Vivo V40 Review Price and Specification
Vivo V40 Review Price and Specification.
The Vivo V40. Despite the short launch cycle, the V40 brings some solid upgrades, including a larger battery and enhanced camera tech. If you’re considering making the jump from the V30, or if you’re new to Vivo, is this phone worth it? Here’s my in-depth review of the Vivo V40, after using it as my daily driver for the past few days.
Vivo V40 Design: Familiar Yet Premium
At first glance, the Vivo V40 looks strikingly similar to the Vivo V40 Pro, making it hard to differentiate the two, especially from the front. It’s a large device with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, so expect it to be a proper handful, though it’s impressively slim for its size. The display gently curves around the edges, giving it a premium feel that’s comfortable to hold. I did occasionally find myself adjusting my grip while taking photos, as the shutter button didn’t always respond when I held it awkwardly.
On the back, the V40 feels premium too. It has a matte finish that resists fingerprints and smudges, a major win in the usability department. The device is available in a range of colors, from a vibrant purple to more subdued hues like white and peach. The matte finish is fantastic for keeping the phone clean, and there’s a pre-installed screen protector for added peace of mind. The frame is plastic, which lowers the overall feel slightly compared to the Pro model, but overall, it still looks smart and premium.
Display: Gorgeous and Smooth
The Vivo V40 sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1260 pixels. Despite the large size, it remains crisp and vibrant, perfect for media consumption. The colors are a bit muted by default but can be adjusted in the settings for a punchier look. You also get HDR10+ support for services like Netflix, enhancing contrast and color reproduction.
The display supports a 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling through apps and navigating the interface feel smooth. It’s an LTPO panel, so it can scale down to 1Hz, saving power when you’re not actively using the phone. Outdoor visibility is solid, and I had no trouble using the phone on sunny days, even while wearing sunglasses.
Audio: Stereo Sound, But Not a Powerhouse
The Vivo V40 upgrades the V30’s mono speaker setup to full stereo sound, which is a welcome improvement. The audio is crisp, but it’s not the loudest speaker setup out there, and you won’t be using it as your primary source of music. At max volume, the speakers can get a little tinny, but for YouTube, Netflix, or podcasts, it’s perfectly fine. There’s no headphone jack, so Bluetooth is your go-to option for wired audio, which works well most of the time, although I did experience some occasional break-up in the signal when walking.
Performance: Good, But Not Mind-Blowing
The Vivo V40 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, the same chipset found in the Vivo V30. Paired with 12GB of RAM, the phone performs well for everyday tasks, including web browsing, messaging, and media consumption. You might notice the occasional stutter or delay when launching apps, but overall, it’s smooth.
In terms of gaming, the V40 handles titles like Zen Z Zero fairly well, though on higher graphics settings, you might experience some frame drops. The phone tends to heat up a bit when gaming for extended periods or using it outdoors in the sun, but it never became uncomfortably hot or shut down due to overheating.
Battery: A Major Upgrade
The biggest upgrade on the Vivo V40 is its battery. Now packed with a 5,500mAh capacity, it comfortably outperforms its predecessor. The phone easily lasts a full weekend on a single charge with moderate use, including camera work, web browsing, and streaming. Even with heavy use, I was still left with 30-40% battery by the end of the day. Vivo’s decision to pair this massive battery with the energy-efficient Snapdragon chip is a win.
Charging is fast with 80W wired charging, and while there’s no wireless charging support, you can juice it up quickly when needed.
Camera: Solid Performance, Zeiss Branding
The Vivo V40 features a dual-camera setup, with a 50MP primary camera and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. The primary sensor has been upgraded to the Samsung ISOCELL GN5 with optical image stabilization. The addition of Zeiss branding also brings new features like Zeiss Natural Mode, which delivers more natural-looking colors compared to the Vivid mode, which tends to make skies pop with exaggerated color.
The camera performs well in a variety of lighting conditions, although it’s not as sharp as the Pro model. You’ll still get excellent dynamic range and HDR performance, with great color reproduction. The 50MP ultra-wide camera also performs admirably, offering dramatic wide shots and decent macro capabilities thanks to its autofocus.
One downside: the V40 lacks the dedicated telephoto sensor found on the Pro model. While you can still capture decent portrait shots, you’ll need to get closer to your subject for the best results.
For video, the Vivo V40 supports up to 4K resolution at 30fps. There’s no option for 60fps at 4K, which is a bit of a letdown. Stabilization is decent, but walking while recording may result in some shaky footage. Audio capture is strong, but wind noise can sometimes be a problem outdoors.
The 50MP selfie camera performs well, delivering sharp, well-balanced selfies, though indoor lighting (especially after a few drinks) might make things a little grainy. You can also record 4K videos with the front camera, which is a nice touch.
Final Thoughts: Is the Vivo V40 Worth It?
After spending some quality time with the Vivo V40, I can confidently say it’s a solid phone for the price. The improved battery life is a standout feature, and the camera performance holds its own, even if it’s not as sharp as the Pro model. The design is sleek and premium, though the plastic frame feels a little cheap.
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 provides solid performance for most tasks, but if you’re after the best in gaming or power, the Pro model with its Dimensity 9200+ chipset might be a better option. FunTouch OS is a bit heavy at times but doesn’t slow things down too much, and the storage options (128GB up to 512GB) are generous, though there’s no expandable storage.
For a price of around £400, the Vivo V40 is a solid choice for anyone who wants a big-screen phone with a great battery, good cameras, and solid performance without breaking the bank.
