Meet Vivo, the latest smartphone manufacturer to set up shop in Australia

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 20 August 2019

Chinese phone manufacturer Vivo is set to be the latest entrant to the Australian market with the launch of two new handsets through JB Hi-Fi this week.

Vivo is a sister company to OPPO and OnePlus, with the trio all owned by the same parent company: BBK Electronics. Despite shared ownership, the companies tend to operate independently, although share some supply chain efficiencies.

As with OPPO devices, Vivo phones tends to focus on bang-for-buck. While Vivo has had a few experimental flagships - including a completely portless phone - the first two available in Australia will both retail for less than $450.

These two phones are the Vivo S1 (pictured above) and the Vivo Y17, and they share a couple of key features. Both have a tear-drop notch, both have fast charging, and both have a triple rear-facing camera setup including a primary lens, wide-angle lens, and a depth lens.

Key specifications for the S1 include a 6.38-inch 1080p+ display, a MediaTek Helio P65 processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, an in-display fingerprint reader, 16MP + 8MP + 2MP rear-facing cameras, and a 4500mAh battery.

Key specifications for the Y17 (pictured above) include a 6.35-inch 720p+ display, a MediaTek Helio P35 processor, 4GB of RAM, 128GB of expandable storage, 13MP + 8MP + 2MP rear-facing cameras, and 5000mAh battery.

Both devices run Vivo's "Funtouch" operating system, based on Android Pie.

The Vivo S1 will retail for $449 outright, and the Vivo Y17 will retail for $369 outright. Both will be available at JB Hi-Fi from this Thursday (August 22). At this stage, we're not sure if Vivo devices will be ranged elsewhere.

Vivo says it will launch further devices in Australia in the coming months.

Keen to pick up a Vivo? Here are a bunch of SIM-only plans with at least 10GB to go with it:

#1	amaysim	amaysim 7-day UNLIMITED 10GB Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $10.00 Per 7 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$10.00 Per 7 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
#3	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
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#5	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#6	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#7	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#8	iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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