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It's one thing for a phone to make a strong first impression - most mid-range devices manage that nowadays. But the real test begins once the honeymoon phase ends.

That's exactly what I was looking for with the Vivo T4 Ultra. After spending about three weeks using it as my primary device - testing the cameras, playing COD: Mobile, chatting on WhatsApp, and watching plenty of Netflix and late-night scrolling - I can say this: the T4 Ultra isn't just trying to look like a flagship, it's genuinely trying to perform like one too. And that's saying something in a price segment already filled with good - if not great - options.

At a starting price of Rs 37,999, Vivo's latest T-series phone enters a space where expectations are naturally high. We've got phones with powerful processors. AMOLED displays are no longer rare, and cameras are only getting more versatile. So, does the Vivo T4 Ultra punch above its weight, or is it just a spec-heavy offering that loses steam once you start using it daily? After thoroughly putting it through its paces, I've got a fair bit to say. Here's the full review of the Vivo T4 Ultra 5G.

Familiar design, finer details

Vivo's design language has matured to a point where even its mid-range phones feel like they've been filtered through a premium lens. Of course, a phone priced around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 isn't exactly mid-range, but you get the idea. The T4 Ultra continues that design evolution. At just 7.43mm and weighing 192 grams (I used the Meteor Grey colour), it strikes a fine balance between being slim and comfortable, without feeling too heavy or too light. The satin matte finish on the back is one of the best textures I've come across in this segment. It is soft to the touch, barely picks up any smudges, and adds just enough grip.

Since I've been using the T4 Ultra, I've tossed it into my backpack, used it without a case, and it still looks pristine. The camera module doesn't stick out too much, although the phone does wobble slightly on flat surfaces. Buttons are tactile and offer a satisfying click. There's an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, which is fine, although technically it is a step-down compared to the T3 Ultra's IP68 rating.

Overall, the design isn't a dramatic departure from its predecessor, but the refinement is noticeable once you start using it more. It's one of those phones that looks good from a distance - but feels even better up close, which is where many mid-range phones fall short.

A crisp and colourful AMOLED display

If there's one area where the Vivo T4 Ultra really shines, it's the display. This 6.67-inch quad-curved AMOLED panel, protected by Schott Xensation glass, doesn't just look good on paper - it's a joy to use. With a 1.5K resolution (2800x1260) and support for 10-bit colours, content on this screen really pops. But what impressed me the most was the outdoor visibility. With temperatures crossing 40 degrees these days, I was happy to see the screen remain easily usable in direct sunlight. For those who like numbers, there's 800 nits of typical brightness, 1,600 nits in High Brightness Mode, and a peak brightness of 5,000 nits.

Lately, I've been watching Daredevil: Born Again on JioHotstar and Ginny & Georgia on Netflix, and while I do juggle between the T4 Ultra and a larger screen - I am reviewing a tablet side by side - the experience on the phone has been excellent. HDR10+ support works well on both platforms, and Vivo's Visual Enhancement mode (only supported on YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video) really does help darker scenes look punchier without going overboard. The quad-curved edges give it that high-end appeal, but more importantly, they're not a nuisance. Accidental touches are a thing of the past, and the viewing experience feels quite immersive.

Gaming on this display is equally enjoyable. One of my favourite cricket games, Hitwicket, looks sharp, fluid, and surprisingly vibrant. Apart from this, the 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth experience throughout. To save battery, you can dial it down to 60Hz manually or let Smart Switch handle it.

As for the speakers, they're loud and balanced. In landscape mode especially, there's good stereo separation. They're not the best I've heard in this range, but for binge-watching or podcast sessions, they get the job done with little to complain about.

The Ultra handles pressure like a pro

The Vivo T4 Ultra doesn't just look sleek and polished - it's a powerhouse on the inside. Interestingly, it's the first phone in India with the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus chip, and that's not just a footnote. For those who don't know, it's a last-gen flagship processor with a top clock speed of 3.4GHz, and you feel that power in real-world use. App switching, running heavy apps, scrolling - it all happens without fuss. Paired with up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage, there's enough headroom here for even power users.

