Vivo launches rugged T5e 4G in India and faces scrutiny over T5 Lite 5G camera claims

Vivo is set to launch the T5e 4G in India’s budget smartphone segment. The device is expected to have a 6.74‑inch HD+ LCD display, Unisoc T7225 processor, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, an 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front camera, and a large 5500 mAh battery with 15 W charging. It touts military‑grade shock resistance and an IP64 dust‑water rating, weighing about 199 g and offered in Aero Blue and Shadow Grey. Pricing and the exact launch date have not been disclosed.

Separately, the Vivo T5 Lite 5G, already on the market, advertises a dual‑rear‑camera setup, but the secondary sensor is only 0.08 MP, essentially a depth sensor that does not improve photo quality. The primary camera is a 50 MP Sony IMX852 with an f/1.8 aperture. The phone also features a 6500 mAh battery and a 120 Hz display. Critics label this practice "camera padding" and warn consumers the device functions as a single‑camera phone for photography.