Vivo T3 Review

The Vivo T series and Now Vivo T3 mobile, which stands for Turbo, has been a key lineup for the brand. This series features smartphones designed for power users at competitive prices. Recently, the company introduced its next-generation T3 series, which includes the T3 Pro, T3 5G, and others. These models target the higher end of the mid-range market. Now, Vivo is launching another option for the mid-range segment with the T3 Ultra. The base variant, which comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, is priced at Rs 31,999. The mid-tier version with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage costs Rs 33,999, while the top model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is available for Rs 35,999.

The latest smartphone from the brand presents several compelling value-for-money features, including the robust Dimensity 9200+ chipset and the new Sony IMX921 sensor, among others. However, the question remains: is it sufficient to compete strongly against brands like OnePlus, Honor, and Realme? Let’s explore this in our review.

Vivo T3 Ultra Design:

• Dimensions – 164.1 x 74.93 x 7.58mm
• Weight – 192g
• Colours – Lunar Gray and Frost Green

Vivo has made a clever move with the design of the Vivo T3 Ultra. This latest smartphone draws inspiration from the pricier Vivo V40 series in terms of aesthetics and overall feel, though it does come with some compromises. On the bright side, the device appears sleek and feels lightweight in hand. The weight distribution of the Vivo T3 Ultra is quite balanced, so you won’t experience much discomfort when holding or using it for extended periods.

The Vivo T3 Ultra offers a sleek design with a thickness of 7.58mm.

I received the Frost Green color for this review, and I believe it will be a favorite among customers. It provides a refreshing hue that exudes a cool, minty feel. However, if you prefer more neutral tones, the Lunar Gray option is also available. The rear panel has a soft, velvety texture, making it very comfortable to hold. The camera module resembles that of the Vivo V40 series.

There are a few downgrades when comparing the Vivo T3 Ultra to the Vivo V40 series. For one, the frames of the Vivo T3 Ultra are constructed from plastic. Additionally, the device features Schott Xsenation glass for protection, which is a step down from the Corning Gorilla Glass used in the Vivo V40 series. On the positive side, the phone does have an IP68 rating, ensuring it is resistant to both water and dust.

Vivo T3 Ultra Display:

• Display – 6.78-inch 1.5K curved AMOLED display
• Refresh Rate – 120Hz screen refresh rate
• Other Features – 480Hz touch sampling rate, Scott Xensation Glass protection, HDR10+, 4,500nits peak brightness

The Vivo T3 Ultra 5G features a stunning curved AMOLED display that provides a truly bezel-less experience. Thanks to its curved design, accidental touches are kept to a minimum, addressing a common issue found with similar screens.

The handset comes loaded with a 6.78-inch quad-curved AMOLED display that offers crisp visuals.

The display features sharp visuals and vivid colors. The viewing angles are impressive, and it performs well outdoors, thanks to its peak brightness of 4,500 nits. Additionally, you have three color modes to tailor the display to your preferences: Standard, Professional, and Bright.

The Professional colors offer improved saturation, while the Bright mode enhances the vibrancy of colors compared to the Standard setting. Additionally, the device features a dynamic 120Hz screen refresh rate, ensuring a smooth scrolling experience. There’s also a Visual Enhancement mode that optimizes colors and contrasts for apps like YouTube and Netflix, further enhancing the overall viewing experience.

The handset is available in two colour options: Lunar Gray and Frost Green.

The device includes an in-display fingerprint sensor that is both quick and dependable. Additionally, the phone is equipped with stereo speakers that provide decent audio quality. However, when you turn the volume all the way up, you might notice a bit of distortion.

Vivo T3 Ultra Software: 

• Software – FunTouch OS 14
• Version – Android 14
• Updates Promised – 2 Years of OS updates and three years of security patches

The Vivo T3 Ultra is equipped with FunTouch OS 14, which is built on the Android 14 platform. The user interface has its ups and downs. On the bright side, it offers a wide range of customization options. You can tweak the colors, styles, icons, and nearly every aspect of the interface. One feature I particularly enjoy is the Kinetic Wallpaper, which causes a flower to bloom based on your step count. For instance, when you hit 4,000 steps (a target you can adjust), the flower fully blooms, providing a nice sense of accomplishment.

The handset ships with Android 14 with FunTouch OS 14 running on top of it.

There are some drawbacks as well. Like previous versions of the FunTouch OS, it comes with a fair amount of bloatware. While you can remove third-party apps, first-party ones are unfortunately here to stay, which is disappointing. Additionally, the Hot Games and Hot Apps sections bombard you with ads for popular applications and games. The V-Appstore also sends you a constant stream of notifications. Then there’s the iManager app, which checks every app you download from the Play Store and shows you trending apps and games, which I find quite annoying. Unfortunately, there’s no way to delete or disable these apps, so you’re stuck with them indefinitely.