Day-to-day tasks are quick and fluid. The fingerprint sensor is superfast, face unlock works fine, and general animations - from pulling down notifications to jumping between apps - feel smooth. Vivo could've used a sharper vibration motor to complete the premium feel though.

Gaming is where the T4 Ultra flexes confidently. COD: Mobile supports 90fps, and it plays phenomenally well - I never experienced lag or stutter. Hitwicket, being a lighter title, ran just as expected - with smooth visuals. I even took the phone on a road trip to Alwar over the weekend and used it with Android Auto throughout. With charging on and outside temperatures hitting 43 degrees, the device got warm, yes - but not alarmingly hot, and never throttled or froze up.

Benchmarks tell a similar story. In the 3D Mark Wildlife Stress Test, the phone scored decently and stayed stable for the most part - although yes, there was some throttling under sustained load. Vivo's internal cooling, which includes a large vapour chamber, seems to be doing its job reasonably well.

Funtouch OS 15, atop Android 15, runs the show here. It still has a somewhat busy aesthetic, but it's smoother than earlier versions and comes with genuinely useful features like AI Note Assist, Live Text, Call Translation, and even Circle to Search. There are a few pre-installed apps (like Snapchat, PhonePe and Amazon), which can be removed - though some of them return if you do a factory reset.

The battery life is decent, but there's room for improvement. Don't get me wrong - the 5,500mAh cell easily lasts a full day with mixed use, but I was hoping Vivo would use a newer silicon-carbon battery to push things further. That said, I regularly got 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time on Wi-Fi and 5G. And thanks to the 90W fast charger in the box, getting back to 100 per cent takes under an hour, or roughly 53 minutes, which is always handy when you're in a rush.

Quite a capable camera system

Vivo phones have always had a good reputation when it comes to design and cameras - even their mid-range models have solid camera systems for their respective prices. And while the T-series has been more about performance than imaging, the T4 Ultra tries to balance both. Thankfully, the camera setup here isn't just for show.

You get a 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide, and - this is new - a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens. That last one is the standout for this model, giving you 3x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. But honestly, the sweet spot is around 10x - anything beyond that is more for fun than function.

In daylight, the main camera does a solid job. Shots come out sharp, with natural-looking colours and decent dynamic range. Indoors or in slightly tricky lighting, it still holds up well - details are fine and colours don't go overboard, which I appreciate. Even low-light performance is respectable. Vivo's processing keeps the scene well-lit, and while you may not get pixel-perfect details in every shadow, the results are good enough for most situations.

What's also nice is that colour consistency is well maintained between the main and ultra-wide lenses. There's minimal distortion around the edges too, which is often a weak spot for wide-angle shots.

Portrait mode is surprisingly good, with sharp edge detection and a bunch of creative blur effects and focal lengths to choose from. Occasionally, highlights can blow out a bit, and the processing can feel a bit aggressive in some shots - but that's rare.

The telephoto lens also does a decent job in macro mode, though I mostly used it for zoomed-in photos. And it adds a good amount of versatility overall.

On the front, the 32-megapixel selfie camera takes crisp photos in daylight. Low-light selfies are usable too - they're just a bit softer and less detailed.

Vivo T4 Ultra review: Final verdict

The Vivo T4 Ultra is a great example of a phone that isn't just about looks - it backs it up with substance. Honestly, I was a bit sceptical about this device - how it would turn out, how the performance would be, the camera and all that. But thankfully, this phone has been a pleasant surprise.

Whether it's the AMOLED display, the impressive periscope telephoto camera, or the reliable performance of the Dimensity 9300 Plus chip, the T4 Ultra delivers a well-rounded experience. Add to that the satin finish back, good battery life, and Vivo's optimised software, and you've got a device that genuinely feels close to flagship territory, without fully crossing that Rs 40,000 line.

That said, it's not without its minor quirks. The haptics could be tighter, and the speaker tuning still has room to improve. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a capable, polished phone that does most things right. If you're someone who values camera flexibility, display quality, and smooth daily performance in a stylish package, the T4 Ultra is definitely worth considering. It might not be the most hyped phone in its segment, but it's certainly one of the most well-balanced ones.