The collaboration between Vivo and ZEISS is seen to yield good results in mobile imaging technology. That is what we have said in one of the previous articles. Even improved internal hardware is also given in the new phone Vivo V40 Pro. Followed by a design that appears simple but elegant enough in its class. To know more about the overall performance of the device continue reading this article.
Vivo V40 Pro 5G
Screen 6.78″ OLED 120Hz, 1B colors, HDR10+
2400 X 1080 pixels, 4,500nits
~453 PPI
Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ processor (4 nm)
1 x 3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 chip
3 x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A715
4 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510
Immortalis-G715 MC11 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB RAM
(+12GB Virtual RAM)
Internal Load 512 ROM
Primary Camera 50 MP (wide), 1/1.56″ PDAF, OIS
50 MP (telephoto), PDAF, OIS
50 MP (ultra-wide)
ZEISS Optics & HDR
4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Aura Light 3.0
Front Camera 50 MP HD f/2.0 HDR
4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
5,500mAh battery
80W FlashCharge
SIM/Telephony 2 SIM Nano/5G
NFC Available
Infrared None
Waterproof IP68
Under Screen Fingerprint Scanning System
Face Scan
Sale Price RM3,299 (12/256GB)
Brief Specifications
The screen is 6.78″ from the OLED family with a resolution of 1.5K and a refresh rate of 120Hz. This can be considered a standard size for most phones on the market that should be able to present an adequate visual experience. Through the OLED panel, it allows the reproduction of colors, contrast and good viewing angles on the screen can be produced. The thin bezel size on almost all sides allows the device to offer a screen-to-body ratio of 89.9%.
The power button and audio adjustment are placed on the right side with a comfortable construction to press. The SIM slot, USB-C port and speaker can be found at the bottom. Two different SIMs can be used completely without room for a micro SD card.
The audio system is supported from a stereo type with a Hi-Res audio system. It also has an IP68 rating which means the phone is fully protected from dust and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters. I also welcome the built-in fingerprint scanner system which works very responsively.
Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ octa-core processor is used on the received unit. Followed by a combination of 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage which means pretty good performance can be expected through it. On the other hand, it appears to be an adequate combination, but it is still given the function of adding virtual RAM up to a maximum of 12GB RAM if necessary. The latest software FuntouchOS 14 based on Android 14 with user-friendly interface board capabilities is also used.
The V40 Pro is equipped with a main tri-sensor with different uses. It consists of 50MP for the main with SONY IMX921 sensor and OIS. This is paired with a 50MP for ultra-wide and a 50MP telephoto that offers zoom options up to 2X optical as well as 50X digital.
In addition, it is equipped with a combination of technologies from ZEISS that help improve the quality and details of the image. For example, five focal lengths are also offered, namely 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and 100mm, with the option of taking pictures with ratios of 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and full.
Then there are up to seven ZEISS bokeh effects to choose from including Biotar, B-speed, Sonnar, Plannar, Distagon, Cine-flare and Cinematic. It's even more interesting when users can choose a bokeh effect with a focal length that has been adjusted directly through the Portrait Lens Kit feature. In addition to several color profiles such as Vivid, Textured and ZEISS for the purpose of fine-tuning colors for more vibrant image results.
Last but not least is the 5,500mAh battery used that can be recharged at a maximum power of 80W. It is an upgraded type of silicon-carbon with better ability in various conditions.
Usage Experience
For starters I have to admit that the V40 Pro doesn't look much different from the previous generation for most design aspects. It includes quality build materials, a curved screen and a minimalistic finish that is great for product promotion. Although the similarity is not a sign that it is completely identical without any changes.
However, there is still a clear difference for the redesigned rear camera bump to be more rounded than the square on the previous V30 Pro. It uses a triple camera setup in a vertical arrangement with ZEISS branding included.
The Aura Light feature is still maintained to help get clear and natural portrait images in dim lighting. Interestingly, the Aura Light is now smaller but capable of emitting 30% brighter light than before.
With a thickness of only 7.5mm and a weight of 192 grams, there is no problem that it is too difficult to handle, even this phone feels premium in the hand and the curved construction offers a good grip. Inserting and removing this phone from a trouser pocket is also no problem, it is just that it protrudes a little due to its elongated construction.
I also have no problem with its large screen offering, which is great for web browsing and social media use. Some users may find such a dual-curved screen more of a hassle than a welcome addition. For example, images or videos overflow so that sometimes the interface elements that you want to press are hidden to the side and difficult to access.
Everyone still turns to their own opinions. Although I may not be a big fan of the curved screen design but rest assured that this phone is still comfortable to use as usual. Screen performance is as expected from an OLED panel with the ability to see text and images well.
