In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, Vivo has consistently carved out a niche for itself by offering feature-rich devices at competitive price points. The company's Y-series has been particularly successful in markets like Pakistan, known for delivering solid specifications that resonate with users. The latest entrant in this lineage is not the anticipated Y300, but a jump directly to the Vivo Y400. This new model arrives with a blend of familiar specs and significant upgrades, aiming to make a mark in its segment.

This article provides a detailed overview of the Vivo Y400, examining its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, and its standout feature: an IP69 water and dust resistance rating.

Design and Build: A Premium Aesthetic

The first thing that strikes you about the Vivo Y400 is its design language, which is almost identical to the company's upper mid-range offering, the Vivo V50 Lite. The aesthetic is so cohesive that from a distance, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between the two models. This design choice immediately lends a premium and sophisticated look to the Y400, elevating it above typical budget-friendly phones.

The device is launched in two color variants: a clean, elegant White and a vibrant Green. The back panel and frame are constructed from plastic, though Vivo markets it as having a "metallic design." In practice, the material quality is impressive; the finish is so well-executed that it is difficult to tell it's not metal upon first glance or touch. The phone features a glass front, adding to its premium feel. A included silicone case, while not branded, complements the device and maintains its sleek profile.

On the right side, you'll find the power button and volume rocker. The top edge houses a speaker grille and noise-cancellation microphone, while the bottom features another speaker, USB Type-C port, and a dual SIM slot (note: there is no 3.5mm headphone jack). The SIM tray accommodates two nano-SIM cards but does not support expandable storage via microSD card.

Display: Vibrant and Smooth Visual Experience

The Vivo Y400 sports a 6.58-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. The bezels surrounding the screen are minimal, creating an immersive viewing experience that rivals flagship-grade devices. The display is vibrant with excellent color reproduction and deep blacks characteristic of AMOLED technology.

With a resolution of 2408 × 1080 pixels, the screen offers sharp details for multimedia consumption, gaming, and everyday use. The inclusion of an under-display fingerprint scanner adds to the premium experience, and it's notably fast and accurate in our testing.

Performance and Software: Reliable Daily Driver

Under the hood, the Vivo Y400 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 685 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. This is the same processor found in its predecessor, the Y200, but coupled with increased memory and storage capacity.

In day-to-day usage, the phone performs admirably with no noticeable lag or sluggishness when switching between apps, browsing social media, or handling multimedia tasks. Vivo's software optimization through its Funtouch OS (based on Android 15) contributes significantly to this smooth experience, despite not being the stock Android experience that some users might prefer.

However, for intensive tasks and gaming, the limitations of the Snapdragon 685 become apparent. In benchmark tests, the device scores around 370,000 on AnTuTu, which is respectable but not class-leading. Popular games like PUBG Mobile run adequately at balanced settings, but users shouldn't expect top-tier gaming performance at maximum settings.

Camera System: Capable but With Limitations

The camera setup on the Vivo Y400 consists of a dual-rear system headlined by a 50MP Sony IMX sensor (exact model number to be confirmed) accompanied by a secondary sensor. On the front, there's an 8MP selfie camera.

In daylight conditions, the main camera captures decent shots with good color reproduction and adequate dynamic range. Vivo's image processing algorithm does a solid job in optimizing shots for social media sharing. However, upon closer inspection, some detail loss is noticeable, especially when zooming into images.

The 8MP front camera surprisingly performs better than expected, producing selfies that are more than acceptable for social media use. This is particularly noteworthy considering that the Y200 featured a 32MP front camera, suggesting significant software optimization in the Y400.

Video capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps for both front and rear cameras. The rear camera does feature a stabilization mode that can be toggled on or off.

The most intriguing camera-related feature is the dedicated underwater photography mode, leveraging the phone's IP69 rating. This mode allows users to capture photos and videos underwater using physical buttons (power button for photos, volume button for video), making it a unique offering in this price segment.

IP69 Rating: Unprecedented Protection in its Class

The standout feature of the Vivo Y400 is undoubtedly its IP69 water and dust resistance rating. This certification goes beyond the common IP67/IP68 ratings, indicating protection against high-pressure, high-temperature water jets and dust ingress.

Vivo has incorporated specific features to complement this rating, including a water ejection system that uses the speakers to expel water from the ports after exposure to liquids. This functionality is accessible through a dedicated menu option and produces distinct sounds during the process.

It's important to note that this rating doesn't just protect against accidental water splashes but also against various household liquids, making it exceptionally durable for everyday accidents and even intentional underwater use for photography.

Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Endurance

The Vivo Y400 is equipped with a substantial 6000mAh battery, which combined with the power-efficient Snapdragon 685 processor, provides exceptional battery life. Most users can expect at least two days of moderate usage on a single charge, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize battery endurance.

Charging is handled by a 44W charger included in the box. While this is notably slower than the 80W charging found in the Y200, it still provides respectable charging speeds, taking approximately 1-1.5 hours to fully charge the massive battery. The reduction in charging speed might be a trade-off for the increased battery capacity and potentially longer battery lifespan.

Audio and Additional Features

The audio experience on the Y400 is impressive for its price range. The dual-speaker setup provides balanced sound output with both top and bottom speakers contributing equally to the audio experience. This creates an immersive soundscape for media consumption and gaming that is rarely found in this segment.

A unique design element is the LED notification light on the back panel, which serves to alert users to calls and notifications when the phone is placed face down. While it doesn't offer the color temperature functionality found in the V50 Lite, it's a welcome addition for those who prefer visual notifications.

Technical Specifications

Pricing and Value Proposition

Based on information available at the time of testing, the Vivo Y400 is expected to be priced around ₹64,999 in the Pakistani market. At this price point, it faces stiff competition from various brands offering similar specifications.

The value proposition of the Y400 hinges on its unique combination of features: the premium design language borrowed from more expensive Vivo models, the massive 6000mAh battery, smooth 120Hz AMOLED display, and most notably, the IP69 rating that offers unparalleled protection against water and dust damage in this price category.

While the Snapdragon 685 processor might seem underwhelming compared to some competitors' offerings, Vivo's software optimization ensures a smooth user experience for all but the most demanding tasks and games.

Pros and Cons

Performance Rating

Note: Specifications and features mentioned are based on pre-release information and may be subject to change upon official launch. Pricing may vary by region and retailer.