Vivo expands its mid-premium lineup with the quietly launched S2 5G, a budget-friendly phone boasting a curved AMOLED display and longer battery life, positioning itself as an affordable option against the higher-end V70 5G.
Vivo has expanded its mid-premium line-up with the S2 5G, a phone it added quietly rather than unveiling at a formal launch event. According to TelecomTalk, the handset arrived on August 6 after a long gap in the series, and it is being pitched as a value-focused alternative to the more established V70 5G. The comparison is straightforward: the S2 emphasises a curved display, a large battery and a lower starting price, while the V70 leans more heavily on a stronger camera system, a more capable chipset and faster charging.
The two phones are built for different buyers. TelecomTalk says the S2 5G uses a plastic frame and back with a glass front, but still aims for a more polished look through its horizontally arranged dual-camera module. The V70, by contrast, has a glass front and rear with an aluminium frame, giving it a more premium finish. That difference carries through to the screen design as well, with the S2 using a 6.83-inch 3D curved AMOLED panel and the V70 opting for a smaller 6.59-inch flat OLED display.
Display is one of the clearest points of separation. TelecomTalk reports that the S2 offers 1.5K resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR+ certification and peak brightness of 3,000 nits. Vivo’s own product page for the V70 lists a 6.59-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 5,000 nits. That makes the V70’s panel technically brighter on paper, while the S2 has the larger and more aggressively curved screen.
Performance also tilts towards the V70. The S2 is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7360, while Vivo says the V70 uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. TelecomTalk cites higher benchmark figures for the Snapdragon chip and pairs it with LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage on the V70. The S2, meanwhile, uses LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. In practical terms, both are positioned as upper-mid-range phones, but the V70 should have more headroom for heavier multitasking and sustained performance.
The camera hardware follows the same pattern. TelecomTalk says the S2 includes a 50-megapixel Sony IMX852 main camera with a 2-megapixel bokeh sensor, plus a 32-megapixel front camera. The V70 is better equipped on paper, with a 50-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens and a 50-megapixel telephoto camera built around ZEISS optics, according to Vivo. It also carries a 50-megapixel selfie camera. For buyers who care about framing flexibility and zoom, the V70 has the stronger package.
Battery life is a more nuanced contest. TelecomTalk says the S2 carries a 7,050mAh Bluevolt battery with 44W wired charging and bypass charging support, while the V70 has a 6,500mAh battery with 90W charging. Vivo also says the V70 supports 90W fast charging. That means the S2 should last longer between charges, but the V70 will likely refill far more quickly.
Software support also favours the V70. TelecomTalk says both phones run OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, but the S2 is promised 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. The V70 is listed with 4 years of OS upgrades and 6 years of security support. For buyers who keep phones for longer, that extra year matters.
Pricing is where the S2 makes its strongest case. TelecomTalk says the base 8GB plus 128GB model starts at Rs 39,999, with the 8GB plus 256GB version priced at Rs 44,999. The V70 is far more expensive, starting at Rs 59,999 for 8GB plus 128GB and rising to Rs 64,999 for the 12GB plus 512GB model. The S2 will go on sale from August 11 and will be offered in Sapphire Blue, Regal Bronze and Silk White.
For most buyers, the choice comes down to priorities. The S2 5G offers the larger battery, the curved AMOLED screen and a much lower entry price. The V70 5G justifies its higher cost with a more advanced camera system, faster charging, a better chip and longer software support. On balance, the S2 is the more practical pick for value, while the V70 is the stronger all-rounder for users willing to pay extra.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
