TL;DR
- vivo just launched the T5e, a budget phone priced at ₹13,999.
- You only get one version: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
- The T5e packs a 5,500mAh battery, a 6.74-inch 90Hz HD+ screen, a UNISOC T7225 chip, Android 16 with OriginOS 6, an IP64 rating, and military-grade durability.
vivo quietly launched the T5e, a budget phone aimed at students and first-time smartphone buyers. It costs ₹13,999 and is now available on vivo’s website, Flipkart, and in retail stores. You get one configuration: 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, in Shadow Grey or Aero Blue.
You get a big battery, tough build, and up-to-date software for less than most rivals. But the hardware shows where vivo cut corners to keep the price low.
Battery and charging
The 5,500mAh battery stands out on the T5e. vivo claims up to 18 hours of online video, 47 hours of music, or 13.5 hours of social media on a single charge. Charging maxes out at 15W, which is slow for 2026, but it gets the job done if you are not in a hurry.
The software includes battery-saving tools like Battery Life Extender for squeezing out the last bit at 1 percent, Super Battery Saver Mode, sleep standby optimization, and charging protection. vivo promises four years of battery health. You cannot check that at launch, but it shows they trust the battery to last.
You can use the T5e for reverse charging, so it doubles as a backup power bank for your accessories or another phone.
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Durability: IP64 and military-grade
Durability is another big selling point for the T5e. It has an IP64 rating so that it can handle rain and dust but not full submersion. vivo put it through MIL-STD-810H tests, including drops from 122cm and shock tests. You rarely see military-grade durability at this price. vivo added extra cushioning around important parts inside.
You can use the T5e with wet or greasy hands. That helps if you need to answer a call with damp fingers or scroll through a recipe while cooking. The composite back and matte frame feel basic, but they are built to survive drops that would break a glass-backed phone.
Display, processor, and software
The 6.74-inch screen is HD+ (1,600 x 720) with a 90Hz refresh rate. The resolution is low for 2026, and you will notice the lower pixel density compared to a full-HD display. Sleep Comfort Mode and smart brightness help with eye strain.
Inside, the UNISOC T7225 octa-core processor handles daily tasks, but it is not built for gaming or heavy multitasking. vivo makes that clear. You get 4GB of RAM plus up to 4GB of extended RAM, which borrows storage as virtual memory for basic app switching. Storage is 64GB, and you can add up to 2TB with a microSD card. The phone includes AI Creation features for summarizing, translating, and rewriting text, plus a document scanning tool. These features need a vivo account and a network connection, but they are a step above what most budget phones offer for productivity.
Cameras
The cameras are basic: 8MP on the back and 5MP on the front for photos and video calls. You get AI features like Cutout, which lets you swap backgrounds, and a document mode for better scans. These software tools help, but they cannot fix the limits of the hardware.
You do not get an ultrawide, macro, or depth sensor. At this price, skipping extra cameras is honest, since most budget phones add 2MP sensors that do not help anyway.
At ₹13,999, the T5e competes with the Redmi A7 Pro (₹12,999), and Realme Narzo 100 Lite (₹14,249). The Redmi gives you 5G for less, and the Realme has a 50MP camera but a smaller battery. The T5e stands out for its big battery, tough build, and Android 16 out of the box.
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