Vivo V40 5G : The smartphone landscape in 2025 continues to evolve with manufacturers pushing boundaries in camera technology, display quality, and performance metrics.
Among the noteworthy contenders in the mid-premium segment stands the Vivo V40 5G, a device that has captured significant attention for its photography prowess and elegant design language.
Launched initially in June 2024 and now widely available across markets in 2025, this photography-focused smartphone represents Vivo’s commitment to imaging excellence through its collaboration with legendary optics brand ZEISS.
The Vivo V40 5G occupies a sweet spot in the market, offering near-flagship features while maintaining a more accessible price point compared to ultra-premium offerings.
Its standout ZEISS co-engineered camera system has established it as a formidable option for photography enthusiasts unwilling to compromise on image quality.
Current market positioning places it in direct competition with devices from Realme, Xiaomi, and Motorola in the hotly contested mid-premium segment.
For consumers prioritizing camera capabilities without stretching to flagship prices, the V40 5G presents a compelling proposition worth serious consideration.
This comprehensive analysis explores the device’s pricing structure, technical specifications, and distinctive features to help potential buyers make an informed decision.
Price Analysis and Variants
The Vivo V40 5G is available in three storage configurations to accommodate different user needs and budgets.
The base variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at ₹34,999, offering an accessible entry point to the device’s premium features.
For users requiring additional storage, the 8GB RAM with 256GB storage variant commands a ₹2,000 premium at ₹36,999.
The top-tier configuration boasting 12GB RAM and massive 512GB storage is available at ₹41,999, catering to power users with intensive storage requirements.
Regional pricing fluctuations have been observed, with some markets showing price increases of approximately ₹2,439 over the past month according to price tracking data.
Seasonal promotions occasionally reduce effective prices through cashback offers, exchange bonuses, and bank discounts worth considering before purchase.
The device’s pricing positions it directly against established competitors like the Realme 13 Pro+, Honor 200, and Motorola Edge series in the sub-₹40,000 segment.
When evaluated on a price-to-feature ratio, the V40 5G offers particular value for photography enthusiasts prioritizing camera capabilities over raw processing power.
Design and Build Quality
The Vivo V40 5G features a sophisticated design language that emphasizes premium aesthetics and comfort.
Its slim profile measures just 7.6mm in thickness despite housing a substantial 5,500mAh battery, a remarkable engineering achievement.
The device weighs 190 grams, striking a comfortable balance between substantial feel and everyday usability.
Durability receives significant attention with IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance—unusual inclusions at this price point that add considerable value.
The company has reinforced the device’s plastic frame with aluminum alloy corners, strategically enhancing durability at common impact points.
Color options include the sophisticated Ganges Blue, elegant Diamond White, and understated Steel Gray, each featuring a distinctive finish that minimizes fingerprint visibility.
The rear panel showcases a circular “Gemini Ring” camera housing that distinguishes the V40 5G from its predecessors and competitors with a more refined aesthetic.
Premium materials include Schott Xensation Alpha glass protection, though Vivo doesn’t explicitly market the specific generation used for the front display protection.
Display Specifications
The centerpiece of the visual experience is a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that delivers vibrant colors and deep contrast ratios.
This panel supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that adapts dynamically to content, balancing fluidity with power efficiency.
An impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits ensures exceptional outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight—among the brightest in its class.
The resolution of 2800×1260 pixels delivers a pixel density that renders text with crisp clarity and images with impressive detail.
Color reproduction benefits from 10-bit color depth (1.07 billion colors) and comprehensive HDR10+ certification for enhanced dynamic range in supported content.
The display incorporates an under-screen optical fingerprint sensor that provides reliable biometric authentication with minimal latency.
Bezels are notably slim with a screen-to-body ratio exceeding 90%, maximizing immersion during multimedia consumption and gaming sessions.
Eye comfort features include TÜV Rheinland certification for blue light reduction and various reading modes to minimize eye strain during extended use.
Performance and Hardware
Powering the Vivo V40 5G is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, a capable mid-range chipset manufactured on a 4nm process.
This processor features an octa-core configuration with one Cortex-A715 core clocked at 2.63GHz, three Cortex-A715 cores at 2.4GHz, and four efficiency-focused Cortex-A510 cores at 1.8GHz.
