The Breakdown
The Vivo V-series has consistently catered to users looking for stylish, camera-focused smartphones. The latest addition, the Vivo V50, continues this trend. It builds on the solid foundation set by its predecessor, the Vivo V40, with noticeable improvements. These include a bigger battery, a more durable design, upgraded software, and enhanced camera features for photography lovers. But does the Vivo V50 stand out in the crowded mid-range market? Let’s dive into this detailed review.
vivo V50 specifications
- 6.77-inch (2392 × 1080 pixels) FHD+ curved AMOLED 20:9 display, 120Hz refresh rate, 480Hz touch sampling rate, up to 4500 nits peak brightness, HDR10+, Diamond Shield Glass protection
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) Mobile Platform with Adreno 720 GPU
- 8GB / 12GB LPDDR4X RAM with 128GB / 256GB / 512GB UFS 2.2 storage
- Dual SIM (nano + nano)
- Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15
- 50MP rear camera with f/1.88 aperture, Omnivision OV50E 1/1.55″ sensor, OIS, ZEISS optics, 50MP ultra-wide camera with Samsung JN1 sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 4K video recording
- 50MP auto focus front-facing camera with Samsung JN1 sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 4K video recording
- In-display optical fingerprint sensor
- USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers
- Dimensions:163.29× 76.72× 7.39mm (Titanium Grey) / 7.57mm (Rose Red) / 7.67mm (Starry Night); Weight: 189g (Titanium Grey) / 199g (Starry Night) / 199g (Rose Red)
- Dust and Water resistant (IP68 + IP69)
- 5G SA/NSA (n1/n3/n5/n8/n28/n40/n66/n77/n78 bands), Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 6 802.11 be, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, USB Type-C 2.0
- 6000mAh (Typical) battery with 90W fast charging
Design and Display
The Vivo V50 maintains the sleek aesthetics of its predecessor, featuring curved edges and a premium glass back. A key upgrade is the redesigned circular camera module, now with a larger Aura ring light to boost low-light portrait photography. The device is available in two fresh colors—Starry Blue and Rose Red—offering users a stylish choice.
Vivo has made durability a priority with the V50. It comes with an IP69 water and dust resistance rating, making it one of the most robust devices in its category. The display is shielded by Advanced Shield Glass and a Custom Anti-Drop Protective Film, while shock-absorbing cushions at the four corners help prevent damage from accidental drops. Vivo states that the V50 has passed over 70 rigorous durability tests, including drop and twist tests.
The phone features a gorgeous 6.77-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and an impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits. This ensures vivid visuals, great outdoor visibility, and a seamless viewing experience. It also supports HDR10 and has Widevine L1 certification for high-quality streaming on platforms like Netflix.
Camera Performance
The Vivo V50 continues its strong camera legacy with a Zeiss-powered dual-camera system. It includes a 50MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor. For selfies and video calls, there’s a high-resolution 50MP front camera.
The camera software introduces several features designed to elevate portrait photography. These include seven portrait styles such as Distagon, Sonnar, and B-Speed, each delivering distinct bokeh effects. Additionally, the AI Studio Light Portrait 2.0 feature boosts light output by 100% compared to its predecessor, ensuring well-lit shots even in dim environments.
Camera Performance in Different Lighting Conditions
Daylight Photography
The Vivo V50 takes excellent daylight shots, with strong dynamic range and accurate color reproduction. Though it slightly lags behind competitors like the OnePlus 13R in sharpness, the images maintain a natural and balanced look. Ultra-wide shots also display good color consistency, though finer details can sometimes be lost compared to rivals.
Low-Light Photography
The Vivo V50 performs well in low-light conditions, producing balanced images with minimal noise. Cold tones help capture a more natural-looking scene. The AI-powered night mode further enhances shots, maintaining highlights and shadows for a visually pleasing outcome.
Portrait Mode and Selfies
Portrait shots from the Vivo V50 are impressive, with precise edge detection and a natural bokeh effect. However, facial details can sometimes appear slightly smoothened. On the other hand, the front camera excels, capturing facial details with accuracy while maintaining lifelike skin tones.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Vivo V50 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, delivering smooth performance for everyday tasks and multitasking. The phone offers up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, ensuring enough room for apps, photos, and videos.
Benchmark tests show that while the Vivo V50 is not the most powerful device in its segment, it competes well against rivals like the OnePlus 13R. It provides a reliable gaming experience, with minimal heating even during extended gameplay sessions in titles like Call of Duty and PUBG Mobile.
On the software front, the V50 runs FunTouch OS 15, based on Android 15. The interface remains intuitive, with AI-powered features such as AI Eraser 2.0 for removing unwanted objects from images and Circle to Search for quick web lookups. Vivo guarantees three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support.
Battery and Charging
One of the most attractive features of the Vivo V50 is its large 6,000mAh battery, designed for all-day use. Standard battery tests show the device lasting over 16 hours on a full charge, surpassing rivals like the OnePlus 13R and Motorola Edge 50 Pro.
Charging speed is another highlight. The Vivo V50 supports 90W wired fast charging, allowing the device to go from 20% to 100% in about 40 minutes. While not the fastest in its class (Motorola Edge 50 Pro offers 125W charging), its strong battery life balances out this minor drawback.
Final Verdict: Is the Vivo V50 Worth It?
At a starting price of INR 34,999 (around $403), the Vivo V50 presents a compelling option in the mid-range market. It competes strongly with the OnePlus 13R and Motorola Edge 50 Pro, offering a unique blend of camera excellence, premium design, and long-lasting battery life.
Reasons to Buy:
- Premium Build: Sleek and sturdy with an IP69 rating.
- Brilliant Display: 6.77-inch AMOLED panel with 4,500 nits peak brightness.
- Reliable Performance: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 ensures smooth multitasking and gaming.
- Powerful Camera System: Zeiss-powered 50MP sensors with advanced portrait modes.
- Long Battery Life: 6,000mAh battery with fast 90W charging.
Reasons to Avoid:
- Ultra-Wide Camera Could Be Better: Competes well but lacks some detail compared to rivals.
- Not the Fastest Performer: While efficient, it falls short of the raw power of the OnePlus 13R.
Overall, the Vivo V50 is a well-rounded smartphone that excels in photography, display quality, and battery life. If you value these aspects more than pure processing power, the Vivo V50 is a fantastic choice in the mid-range segment.
