I have been using the new vivo V40 for about two weeks now.
And I’m here to say right away that this is a smartphone that gets two thumbs up from us. It is worth checking the vivo V40 out if you’re after a new smartphone.
As far as user experience goes, it’s definitely one of my top favorite smartphones I’ve tested. It has a clean sleek design and the new Gemini Ring – the design for its cameras and Aura Light – is very nice to look at. This is easily one of the most elegant phones we’ve held.
Of course, one of the biggest draws in picking smartphones is the camera. Cameras in smartphones today are very good. You’d be hard pressed to find a smartphone that can’t take good pictures. So it makes sense all these phone makers are trying to one-up their camera features. That being said, the vivo V40, of course, captures amazing photos and videos. But what helps set the vivo V40 apart is their collaboration with the German lens maker, ZEISS renowned named in the industry. Better lenses, after all, improve optics, sharpness, and clarity. Better lenses improve low light and bokeh shots.
Under Portrait in the camera app, is the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait feature, here you’ll have quick access to three different focal lengths: 24, 35, and 50. I’m no photographer. But I’ve spoken with some of my photographer friends to brief me about the different focal lengths.
The 24mm focal length is perfect for landscapes. So if you will be traveling and you see some gorgeous views, this is the focal length you should use.
The 35mm focal length is great for capturing portraits, interactions, and small scenes. It’s perfect for capturing emotions and close-ups.
The 50mm focal length is a versatile option for portraits. It lets you switch between close-ups and full body shots easily.
Here are some samples that I took using the vivo V40's camera with ZEISS Multifocal Portrait and ZEISS Style Portraits.
All of this comes with the vivo V40’s dual 50MP rear cameras. One of the coolest additions of vivo in the industry with their partnership with ZEISS is the ZEISS Style Portraits. This is a feature that lets you capture different portrait styles, allowing easier blending with the background. It also allows for easier dynamic shots and a wide variety of bokeh styles. Basically, the different shapes of the bokeh flares, whether they be the natural round ones, or more triangular shapes, or the dazzling star-like backgrounds you see in cinemas.
Now, you’ll have to forgive me, the pictures I have with the vivo V40 are nothing out of the ordinary. My location isn’t exactly camera friendly. So, I’ll refrain from sharing them here with you. But worry not, we’ll have an entire article showcasing the V40’s camera.
One of the most brilliant additions I’ve seen in smartphones is vivo’s AI Aura Light. It’s not just a flash. It’s a dedicated mini ring light for your shots. It’s bright and has a huge coverage. You can also adjust the color temperature. If I can recall, previous vivo phones and their Aura Lights, you only set the color temperature. But in the V40, there is now a slider that allows you to adjust how warm or cool the AI Aura Light is, giving you more creative control without all the big studio setup.
The vivo V40 has a 5500mAh BlueVolt battery with 80W fast charging. It’s powered with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, and this is more than powerful enough to process images fast and play your favorite games. Memory configurations come with 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage. The unit we received for testing is 12GB of RAM with 256GB storage.
The vivo V40 is, once again, and I do not say this lightly, easily one of the best smartphones I’ve tested. It’s easy to use, the sleek design makes it very nice to have, and the camera features are impressive. Should you give the vivo V40 a serious look? It might be worth a shot.
The vivo V40 is now available for:
- 12+256 - Php 26,999
- 12+512 - Php 29,999
The vivo V40 is available in concept stores and kiosks nationwide. It will also be available online and here are the shop links:
Also, until September 27, vivo has something extra, which includes:
- Customers will have to pay a P500 downpayment to avail of the pre-order unit.
- Customers will get a P2,000 discount from the SRP.
- A pre-order voucher will be given to customers upon pre-order and will be required upon claiming from September 28 to October 16.
- The freebie is a TWS 3e worth P1,999.