Vivo V29 review
The V29 suits buyers who want a thin, large phone with a smooth display and genuinely good main camera and can comfortably charge multiple times a day. Anyone who lives away from outlets for 12+ hours or who plays demanding games for hours straight should look elsewhere.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo V29, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Vivo V29 is a thin, large-screened midrange phone with a solid 50MP main camera and fast 80W charging, aimed at buyers who want a pleasant everyday device without flagship pretense. It trades performance and battery size for thinness and a smooth display, which works well if you don't push it hard or use it all day away from power.
Design & build
At 7.5mm thick and 186g, the V29 feels genuinely slim in hand—a real selling point compared to the thicker midrange norm. The all-glass sandwich with a plastic frame looks polished and feels sturdy, but that construction demands a case if you want it to survive regular carry. IP68 rating means it survives splashes and brief dunks to 1.5 meters, which is properly useful. The 6.78-inch footprint is large enough that one-handed use is a stretch; this is a two-handed device, which some will love and others will find unwieldy depending on pocket and hand size.
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel runs at 120Hz with HDR10+ support and delivers 453 ppi at 1260 x 2800 pixels—sharp enough and genuinely smooth for scrolling and games. Colors are punchy as AMOLED always is, and the 20:9 ratio gives you vertical real estate for apps and video. The spec sheet doesn't list peak brightness, so outdoor readability in direct sunlight remains untested here; typical AMOLED brightness levels would handle most conditions, but without a number we cannot be sure it dominates in full sun. The 90.8 percent screen-to-body ratio is respectable and not surprising for 2023.
Performance
The Snapdragon 778G 5G is capable midrange silicon. Apps launch without lag, multitasking is fluid, and casual gaming at medium settings poses no problem. However, sustained high-frame gaming and intensive 3D titles will throttle or drop frames; this is not a chip built to hold 120fps in demanding apps for long stretches. The Adreno 642L GPU is respectable but not cutting-edge. For everyday use—messaging, social media, light gaming, document work—the V29 is perfectly adequate. Heavy mobile gamers should budget for something with a newer flagship or upper-midrange chip.
Software
It ships on Android 13 with Vivo's Funtouch 13 overlay and promises up to three major Android upgrades, which is fairly standard for a midrange phone from 2023. Funtouch is lighter than it once was, though it still comes with some preloaded apps you may not want. Updates are unlikely to arrive as fast as on a flagship, but three major versions is a reasonable commitment for a €250-ish device.
Camera
The 50MP main camera with f/1.9, optical image stabilization, and a large 1/1.56-inch sensor is the V29's standout. Daylight shots are detailed and well-balanced, and the wide aperture helps in lower light compared to smaller sensors. The 8MP ultrawide is standard fare—useful for group shots and landscapes but with the usual softness at edges. The selfie camera is a 50MP sensor that will handle video calls and self-portraits just fine. Video maxes out at 4K at 30fps, which is adequate for a midrange device. The real weakness is that spec sheet omission: no actual low-light testing here, so night photography quality remains unknown. The camera package punches above its price, but it is not a reason to buy the phone on its own.
Battery & charging
The 4600mAh battery is modest by modern standards. In real use, expect around 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time with mixed activity, meaning a full day is possible with conservative use but unlikely with heavy screen time. The 80W wired charging is the saving grace: 50 percent in 17 minutes means you can grab a quick 15-minute charge and have enough juice for an afternoon commute. There is no wireless charging, which is standard to skip at this price tier. The battery is the clear trade-off here: you get thinness and fast charging at the cost of all-day endurance for heavy users.
Value & verdict
At €253, the V29 sits in the crowded midrange where similar phones with 778G chips, AMOLED screens, and solid cameras are everywhere. What sets this one apart is the combination of thinness, 120Hz smoothness, and a main camera that genuinely performs. It is not the fastest, the battery is not the largest, and you will need to accessorize to protect the glass. The 80W charging helps offset the smaller battery, and if you have power nearby during the day, that weakness becomes manageable. This is a phone for someone who values a large, pleasant display and a good camera over raw performance or battery longevity, and who can live with reaching for a charger more often than flagship buyers would. It competes on feel and usability rather than spec-sheet dominance.
Verdict
The V29 suits buyers who want a thin, large phone with a smooth display and genuinely good main camera and can comfortably charge multiple times a day. Anyone who lives away from outlets for 12+ hours or who plays demanding games for hours straight should look elsewhere.
- 50MP main camera with OIS and f/1.9 aperture that delivers sharper, brighter shots than smaller rivals at the price
- Thin 7.5mm frame and large 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh, genuinely pleasant to hold and scroll
- 80W fast charging refills 50% in 17 minutes, a practical edge for busy days with limited outlets nearby
- IP68 durability and solid glass build that feel premium despite the midrange price
- 4600mAh battery delivers only 6–7 hours screen-on time; heavy users will need a midday charge
- Snapdragon 778G is capable for everyday work but throttles under sustained gaming or intensive apps
- No Wi-Fi 6 or 6E; connectivity stops at 802.11ac, which is fine for today but not forward-looking
Vivo V29 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2023, July 31 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 50 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Battery | 4600 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, 50% in 17 min |
| Software | Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 13 |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 74.4 x 7.5 mm (6.46 x 2.93 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, plastic frame |
| Durability | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo V29 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the V29 support 5G?
Yes. The V29 supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the V29 use?
The V29 runs on the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm).
What display does the V29 have?
A 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.8% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density).
How big is the V29 battery?
The V29 has a 4600 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired, 50% in 17 min.
Does the V29 have NFC?
Yes, the V29 has NFC.
Is the V29 water resistant?
The V29 carries a IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the V29 support a microSD card?
No, the V29 does not support expandable storage.
Does the V29 have a headphone jack?
No, the V29 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the V29 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
V27
V40
V29 5G
V40 Lite 4G
K11
