we like

    • Colour-changing back is eye-catching
    • Strong Dimensity 8200 performance
    • 50 MP autofocus selfie camera
    • Slim and light design

    What could be better

    • Smaller 4,600 mAh battery
    • Weak ultrawide and macro cameras
    • Bloatware in Funtouch OS

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious users who take lots of selfies and want solid performance.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo X90 Pro

    The Vivo X90 Pro arrived in India in April 2023 as Vivo's photography flagship, built around a 1-inch Sony IMX989 main sensor and Zeiss co-engineered optics. It took on the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, Google Pixel 7 Pro and OnePlus 11 for buyers who cared most about camera quality. A vegan leather back and a large circular camera ring gave it a distinctive, classic-camera look.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display runs at 120Hz with a resolution of 1260 x 2800, offering excellent brightness and colour. MediaTek's Dimensity 9200 proved a capable flagship chip with good thermal behaviour, and Vivo's V2 imaging chip assisted with photo and video processing. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 was criticised for preinstalled apps, a recurring complaint with Vivo phones in India.

    Camera performance is where it excelled: the 1-inch sensor produced natural depth and impressive low-light shots, and the 50 MP portrait lens with roughly 2x zoom made it a portrait specialist. It lacked the long-range zoom of the S23 Ultra. The 4,870 mAh battery supports 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, both faster than Samsung's. For photographers who rarely zoom far, it was one of the best camera phones of 2023.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 84,999 (base variant)
    India launchApril 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9200
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50.3 MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 main + 50 MP portrait telephoto + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4870 mAh
    Charging120W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursLegendary Black

    What we like

    • 1-inch main sensor excels in low light
    • Excellent portrait lens with Zeiss tuning
    • 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
    • IP68 rating

    What could be better

    • No long-range periscope zoom
    • Funtouch OS bloatware
    • Single colour and storage option in India

    Who should buy it

    Photography enthusiasts who want flagship low-light and portrait performance.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (April 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Realme C67 5G

    Launched in December 2023, the C67 5G was Realme's attempt to push 5G further down its C-series range. It targeted buyers who wanted future-proof connectivity for the lowest possible outlay, going up against the Redmi 13C 5G, Samsung Galaxy A14 5G and Lava Storm. The design followed the flat-edged look that Realme used across its 2023 budget lineup, with a glossy rear finish.

    The 6.72-inch IPS LCD runs at 120Hz, which helps scrolling feel smooth even if colours and contrast fall short of AMOLED. MediaTek's Dimensity 6100+ is a common budget 5G chip that handles calls, social media and video comfortably, though gaming is limited to lighter titles. IP54 splash resistance was a welcome inclusion that many rivals at this price skipped.

    A 50 MP main camera and 2 MP depth sensor produce usable daylight shots, and the 8 MP selfie camera is basic. The 5,000 mAh battery easily lasts more than a day for light users, and 33W charging is faster than the 18W chargers some competitors bundled. Compared with the Redmi 13C 5G, the Realme offered quicker charging and a smoother display, while Samsung's option promised longer software support.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 13,999 (base variant)
    India launchDecember 2023
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.72-inch, IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 6100+
    RAM4 GB / 6 GB
    Storage128 GB
    Expandable storageYes
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 2 MP depth
    Front camera8 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging33W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP54
    ColoursDark Purple, Sunny Oasis

    What we like

    • 5G at an entry price
    • Smooth 120Hz screen
    • 33W charging
    • IP54 splash protection

    What could be better

    • LCD panel lacks contrast
    • Basic camera setup
    • Limited gaming performance

    Who should buy it

    Price-conscious buyers who want 5G and good battery life in a simple phone.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (December 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Realme Narzo 60 Pro

    Realme launched the Narzo 60 Pro in India in mid-2023 as the most premium phone the online-first Narzo line had carried so far. The pitch was looks first: a curved AMOLED display, a vegan leather back on some colours and a large circular camera island that borrowed heavily from the number-series design language. It went up against the Redmi Note 12 Pro, the iQOO Z7 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy M-series in a very crowded bracket.

    The 6.7-inch curved panel refreshes at 120Hz and is the highlight of daily use, with deep blacks and comfortable brightness indoors. Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 is a modest 6nm chip that handles social apps, streaming and casual games without fuss, though demanding titles need lower settings. Realme UI 4.0 on Android 13 felt clean for the price, but early units shipped with a fair number of preinstalled apps that buyers had to clear out.

    The 100 MP main sensor produces detailed daylight shots, while the 2 MP depth unit adds little and there is no ultrawide, which rivals such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro offered. Battery life from the 5,000 mAh cell is a solid full day, and 67W charging refills it quickly. Buyers who wanted a curved, premium-looking phone without paying Nothing or OnePlus prices found it appealing; spec-sheet hunters looked elsewhere.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 23,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7050
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 1 TB
    Rear cameras100 MP main + 2 MP depth
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo

    What we like

    • Curved 120Hz AMOLED display looks premium
    • 100 MP main camera is sharp in good light
    • Fast 67W charging
    • Vegan leather finish stands out

    What could be better

    • No ultrawide camera
    • Dimensity 7050 is ordinary for gaming
    • Preinstalled apps out of the box

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a curved-screen phone with a premium look on a mid-range budget.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Realme C55

    Realme launched the C55 in India in March 2023, and it drew attention mainly for one software trick: the Mini Capsule, a pill-shaped indicator around the punch-hole that showed charging status and data usage, clearly inspired by Apple's Dynamic Island. Beyond the gimmick, it was an affordable 4G phone aimed at buyers stepping up from basic handsets, competing with the Redmi 12C, Samsung Galaxy M14 and Poco C55.

    The 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel has full HD resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which made scrolling smoother than many rivals at the price. Performance from the MediaTek Helio G88 is adequate for WhatsApp, YouTube and light games but slows with heavy multitasking. Realme kept practical features such as a microSD slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack, both valued by budget buyers.

    The 64 MP main camera takes decent daylight photos, though low-light shots get soft and noisy. Battery life from the 5,000 mAh cell is strong, and 33W charging was fast for this price class in 2023. Its biggest limitation was the lack of 5G, which the Galaxy M14 offered at a similar price, so buyers who planned to keep a phone for years had a reason to look elsewhere.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 10,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2023
    SegmentBudget
    Display6.72-inch, IPS LCD, 90Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Helio G88
    RAM4 GB / 6 GB / 8 GB
    Storage64 GB / 128 GB
    Expandable storageYes
    Rear cameras64 MP main + 2 MP depth
    Front camera8 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging33W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0
    5GNo
    Headphone jackYes
    ColoursSunshower, Rainy Night

    What we like

    • Mini Capsule adds a fun touch
    • Full HD 90Hz display
    • 33W charging is quick for the price
    • Headphone jack and microSD slot

    What could be better

    • No 5G support
    • Helio G88 struggles with heavy use
    • Weak low-light photos

    Who should buy it

    Budget buyers upgrading from a basic phone who do not need 5G yet.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.