The Adreno GPU delivers respectable graphics performance for casual gaming and handles UI animations with consistent smoothness.
Memory configurations range from 8GB to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, complemented by UFS 3.1 storage technology for swift app launches and file transfers.
The device employs Extended RAM technology, which can borrow up to 8GB from storage to function as virtual RAM during memory-intensive tasks.
Thermal management utilizes a vapor chamber cooling system that maintains stable performance during extended gaming sessions or camera use.
Benchmark performance places it comfortably in the mid-premium segment, though it falls short of flagship chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 series or Dimensity 9000 series.
Day-to-day performance remains fluid with no noticeable stutters during typical usage scenarios, a meaningful improvement over previous generation V-series devices.
Camera System: The ZEISS Advantage
The standout feature of the Vivo V40 5G is undoubtedly its camera system, co-engineered with legendary optics brand ZEISS.
The primary camera employs a 50MP Sony IMX921 sensor with an f/1.88 aperture, optical image stabilization, and ZEISS T* lens coating to minimize reflections and ghosting.
Complementing this is a 50MP ultrawide camera with an f/2.0 aperture and 120-degree field of view, unusually high-resolution for a secondary sensor in this price bracket.
For selfies, the device incorporates a 50MP front-facing camera with autofocus capability—a rarity even among premium smartphones.
The ZEISS partnership extends beyond hardware to include color science tuning that delivers the distinctive ZEISS Natural Color mode for lifelike reproduction.
Portrait photography benefits from ZEISS Biotar, Sonnar, and Planar bokeh styles that simulate the characteristics of legendary ZEISS lenses.
An innovative ZEISS Multifocal Portrait feature offers 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm equivalent focal lengths with corresponding bokeh characteristics.
Low-light performance is enhanced by Vivo’s Aura Light, which provides more natural illumination than traditional flash for night portraiture.
Video capabilities include 4K recording at 30fps with electronic image stabilization, though it lacks the 60fps option available on higher-end models.
Advanced computational photography features include AI Group Portrait (tracking up to 30 people), AI Eraser for object removal, and AI Photo Enhancement for image upscaling.
Real-world image quality consistently impresses with natural colors, excellent dynamic range, and remarkable detail preservation in various lighting conditions.
Battery and Charging
Battery life receives a substantial boost with the V40 5G’s 5,500mAh silicon-carbon anode “BlueVolt” battery technology.
This high-capacity cell easily delivers full-day heavy usage or up to two days of moderate use between charges.
The included 80W FlashCharge adapter refills the battery from empty to 50% in approximately 18 minutes, with a full charge completed in around 40 minutes.
The charging system incorporates intelligent algorithms that adjust power delivery based on battery temperature and state to preserve long-term battery health.
Despite lacking wireless charging capability, the comprehensive wired charging solution largely compensates for this omission.
Battery optimization is handled by Vivo’s Energy Guardian technology that intelligently manages background processes and app behaviors.
Screen-on time consistently reaches 8+ hours under mixed usage scenarios, placing it among the segment leaders for endurance.
The combination of large capacity and efficient charging represents a significant advantage over competitors that often compromise one metric for the other.
Software Experience
The Vivo V40 5G runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, with the potential for Android 15 updates in the future.
Vivo has committed to providing 3 years of major Android updates and 4 years of security patches, a competitive support timeline for this price segment.
The user interface blends stock Android elements with Vivo’s customizations, offering extensive personalization options without overwhelming complexity.
Productivity features include Multi-Turbo 8.0 for performance optimization, Ultra Game Mode for enhanced gaming, and robust multitasking capabilities.
Pre-installed applications include some third-party titles that can be uninstalled, though core Vivo apps remain permanent fixtures.
Privacy protections include comprehensive permission management, secure sharing options, and regular security auditing tools.
The overall software experience balances feature richness with relative stability, though occasional animation stutters might appear in resource-intensive scenarios.
Regular software updates have progressively refined the experience since launch, addressing minor bugs and enhancing system optimization.
Connectivity and Additional Features
Comprehensive 5G band support ensures compatibility with networks worldwide, including bands n1, n3, n5, n8, n28, n40, n77, and n78.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD and LDAC codecs for high-quality audio transmission, and NFC for contactless payments.
