Vivo's mid-range handset isn't what you'd call a stunning upgrade from the previous generation, but it'll do most of what it claims to do without complaining. We've have preferred a camera upgrade to go with the speedier processor, but if you're coming from something lower on the price ladder -- and are all about your battery life -- the V60 Lite should tick the boxes you're after.
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Design
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Display
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Performance
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Battery
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Camera
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Value
It’s been a long while since you’ve absolutely had to buy the top-spec phone from anyone to get decent performance. The Vivo V60 Lite 5G is just a continuation of the theme. But, as with any phone that costs less than half of what you’ll pay for the VIP experience, it’ll do something things better than others. In other words, that R12,000 price tag doesn’t just fall out of the sky. Something’s gotta go. Or, at least, something’s gotta use the less impressive components.
Vivo here has splurged on the battery tech, with the other aspects of the phone trailing in the lithium-ion cell’s wake. If you’re after longevity, that’s precisely what the V60 Lite will supply. If you’re after, say, advanced photography skills, your search doesn’t end here. Look elsewhere.
That’s definitely a phone
Vivo’s V60 Lite is your stereotypical smartphone. There are no flourishes that set it apart from its competitors or companions. It’s neatly designed, sure, but no more so than any other phone made in the last decade. A sturdy frame holds the toughened glass and its 6.77in display. The backplate does a decent impression of aluminium (it isn’t), and a prominent island rises over the space where the dual rear camera sensors live.
There are no surprises, not that this is unique to Vivo’s lineup. The SIM tray, USB-C charge port, and speaker vent occupy the lowest edge, the upper right-hand side has those familiar physical keys we cannot seem to do without, and there’s another vent on the top edge.
Squared edges, most prominent at the back of the V60 Lite, offer some control if you choose to keep this phone out of its supplied clear case, but the size of the rear camera bump almost demands that you avoid that course. At least the see-through case lets the pleasant (if uninspired) pale blue hue our V60 Lite was finished in shine through.
That’s a phone we’ve (kinda) seen before
Vivo’s mid-ranger would be loads more impressive if we hadn’t seen most of it earlier this year. The 6.77in AMOLED display with its 120Hz refresh rate and 3,000 nits of peak brightness is nearly identical to the one in the Vivo V50 Lite, launched at the beginning of 2025. The commonalities continue through the RAM/storage options, camera choices, and even battery capacity — this phone’s highlight — is a retread of the previous generation.
The differences, beyond the brighter yet identical display, are confined to the processor choice. The V50 Lite has a Dimensity 6300 chipset, the V60 Lite opts for a Dimensity 7360 Turbo. The drop from 6nm to 4nm means performance upgrades, certainly, as well as a shade more efficiency. Whether you’ll notice the difference coming from Vivo’s immediate predecessor is a trickier question to answer. Unless you’re running benchmark tests, probably not. The 6,500mAh battery contained here will last a tad longer than it does in the older phone, if that helps?
Basically, if you have Vivo’s previous effort in your pocket, there’s no reason to check this one out. None at all. But… if you’re coming from something else, you’ll find that performance is acceptable enough to warrant handing over your cash. There’s some lag if you’re being a dick and asking the V60 Lite to perform miracles, but standard usage will prove that you probably don’t need the Galaxy S25 Ultra to get everything you want from a smartphone. It’ll handle your life just fine. Promise.
It’ll take photos
Another area to take a back seat is the V60 Lite’s camera. Specifically, the rear cameras. There are no surprises in store for those who own or have used the V50 Lite, either, since the front and rear arrangements are functionally identical. That means you can expect a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP secondary so Vivo can say it included one, and a 32MP selfie camera up front.
You’ll get better images elsewhere for your R12,000, but expect concessions in other places. Image performance here is decent, with improved lighting contributing to better shots. The main 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor does all of the heavy lifting, and it totes a fair amount of weight, despite the lack of backup. Vivo’s software also lends a helping hand, but it’ll help if you develop a taste for Vivo’s AI Master HD algorithm. It’ll help, certainly, but better camera hardware would do far more for your photography skills.
Vivo V60 Lite 5G verdict
Vivo suffers from the same issues many smartphone makers have — it keeps releasing the same phone with only very minor tweaks. The Vivo V60 Lite is just another device on the list of tech we’ve (mostly) seen before. If you’re coming from the last-generation V50 Lite, it’s not really worth the upgrade. If you’re coming from something more entry-level, from any manufacturer, then you’ll find yourself served well enough. But keep in mind what you’re getting here: fair performance in most areas, with a focus on that battery. For some users, that’s perfect. For others, though…
