Vivo looks set to expand its T5 series with a new budget option for the Indian market. The Vivo T5 Lite 44W 5G has shown up on the Google Play Supported Devices database, which is often one of the clearest signs a phone is close to going on sale. According to 91mobiles, the device appears under model numbers V2553 and V2557, and since it’s a global database, a multi-market rollout is possible.
The T4 Lite launched in India in June last year at Rs 9,999, making it one of Vivo’s most affordable phones. It has since crept up to Rs 12,999, but the T5 Lite is expected to land in a similar price bracket, likely under Rs 15,000. That puts it firmly in the budget 5G space, where competition is fierce and battery life is one of the biggest selling points.
The Google Play listing itself doesn’t reveal any specs. But earlier leaks have already painted a fairly detailed picture of what to expect.
The headline upgrade over the T4 Lite is the charging speed. The T4 Lite supports just 15W charging, which is slow by current standards. The T5 Lite reportedly jumps to 44W, which is a significant leap and should cut down charging time considerably. The battery also gets a bump, going from 6,000mAh to 6,500mAh. That’s not a dramatic increase, but combined with faster charging, day-to-day use should feel noticeably better.
On the chip side, the phone is tipped to run either the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 or the Dimensity 6400. The T4 Lite uses the 6300, so if Vivo goes with the 6400, that would be a modest but real step up in performance. Either chip is capable enough for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media.
Durability looks like another area where Vivo is trying to stand out. The T5 Lite is expected to come with:
- IP65 dust and water resistance
- SGS Five-Star drop resistance certification
- Military-grade durability standards
IP65 is fairly standard for this price range, but the extra drop and durability certifications give it a leg up over many rivals in the same segment. The phone is also said to come in two colours: Wave Blue and Twilight Shadow.
Budget 5G phones have become a crowded category in India, with brands like Realme, Redmi, and Samsung all competing hard around the Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 mark. Vivo has had reasonable success with the T series by focusing on battery capacity and build quality. The T5 Lite appears to follow that same approach, but with charging speeds that finally feel current.
If you’re in the market for a budget 5G phone right now, it’s worth holding off a little longer to see how the T5 Lite is priced and how it compares to what’s already out there. The combination of a large battery, fast charging, and durability features could make it a strong pick at launch.