vivo V40 Unboxing and First Impression

Last month, vivo launched the highly anticipated V40 in the Philippines. The vivo V40 introduces significant upgrades compared to its predecessor, the V30. Unlike the V30, only the Pro version had camera technology co-engineered with ZEISS. This new partnership allows vivo to integrate professional-grade optics into the V40’s camera system. The V40 features a dual ZEISS camera on the rear and a ZEISS front selfie camera.

The V40 not only excels in photography but also features a robust 5,500mAh battery and an enhanced 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It offers IP68/69 ingress protection, a stereo speaker setup, and an eye-catching new design. Additionally, the V40 shares several similarities with the V30, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, 80W FlashCharge, 12GB of RAM, and options for either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

I was fortunate to get my hands on one, and I'm excited to share my unboxing experience and initial impressions of the vivo V40 with you. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the unboxing!

Unboxing the vivo V40

The vivo V40 is packaged in a high-end box that prominently displays the V40 logo and its partnership with ZEISS on the front. The back of the box features various details about the device, including its model number, IMEI number, serial number, color, and more.

Inside the Box and Accessories

Upon opening the box, you will find the following items inside: the vivo V40 smartphone, a SIM card ejector tool, a quick start guide, important information (including the warranty card), an 80W FlashCharge power adapter, a USB type-C to USB-A charging cable, and a silicone case. Please note that the vivo V40 does not come with headphones, so you will need to provide your own.

Let's now take a closer look at the device's physical appearance and my initial impression of it.

Design and Walk Around

vivo is widely regarded by fans for its visually appealing designs. The latest model, the vivo V40, does not disappoint and showcases a new Gemini Ring Design inspired by the symmetry of the Gemini constellation.

In the Philippines, the vivo V40 is available in three colors: Nebula Purple (which I have), Sunglow Peach, and Stellar Silver. The Nebula Purple variant utilizes Fluorite AG, giving its greyish-purple back a subtle shimmer that shifts with the play of light, adding an air of mystery to the phone's appearance. Additionally, the Gemini Ring Design of the rear camera module enhances the overall aesthetic, providing the phone with a high-end, luxurious feel. I appreciate this design, as it is less prone to fingerprint smudges and scratches.

The vivo V40 is a dual-glass curved phone with a plastic frame, weighing only 190g and measuring 7.58 mm in thickness. Despite its slim design, the V40 is equipped with a 5,500mAh battery, making it one of the slimmest phones in vivo's lineup that boasts such a large battery to date.

The front side of the phone boasts a large 6.78-inch 1.5K (1260 x 2800) AMOLED display, protected by a curved "Schott Xensation Alpha" glass, along with a pre-installed screen protector. The top portion of the screen has a centered hole-punch camera, and the earpiece that also functions as a speaker is subtly etched above the display. Additionally, the fingerprint reader is positioned below the screen.

At the back, there is a new camera island module featuring a dual-camera setup: a 50MP ZEISS main camera and a 50MP ZEISS ultra-wide-angle camera. A new ring-shaped Aura Light adds to the camera’s capabilities.

The volume rocker and power button are located on the right side, while the top of the phone is clean, with only two holes for the secondary microphone present. At the bottom of the vivo V40, you'll find a USB Type-C charging port, a downward-firing speaker, a microphone, and a dual SIM card tray. Unfortunately, the phone does not come with a 3.5mm audio jack.

Cameras

The camera on the vivo V40 offers professional-level portrait quality that meets the high standards of ZEISS Optics, significantly enhancing photographic capabilities compared to other smartphones in its category.

The vivo V40 features a dual-camera setup that includes a 50MP F1.9 primary camera. This camera is equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF), and a 1/1.56-inch Samsung ISOCELL GNJ sensor. Additionally, there is a 50MP F2.0 wide-angle camera with autofocus. The front camera is also a 50MP F2.0 wide-angle camera, which includes autofocus as well. The vivo V40 boasts an upgraded Aura Light that provides a 33% increase in brightness compared to its predecessor.

In collaboration with ZEISS, the vivo V40 introduces the ZEISS Multifocal Portrait, which integrates professionally recognized portrait focal lengths in Portrait Mode: 1x (24 mm), 1.5x (35 mm), and 2.2x (50 mm). The V40 also features various ZEISS Style Portraits, including Biotar, Planar, Distagon, Sonnar, Cinematic, and Cine-flare Portrait, each providing unique bokeh characteristics.

Sample photos taken with the vivo V40 can be found below. A full evaluation of the V40's camera setup will be available later this week.

Other Features

The vivo V40 boasts impressive features, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 mobile platform, Adreno 720 graphics, and 12GB of RAM, with the option for extended RAM support of an additional 12GB. It is equipped with a 5,500mAh BlueVolt battery, which delivers efficient performance even during demanding tasks, helping to prevent overheating and rapid battery drain. Additionally, the device supports 80W FlashCharge, allowing for quick recharging, so you can stay connected even when the battery is running low.

Operating on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the vivo V40 boasts IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The IP68 rating means the device is completely dust-tight and can be submerged in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. The IP69 rating offers enhanced protection against high-pressure water jets, adding to its durability.

vivo V40 Specifications

6.78-inch 1.5K (1260 x 2800) AMOLED display, 453ppi, 120Hz Refresh Rate
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 4nm
Adreno 720 GPU
12GB RAM
256GB/512GB of internal storage
Dual-rear cameras (50MP F1.9 OIS main + 50MP F2.0 AF wide-angle)
50MP F2.0 AF front camera
ZEISS Optics / Aura Light
Dual-SIM (nano) / 5G Connectivity
WiFi 6 / Bluetooth 5.4
GPS, A-GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS
USB Type-C / Fingerprint scanner (in-display)
IP68/IP69 Dust and Water Resistant
Funtouch OS 14 (Android 14)
5,500mAh Battery with 80W Fast Charge
164.2 x 75 x 7.58 mm (dimension)
190g (weight)
Colors: Nebula Purple, Sunglow Peach, and Stellar Silver

Price and Availability

The vivo V40 comes in two variants: one with 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM, priced at Php26,999, and another with 12GB RAM and 512GB ROM, priced at Php29,999. You can buy the vivo V40 from any vivo concept stores or kiosks and online via the vivo website, Shopee, and Lazada.