Vivo V40 Pro: Impressive Portrait Camera, But Overpriced for Its Class

BigGo Editorial Team
Vivo V40 Pro: Impressive Portrait Camera, But Overpriced for Its Class

Vivo's latest upper mid-range smartphone, the V40 Pro, has arrived with a focus on portrait photography. While it boasts some impressive camera features and a sleek design, its high price point may be a tough sell in a competitive market.

Design and Display

The V40 Pro sports a curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 4,500 nits peak brightness. The device features a premium build with a marble-like finish on its Moonlight White variant, which resists fingerprints well.

The Vivo V40 Pro's interface highlights its portrait photography capabilities, showcasing its modern design and functionality
The Vivo V40 Pro's interface highlights its portrait photography capabilities, showcasing its modern design and functionality

Camera System

The standout feature is the Zeiss-tuned camera system, consisting of:

  • 50MP main camera with OIS (IMX921 sensor)
  • 50MP ultrawide lens
  • 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom (IMX816 sensor)
  • 50MP selfie camera with autofocus

The portrait mode offers multifocal lens technology to simulate different focal lengths and customizable bokeh effects. While it performs well in good lighting, low-light performance leaves room for improvement.

Performance and Battery

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset, the V40 Pro handles everyday tasks smoothly. However, it struggles with sustained performance, showing poor stability in benchmarks and prone to overheating during intensive use.

Despite a large 5,500 mAh battery, real-world battery life falls short of expectations. The phone supports 80W fast charging but lacks wireless charging capabilities.

Software and Features

The V40 Pro runs on FuntouchOS 14 based on Android 14. It offers 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. The device also boasts an IP69K water and dust resistance rating.

Pricing and Competition

At RM3,299 (~$700 USD) for the 12GB RAM / 512GB storage configuration, the V40 Pro faces stiff competition. Devices like the iQOO 12 offer flagship-level performance at a similar price point, while the HONOR 200 provides comparable features at a lower cost.

Verdict

The Vivo V40 Pro impresses with its portrait photography capabilities and premium design. However, its high price, middling battery life, and thermal issues make it a tough sell against more competitive options in the market. While portrait enthusiasts may find value in its unique camera features, most users might be better served by alternatives that offer better overall performance and value for money.