vivo is back with a new smartphone for its Filipino consumers and fans! In this article, we will explore the latest addition to vivo’s V series, the vivo V40.
If you recall, we reviewed the vivo V30 back in May 2024, having had the chance to check it out personally. So, what’s new with the V40? We’re sure there are some notable changes, so let’s find out!
Design and Build
Starting off with its design, we know this is an important aspect that many people consider. Taking a quick look at the smartphone, it features a slim design with a glass back cover, measuring only 7.58 mm thick. It is comfortable to hold and weighs just 190g, making it far from bulky.
Personally, what I really like about this phone design-wise are the colors. The colorways are very aesthetic and pleasing to the eye. The vivo V40 offers three color variants, Nebula Purple, Sunglow Peach, and Stellar Silver.
What we have here is Nebula Purple.
The design of this smartphone has a unique feature called the Gemini Ring Design, inspired by the symmetry of the Gemini stars in the sky.
It also has a slightly curved shape that gives the camera module a refined line and curvature, enhancing its style and aesthetics.
Around its frame, the vivo V40 places its volume rockers and power button on the right side, while the left side remains clean. The SIM card tray, and charging port is located at the bottom, along with the speaker grille, where it is typically positioned. At the top, a text that says ‘Professional Portrait”.
We’ll soon find out what “Professional Portrait” means for this new smartphone from vivo.
Display
The vivo V40 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2800 × 1260 FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
We tested the device outdoors, and with the intense sunlight, its 4500 nits of brightness provided just the right level of visibility, allowing smooth navigation even under direct sunlight.
Battery
Now onto the battery, no one wants a smartphone that’s aesthetically pleasing but drains quickly, right? Despite being just 7.58 mm thick, this is vivo’s slimmest phone yet with a 5500 mAh BlueVolt battery. The 5500 mAh BlueVolt Battery supports 80W Flash Charge.
In our charging test, the device took only 34 minutes to go from 0% to 100%, which is impressive given its battery size.
To push the device further, we conducted a video loop test at 50% volume and 50% brightness, achieving a total of 21 hours and 51 minutes of continuous playback.
For casual users like me, the device can last up to one and a half days without needing to be plugged in. If you want to learn more about the battery performance, check out our review of the vivo V40!
ZEISS All Main Camera with AI Aura Light
Now let’s go to the “Professional Portrait”! The newest vivo V40 comes equipped with a ZEISS All Main Camera, as well as AI Aura light portrait and AI 3D studio lighting, which has 33% increase in brightness compared to its predecessor the vivo V30 series.
Let’s see how the cameras perform in different shooting conditions, shall we?
For the rear cameras, the vivo V40 features a 50 MP ZEISS OIS Main Camera. In well-lit environments, the camera performs excellently, producing clear and true-to-life colors. I also tested its zoom capabilities and was not disappointed.
I noticed that it delivers excellent results even in dimly lit areas. The photos are surprisingly satisfying and accurate, providing pleasant results.
vivo’s ZEISS All Main Camera offers more advanced features beyond the basics. One key highlight is the 50 MP ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera, which has 6.5 times more pixels compared to standard 8 MP wide-angle cameras.
This allows users to capture significantly more detail in their photos, resulting in sharper and clearer images, ideal for wide landscapes or group photos.
On the front, the vivo V40 includes a 50 MP ZEISS Group Selfie Camera. In testing, I found that it slightly lightens my skin while maintaining a natural look. The effects are not excessive, which I really like.
What I can say is that this smartphone is ideal for content creation and social media posting.
Speaking of content creation and social media posting, this smartphone has even more to offer.
The vivo V40 brings three ZEISS features into play, and one that stands out to me is the ZEISS Style Portrait.
This feature includes Biotar, Planar, Distagon, Sonnar, Cinematic, and Cine-flare Portrait options, each offering its own distinct bokeh effect. Using these effects gave our photos a unique touch, with carefully tuned color grading that enhances portrait shots without looking overly filtered.
When using the Portrait Mode, you get 1x (24 mm), 1.5x (35 mm), and 2.2x (50 mm) options. From my experience, the focus is sharp and accurate. We tested it in a good lighting condition, and the color accuracy was quite impressive. There’s even a subtle soft effect that adds a touch of aesthetic appeal to the photos.
For video, the ZEISS Cinematic Portrait Video feature also shines, delivering smooth focus along with a pleasing shallow depth of field. It really adds a cinematic vibe to your shots, making the subjects stand out naturally.
Price
The vivo V40 offers two storage configurations, giving users options to choose based on their performance and storage requirements. For those seeking a balance between affordability and ample space, the 12GB RAM with 256GB variant is priced at PHP26,999.
Meanwhile, the 12GB RAM with 512GB option, ideal for those who need more storage for apps, photos, and videos, is available for PHP29,999.
If you’re into sleek design and impressive cameras, the vivo V40 could be your next smartphone upgrade. It’s slim and features a distinctive rear camera module that stands out. If you’d like to explore more features that haven’t been covered, be sure to check out our vivo V40 review for a better look at this smartphone.
The vivo V40 will be available at concept stores and kiosks nationwide, as well as online through Shopee, Lazada, and the official vivo website. Where will you be getting your vivo V40?