Introduction
Vivo has unveiled its new V40 series, which includes the V40 and V40 Pro smartphones. These new models are designed to enhance the quality of mobile portrait photography, featuring a professional-grade portrait system co-engineered with ZEISS.
The new series also introduces an Aura fill light to further enhance photo quality. Both V40 models come with a powerful 5500 mAh battery, housed in Vivo’s slimmest designs to date.
Design and Hardware
While the V40 and V40 Pro look almost identical, they differ in terms of power and camera capabilities. The V40 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset and features a 2x telephoto portrait camera, along with a slightly more premium primary camera sensor. Both phones share the same ultra-wide and selfie cameras, large batteries, and 1.5K displays.
Camera Features
Ultra-Wide and Selfie Cameras
Both the V40 and V40 Pro come with 50MP ultra-wide cameras that have a 1/2.76-inch sensor, f/2 lens, and a 15mm equivalent focal length. These cameras support autofocus and can capture macro photography as close as 4cm from the subject. The selfie cameras use the same 1/2.76-inch Samsung ISOCEL JN1 sensor as the ultra-wide camera, but with a 20mm equivalent focal length.
Wide Cameras
The primary cameras on both models are 50MP, but they use different sensors. The V40 features a 1/1.57-inch Samsung ISOCELL GNJ sensor, while the V40 Pro uses a 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX921 sensor. Both cameras come with f/1.88 aperture lenses and optical image stabilization (OIS). The V40 Pro has a slightly wider 23mm equivalent focal length compared to the 24mm focal length of the V40.
Telephoto Camera
The V40 Pro includes a 2x telephoto camera with a 50mm equivalent reach. It uses a 1/2.51-inch IMX816 sensor from the V30 Pro, combined with an f/1.85 aperture, although it lacks OIS.
Video Capabilities
Both V40 models offer impressive video capabilities. The V40 can capture 4K video at 30fps across all its cameras, while the V40 Pro can capture 4K video at 60fps. The Zeiss Natural color profile produces detailed, croppable shots with a wide dynamic range and natural levels of saturation.
The V40 Pro edges ahead in bright environments with its zoom capabilities, offering more natural-looking shots compared to the AI-enhanced V40. However, in low-light conditions, both models perform comparably when the Pro switches to its main camera for zoomed shots.
Unique Features
Aura Lighting
Both the V40 and V40 Pro come equipped with an Aura Light ring in addition to a traditional flash. This feature provides bright fill light to enhance portrait photography and allows control over color temperature, adding warmth or cooling down the subject as needed.
ZEISS Portrait Mode
The ZEISS Portrait Mode adds a professional touch by allowing users to create artificial bokeh effects. The degree of bokeh can be adjusted to achieve subtle, natural-looking effects. Both models also deliver impressive night photography and video capture, making them suitable for various lighting conditions.
Performance and Battery Life
Chipsets and Storage
The V40 Pro is built for intensive tasks like 4K video editing and demanding gaming, thanks to its flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ chipset. In contrast, the V40 is powered by a midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, making it more suitable for casual users. Both models offer 256GB or 512GB storage options, with the V40 also available in a more entry-level 128GB variant.
Battery and Charging
Both phones feature a 5500mAh battery, which is larger than most of their competitors. With 80W fast charging, they can achieve a 50% charge in approximately 25 minutes. Despite their large batteries, both models maintain a slim profile at 7.58mm.
Display
The V40 and V40 Pro boast large 7.58-inch displays with a 1.5K resolution, resulting in a pixel density of 453 pixels per inch. These displays offer a peak brightness of 4500 nits for HDR content and 1200 nits in direct sunlight, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright environments. Both models also support Netflix HDR10 out of the box, which is uncommon at this price range.
Pricing and Availability
The Vivo V40 is expected to be priced around £450-£500 ($570-$635) in Europe, while the V40 Pro is likely to be priced between £500-£600 ($635-$760). The exact global pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Software Support
One of the main drawbacks compared to competitors like OnePlus and Google is Vivo’s software support. Both the V40 and V40 Pro are expected to receive two years of major OS updates and three years of security updates. In comparison, OnePlus offers four years of OS updates and six years of security updates, while Google provides seven years of OS updates for its Pixel 8a.
Conclusion
The Vivo V40 and V40 Pro, with their ZEISS-engineered portrait systems and robust hardware, offer compelling options for mobile photography enthusiasts. While the V40 Pro is geared towards more intensive tasks, the V40 provides a solid option for casual users. Both models come with impressive battery life, fast charging, and high-quality displays, making them strong contenders in the smartphone market.