It's sharp and clear enough with color reproduction that's perfect for watching favorite shows on multiple platforms. It is even equipped with Widevine L1 DRM support, and FHD streaming with HDR10 support including Netflix. I myself managed to finish a few episodes of My Demon on Netflix and absolutely loved the experience. The same feeling can be felt during the consistently smooth scrolling experience with the 120Hz refresh rate function that is activated all the time.
There's also the ability to switch between a 60Hz screen and a smart mode for longer battery life. The peak brightness support is also increased to 4500nits which should be able to make the screen brighter outdoors and it can really be enjoyed without any problems. It's just that the protective plastic used feels cheap and it scratches easily.
Benchmark
Next, the Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ chip that dominates the device is seen to provide a good overall performance experience in all uses including games. I feel this situation is also helped by the combination of 12GB RAM memory and 256GB ROM internal storage used.
There is also a RAM Plus feature that can add up to 12GB of RAM automatically without the ability to change the size of the memory you want to use. It's not surprising because all of Vivo's latest devices are indeed equipped with such support.
Changes and improvements will need to be made in the future by providing options to manually enable and disable the feature. Next gives an advantage to users who do not want storage to be taken up to add RAM as offered by some other Android device manufacturers.
Some games like MLBB, HOK and Asphalt 9 can also be played at the highest graphics settings with consistent smoothness. It's just that the phone gets a bit hot after a long gaming session. Below is a summary of the device's scores in several key benchmark tests:
Antutu 3D
Vivo V40 Pro -1,524,100
Poco X6 Pro – 1,199,162
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus – 774,822
Geekbench 6
Vivo V40 Pro – 1798/5177
Poco X6 Pro – 1311/4033
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus – 1175/2604
3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Vivo V40 Pro – 3,824
Poco X6 Pro – 2,053
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus – 1172
The latest software FunTouchOS 14 based on Android 14 used does not make drastic changes with some existing Vivo phones. In fact I understand the only change is the new AI Erase feature built into the photo gallery. That is the only AI-based feature offered on this phone. At the same time it is seen as a bit behind in AI features compared to other competitors who on average provide more interesting options.
The problem of pre-downloaded fat applications can also still be found. The same goes for the ad problem in particular on Vivo's app store which always tries to make it the default with notifications that disrupt usage. Even so, most of them can still be muted or turned off completely through special settings. V
ivo also promises 3 years of Android system updates and 4 years of security on the phone which looks similar to what most other manufacturers offer in this device segment.
Camera Quality
Overall picture quality is decent in most situations. In bright lighting the phone's camera is capable of producing images that are truly pleasing to the eye with vivid and bright color reproduction.
It produces colors that are not too saturated and suitable for sharing on social media without additional editing. The autofocus system works well however I found that the capture process would take a few seconds before the final image was produced.
Capturing images in closed areas also offers quite good results but not as well as image production in bright conditions. Although the size of Aura Light has been reduced, the light beam is found to be very bright, resulting in discomfort to the eyes. Portrait mode shots also look interesting with more ZEISS filter options available.
The quality seems satisfactory with the ability of the sensor to distinguish the main object and the background very well. The result is a clear image with a natural background blur. Also praiseworthy is the edge detection which is now getting better in quality compared to previous generations.
At the same time this camera also offers a macro function that can be activated manually. The quality seems satisfactory with the post-processing a bit excessive. It's also worth mentioning that most of the attached photos were taken with AI and HDR features activated all the time.
Battery Endurance
Battery life is at a good level with the ability to last all day for normal use. Specifically sharing that I can get a SOT reading of at least 14 hours via manual count with 30% battery left. This count however decreases slightly for heavy use such as browsing social media, playing games and navigating the map at the same time continuously.
It can also be shared that the capacity of 5500mAh is the largest ever offered by Vivo in their range of V series devices so far. The charging system however is still the same as the previous generation with an output power of 80W. Meaning the phone can be fully charged in at least one hour. Still no wireless charging available here.
What's In The Box
Here's what's included in the Vivo V40 Pro box:
1 x Vivo V40 Pro.
1 x 80W Charger Head.
1 x USB-C to USB-A Cable.
1 x Silicone Frame.
1 x User Manual.
1 x SIM Extractor.
Conclusion
Overall the V40 Pro offers solid internal hardware with a powerful processing chip, a large capacity battery and a versatile camera system. Other advantages can also be found when this phone has an IP68 waterproof rating and a stereo audio system. This matter indirectly has a positive impact among users because previously these two factors were often negative comments.
The downside still lies in the FunTouch OS 14 software which still results in the issue of fat apps and noticeable ads. Likewise, the limited AI-based features make it a bit behind compared to most manufacturers who prioritized that functionality for 2024 devices.
Pro
Specs with a powerful mid-range processor.
50MP quad-camera system with Zeiss lens.
IP68 waterproof.
Large battery size with 80W fast charging.
Stereo speakers.
Cons
No wired charging.
No more audio jacks.