Vivo has quietly expanded its long-running Y21 series in Kenya with the launch of the new Vivo Y21d, a device that continues the company’s focus on battery endurance and durability. The Y21d arrives with a massive 6,500mAh battery, 44W fast charging, and IP69+ dust and water resistance, making it one of the most rugged budget phones Vivo has released locally.
The phone is available in three configurations of 8GB RAM + 128GB storage for KES 18,999, 12GB + 128GB for KES 20,999, and 12GB + 256GB for KES 23,999 and comes in two colour options: Jade Green and Coral Red.
Built to endure
Vivo is emphasizing toughness with the Y21d. The device carries IP68, IP69, and IP69+ ratings, meaning it can survive water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes and resist high-pressure water jets. The company says the phone’s triple-layer sealing design offers protection against dust, rain, and even accidental washing.
Vivo also touts 5-year battery health, military-grade drop protection, and a new Guardian Glass display cover designed to resist punctures and scratches better than previous generations. The 6,500mAh Li-ion battery supports 44W FlashCharge, capable of charging from 0% to 50% in just under 40 minutes. Vivo claims the cell maintains long-term reliability even after 1,600 charge cycles, which is equivalent to roughly five years of daily use.
Dual stereo speakers with 400% volume amplification and Hi-Res Audio certification round out the phone’s multimedia experience.
Hardware and performance
Under the hood, the Vivo Y21d is powered by an octa-core Unisoc T7225 processor built on a 12nm process and paired with LPDDR4X RAM and eMMC 5.1 storage. It runs Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15 out of the box.
The 6.68-inch LCD display offers HD+ resolution (1608×720), 90Hz refresh rate, and up to 1,000 nits brightness. Vivo says it’s TÜV Rheinland certified for low blue light, promising better eye comfort during long viewing sessions.
Cameras and software
The Vivo Y21d features a 50MP main rear camera, a 0.08MP depth sensor, and a 5MP front shooter. The rear camera supports modes like Night, Portrait, Underwater Photography, and Dual View video. Vivo also includes AI Photo Enhance and Circle to Search, allowing users to draw or highlight objects on the screen to get instant contextual information — a feature popularized by Google’s Pixel devices.
The Y21d joins a long list of Vivo Y21 family members, including the Y21, Y21a, Y21e, Y21G, Y21s, and Y21t, all launched between 2021 and 2022. The new model represents a major refresh for the series, introducing modern design elements and software based on Android 15.
With its combination of a large battery, water resistance, and rugged build, the Vivo Y21d is clearly aimed at users looking for reliability and endurance at an affordable price.
Vivo Y21d pricing and availability (Kenya):
- 8GB + 128GB – KES 18,999
- 12GB + 128GB – KES 20,999
- 12GB + 256GB – KES 23,999
Available in Jade Green and Coral Red across Vivo stores and authorized retailers in Kenya.
