The Vivo Y21 was released on August 20, 2021, and it is officially PTA Approve. This creates a genuinely confusing pricing situation that buyers need to understand before considering this phone. Different retailers and platforms list wildly different prices for what is supposedly the same device — ranging from Rs. 26,999 to nearly Rs. 60,000 — and a lot of that confusion comes from multiple similarly named Vivo Y-series models (Y21, Y21A, Y21s, Y21 5G) that are often mixed up with each other.

Before looking at specs, let us clear up the pricing confusion and the bigger question of whether this phone makes sense to buy at all in 2026.

Pakistan Pricing (July 2026) — Verify Carefully Before Buying

Price in Pakistan

• Rs. 26,999 – Rs. 37,999 — Older retailer listings or listings that may refer to the Vivo Y20 (2021) or similar models.

• Rs. 53,499 – Rs. 59,699 — Current retail listings (verify the specifications before purchasing).

Note:

• The Vivo Y21 has been officially discontinued.

• Always confirm the exact model name, RAM, storage, and chipset before buying, as several Vivo Y-series phones have similar names but different specifications.

• Manufacturer warranty is generally not available on remaining or used stock.

• Check the seller's reputation and carefully inspect the device's condition before purchasing.

Design and Build — Simple and Functional

The Y21 has a basic plastic build typical of budget phones from 2021. Nothing premium, but functional.

• Dimensions: 164.3 x 76.1 x 8mm

• Weight: 182g — light and easy to handle

• Build: Glass front, plastic frame and back

• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor

• Colors: Diamond Glow, Midnight Blue

• No IP rating — no official dust or water resistance

• SIM: Dual Nano-SIM with dedicated microSD slot

• 3.5mm headphone jack: Yes

• USB: Type-C 2.0 — at least this is an improvement over the older Y20's microUSB port

The USB-C port is a genuine practical advantage over the original Vivo Y20 from 2020, which used microUSB. This means modern charging cables and accessories will work without needing to keep old hardware around.

Display — Basic HD+ Panel

The 6.51-inch IPS LCD display is a standard budget panel that was typical for its release period.

• Size: 6.51 inches IPS LCD

• Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels — HD+ at around 270 PPI

• Refresh rate: 60Hz — no high refresh rate option

• Screen-to-body ratio: 81.8%

There is no 90Hz or 120Hz option, which has become standard even on budget phones released after 2023. Scrolling will feel noticeably less smooth compared to any current budget phone.

Performance — Helio P35 Handles Only Light Tasks

The MediaTek Helio P35 was already an entry-level chip when this phone launched in 2021, and mobile software demands have grown considerably since then.

• Chipset: MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm)

• CPU: Octa-core — 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 + 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53

• GPU: PowerVR GE8320

• RAM: 4GB

• Storage: 64GB or 128GB with dedicated microSD expansion

• OS: Android 11 with Funtouch 11.1

• No 5G

Basic calling, texting, and light browsing work without major issues. Modern versions of WhatsApp, Facebook, and similar apps will run but expect slower load times and occasional lag compared to current phones. This is not a chipset built for any kind of demanding modern app or gaming use.

Camera — Basic Dual Setup

The camera system reflects entry-level 2021 technology and has fallen behind significantly compared to current budget phones.

• Main camera: 13MP, f/2.2, PDAF autofocus

• Macro camera: 2MP

• Video: 1080p at 30fps

• Selfie camera: 8MP, f/2.0

Daylight photos are usable for basic sharing but lack the detail and processing quality found in any phone with a modern 50MP sensor and current image processing. Low-light performance is weak, as is expected from hardware this age.

Battery — Still Reasonably Solid

The 5000mAh battery is a respectable capacity that has aged better than most other aspects of this phone.

• Battery capacity: 5000mAh

• Wired charging: 18W — full charge takes around 1.5 hours

• No wireless charging

Battery life remains genuinely decent for basic use — calls, texting, and light browsing can comfortably stretch through a full day. This is one of the few specs that has not been significantly outpaced by newer budget phones.

Software and Connectivity

• OS: Android 11 with Funtouch 11.1 — limited update history, no current security patches

• Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5

• Bluetooth: 5.0

• NFC: No

• USB: Type-C 2.0 with OTG

• 3.5mm headphone jack: Yes

• FM Radio: Yes

• GPS: Standard multi-system support

The lack of ongoing security patches is the primary concern with this phone's software in 2026. For anything beyond basic calling and texting, particularly banking apps or sensitive data, this is a real limitation worth taking seriously.

Important: The Pricing Confusion You Need to Understand

This is genuinely one of the messiest pricing situations in Pakistan's used phone market right now, and it is worth addressing directly.

• Listed at Rs. 26,999 to Rs. 59,699 across different retail sites — these are not all referring to the same exact unit or condition

• Multiple similarly named models exist: Vivo Y21, Vivo Y21A (2021), Vivo Y21s, and Vivo Y21 5G are different phones with different specs — easy to confuse

• Officially discontinued status confirmed across major retail tracking sites — no new manufacturer stock available

• Original launch price in Pakistan was around Rs. 36,999 to Rs. 37,999 when it released in late 2021

• What you find today is leftover retailer stock or used units — not freshly manufactured inventory

If you are looking at a listing for this phone, always confirm the exact model name and specs match what is described here — the 4GB RAM, 64GB or 128GB storage, MediaTek Helio P35 chipset version specifically. Do not assume a cheaper or pricier listing automatically refers to the same device.

Final Verdict

The Vivo Y21 from 2021 was a reasonable entry-level phone at launch, and the USB-C port and 5000mAh battery have aged better than most of its other specifications. But it has been discontinued, runs outdated software with no current security support, and the pricing situation across Pakistani retail platforms is genuinely confusing due to multiple similarly named models.

If you are considering this phone in 2026, treat it strictly as a basic backup device and verify every detail of the listing carefully before purchasing. For anyone needing a primary smartphone, newer budget options at similar or only slightly higher prices — such as the Infinix Hot 50i or Realme C71 — offer meaningfully better performance, security, and features.