This might not be new news to you, but vivo has just released a flagship mobile phone, the vivo V40. Positioned as a smartphone that takes the best portraits in its price range, how true is that claim?
Equipped with the ZEISS All-Main Camera, there’s plenty of potential here. So, how do we make the most of its camera capabilities? Let’s find out!
50 MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera
The vivo V40’s 50 MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera features a 1/1.56-inch Samsung ISOCELL GNJ Sensor, designed for capturing clearer night photos.
With OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), the camera improves light intake and stability in low-light settings, helping users take sharper and clearer shots in dim environments.
Using the main camera has been a pleasant experience, especially for casual shots. Whether it’s sending photos to friends and family, the camera performs well.
I’ve tested a few smartphones, and this one captures dimly lit areas impressively. Naturally, it handles well-lit environments even better.
In areas with great lighting, the results were spot on—no blurred edges or oversaturation, just a clean and simple shot without unnecessary filters. The 50 MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera delivers accurate colors, making it an enjoyable tool to use.
Below are some sample photos taken with it. What do you think?
50 MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera
I noticed how impressive the vivo V40’s ZEISS 50MP All Main Camera is, especially the 50MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, which definitely surpasses the usual 8MP ultrawide cameras.
The quality of the images is great, capturing vibrant colors and sharp details.
Additionally, the low-light shots are particularly impressive, offering plenty of detail with minimal noise. Overall, the camera setup enhances the photography experience, making it a strong option for anyone looking to capture high-quality images.
Take a look at the sample shots below
50 MP ZEISS Selfie Camera
The vivo V40 features a 50MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera, which I found impressive during testing. It delivers true-to-life tones without the pale, lifeless effect that often comes from heavy beautification filters.
I also tried taking group selfies with the vivo V40, and it performed wonderfully, even at night! Its low-light capabilities make it perfect for capturing fun moments with friends and family, ensuring everyone looks great in every shot.
Overall, it enhances the selfie experience while keeping the natural look intact.
ZEISS Multifocal Portrait
Next up, we have the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait on the vivo V40. Developed in collaboration with ZEISS, it integrates professional portrait focal lengths for better portrait photography. It’s straightforward to use, just select “Portrait” in the camera options, and you’ll find the adjustments right there.
There are three options in Portrait Mode: 1x (24mm), 1.5x (35mm), and 2.2x (50mm). Of course, we’ll test all of them in both well-lit and dim environments. Take a look at the shots below using the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait. What are your thoughts?
Portrait Mode: 1x (24mm)
Portrait Mode: 1.5x (35mm)
Portrait Mode: 2.2x (50mm)
The vivo V40 also offers two 50mm presets: Natural (right side) and Classic (left side). Personally, I find the Classic preset more appealing. It has a lovely glow that draws my eye. Both presets are great, so it ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
When using the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait, I noticed that the results are quite similar to the main camera in terms of accuracy and clarity. However, the Portrait mode stands out with its better zoom capabilities.
In comparison, zooming too much with the main camera often results in grainy images, making the subjects harder to recognize. The Portrait mode, on the other hand, seems to handle zooming better due to its specific limits.
ZEISS Style Portrait
The portrait features don’t stop there, the V40 offers additional options that can enhance your aesthetic. It includes a range of ZEISS Style Portraits, such as Biotar, Planar, Distagon, Sonnar, Cinematic, and Cine-flare Portrait. Each option provides distinct bokeh characteristics, easily accessible under the Portrait mode by selecting ZEISS Styles.
The ZEISS Style Portrait aims to give each shot a unique look, with color grading that enhances the results without making the photos look overly filtered.
Using these effects added a special touch to our photos, and I found it enjoyable to experiment with them. This is my favorite feature, especially since it’s the first smartphone I’ve used with built-in filters like these.
I remember having to rely on third-party apps to add filters and effects to make my photos more appealing. With the vivo V40, it’s much more convenient. If you enjoy adding uniqueness to your photos, this feature might be appealing to you. But if you prefer straightforward and classic shots, the 50 MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera is also available.
Below are some sample photos taken with the ZEISS Style Portrait.
Biotar
Planar
Distagon
Sonnar
Cinematic
Cine-flare
ZEISS Cinematic Portrait Video
The vivo V40 also features ZEISS Cinematic Video Bokeh, which creates a distinctive oval bokeh that really adds a classic film touch to your videos. I’ve found that the results are satisfying, making it perfect for my monthly social media flashbacks—it automatically elevates the visual appeal of my clips. Check out the sample video below to see for yourself!
I also noticed how it generates a natural blur effect, keeping the subject in sharp focus against a softly blurred background. Here’s another sample video showcasing this feature with a specific subject.
Additionally, the exclusive 2.39:1 cinematic aspect ratio enhances the overall look, giving your videos that extra flair.
If you want to try the ZEISS Cinematic Video Bokeh , just open your Camera, head to Video, and select Movie Bokeh, then choose ZEISS Cinematic Bokeh.
Bonus: AI Aura Light Portrait and AI Erase
vivo’s Aura Light has something new to offer with the V40. This upgraded feature boasts a 33% increase in brightness compared to the previous V30 Series, enhancing your photography experience.
If you’re not yet familiar with this feature, it truly shines in challenging lighting situations, like low light or backlighting.
If you’re out for a peaceful walk at night, and you spot something amazing. The lighting isn’t ideal, but with the Aura Light, it’s like having your own ring light right at your fingertips.
We couldn’t resist testing the improved Aura Light, so we took some sample photos in a dim environment. Take a look and let us know what you think!
AI Aura Light Sample Shot
Also, vivo introduces a new tool that effortlessly removes unnecessary objects or photo bombers, allowing your photos to focus more on the main subject.
We all know how much effort people put into editing their photos to make them look better. But now, with the vivo V40, you can achieve the results right from your phone without installing additional applications.
The AI Eraser quickly and easily removes unwanted elements from your images. Just look at the sample below, the vivo V40 eliminated the cones and the car transforming the photo into a cleaner shot.
vivo V40 Specs
- OS: Funtouch OS 14, Android 14
- Network: Dual SIM | 5G
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Dimensions: 164.16 × 74.93 × 7.58 mm
- Weight: 190g
- Resolution: 2800 × 1260 | 452 PPI
- Screen Size & Display: 6.78 inches AMOLED
- Chipset: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 256GB | 512GB UFS 2.2
- Dual Main Camera: 50 MP f/1.88 ZEISS OIS (main) | 50 MP f/2.0 ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle (ultrawide)
- Front Camera: 50 MP f/2.0
- Battery & Charging: 5500 mAh | 80W wired
- Colors: Stellar Silver, Nebula Purple, Sunglow Peach
vivo V40 Price
Now, let’s talk about the price! The vivo V40 is available in two storage configurations. For those seeking a solid balance of affordability and ample space, the 12GB RAM with 256GB variant is priced at PHP 26,999.
The vivo V40 is available at concept stores and kiosks nationwide, as well as online through Shopee, Lazada, and the official vivo website.
If you want to learn more about this device beyond just its cameras, check out our review of the vivo V40, or you can watch it on our YouTube Channel.