Vivo continues to make its mid-range V-series smartphones attractive by adding similar Zeiss-developed camera technology to its more expensive phones. The Vivo V40 and Vivo V40 Pro are the latest models, and the focus this time is on Zeiss’ Portrait Mode improvements, a feature that recently impressed us on the top-of-the-line Vivo X Fold3 Pro.
The Vivo V40 Pro is the most interesting of the two and the camera specs start with a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 50MP wide-angle camera and a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom. This camera makes the most of the Zeiss Multifocal Portrait mode and the camera’s five different focal length settings to create great portrait shots.
Portrait mode also works with video on the V40 series, with a Cinematic Bokeh Video mode that even shoots in 4K with the bokeh portrait effect. Another mode called Focus Transition automatically switches focus between two people depending on which way they’re facing, so you can give your videos a more professional look. The V40 Pro also has a number of different fill lights for low-light portrait shots, including the dedicated Aura Light that we really liked on the Vivo V30 Pro.
It’s powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ processor with 12GB of RAM, as well as a 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging. The screen size isn’t known at the time of writing, but it has a 120Hz refresh rate and is wrapped in a body that’s just 7.58mm thick. There are three colors available – Meteor Blue, Moonlight White and Stellar Silver – but the V40 gets two special colors – Nebula Purple and Sunglow Peach – all to itself.
The Vivo V40 doesn’t have quite as high a spec, packs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, and lacks a 50MP telephoto camera, so if you really want to take the best portrait shots, you’ll want to get the V40 Pro. Vivo hasn’t announced pricing details for either phone yet, but the V series is mid-range and the V30 Pro could be available for under $550, so the cost should be competitive. Both were released in India today, with other Vivo regions to follow.
