Vivo T3 Ultra Review: The Vivo T series, short for Turbo, has been a crucial lineup for the brand, aimed at delivering high performance at budget-friendly prices. Recently, Vivo introduced the next-generation T3 series, including models like the T3 Pro and T3 5G, which target the upper mid-range segment. Now, the company is expanding the lineup further with the launch of the Vivo T3 Ultra, designed to appeal to mainstream mid-range buyers.
Priced at ₹31,999 for the base variant (8GB RAM + 128GB storage), the T3 Ultra also comes in an 8GB + 256GB model at ₹33,999, and a top-tier 12GB + 256GB variant at ₹35,999.
The T3 Ultra brings several compelling features to the table, such as the flagship-grade Dimensity 9200+ chipset and the new Sony IMX921 sensor, positioning it as a value-for-money contender. But does it have what it takes to challenge heavyweights like OnePlus, Honor, and Realme in the competitive mid-range space? Let’s find out in this in-depth review.
Vivo T3 Ultra: Premium Design, Practical Feel
The Vivo T3 Ultra measures 164.1 x 74.93 x 7.58mm and weighs 192g. It’s available in two stylish colors: Lunar Gray and Frost Green. Vivo has taken a smart approach to the design by borrowing cues from its more premium V40 series. While there are some expected compromises, the T3 Ultra still manages to feel refined. It offers a slim, lightweight profile with well-balanced weight distribution, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
For this review, I received the Frost Green variant, and it’s likely to be a crowd favorite. The refreshing minty hue adds a cool, modern touch to the phone’s overall look.
For those who prefer a more understated aesthetic, the Lunar Gray option is also available. The rear panel features a soft, velvety texture that feels premium and comfortable in the hand. Design-wise, the camera module closely resembles what we’ve seen on the Vivo V40 series, further enhancing its high-end appeal.
Now, let’s address a few compromises compared to the Vivo V40 series. The Vivo T3 Ultra features plastic frames instead of the metal ones found on its premium counterpart. Additionally, Vivo has opted for Schott Xensation glass for screen protection, which is a step down from the Corning Gorilla Glass used in the V40 lineup. On the bright side, the T3 Ultra still retains an IP68 rating, offering solid protection against water and dust.
Vivo T3 Ultra Display: Sharp, Smooth, and Surprisingly Bright
The Vivo T3 Ultra 5G features a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a sharp 1.5K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. It supports a 480Hz touch sampling rate, HDR10+, and delivers an impressive peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. Protected by Schott Xensation glass, the screen offers a nearly bezel-less viewing experience. Despite being a curved panel, Vivo has done a commendable job minimizing accidental touches — a common issue with this type of design.
The display delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors, with excellent viewing angles and strong outdoor visibility, thanks to its impressive 4,500 nits peak brightness. Additionally, you can personalize the display with three color modes: Standard, Professional, and Bright, allowing you to tailor the experience to your preferences.
The Professional color mode offers enhanced saturation, while the Bright mode makes colors stand out more compared to the Standard setting. The phone also boasts a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling throughout the experience. Additionally, there’s a visual enhancement mode that optimizes color and contrast for apps like YouTube and Netflix, improving the overall viewing experience.
On the audio front, the device comes equipped with stereo speakers that produce solid sound. However, when pushed to maximum volume, some distortion can be heard. It also features a fast and reliable in-display fingerprint sensor for added security.
Also See: OPPO K13 Review: Budget Phone, Flagship Performance
Vivo T3 Ultra Software: Rich in Features, But Weighed Down by Bloatware
The Vivo T3 Ultra runs on FunTouch OS 14, which is built on Android 14. While the user interface offers a mix of strengths and weaknesses, there are plenty of customization options to explore. You can tweak everything from colors and styles to icons, allowing for a highly personalized experience. One standout feature I particularly enjoy is the Kinetic Wallpaper, which causes a flower to bloom as you hit step count milestones. For instance, reaching 4,000 steps (a target you can adjust) triggers the flower to fully bloom, offering a rewarding sense of accomplishment.
