Vivo V40 Pro Review

The Vivo V40 Pro arrives just six months after its predecessor, and while its silhouette may echo earlier models, it brings meaningful upgrades in speed, endurance, and imaging capabilities. In this extended deep dive, we’ll unpack every aspect—from the handset’s heft and feel to its software quirks, display finesse, raw performance numbers, battery resilience, and camera artistry. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the V40 Pro truly earns its spot among 2024’s flagship contenders.
Design and Build Quality
The V40 Pro’s design language feels like an evolution rather than a revolution. Its 6.78-inch display curves subtly into a glossy plastic frame that mimics metal’s sheen without the extra weight. This choice keeps the overall package at a manageable 200 grams, striking a balance between solidity and everyday comfort.
Both front and rear surfaces are clad in Asahi Dragontrail glass. Despite lacking the brand cachet of Gorilla Glass, the pre-applied screen protector held up admirably during pocket raids involving keys and chargers. After a week of normal use, including setting it down on rough café tables, there wasn’t a hint of scratch or scuff.
Ergonomics benefit from the gently curved edges, inviting your fingers to cradle the phone without feeling like you’re about to lose grip. Touch sensitivity remains pinpoint accurate even when you inevitably press your palm against those curved margins. Only once did I have to adjust my hold to trigger the shutter button, and that was more curiosity than frustration.
IP68 certification ensures full immunity to dust ingress and water submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. I dunked the V40 Pro in the kitchen sink to rinse away ketchup dribbles and even used it in a steamy shower without a blender of panic. Its white finish—with subtle blue accents—resisted fingerprint smears, looking pristine even after barbecue day.
Key Specifications
Feature | Specification |
Display | 6.78 in AMOLED; 2800×1260; 120 Hz |
Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ |
RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB; 512 B |
Battery | 5500 mAh; 80W wired fast charging |
Rear Cameras | 50 MP IMX 921 main; 50 MP ultra-wide; 50 MP telephoto |
Front Camera | 50 MP; 4K video |
Software | Android 14; FunTouch OS |
Water Resistance | IP68 |
- Display: 6.78″ AMOLED (1.5K)
- Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 9200+
- Memory: 12GB RAM, 512GB Storage
- OS: …
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Software Experience
Out of the box, the V40 Pro runs Android 14 under Vivo’s FunTouch OS veneer. Core Android navigation stays intact: swiping anywhere down for notifications, a dedicated app drawer, and a left-side discovery feed for news and widgets.
Vivo does preload a handful of third-party apps—Agoda, Facebook, Lazada—as well as proprietary tools like a custom browser and app store. While some users will appreciate these shortcuts, others may deem them redundant clutter. Uninstalling or hiding them is straightforward, but it does add a few minutes to initial setup.
FunTouch OS shines in customization. You can swap icon shapes, adjust system fonts, explore dozens of always-on display templates, and even select animation styles for fingerprint unlock and charging animations. Themes can be shared via QR code, turning your home screen into a bespoke showcase.
Vivo promises three major Android upgrades through version 17 and four years of monthly security patches. That sits just behind Samsung’s five-year program and Google’s similar cadence, but it’s a solid midpoint in an industry still grappling with update fatigue.
Display and Audio
The V40 Pro’s AMOLED panel pushes a 2800×1260 (1.5K) resolution at either 60Hz or 120Hz. Without LTPO adaptive refresh, you’ll need to choose your preference in settings—120Hz delivers silky scrolling at the expense of slightly faster battery drain, while 60 Hz offers maximum endurance.
Colour reproduction hits the sweet spot out of the box, leaning neither too warm nor too cool. You can dial up saturation for more punch or opt for a movie-centric DCI-P3 preset. HDR10+ content on Netflix and Disney+ looks vibrant, with deep blacks and bright highlights, though Dolby Vision remains absent.
Peak brightness soars over 1,300 nits for outdoor readability. Auto-brightness adjusts on a dime when you move from shade to direct sunlight, never leaving you squinting during midday use.
Audio emerges through stereo speakers supported by Vivo’s “Super Audio” engine. Without Dolby Atmos, the system still balances mids and highs cleanly, and bass surprisingly holds its own. An audio super resolution mode claims to refine compressed tracks, though I found its effect more subtle than transformative.
Performance Benchmark
Inside, Vivo packs the Dimensity 9200+ chipset paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Day-to-day navigation across emails, social apps, and multitasking zones remains buttery smooth. Occasionally FunTouch OS animations stutter, but these stalls are rare and never serious.
Benchmark enthusiasts will note AnTuTu scores north of 1.2 million and Geekbench single-core marks around 1,200 points, both solid improvements over its predecessor. In GFXBench’s Manhattan 3.1 offscreen test, the V40 Pro eked out a consistent 60 fps, illustrating its gaming prowess.
