Rating: 3.5/4 When it comes to pushing the limits, the Vivo V series phones have done it with every generation – at least in terms of camera capabilities –by constantly setting the bar high. The Vivo V30 Pro was impressive with its balanced blend of performance, price and top-notch camera capabilities, thanks to its collaboration with Zeiss that had then made its way to the V series phone for the first time.
The torch has been passed on to the successor – Vivo V40 Pro . The phone has a starting price of Rs 49,999 and it brings a comprehensive set of updates across the board vis-a-vis its predecessor – V30 Pro. Vivo V 40 Pro sports an AMOLED display, MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset and an upgraded triple rear camera setup that’s poised to capture the world in stunning detail.
But the magic of the V40 Pro lies in its DNA—crafted in close collaboration with Zeiss. The integration, this time goes deeper than the V30 Pro and it comes with Zeiss-exclusive portrait modes, impeccable colour science, and finely tuned algorithms. Here’s our full review of Vivo’s latest ‘masterpiece’, the V40 Pro, where ‘innovation meets elegance in the most extraordinary ways.
’ Design and display Vivo V40 Pro looks a lot like its predecessor – the Vivo V30 Pro launched around 5 months ago and we aren’t complaining. Vivo V30 Pro was a beautiful smartphone and that applies to the V40 Pro as well. The curved design language – that Vivo has been opting for its V series phones lately – has been carried forward.
The phone features a curved glass sandwich design and the glass back has a nice wavy pattern that gives it a fresh, appealing look. For the price, it looks and feels premium too. At 7.
58mm thickness, it is one of the thinnest phones on the market. The phone has slightly thick side rails which makes it less slippery compared to the V30 Pro. What we liked the most is that the phone’s weight distribution is on point – balanced from both top and bottom.
Vivo has redesigned the camera housing and replaced the Aura Ring Light design from the V30 Pro. It’s smaller but more powerful than before and yes it’s smart Aura Light that optimises according to the surroundings. So, the bigger squarish aura flash is gone.
But, Vivo has also redone the camera housing with a large circular element at the top that extends towards the bottom to create a more cylindrical design. The left and top sides of the phone are clean, except for the "Professional Portrait" text. The button placement is on point, tactile, and offers good feedback when pressed.
The bottom of the phone has a primary speaker, microphone and charging port. The Vivo V40 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a 1.
5K resolution and a 20:9 aspect ratio. With a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness reaching 1200 nits, the screen delivers remarkably sharp visuals, deep blacks, and vibrant colours, rivalling flagship models with its 445 PPI. Vivo has meticulously optimised the display for accurate colour reproduction and saturation.
Even in challenging lighting conditions, the screen remains clear thanks to its impressive peak brightness of 2800 nits. Additionally, the display features a centrally placed 50MP front camera, just below the earpiece grille that also functions as a secondary speaker. Performance The MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset powers the Vivo V40 Pro, a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the V30 Pro.
The phone is available in both 8GB and 12GB RAM variants, catering to different user needs. The octa-core processor consists of 1x Cortex-X3 core clocked at 3.05GHz, 3x Cortex-A715 cores at 2.
85GHz, and 4x Cortex-A510 cores at 1.8GHz, promising robust performance across various tasks. In our extensive testing, the Dimensity 9200+ proved to be a reliable performer.
The phone handled daily activities such as social media, music, video streaming, and casual gaming with ease. FunTouch OS 14, based on Android 14, provides a smooth and user-friendly interface. Vivo has taken steps to reduce bloatware, creating an experience closer to stock Android, while retaining essential Google apps like Phone, Messages, and Chrome.
When it comes to gaming, the V40 Pro shines. Lightweight games like Subway Surfer and Candy Crush run flawlessly, while more demanding titles like Call of Duty Warzone Mobile, BGMI, and Genshin Impact play smoothly on High settings. The Dimensity 9200+ ensures good frame rates and minimal loading times, with no noticeable lag or stuttering.
The phone’s thermals also remained in check and not once did we feel that it was getting too hot to make it uncomfortable to hold. Overall, the Vivo V40 Pro's performance is impressive. It meets the expectations set by its price range, delivering smooth multitasking and an enjoyable gaming experience.
Whether for everyday use or more intensive tasks, the V40 Pro proves to be a capable and efficient device, making it a strong contender in the affordable premium segment. Camera The Vivo V40 Pro marks a significant upgrade over its predecessor, particularly in its camera setup, which now features complete Zeiss integration. This collaboration enhances not only portrait photography but also the overall performance of the camera.
The V40 Pro is equipped with a versatile camera array, including a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a 50MP ultra-wide sensor, a 50MP portrait sensor, and a 50MP autofocus front camera, all tuned by Zeiss. These enhancements ensure that users can capture high-quality images across various scenarios. A standout feature is the Smart Aura Light system, which has been refined to automatically adjust colour temperature based on ambient lighting, ensuring natural tones in varying conditions.
This system is particularly beneficial in environments with fluctuating lighting, such as bars or restaurants. Zeiss's portrait modes, including Biotar, Planar, Distagon, and Cine-flare, offer diverse and professional-grade bokeh effects, making portrait shots more impressive. The Smart Aura Light further enhances these shots by illuminating facial features, making it a valuable tool for both photography and video.
In terms of camera performance, the V40 Pro excels in daylight photography, producing detailed and vibrant photos with a good dynamic range. The autofocus is fast and accurate, and the minimal shutter lag ensures quick captures. Ultra-wide shots benefit from consistent colour science with the primary camera, maintaining low distortion and vibrant colours.
Portrait shots stand out with precise edge detection, smooth background blur, and added sharpness, thanks to the Zeiss integration and Smart Aura Light. Low-light photography is another area where the V40 Pro shines. Without Night mode, images may appear soft, but with Night mode, the camera recovers sharpness and detail to a level comparable to daylight shots.
Video recording supports 4K at 60fps, with OIS effectively reducing shakes and vibrations, ensuring smooth and high-quality videos. The user-friendly camera UI ensures quick access to modes and settings, with fast app launch times even from the lock screen. Additionally, the V40 Pro introduces Festival mode, optimised for capturing vibrant festival scenes.
Overall, the Vivo V40 Pro offers a comprehensive and enhanced photography experience, making it a top choice for camera enthusiasts. Battery Vivo V40 Pro is backed by a 5500mAh battery with 80W FastCharge charging technology. It’s easily a one-day phone under heavy usage.
We used it as our daily driver and we ended the day with around 35% battery life. The included 80W charger managed to charge the phone in under an hour from 0 to 100%. Verdict Vivo V40 Pro builds upon its predecessor's strengths, offering a compelling package in the affordable premium segment.
V40 Pro’s sleek design and vibrant 1.5K AMOLED display impresses, while the MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset delivers robust performance for daily tasks and gaming. The camera system, featuring Zeiss integration, stands out as the phone's key highlight.
With advanced portrait modes, Smart Aura Light, and impressive low-light capabilities, it is almost perfect for photography enthusiasts. The 5500mAh battery with 80W fast charging ensures reliable all-day usage. At a starting price of Rs 41,999, the V40 Pro is an attractive option for those looking for impressive camera and overall performance in this price range.
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