Vivo T3 Ultra Performance:- 

• Processor – MediaTek Dimensity 9200+
• Memory – Up to 12GB
• Storage – Up to 512GB

The Vivo T3 Ultra is equipped with the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor, a feature that’s uncommon in this price range since most phones typically use the Dimensity 7300 variants or the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. I have to say, the company has made a commendable move by incorporating a flagship-grade SoC at this price point, and this is evident in the synthetic benchmarks shown in the table below.

In everyday use, the phone delivers a smooth and seamless experience. It’s responsive and provides quick performance. Whether you’re scrolling through Reels, watching YouTube videos, or juggling multiple tasks, you won’t encounter any lag or stutter.

The smartphone is equipped with a robust MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor.

When it comes to gaming, the phone manages both casual and demanding titles exceptionally well. I played Call of Duty: Mobile on Very High graphics with Max frame rates, and I didn’t experience any lag or stutter during gameplay. However, the downside is that the phone tends to heat up significantly during extended gaming sessions. This heating issue was also apparent when I ran benchmarks or recorded high-resolution videos. The company should address the throttling problem, and hopefully, we’ll see some improvements in future updates.

Vivo T3 Ultra Cameras:-

• Rear – 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 sensor with f/1.79 aperture + 8-megapixel Ultra-Wide Camera
• Front – 50-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture

Vivo has enhanced its camera capabilities significantly. The smartphone features an impressive 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 sensor paired with an ultra-wide-angle lens. The camera interface is user-friendly, allowing easy access to all essential features with just a swipe. Additionally, you can explore various options in the More section, such as High Resolution, Slo-mo, Supermoon, Astro, Pro, and more. The device offers three distinct shooting modes: Natural, Textured, and Vivid. The Natural mode captures colors that are true to life, while the Textured mode produces photos with a bit more contrast. The Vivid mode is perfect for those looking to create eye-catching, Instagram-ready images.

Vivo T3 Ultra daylight camera samples. (Tap to Expand)

When it comes to performance, the Vivo T3 Ultra performs well in daylight. The main sensor captures a good level of detail and offers decent colors. The dynamic range is satisfactory when lighting conditions are favorable. However, I found the camera to be somewhat inconsistent in certain situations. In some images, the shadows appeared slightly underexposed, while in others, the highlights were a bit off. Although the phone lacks a dedicated 2x telephoto lens, it still manages to capture good details in bright conditions.

Vivo T3 Ultra low-light camera samples. The top image is taken in 2x mode, while the middle one is 1x. (Tap to Expand)

Coming to the low-light performance, the phone was able to capture some decent photos with minimal noise. However, you can still see some noises and grains in dark areas after you zoom in. You will also notice a slight shift in colour temperature in 1x and 2x shots, which was odd.

Vivo T3 Ultra wide-angle camera samples in daylight and low light. (Tap to Expand)

The ultra-wide angle came out to be a mixed-bag one. In daylight, it does capture some decent photos, but the colour appears to be slightly washed out. Moreover, the issue of barrel distortion is quite prominent in the photos.

Portrait mode 1x (bottom) and 2x (top). (Tap to Expand)

The phone comes with portrait mode for both front and rear with 0.8x, 1x, and 2x. Although the rear camera does a decent job of capturing the photos with some natural-looking bokeh, I seriously don’t get the point of using a 2x mode in the selfie camera. This usually results in a passport-like photo, which, for me, is completely unnecessary.

Vivo T3 Ultra selfie camera samples daylight and low light. (Tap to Expand)

Coming to the selfie performance, the handset does an excellent job of handling skin tones and colours. However, the HDR performance is subpar compared to the competition. In low light conditions, you get some decent shots when the lights are ample, but in dark areas, the photo came out to be grainy and full of noises.

The video recording capabilities of the Vivo T3 Ultra are decent as well. You get 4K video at 60fps on both front and rear cameras. The video quality is good, with natural-looking colours and decent stabilisation.

Vivo T3 Ultra Battery:

• Battery Capacity – 5,500mAh
• Wired Charging – 80W Fast Charging
• Charger – 80W (Included in Box)

The Vivo T3 Ultra is equipped with a decent 5,500mAh battery, which is again a rare thing in this price segment. The battery backup of the device was decent at best. With casual to moderate usage, I was able to get almost 1.5 days of battery life. However, with heavy usage that includes playing COD Mobile for almost one hour, using the camera to take photos and videos, watching YouTube, scrolling on Instagram, and more, the phone lasted until the end of the day.

The smartphone packs a 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging support.

The phone lasted 21 hours and 30 minutes in the HD battery loop test. The charging speeds are also quite decent. With the 80W fast charger provided by the company, the phone charged 33 percent in 15 minutes, 59 percent in 30 minutes, and 100 percent in 55 minutes.

