• The vivo V40 series has a stylish exterior design and lightweight feel.
• The collaboration with ZEISS gives portrait photography in the V40 series a more professional touch.
• The innovative Aura Light also offers new possibilities for portrait photography.

The recently launched vivo V40 series, which comprises the mid-range V40 Pro and V40 smartphones, has grabbed consumer attention with its impressive camera performances and exquisite designs. After thoroughly trying out the new vivo V40 Pro and V40 devices, Counterpoint has detailed the following product review.

Balanced Specifications: Slim and Fashion Design
First, the physical appearance of the vivo V40 Pro maintains the stylish design of the V series, adopting a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that not only provides a high refresh rate of 120Hz but also has a high resolution of 2800*1260 and a peak brightness of 4500 nits. It provides a clear and comfortable visual experience in both outdoor and indoor lighting conditions.

In terms of hardware specifications, the vivo V40 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ SoC, with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, whether it is daily use or large games, it can run smoothly. Additionally, it also supports the expansion of an additional 12GB of RAM, giving users more operating space. At the same time, the vivo V40 is equipped with Qualcomm Snapdragon 7

Gen 3 SoC, with up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, and the same display screen as the V40 Pro.

Both models are exceptionally slim, measuring 7.6mm in thickness. The 3D curved screen and the AG glass rear cover with anti-fingerprint coating give users a nice grip.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research

Photography: Rich Portrait Bokeh Effect and Fun Flashlight

The photography configuration is the highlight of the vivo V40 Pro. It has three 50MP rear cameras , including a main camera with OIS, an ultra-wide camera with AF, and a telephoto portrait camera that supports up to 50x digital zoom. Whether landscape or portrait, it can capture delicate and rich pictures. The front 50MP selfie camera with autofocus function is a quality treat for selfie lovers. All the cameras in the vivo V40 series carry lens modules that meet ZEISS optics standards.

The vivo V40 series models integrate vivo's expertise in smartphone manufacturing, design, software and algorithm along with ZEISS's know-how in the image, quality management, optics and system integration. ZEISS supports vivo's "camera first" strategy. The two companies established an imaging lab to develop smartphone photographic innovation. They set standards for imaging component standards and manufacturing quality, and optimized testing procedures and related certifications. At present, more than 30 vivo smartphones (including the X series and the V series) have been certified.

Portrait photography is no doubt a key feature of the vivo V40 series. The portrait photography system in the two models merges the concept of ZEISS’ Multifocal Portrait, which integrates professionally acclaimed portrait focal lengths for portrait photography. ZEISS Multifocal Portrait pairs each of the classic portrait focal lengths with the renowned ZEISS Style Bokeh. Such as the 50mm with Biotar bokeh is great for half-body portraits and the 100mm with Planar bokeh is great for capturing facial features and emotions. The different focal lengths allow users to achieve different atmospheres in portrait photos. The vivo V40 series can capture stunning professional portraits with ease.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using portrait mode, with multiple focal lengths.

Portraits taken with the vivo V40 series have a strong ZEISS-style feel to them, especially with the bokeh feature. This feature is usually found only in professional camera lenses and is rarely seen in smartphones due to physical limitations. vivo V40's portrait mode integrates seven ZEISS bokeh style selections for users. For example, the ZEISS Biotar style bokeh, inspired by the ZEISS Biotar 1.5/75 lens, has a swirly bokeh and olive-shaped flares with sharp edges as well as a cat's eye effect from center to edges. Meanwhile, the ZEISS Sonnar style bokeh, inspired by the ZEISS Planar 2.0/80 lens, delivers the classic bokeh effect. The superposition of spherical and coma aberration brings the slight bilinear and rotating focus effect, making out-of-focus interesting. All these effects bring users to experience the unique ZEISS bokeh effects of professional photography lenses on the V40 series.

Classic portraits can produce ZEISS's classic Biotar style of swirling background blurring effect, creating a romantic atmosphere when highlighting the subject in different focal segments.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using ZEISS Classic portrait mode.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using ZEISS Classic portrait mode.

Users can choose from different bokeh flare options to achieve different classic ZEISS-style effects, such as Natural, Biotar, Sonnar, Planar, and Distagon.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using portrait mode with multiple ZEISS bokeh flares (Natural, Planar, B-speed).

Through deep collaboration with ZEISS, the V40 series has a comprehensive color solution that produces realistic, sharp, and photorealistic images, coupled with the customizable ZEISS Border Watermark, which gives all the images a ZEISS style and artistic feel.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro and V40

Users can adjust the depth effect level from f/0.9 to f/16 of portrait photos in the album, which is helpful for post-processing photos. After post-processing the aperture level, users can achieve the desired background blur effect.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using portrait mode. Aperture levels are set in the album.

The Aura Light is another feature of the V40 series that can be used during the shooting process to adjust color. The color of the Aura Light is smooth from warm to cool, which provides more atmospheric options for low light and portrait photography in complex lighting scenarios.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using portrait mode with different Aura light color tones.

vivo’s Camera-Bionic Spectrum technology is equipped with V40 Pro, which allows the sensor to receive raw information that is increasingly closer to what the human eye perceives. Adding optical image stabilization (OIS) also provides more creativity for the portrait camera. When using night mode, OIS effectively improves handhold stability in low-light conditions. All these result in night photos that can still be used for social media posts.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using Night mode.

The vivo V40 Pro and V40 both support a macro function, which is through the main camera. The shortest focusing distance of about 3cm. The Super Macro feature helps users easily capture tiny details and explore the miniature world up close.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro using super macro.

Featured Features: AI Erase Facilitates Post-edit of Photos

The vivo V40 series not only performs well in terms of hardware, but its software features are equally compelling. Running Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the vivo V40 series offers a variety of customized user experiences. The most interesting is the AI Erase feature, which allows users to erase people and objects from photos using AI technology. Below, the AI Erase feature is used on the original picture on the left to remove the reflections on the glass. The picture on the right is the outcome which is more pure and without obvious distortions. Users no longer have to deliberately look for the angles when taking a photo to avoid the objects appearing in the photos, which can be edited by AI Erase.

Photo Source: Counterpoint Research; Shot on vivo V40 Pro, using AI Erase function.

Battery life is also a big selling point for the vivo V40 Pro and the vivo V40. Both models are equipped with a 5500mAh large-capacity battery and 80W quick charging, which can satisfy the needs of even heavy users for a whole day. The stereo speakers also enhance the user's multimedia experience.
Overall, the vivo V40 Pro and V40 are mid-end smartphones that combine stylish design, grip friendliness, a good experience, and excellent photography. The specialization in portrait photography and impressive battery life will provide users a unique experience, making the V40 series noteworthy in the market.