Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
After introducing the T3 Pro, Vivo has launched the top-end model T3 Ultra series phone in India.
It comes with a visually appealing design language and an improved camera and processor. It is available in three configurations--8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage-- with prices starting at Rs 31,999. Here are my thoughts on the latest offering from Vivo.
Design, build quality and display
Vivo's T3 Ultra is very identical to the V40 series (review) phone. On the back, it has a massive dual-camera module with LED flash in the top left corner.
I won't complain, as it looks beautiful in the sunlight. Our review unit is lunar grey and features a smooth panel with a glossy exterior finish. The company also offers the device in a frost green colour variant; it also looks pretty.
Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It is not just a pretty phone, but also sturdy. It features a solid frame around the display and also comes with an IP68 rating. It can survive accidental drop in the swimming pool or any freshwater body for up to 1.5 metres (around five feet) for close to 30 minutes.
Further, the screen features SCHOTT Xensation α (alpha) glass cover and the company has pre-fitted another layer of screen guard for protection against scratches.
Vivo has covered all bases to ensure the mid-range phone can survive daily wear and tear, and serve the customer for several years.
On the front, it flaunts a gorgeous 6.78-inch 1.5K (2800×1260p) curved AMOLED display. It has a 20:9 display aspect ratio, supports HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate and up to 4,500 nits peak brightness.
Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
The display is really good. I did not face any issues viewing messages or reading posts on social media platforms outdoors. Colours in the videos appear vibrant on the screen when the brightness is put to the max.
There is also a reading mode, which comes in handy to read long-form news articles or e-books for hours, without any issues of strain on the eyes.
The device also has a really good in-display fingerprint sensor. It responds fast to the finger impression and unlocks the screen. However, the device owner must ensure the finger is dry and clean to avoid false rejection by the biometric security system.
Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It also features dual SIM slots (nano + nano), a type-c port, and stereo speakers. By the way, the speakers are really good. They deliver good audio output with less distortion even when the volume is put to the max.
Performance
The device is powered by a 4nm class MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ octa-core processor. It can clock peak CPU speed up to 3.35GHz. It also features ARM-based Immortalis-G715 GPU which is more than enough to play graphics-rich games.
The device comes with 8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB / 256GB storage configuration.
Vivo T3 Ultra also supports Extended RAM, which allows the owner to double the RAM capacity on the phone. This will greatly improve the performance in terms of loading apps faster and running multiple apps in the background without any sign of lag ness.
Also, the device features a large 4000mm2 vapour chamber. It comes in handy to keep the phone stable and cool even when the user is playing graphics-rich games.
It runs Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14. Though the user interface is simple and easy to navigate through the settings, the phone comes pre-installed with a lot of bloatware.
Thankfully, the company is offering 128GB as the base storage. It is more than enough to install all your favourite apps and also add thousands of photos and videos.
Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
The device houses a massive 5500mAh battery. It can easily deliver more than a day of battery life under normal. If you are out of the city and fully dependent on cellular data to watch videos on social media apps for several hours, the device will be able to last till late evening.
There is no need for anxiety as the company offers a free 80W fast charger with the phone. It can charge up the phone from zero to 100 per cent mark in under one hour. It can also reverse charge another phone as well.
Both 5G nano SIM slots support multiple bands: n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n40/n77/n78.
Photography
The T3 Ulta boasts of dual-camera module--main 50MP (with f/1.88 aperture, SONY IMX921 sensor, OIS: Optical Image Stabilisation) with 8MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide camera with LED flash on the back.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
The phone takes pretty amazing photos in the day with natural sunlight and even low light conditions too.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
With portrait mode, it takes brilliant sharp photos of the subject. The edges such as petals in flowers, and hairs on the head of a human or a pet dog/cat, get clearly captured without any smudging issue. And, the background gets blurred to deliver a perfect bokeh effect.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with portrait mode on.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It can also take good macro photos. It manages to get all the minute details of the subject particularly flowers in a close-up range.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample captured in close-up range.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample captured in close-up range.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
With ultra-wide angle mode, it can cover any of the big landmarks such as statues or wide areas like beaches without any software-based manipulation to accomodate more space in the frame.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with ultra-wide angle mode.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
In night mode, the Vivo T3 Ultra excels in capturing balanced photos. They retain the darkness, the true essence of the night.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with night mode on.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with night mode.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with night mode on.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with night mode on.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with night mode on.
Also, the light coming from street lamps and neon signboards is captured with good details.
It supports 2X optical Zoom. It can digitally zoom up to 20X. The photo quality remains quite good up to 10X Zoom, but beyond that, it begins to accumulate noise and become blurry when put the max.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with 5X zoom.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
And, on the front, it houses a 50MP (f/2.0) auto-focus sensor. It takes amazing selfies in all light conditions.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with 10X zoom.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Like other Vivo phones, the T3 Ultra's native camera also comes with a huge array of tools and filters to enhance the beauty of the face. It has tools to alter nose size, shape of the eyes, skin colour and even the shape of the cheekbones too.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample with 20X zoom.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Both the front and the back cameras can record high-quality 4K videos. The video quality is good, on par with rival brands in the premium mid-range phone segment.
Vivo T3 Ultra's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Final thoughts
For its asking price, the Vivo T3 Ultra is a really good premium mid-range phone. It has a beautiful design with a reliable processor and an amazing camera.
Vivo T3 Ultra 5G.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It is available in three configurations--8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage-- for Rs 31,999, Rs 33,999 and Rs 35,999, respectively.
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