Vivo T3 Ultra Verdict

To conclude, the Vivo T3 Ultra brings a lot of interesting features to the table. You get a premium design that is lightweight and comfortable to hold. The display is probably one of the best in the segment. The performance is up to mark, though there are misses in the software department. The cameras are decent, but we have seen better cameras in the form of  Honor 200 (Review), Realme GT 6T (Review), Motorola Edge 50 Pro (Review), and OnePlus Nord 4 (Review). That said, if you are looking for a performance-centric phone with a decent design and a good display, then you can consider this smartphone.

Vivo T3 Ultra vs OnePlus Nord 4 vs Realme GT 6T comparison

Ratings
Overall NDTV Rating
Design Rating
Display Rating
Software Rating
Performance Rating
Battery Life Rating
Camera Rating
Value for Money Rating
Key Specs
Display	6.78-inch	6.74-inch	6.78-inch
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 9200+	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
Front Camera	50-megapixel	16-megapixel	32-megapixel
Rear Camera	50-megapixel + 8-megapixel	50-megapixel + 8-megapixel	50-megapixel + 8-megapixel
RAM	8GB	8GB, 12GB	6GB, 8GB, 12GB
Storage	128GB	128GB, 256GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Battery Capacity	5500mAh	5500mAh	5500mAh
OS	Android 14	Android 14	Android 14
Resolution	2800×1260 pixels	1240×2772 pixels	2780×1264 pixels
GENERAL
Brand	Vivo	OnePlus	Realme
Model	T3 Ultra	Nord 4	GT 6T
Release date	September 12, 2024	July 16, 2024	May 22, 2024
Launched in India	Yes	Yes	Yes
Body type	Glass	–	–
Dimensions (mm)	164.00 x 74.93 x 7.58	162.60 x 75.00 x 8.00	162.00 x 75.10 x 8.65
Weight (g)	192.00	199.50	191.00
IP rating	IP68	IP54	IP65
Battery capacity (mAh)	5500	5500	5500
Removable battery	No	No	No
Fast charging	80W Fast Charging	100W Fast Charging	Super VOOC
Wireless charging	No	No	–
Colours	Frost Green, Lunar Gray	Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green, and Obsidian Midnight	Fluid Silver, Razor Green
DISPLAY
Refresh Rate	120 Hz	120 Hz	120 Hz
Screen size (inches)	6.78	6.74	6.78
Resolution	2800×1260 pixels	1240×2772 pixels	2780×1264 pixels
Resolution Standard	–	FHD+	–
Pixels per inch (PPI)	–	450	450
Protection type	–	–	Gorilla Glass Victus 2
HARDWARE
Processor	octa-core	octa-core	octa-core
Processor make	MediaTek Dimensity 9200+	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3	Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3
RAM	8GB	8GB, 12GB	6GB, 8GB, 12GB
Internal storage	128GB	128GB, 256GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Expandable storage	No	No	No
CAMERA
Rear camera	50-megapixel (f/1.8) + 8-megapixel (f/2.0)	50-megapixel + 8-megapixel	50-megapixel (f/1.88) + 8-megapixel (f/2.2)
No. of Rear Cameras	2	3	2
Front camera	50-megapixel	16-megapixel	32-megapixel (f/2.4)
No. of Front Cameras	1	1	1
Pop-Up Camera	No	–	–
Lens Type (Second Rear Camera)	Ultra Wide-Angle	Ultra Wide-Angle	–
Rear autofocus	–	Yes	–
Rear flash	–	Yes	–
SOFTWARE
Operating system	Android 14	Android 14	Android 14
Skin	Funtouch OS 14	OxygenOS 14.1	Realme UI 5
CONNECTIVITY
Bluetooth	Yes, v 5.30	Yes, v 5.40	Yes, v 5.40
USB OTG	Yes	–	–
USB Type-C	Yes	Yes	Yes
Number of SIMs	2	2	2
Active 4G on both SIM cards	Yes	Yes	Yes
NFC	–	Yes	–
Wi-Fi standards supported	–	–	802.11 ax
SIM 1
SIM Type	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
4G/ LTE	Yes	Yes	Yes
5G	Yes	Yes	Yes
SIM 2
SIM Type	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM
4G/ LTE	Yes	Yes	Yes
5G	Yes	Yes	Yes
SENSORS
In-Display Fingerprint Sensor	Yes	Yes	–
Compass/ Magnetometer	Yes	Yes	–
Proximity sensor	Yes	Yes	–
Accelerometer	Yes	Yes	–
Ambient light sensor	Yes	Yes	–
Gyroscope	Yes	Yes	–
Temperature sensor	Yes	–	–