Vivo T4 Ultra Review: A Flagship Contender Under ₹40K?
A new wave of smartphones priced between ₹35,000 and ₹40,000 is heating up India’s market. The Vivo T4 Ultra enters this space at ₹37,999, aiming to deliver flagship-like features without crossing into premium territory. With the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+, a 100x zoom camera, and a curved AMOLED display, it sure looks the part. But does it deliver where it matters?
Design: Familiar Looks With Subtle Refinement
At first glance, the T4 Ultra looks similar to the T3 Ultra. The design hasn’t changed much, but it feels more refined. The Meteor Grey variant feels sturdy and premium in hand, though the weight is noticeable. That’s likely due to the large battery and cooling system packed inside.
The camera bump makes the back a bit awkward to grip. However, the phone looks sleek with symmetrical curves and a bold frame. The IP64 rating adds a layer of dust and splash protection, which is rare at this price.
Display: One of the Best in This Segment
The T4 Ultra features a 6.78-inch Quad-Curved AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. It’s not just smooth; it’s also very bright. The 5500-nit peak brightness ensures great outdoor visibility, even in direct sunlight.
Vivo also uses SCHOTT Shield Glass, which offers added durability. Streaming and gaming look vibrant, thanks to HDR10+ and a high 3000Hz touch sampling rate. Compared to rivals like the iQOO Neo 10, the T4 Ultra stands out for its symmetry and usability in bright light.
Software and AI: Smarter, Cleaner, and Quicker
The phone runs Funtouch OS on Android 15. Vivo has reduced bloatware significantly, and the user experience is now more fluid. App switching and multitasking feel snappy, aided by Lightning-Speed Engine 2.0.
The AI features make a real difference. You can erase unwanted objects in photos with AI Erase 2.0 or upscale old photos using AI Enhance. Other tools like Smart Circle and Film Camera Mode make the phone feel more intuitive. It’s not perfect, but it’s improving.
Performance: Fast, Stable, and Cool Under Pressure
Vivo has packed in the new MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset. Paired with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, the T4 Ultra performs without lag. Gaming, multitasking, and media-heavy tasks run effortlessly.
Even during long gaming sessions, the phone stays cool. The large vapor chamber and 50,000 mm² cooling system do their job well. On benchmarks, the T4 Ultra scores better than the iQOO Neo 10 in CPU tasks. However, GPU scores slightly trail behind in some cases.
Overall, this phone handles everything you throw at it. But GPU-focused users might want to look at alternatives with stronger graphics handling.
Camera: Zoom Power With Detail
The Vivo T4 Ultra steps up its game with a triple camera setup. It includes a 50MP Sony IMX921 main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP periscope telephoto with 100x digital and 3x optical zoom.
Images from the main camera are sharp and natural-looking. Colors stay true, and dynamic range is strong. The periscope camera surprises with good detail even at 10x zoom, although 100x is still more of a party trick than a practical feature.
Portraits look professional, with great edge detection and five zoom levels that offer flexibility. Night photography is impressive too. Thanks to Aura Light 2.0 and OIS, shots remain sharp and well-exposed even in low light.
The 32MP front camera is also capable. It captures skin tones accurately without going overboard with filters.
Battery: Dependable, Not the Fastest
The 5500mAh battery lasts a full day even with gaming and camera use. Under light use, it stretches to almost two days. Vivo uses a third-gen silicon anode tech to keep the battery slim but dense.
Charging is handled by a 90W fast charger, which gets you to 50% in about 25 minutes. While this is fast, competitors like iQOO Neo 10 offer 120W charging and larger batteries. So, Vivo could do better here.
Verdict: Premium Features, But With Some Trade-Offs
At ₹37,999, the Vivo T4 Ultra is a step up from its predecessor. You get a powerful processor, high-end camera system, and an immersive display. Its AI tools and cleaner software add to the appeal.
However, the phone is slightly expensive compared to some rivals. iQOO Neo 10, for example, offers better battery life and GPU performance at a lower price. But if photography and display are your priorities, the T4 Ultra makes a strong case.
This is a device for those who want premium features without spending over ₹40K. It’s not perfect, but it’s very close to being the best in its class.
