If you’ve been keeping an eye on vivo’s V-series over the years, you’ll know it’s a bit of a hit when it comes to selfie-loving smartphones. The vivo V40 doesn’t disappoint too.
Each generation refines the formula of ‘focus on cameras, an overall premium package, and eye-catching design’. The vivo V40 sticks to this script, though with a few notable upgrades.
triple 50-megapixel magic.
Let’s start with what vivo loves to flaunt: cameras. The V40 comes equipped with a new 50MP main shooter, now backed by Zeiss optics, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and another 50MP selfie camera.
The triple 50MP setup might sound like overkill, but it’s a well-rounded performer. The main camera delivers detailed, punchy shots with solid contrast and colours.
It’s sharp in most cases, although the dynamic range could be a little better. Portraits come out well too, with nice subject separation and pleasing background blur.
The ultrawide also doubles as a macro lens, which is always fun. The selfie camera is an autofocusing 50MP beast, one of the best in its class.
Vivo has a long-standing reputation for great selfie cameras, and the V40 keeps that tradition alive.
with great low light & video.
In low light, the V40 is a solid performer, especially with its night mode on. It captures clean, detailed images with minimal noise, even at 2x zoom. The selfies hold up well too, even in challenging lighting.
Video-wise, you’re looking at 4K recording across all cameras, with decent stabilisation and great detail. The phone doesn’t overheat under stressed recording conditions too. No complaints here.
it’s sleek.
The vivo V40 is a stunner, but the back design, particularly that polarising new camera island, segregates folks.
It’s a huge table rocker for sure; good thing vivo provided a phone case with your purchase.
Curves are the name of the game here. The V40 sticks with vivo’s penchant for a fluid, curvy design, both front and back. As far as durability goes, the back resists grime like a champ.
Don’t be too quick to scoff at the plastic frame. It’s lightweight, doesn’t scratch as easily, and doesn’t bend under pressure.
You also get Schott Xensation Alpha-hardened glass on the front; a name not as famous as Corning’s Gorilla Glass but just as reputable for everyday durability.
Buttons and controls are standard fare. Volume and power on the right, a clean left side, and a nearly invisible earpiece up top.
The fingerprint reader is in-display, fast, and reliable. Another welcome touch: the stereo speakers, long overdue for a V-series model.
Up front, you get that gorgeous 6.78-inch AMOLED display, curvy and smooth. It’s rare to see such aggressive curves these days when flatter and square designs are all the rage.
It also gets ridiculously bright (up to 2,600 nits in max auto mode) meaning even under Singapore’s relentless sun, you’ll have no trouble seeing what’s on screen.
Refresh rate options? You’ve got 120Hz for the smoothest experience, 60Hz for battery saving, and Smart Switch, which toggles between the two. But unless you’re pixel-peeping, the experience is slick across the board.
vivo knows where its fans’ hearts lie, so they added a bigger 5,500mAh battery, and improved IP68/69 water and dust resistance. These all contribute to a better all-rounder package.
speaking of battery life.
With a beefier 5,500mAh battery, you’d expect longer usage than its predecessor, the V30, and you’d be right. Battery life on the V40 is fantastic. We were also fortunate to receive the V40 bundled with a fast 80W charger.
Charging the V40 up with it garnered 36% in 15 minutes and fully charged in just under 50 minutes. Not too shabby, but not the fastest either, especially when the competition is pushing faster charging.
solid and well-rounded.
The vivo V40 is a strong contender in the mid-range market. It’s got the looks, the cameras, and the performance to back it up.
If you’re a selfie enthusiast or love taking photos in general, it’s hard to go wrong with this one. But it’s also on the pricier side, so if budget is a factor, there are other great alternatives out there.
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