High-intensity titles like Zenless Zone Zero and Genshin Impact ran at maximum graphics settings locked to 60 fps. A vapor chamber thermal solution dissipates heat effectively; after a half-hour raid, the chassis warmed to a noticeable but comfortable temperature, and there was zero throttling.
FunTouch’s dedicated gaming mode blocks notifications, boosts CPU and GPU clocks, and lets you record gameplay without third-party apps. It’s a subtle but welcome touch for mobile streamers and competitive players alike.
Battery Endurance and Charging
With a 5500 mAh battery, the V40 Pro stands out in a year where many flagships hover around 4500 mAh. In mixed-use scenarios—messaging, light gaming, video streaming, camera sessions—it logged two full days before dipping under 20 percent. In my morning routine test (1 hour 15 minutes SOT, push email, news feeds), it lost only 3 percent.
80W wired charging is a lifesaver when you do need a top-up. Real-world testing showed a jump from 5 percent to 50 percent in about 15 minutes, and a full charge in just under 40 minutes. Lack of wireless or reverse charging will disappoint some, but the speed of wired replenishment softens the blow.
Standby drain measured around 1 percent per five hours with background location and syncing active. Power users can enable battery saver, which trims background processes without major sacrifices to performance or notifications.
Camera System and Imaging
The triple-50 MP array centres on Sony’s IMX 921 sensor with optical image stabilization. Accompanying modules include a 50 MP ultra-wide and a 50 MP telephoto for 2–4× digital zoom. Together they form a versatile trio capable of tackling diverse shooting scenarios.
• Aura Light Flash
The upgraded dual-tone LED array auto-adjusts colour temperature but also allows manual dialling between warm and cool for precise skin tones or artistic flair.
• Daylight and Texture
In bright conditions, pixel binning and high-dynamic-range processing produce detailed, low-noise stills. Cropped sections retain fine texture in fabrics and foliage.
• Night and Zoom
Low-light shots remain usable thanks to a dedicated night algorithm, though minor motion blur can appear when subjects move. Zoom retains surprisingly good detail up to 4× before grain becomes evident.
• Portrait Mode
Multiple bokeh styles—street, landscape, studio—let you sculpt background blur. Three focal-length presets (24 mm, 50 mm, 100 mm) give framing flexibility from environmental context to tight headshots.
• Ultra-Wide and Video
The 50 MP ultra-wide captures expansive vistas without noticeable fish-eye distortion. Video tops out at 4K 60 fps, stabilized via OIS. Footage remains bright in mixed lighting, and wind-reduction audio does a decent job outdoors.
• Selfies
The 50 MP front camera doubles as a 4K video rig for vlogging. Still shots are crisp with lifelike colour—but stabilization lags slightly compared to rear video.
A full manual mode unlocks RAW capture, adjustable ISO/shutter combos, and real-time histogram, appealing to enthusiasts who want to fine-tune exposures beyond automatic presets.
Final Thought
The Vivo V40 Pro delivers an enticing balance of power, endurance, and creativity. Its plastic-framed build may stop short of luxury flagship status, but ergonomics, IP68 resilience, and scratch-resistant glass keep it in the conversation. FunTouch OS brings both depth and occasional quirks, rewarding those who relish interface customization.
Performance and battery life top many contemporaries, making the V40 Pro a strong pick for gamers and heavy users. Its camera array, especially the robust portrait tools and ultra-wide module, caters to content creators who want versatility without lugging extra lenses.
At its projected price point—Rs. 49,999 in India—the V40 Pro competes directly with the OnePlus 12R and Samsung Galaxy A75. Those seeking the fastest updates might still lean Samsung or Google, but few in its class match the V40 Pro’s combo of screen size, battery longevity, and gaming chops.
If you prioritize two-day battery life, rock-solid frame rates in demanding games, and a camera system with real creative modes, the Vivo V40 Pro deserves a close look. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it to a high shine.
Beyond the Basics
If you’re wondering about third-party accessory support, Vivo’s ecosystem partners already offer cases, screen protectors, and wireless earbuds tuned for the V40 Pro’s Super Audio profiles. Keep an eye out for aftermarket pop-up grips and kickstands that play nicely with the curved back.
For those leaning into mobile streaming, the combination of 4K front camera output, vapor-chamber cooling during extended use, and that extended battery life opens doors to high-quality, on-the-go broadcasts. Pair with a USB-C microphone dongle for studio-grade audio when you need it.
Lastly, if you crave a more cinematic display experience, consider investing in a Gorilla Glass 7-equipped case or screen replacement down the line to boost scratch resistance even further. FunTouch’s theming flexibility ensures you’ll never tire of the look anyway.