The real truth is, we have entered an era where “standard” battery life is no longer enough. We want our phones to last through a 14-hour shift, a weekend trek, and a late-night Netflix binge without sweating over a low-battery notification.
Enter the vivo Y31d. Priced aggressively around ₹15,999, this phone is making headlines for one reason: its monstrous 7200mAh battery. But as a veteran tech journalist, I know that a big battery doesn’t always mean a big win. Is this the ultimate budget powerhouse for the Indian “Aam Aadmi,” or is vivo cutting too many corners to fit that massive cell inside?
Let’s find out.
Quick Specs Table
| Feature | Specifications |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 2 (6nm) |
| RAM/Storage | 6GB LPDDR4X |
| Display | 6.75-inch HD+ LCD, 120Hz Refresh Rate |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Primary (f/2.0) + 2MP Depth |
| Front Camera | 8MP Selfie |
| Battery | 7200mAh |
| Charging | 44W FlashCharge (Type-C) |
| OS | Funtouch OS 16 (Based on Android 16) |
| Durability | IP68 / IP69 Water & Dust Resistance |
| Weight | 219 grams |
Design & Build: A Chonky Reliability
When you hold the vivo Y31d, the first thing you notice is the weight. At 219 grams, it’s a heavy lifter. But vivo has done something clever—the weight is distributed well, so it doesn’t feel like a brick in your pocket.
The back is made of high-quality polycarbonate (plastic). It’s got a glossy finish that looks premium from a distance but attracts fingerprints like a magnet. The real “wow” factor here isn’t the looks; it’s the IP68/IP69 rating. It is rare to see a budget phone that can survive being submerged in water or blasted with high-pressure jets.
The real truth is: This phone is built for the “rough and tough” user. Delivery partners, outdoor workers, or anyone prone to dropping their phone in the rain will love this build.
Display: Big, Smooth, but “Pixels” are Missing
The screen is a massive 6.75-inch panel. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling through Instagram and Twitter feel buttery smooth.
However, there’s a catch. It’s only an HD+ resolution (720 x 1570). In 2026, when most competitors offer Full HD+, seeing an HD panel at ₹16,000 is disappointing. You can literally see the pixels if you look closely at text.
- Brightness: 1250 nits (Peak). Outdoor visibility is actually decent; you won’t struggle to read messages under direct sunlight.
- Verdict on Display: Great for size and smoothness, poor for sharpness.
Performance & Gaming: Don’t Expect a Firecracker
The vivo Y31d is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 2. This is an efficient 6nm chip, but let’s be honest: it is not a gaming processor. * Daily Tasks: Social media, YouTube, and WhatsApp run perfectly. 6GB of RAM is enough to keep about 4-5 apps open in the background without them refreshing.
- Gaming: You can play BGMI or Free Fire on Low to Medium settings. If you try to push it to High, you will see frame drops and the phone will start to warm up near the camera module after 30 minutes.
Camera: Social Media Ready, Nothing More
The 50MP primary sensor is a classic vivo move—it processes colors to look “social media ready.”
- Daylight: Photos have good contrast and “popping” colors. The sky looks bluer, and the grass looks greener.
- Night: Without OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), night shots are grainy. The Night Mode helps, but it takes about 3 seconds to process a single shot.
- Selfies: The 8MP front camera is average. It makes skin look slightly too smooth (the classic vivo beauty filter), even when turned off.
Battery & Endurance: The Showstopper
This is where the vivo Y31d justifies its existence. A 7200mAh battery is massive.
- Real World Test: I used this phone as my primary device. With heavy GPS usage, 4 hours of YouTube, and constant 5G connectivity, it still had 35% battery left at the end of Day 2.
- Charging: The 44W charger takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to go from 0 to 100%. While 44W sounds “fast,” remember it’s filling up a huge tank.
Don’t waste your money if you want a phone that charges in 15 minutes. This is a slow-and-steady marathon runner.
Read more : OnePlus Nord 5 5G
The Competition: vivo Y31d vs. The Rivals
| Feature | vivo Y31d | Samsung Galaxy M17 | Realme P4x |
| Price | ~₹15,999 | ~₹14,499 | ~₹14,995 |
| Battery | 7200mAh | 5000mAh | 7000mAh |
| Display | 120Hz LCD (HD+) | 90Hz AMOLED (FHD+) | 144Hz LCD (FHD+) |
| Processor | SD 6s Gen 2 | Exynos 1330 | Dimensity 7400 Ultra |
| IP Rating | IP68/69 | No | No |
The Winner: * For Durability & Battery: vivo Y31d.
- For Content Watching: Samsung Galaxy M17 (AMOLED is king).
- For Gaming: Realme P4x (Faster processor and better screen).
Final Verdict
Buy it if:
- You are a “Battery Warrior” who hates carrying power banks.
- You work in harsh environments (rain, dust, heat) and need that IP68 rating.
- You want a smooth 120Hz UI experience for basic apps.
Skip it if:
- You watch a lot of Netflix (The HD+ screen is a letdown).
- You are a competitive gamer.
- You want a lightweight, slim phone.
FAQs (People Also Ask)
Q1: Does vivo Y31d support 5G?
No, the current variant of the vivo Y31d is a 4G-focused device optimized for battery efficiency. If you need 5G, look at the vivo Y31 5G variant.
Q2: Can I expand the storage?
No, there is no microSD card slot. You are stuck with the 128GB internal storage.
Q3: How long does the battery actually last?
For a light user, it can easily last 3 full days. For a heavy user (vlogger/delivery executive), it will comfortably last 1.5 to 2 days.
Q4: Is the vivo Y31d waterproof?
Yes, it comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning it can survive submersion in water and high-temperature water sprays.
Q5: Does it have a 3.5mm headphone jack?
No, it uses a Type-C port for audio. You’ll need a dongle or Bluetooth earphones.