In this review, we’re taking a closer look at vivo’s latest addition to their popular V series—the vivo V40.
Known for its exceptional portrait photography, the V series has built quite a reputation.
But aside from its cameras, what else does the vivo V40 bring to the table? Is it a worthy upgrade? Let’s find out!
Design and Build
One of the things that makes vivo stand out as a brand is their attention to design, particularly in the V series. Every iteration introduces unique back designs with patterns and textures that make each device stand out.
Unlike the rectangular camera module seen on the V30, the V40 features a sleek oval-shaped module housing its sensors. The back panel is made from glass, finished with a matte-glossy touch that looks premium and feels good to hold.
Its curved edges give the phone a slimmer profile, measuring just 7.6mm in thickness. Despite weighing 190g, which may seem heavy for its slim design, it remains comfortable to use daily without causing strain.
Our review unit came in a striking purple colorway. While I’m personally not a fan of purple, the device’s minimalistic yet elegant aesthetic is hard to ignore. To top it off, the V40 comes with an IP68 rating, providing dust and water resistance, which enhances its durability.
As for the frame, vivo has thoughtfully placed the power button and volume rockers on the right side. A small text that reads “Professional Portrait” can be found on the top alongside a microphone, while the bottom houses a USB-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray.
Display
Moving on to the display, the vivo V40 boasts a stunning 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1260 x 2800, delivering a 1.5K experience. It’s equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate and can reach a peak brightness of 4500 nits.
When it comes to display quality, colors are sharp and vibrant, with excellent viewing angles and no noticeable color shifts. Even under bright sunlight, the V40’s high peak brightness ensures the display remains legible.
One thing to note, though, while the curved-edge design provides a more immersive, bezel-less experience, it may not be for everyone. Some users prefer flat panels to avoid accidental touches, which can be a bit annoying with curved screens.
Overall, whether you’re using the V40 for entertainment or productivity, its display doesn’t disappoint.
Camera
Now let’s talk about what vivo’s V series is most known for—the cameras. The vivo V40 5G is equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, featuring a 50MP OIS main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. On the front, a 50MP selfie camera is housed within a punch-hole cutout.
The rear camera captures detailed and sharp images with well-balanced colors and a wide dynamic range, avoiding deep blacks or overly dark shadows. In low-light situations, the V40 manages to brighten shots, though it slightly sacrifices detail and sharpness.
vivo has tweaked the aura light this time around. While the V30 featured a larger, squarish light with rounded edges, the V40 opts for a smaller, circular light. Despite the change, the results are still impressive, delivering social-media-worthy photos.
The selfie camera doesn’t disappoint either, producing high-quality shots with accurate colors and realistic skin tones.
As for video, the rear cameras can shoot up to 4K at 30fps with standard stabilization, while the ultra stabilization mode supports 1080p at 30fps. The front camera can also capture 4K at 30fps without Steadiface and 1080p with Steadiface on.
Performance
Under the hood, the vivo V40 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage.
You can also extend the RAM by another 12GB if needed. Even though it uses the same chipset as its predecessor, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is still a powerful performer, handling both productivity and gaming with ease. During our testing, we didn’t encounter any issues like lag or stutter.
The phone runs on Android 14 with vivo’s FunTouch OS 14. However, the device comes with several pre-installed apps, which I recommend uninstalling after setup to declutter the experience.
Benchmark Results
Battery and Charging
Despite its slim profile, vivo managed to pack a 5500mAh battery into the V40, which is quite impressive. In our video loop test, the device lasted about 21 hours and 51 minutes. For casual users, the V40 can easily last up to a day and a half without needing a charge.
When it’s time to recharge, the vivo V40 supports 80W fast charging, bringing the phone from 0% to 100% in around 34 minutes—a fast charge for such a large battery.
Pricing
The vivo V40 5G comes in two variants. The 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model is priced at PHP26,999, while the 512GB variant retails for PHP29,999.
Overall, the vivo V40 is a solid successor in the V series lineup. It offers a premium design, strong battery life, and an excellent camera system. While the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset remains unchanged from the V30, it still delivers more than enough performance for most users.
So, would I recommend the vivo V40? That depends. While there are more affordable options with similar specs, if you’re a fan of the Aura Light Portrait system and prioritize camera quality, the vivo V40 is definitely worth considering.
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
That’s our review of the vivo V40. What do you think of this device? Let us know in the comments below! Additionally, for a more detailed exploration of vivo V40’s performance, don’t forget to check out our video review on our YouTube Channel.