However, there are a few drawbacks as well. As with previous versions of FunTouch OS, bloatware remains a significant issue. While you can remove third-party apps, first-party apps can’t be deleted, which is quite disappointing. The Hot Games and Hot Apps sections also push ads for popular apps and games, further cluttering the experience. Additionally, the V-Appstore bombards you with notifications, while the iManager app scans every app you install from the Play Store, showing trending apps and games — a feature I personally find frustrating. Unfortunately, there’s no option to remove or disable these apps, meaning you’ll have to put up with them indefinitely.
Vivo T3 Ultra Performance: Blazing Fast and Effortlessly Smooth
The Vivo T3 Ultra is powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor, a standout feature in this price range, where most competitors typically rely on the Dimensity 7300 or Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipsets.
It’s worth noting that Vivo has made a smart move by incorporating a flagship-level SoC at this price point, a fact that’s clearly reflected in the synthetic benchmark results shown below:
Performance Benchmark Comparison: The Vivo T3 Ultra showcases strong performance in various benchmarks, particularly in comparison to other popular mid-range smartphones like the OnePlus Nord 4, Realme GT 6T, and Motorola Edge 50 Pro. Here’s how it stacks up:
| Benchmark | Vivo T3 Ultra | OnePlus Nord 4 | Realme GT 6T | Motorola Edge 50 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 | 1,426,439 | 1,074,178 | 1,462,980 | 818,387 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 12,032 | 12,336 | 19,517 | 13,730 |
| Geekbench 6 Single Core | 1,809 | 929 | 1,843 | 1,142 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi Core | 5,073 | 3,817 | 4,756 | 3,124 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out |
| 3DM Slingshot | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | 8,393 |
| 3DM Wild Life | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | 5,394 |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 14,989 | 11,588 | 11,481 | 5,457 |
| GFXBench T-Rex | 120 | 60 | 60 | 116 |
| GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 | 118 | 60 | 60 | 61 |
| GFXBench Car Chase | 79 | 60 | 60 | 32 |
Vivo T3 Ultra Camera: A Step Up with Impressive Features
In terms of gaming performance, the Vivo T3 Ultra easily handles both casual and demanding titles. I played Call of Duty: Mobile on Very High graphics with Max frame rates, and the gameplay was smooth, with no noticeable lag or stuttering.
However, the downside is that the phone did heat up noticeably during extended gaming sessions. The heat was also evident while running benchmarks or recording high-resolution videos. Vivo should address the throttling issue, and hopefully, future updates will bring improvements in this area.
Under the review of Gadget360, the Vivo T3 Ultra brings solid camera upgrades, starting with the 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 sensor paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens on the rear. The front camera also features a 50-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. The camera interface is user-friendly, making it easy to access key features with a simple swipe. Additional options can be found in the More section, including High Resolution, Slo-mo, Supermoon, Astro, and Pro modes.
The device offers three different shooting modes: Natural, Textured, and Vivid. The Natural mode captures colors true to life, while the Textured mode enhances contrast for a more dramatic effect. Vivid mode, on the other hand, boosts colors for more eye-catching, Instagram-ready photos.
Final Verdict: Vivo T3 Ultra – A Strong Mid-Range Contender
The Vivo T3 Ultra impresses with its Dimensity 9200+ chipset, 50MP Sony IMX921 sensor, and 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, offering solid value at ₹31,999. The design is sleek and premium, though it has plastic frames and Schott Xensation glass instead of Gorilla Glass. The performance is excellent for gaming and multitasking, but extended use can cause some heating.
The camera delivers good results with its versatile shooting modes, while the software has some bloatware issues that can’t be removed. Overall, the Vivo T3 Ultra is a great option for those seeking flagship-like performance in a mid-range device.