Vivo V29 Pro Review: A Solid Camera Phone with Fast Charging and a Premium Design
Vivo’s V-series has consistently catered to camera enthusiasts and those looking for a well-rounded smartphone experience within the sub-Rs. 40,000 price segment. The latest iteration, the Vivo V29 Pro, boasts a robust camera system that Vivo claims excels in low-light portrait photography. But does this new flagship truly deliver, and is it worth its starting price of Rs. 39,999? Let’s delve into this detailed Vivo V29 Pro review to find out.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Price in India
The Vivo V29 Pro is available in two configurations:
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 39,999
- 12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 42,999
I had the opportunity to test the top-end variant in the elegant Himalayan Blue colour.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Design
The Vivo V29 Pro retains the sleek design of its predecessor, the Vivo V27 Pro, featuring a glass sandwich construction with a glossy finish. The Vivo branding graces the bottom of the phone, and the familiar rectangular camera module sits slightly raised on the glass back panel. However, there are subtle yet significant changes to the camera module itself:
- Revised Camera Lens Arrangement: Instead of three camera lenses placed linearly, the Vivo V29 Pro showcases two lenses aligned horizontally, with the aura-light flash flanking them, and the primary flash and another lens positioned on the right edge.
Vivo V29 Pro can shoot videos at up to 4K 60fps
- Unified Finish: The camera module boasts the same finish as the back panel, adding a cohesive visual appeal. The Himalayan Blue variant, in my opinion, is a real showstopper, shimmering captivatingly under light.
Vivo V29 Pro sports a glass back panel
The phone’s glossy finish does magnet fingerprints, so a case is recommended. Vivo V29 Pro features a metal chassis with the power button and volume controls on the right, while the bottom houses the USB 2.0 Type-C port, dual-SIM slot, and a speaker grille.
Vivo V29 Pro sports a glass back panel
Vivo has yet to confirm whether the phone boasts Corning’s Gorilla Glass protection. At 7.5mm thick, the Vivo V29 Pro is undeniably slim, which also makes it feel delicate without a case. Weighing just 188g, it’s on the lighter side. However, the lack of an official water and dust resistance rating (IP rating) is a notable omission.
Overall, the Vivo V29 Pro exudes a premium aura, with a design that justifies its price tag. The large, 6.78-inch curved display, although aesthetically pleasing, can be challenging to handle comfortably with one hand.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Display
The Vivo V29 Pro features a captivating 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1,260 x 2,800 pixels. The colours are rich and vibrant, delivering an immersive viewing experience. I enjoyed watching Marvel movies on this display; the sharpness was impeccable, and viewing angles held up well, even with the curved display.
The display has a refresh rate of 120Hz and a touch sampling rate of 1000Hz
Another plus, the colour bleeding on the edges, a common issue with curved displays, was minimal. The narrow bezels contribute to an edge-to-edge viewing experience, making films and other content incredibly engaging. The display also shines in outdoor conditions, with ample brightness to overcome direct sunlight, although the peak brightness level remains unconfirmed.
It sports a 3D curved display that produces up to 1.07 billion colours
The HDR10 certification lends a distinct advantage. HDR videos on this display were sharp and possessed a broad dynamic range. The 120Hz refresh rate, with its smooth scrolling experience, elevates everyday tasks, like navigating the interface, browsing the web, and using apps. Vivo includes a ‘Smart Switch’ refresh rate option that dynamically adjusts the refresh rate based on usage patterns to conserve battery life.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Camera
One of the Vivo V29 Pro’s standout features is its triple-rear camera setup:
- 50-megapixel primary camera: f/1.88 aperture, OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation)
- 12-megapixel portrait camera: 2x optical zoom, f/1.98 aperture
- 8-megapixel ultrawide camera: f/2.2 aperture
The primary camera excels in daylight, capturing images brimming with detail. The processing is balanced, avoiding over-processing, and the dynamic range is impressive. While the photos are slightly oversharpened for my preference, they remain highly detailed. To access the full 50-megapixel resolution, you need to delve into the camera settings and select the high-resolution mode, which does limit photo capture frequency.
Vivo V29 Pro daylight primary camera samples (tap to see full size)
The portrait camera shines in daylight, producing sharp images without the over-sharpening seen in the primary camera. The 2x optical zoom is a boon for capturing subjects that are a bit far away for the primary camera, and results in detailed images. The portrait mode also impresses, applying sufficient processing to create attractive bokeh effects, with good colour and subject isolation. While the processing is noticeable, the results surpass the primary camera at times. I captured multiple human portraits, and the background blur and edge detection were quite accurate, preserving natural skin tones.