The device includes dual stereo speakers with Hi-Res audio certification, addressing a notable omission from previous generation models.
Positioning systems support GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS for accurate location services across global regions.
Sensor array includes accelerometer, electronic compass, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, and color temperature sensor.
Biometric authentication options include the in-display fingerprint sensor and software-based face recognition using the front camera.
The USB Type-C port supports USB 2.0 speeds for data transfer and OTG functionality for external device connectivity.
Notably absent is a 3.5mm headphone jack, following the industry trend toward wireless audio solutions.
Comparison with Key Competitors
| Feature | Vivo V40 5G | Realme 13 Pro+ | Honor 200 | Motorola Edge 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (8GB/128GB) | ₹34,999 | ₹32,999 | ₹37,999 | ₹36,999 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| Display | 6.78″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 4500 nits | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 4000 nits | 6.7″ POLED, 144Hz, 1300 nits |
| Main Camera | 50MP OIS ZEISS | 50MP OIS Sony LYT-600 | 50MP OIS | 50MP OIS |
| Battery | 5500mAh, 80W | 5000mAh, 80W | 5200mAh, 100W | 4500mAh, 68W |
| Build | IP68/69, Glass | IP65, Glass | IP53, Glass | IP68, Glass |
| Software Promise | 3 years OS, 4 years security | 3 years OS, 4 years security | 3 years OS, 4 years security | 3 years OS, 4 years security |
| Special Features | ZEISS optics, Aura Light | Periscope zoom lens | Magic Portal AI | ThinkShield security |
Against the Realme 13 Pro+, the Vivo V40 5G offers superior ZEISS optics and brighter display but lacks the dedicated telephoto lens found on the Realme device.
Compared to the Honor 200, the Vivo provides better water resistance and display brightness but trails in charging speed with 80W versus Honor’s 100W solution.
The Motorola Edge 60 offers a higher 144Hz refresh rate and cleaner software experience but falls short in battery capacity and peak brightness metrics.
Among these competitors, the Vivo V40 5G distinguishes itself through the ZEISS camera partnership, exceptional display brightness, and superior IP rating.
Key Points for Potential Buyers
The ZEISS co-engineered cameras represent the primary reason to choose this device over competitors, particularly for photography enthusiasts.
Battery life excellence with the 5500mAh cell makes this an ideal choice for users prioritizing endurance over absolute processing power.
The exceptional 4500-nit peak brightness ensures comfortable outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight, a meaningful advantage in tropical climates.
IP68/69 ratings provide peace of mind regarding water and dust resistance, unusual protections at this price point.
The device offers balanced performance for everyday tasks but may not satisfy the most demanding mobile gamers seeking maximum frame rates.
Storage options ranging from 128GB to 512GB accommodate diverse needs, though the device lacks expandable storage capability.
Software update commitment ensures relevance through 2027, representing good value for those who avoid annual upgrade cycles.
The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack might disappoint audio purists who prefer wired connections for their existing headphones.
Premium design elements and build quality deliver a near-flagship experience at a more accessible price point.
Comprehensive 5G band support ensures future-proofing across global networks as 5G infrastructure continues expanding.
Vivo V40 5G Conclusion and Market Position
The Vivo V40 5G establishes itself as a photography-focused mid-premium contender with distinct advantages in imaging, display technology, and battery life.
Its price-to-feature ratio appeals particularly to content creators and photography enthusiasts seeking exceptional camera capabilities without flagship pricing.
The ZEISS partnership delivers tangible benefits in image quality rather than merely serving as a marketing collaboration, adding legitimate value.
While not the absolute performance leader in its segment, the balanced approach to specifications creates a well-rounded device for everyday usage scenarios.
Market reception has been predominantly positive, with particular praise directed toward the camera system, display quality, and battery endurance.
Critical feedback primarily centers on the Funtouch OS software experience and the device’s gaming performance ceiling compared to gaming-focused alternatives.
For consumers whose smartphone priorities align with photography, display quality, and battery life over raw processing power, the Vivo V40 5G presents a compelling option in the 2025 smartphone landscape.
As the mid-premium segment continues its fierce competition, the V40 5G’s distinctive ZEISS advantage and thoughtful feature prioritization help it maintain a unique position among increasingly homogeneous alternatives.