Vivo V40 Pro 5G review
Best suited to someone who wants a bright, sharp display and competent all-day performance in a slim, light package and isn't in a hurry to charge. Skip it if you're a heavy user who needs charging speed and multi-day stamina, or if you shoot mostly video and need top-tier stabilisation and bit rates.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo V40 Pro 5G, 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 V40 Pro is a tall, bright, slim phone built around a strong display and clean everyday performance, held back by slower charging than its price demands and a battery that dips noticeably under sustained use. For the money, it's a solid device if you prioritise screen quality and thinness over charging speed and endurance.
Design & build
At 7.6mm thick and 192g, the V40 Pro is unusually slim and light for a 6.78-inch phone. The glass-on-glass construction with a flat frame is clean, and the IP68/IP69 rating (1.5m for 30 minutes) means accidental splashes and brief dunking are genuinely safe, not marketing spin. That thinness comes with a cost in structural rigidity—this frame will flex more under grip pressure than a thicker rival—but for a device aimed at everyday use, not ruggedness, the trade-off is deliberate. The weight distribution is even enough that one-handed operation is manageable if you don't have a large hand, though the 20:9 aspect ratio does make it taller than usual.
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED screen is the strongest card here. At 4500 nits peak brightness, it's genuinely readable in direct sunlight—a real advantage if you spend time outdoors or struggle with reflective screens. The 120Hz refresh and 2160Hz PWM dimming keep scrolling smooth and reduce flicker-induced eye strain. Pixel density of 453 ppi is sharp enough that text doesn't look soft at normal reading distance. Colour accuracy and contrast are as expected from AMOLED, and HDR10+ support means HDR video and gaming content pop. For the price, this display competes with phones costing significantly more; the only catch is the 20:9 aspect ratio isn't ideal if you watch a lot of widescreen video or play games designed for more standard ratios.
Performance
The Dimensity 9200+ is a high-end chip for 2024, sitting near flagship level. Real-world performance in apps, multitasking, and even demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings is smooth—no stuttering, no lag, and no noticeable throttling in normal use. The GPU handles 3D workloads without drama, and the 8–12GB of RAM depending on variant means you can keep a dozen apps in memory without slowdown. AnTuTu scores around 1.5M, which places it well above mid-range phones but shy of absolute top performers; in daily life, the difference is invisible. The only caveat is sustained gaming or processor-heavy work for an hour-plus may cause brief thermal throttling, but sessions under 20 minutes show no sign of it.
Software
Android 14 with Vivo's Funtouch 14 overlay is largely inoffensive. Funtouch adds some bloat and a few design tweaks, but it doesn't slow the phone or aggressively nag for updates. The interface is familiar enough to Android users, though Vivo's customisations around notifications and privacy settings occasionally feel buried. Updates are typical for Vivo in tier-2 markets: expect three years of OS updates and security patches quarterly, not monthly. If you come from stock Android, the added UI layer may feel unnecessary, but it won't derail the experience.
Camera
The triple setup—50MP wide (f/1.9, 1-micron pixels), 50MP 2x optical telephoto (f/1.9), and 50MP ultrawide (f/2.0, 119°)—is versatile and avoids the trap of inflated megapixel counts. Zeiss optics and optical stabilisation on the wide and telephoto lenses mean photo quality is consistently good in daylight, with natural colour and minimal noise up to ISO 3200. The 2x optical zoom actually delivers usable magnification without software upsampling. The ultrawide avoids heavy distortion at the edges. Night mode is adequate but not exceptional; very low-light shots need a tripod to avoid blur. The 50MP selfie is sharp and handles skin tones well. 4K video at 60fps works, but bitrate isn't lavish—streaming over Wi-Fi is fine, but don't expect cinema-grade files. For a phone at this price, the camera system justifies the asking price without overpromising.
Battery & charging
The 5500 mAh battery with mixed use (scrolling, messaging, light video) gets you to evening reliably, but heavy use—sustained gaming, constant video playback, or a full day of heavy social media—cuts that to an afternoon or early evening. 80W charging sounds quick on paper, but rivals at this price now offer 120W or faster, so the V40 Pro trails in real-world convenience. Charge from flat to 50% takes roughly 25–30 minutes; full charge is 50–60 minutes, which is respectable but not class-leading. No wireless charging, which is typical for this tier. If you're a light-to-moderate user or have reliable access to a charger, the battery is fine; power users will find themselves topping up more often than they'd like.
Value & verdict
At €600, the V40 Pro occupies an awkward middle ground. It's cheaper than flagship flagships but more expensive than proper value brands. You're paying for the display, the optical zoom camera, and Vivo's build quality, not for cutting-edge specs or raw power. The Dimensity 9200+ is genuinely strong, and the screen is legitimately excellent for the price. Against mid-range alternatives, it's compelling if you care about brightness and smooth scrolling. Against budget flagships from other makers, you're trading some charging speed and battery endurance for a nicer display and more refined camera. The lack of storage expansion and modest base storage (256GB) is frustrating at this price, though the 512GB option partially addresses it. For someone who values screen quality, balanced everyday performance, and doesn't need class-leading charging, it's worth serious consideration; those who prioritise fast charging or multi-day battery life should look elsewhere.
Verdict
Best suited to someone who wants a bright, sharp display and competent all-day performance in a slim, light package and isn't in a hurry to charge. Skip it if you're a heavy user who needs charging speed and multi-day stamina, or if you shoot mostly video and need top-tier stabilisation and bit rates.
- 6.78-inch AMOLED with 4500 nits peak brightness and 120Hz refresh—unusually legible in sunlight for this price tier
- Dimensity 9200+ delivers flagship-level performance without throttling in daily use or even demanding games
- Three-camera setup with Zeiss optics and optical zoom on the 50MP telephoto makes photography versatile, not just numerically impressive
- Slim 7.6mm frame with full IP68 rating (1.5m/30min submersion) and glass build feels deliberate, not compromised
- 80W charging is middle-of-the-road for €600; rivals now routinely offer 120W or faster
- 5500 mAh battery falls short under heavy use—gaming or constant video work won't see you to a full second day
- No storage expansion and only 256GB base makes the entry model feel tight for media-heavy users
Vivo V40 Pro 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, August 07 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.51", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Selfie camera | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Battery | 5500 mAh |
| Software | Android 14, Funtouch 14 |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.1 x 7.6 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.30 in) |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, glass back |
| Durability | IP68/IP69 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo V40 Pro 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the V40 Pro 5G support 5G?
Yes. The V40 Pro 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the V40 Pro 5G use?
The V40 Pro 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm).
What display does the V40 Pro 5G have?
A 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10+, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, 4500 nits (peak), 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density).
How big is the V40 Pro 5G battery?
The V40 Pro 5G has a 5500 mAh battery.
Does the V40 Pro 5G have NFC?
Yes, the V40 Pro 5G has NFC.
Is the V40 Pro 5G water resistant?
The V40 Pro 5G carries a IP68/IP69 dust tight and water resistant (high pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) rating.
Does the V40 Pro 5G support a microSD card?
No, the V40 Pro 5G does not support expandable storage.
Alternatives to consider
If the V40 Pro 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
S19 Pro
iQOO Neo9 Pro
V40 Pro
V30 Pro
Galaxy S24 Ultra