Vivo V29 Pro telephoto camera samples (tap to see full size)
The ultrawide camera, unfortunately, is a mixed bag. The 8-megapixel resolution sometimes leads to soft images, and the processor’s attempt to sharpen these results in less than ideal clarity. However, it performs well in broad daylight, maintaining decent sharpness and good colour reproduction. Distortion around the edges is noticeable, but not egregious.
Vivo V29 Pro ultra-wide angle camera samples (tap to see full size)
When the sun sets, the Vivo V29Pro continues to perform well. I used the primary camera to capture striking photos at an event. Saturation tends to be slightly boosted, but details remained sharp. You might encounter a few flat-looking images, but the majority of my nighttime shots were highly successful. The portrait camera produces pleasing results in low light. The bokeh effect shines in portrait mode, with appealing colour rendition. Focus accuracy is consistently strong, even in dim lighting. The ultrawide camera struggles in low-light situations, introducing significant grain in photos. For optimal ultrawide photography in low light, you’ll need to maintain a steady hand and rely on longer shutter speeds.
Vivo V29 Pro nighttime camera samples. Top to bottom: primary camera, ultra-wide-angle camera (tap to see full size)
Vivo has been vocal about its Aura-light flash, which aims to effectively separate the subject from the background. While it works reasonably well, it’s not perfect, and I found many shots were underlit. However, it is a valuable tool when you want to avoid the standard flash and achieve a unique portrait style.
Vivo V29 Pro Smart Aura Light camera sample. Without Smart Aura Light (Left), With Smart Aura Light (Right)
Video capture capabilities extend to 4K at 60fps, although stabilisation is absent at this resolution. Dropping to lower resolutions (such as 1080p) enables stabilisation options. Video quality is generally good but suffers from over-sharpening. Nighttime videos have noticeably reduced clarity.
The front-facing camera is a 50-megapixel unit with autofocus, capturing detailed images in both daylight and low-light situations. However, the selfie camera’s tendency to default to portrait mode, even when I simply wanted to take a casual selfie, proved frustrating. The front camera can record 4K 60fps videos, which are decent in daylight but somewhat lacking in detail when the lighting is dim.
Vivo V29 Pro Selfie camera samples
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Battery and Charging
The Vivo V29 Pro packs a 4600mAh battery, an impressive feat considering the phone’s slim profile. Battery life comfortably handles a full day of mixed usage, including music streaming, internet browsing, online video playback, light gaming, and productivity apps, with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled and screen brightness around 50 percent. In our benchmark battery loop test, the Vivo V29 Pro clocked an impressive 17 hours and 15 minutes.
Vivo includes an 80W adapter in the box, a welcome surprise given the growing practice of omitting chargers. The charging speeds are blisteringly fast, reaching 66 percent in just 30 minutes and 100 percent within an hour in our tests. What’s even more impressive is that the phone remained remarkably cool during charging, despite its rapid pace.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Performance
The Vivo V29 Pro is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8200 5G SoC, a processor known for its prowess in handling graphically demanding tasks. Benchmark results align with this reputation.
- AnTuTu v.10.1.0: 9,19,960
- Geekbench 6:
- Single core: 1,213
- Multi-core: 3,931
I tested the phone’s gaming capabilities with titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Real Racing 3. Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly, with minimal frame drops, allowing for high graphics settings. Real Racing 3 gameplay was similarly smooth, with no noticeable lag in animations. The phone did experience a slight heating during extended gaming sessions, but it remained manageable.
The Vivo V29 Pro runs on Funtouch 13, based on Android 13. While it features pre-installed apps, these can be removed, offering user control. The overall user experience is fluid and lag-free, reinforcing the premium feel of this device.
Vivo V29 Pro Review: Verdict
The Vivo V29 Pro is a strong contender in the sub-Rs. 40,000 price range, ticking all the essential boxes for a compelling smartphone experience. It boasts a premium design, a great display, exceptional camera capabilities, fast charging speeds, and a long-lasting battery. The Himalayan Blue colour option is particularly eye-catching. While the base model is a solid value proposition, the 12GB RAM variant is an even better choice.
However, there are a couple of drawbacks:
- Ultrawide Camera Performance: The ultrawide camera’s performance can be inconsistent, especially in low light.
- Lack of IP Rating: The absence of an IP rating for water and dust resistance is a missed opportunity.
For consumers who prioritize ultrawide camera performance and water resistance, the Google Pixel 7a (at Rs. 43,999) might be a better alternative, offering better ultrawide camera quality, IP67 protection, and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection.
Overall, the Vivo V29 Pro is a compelling option for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone experience with a strong focus on camera performance and a premium design. However, potential buyers should carefully consider their priorities and weigh the pros and cons against competing devices before making their final decision.
