📸 Vivo V40 Pro One Year Later: Is This ZEISS Camera Powerhouse Still Worth Buying in 2025?

Table of Contents

👋 Introduction

In this Vivo V40 Pro review 2025, we revisit the phone a year after its launch to assess whether its bold features—like the ZEISS‑tuned quad‑camera system, premium display, and efficient performance—still hold up against tougher competition. With camera‑first rivals like GT 6, Xiaomi 14 Civi, and Vivo’s own successors now in the market, it’s time to see if the V40 Pro still delivers meaningful value or if it’s been surpassed.

📦 Overview & Key Specs

Display: 6.78″ AMOLED, 1.5K (1260 x 2800px), 120 Hz, HDR10+, 4,500 nits peak brightness
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm)
Memory: Up to 12 GB RAM, 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage
Battery: 5,500 mAh with 80 W charging (≈37 minutes to full)
Cameras: Quad‑50 MP sensors with ZEISS optics (main + portrait + ultra‑wide + selfie)
Build: 192 g, 7.6 mm thin, IP68, stereo speakers
OS: Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14; promised 3 OS updates + 4 years of security patches

📷 Camera: Still a Hallmark Performer

A year later, the ZEISS‑co‑engineered camera system remains the phone’s strongest asset:

Daylight shots remain vibrant and detailed, with strong color pop and social-media appeal
Multifocal ZEISS portrait styles (Biotar, Planar, Sonnar, Distagon, etc.) continue to deliver professional-grade bokeh and edge separation
Low-light performance is impressive with Smart Aura Light and Night mode—though some image softness appears under extreme dimness
Telephoto mode only activates beyond 5 ft—short-range photos rely on digital cropping that tends to blur fine detail
Ultra-wide lens delivers acceptable daylight shots, but softness and color tint appear in low light
Selfie performance is solid with 50 MP autofocus—good in daylight, less accurate color indoors

In blind tests, the V40 Pro outpaced Realme GT 6 as winner in multiple photography scenarios.

⚙ Performance & Software: Ageing Gracefully… Mostly

Dimensity 9200+ still handles heavy apps, Genshin Impact, and multitasking with no hiccups
Benchmark scores remain competitive—Geekbench single-core ~1795 / multi-core ~5045; GPU performance solid
However, some users report post‑Android 15 lag, sluggish camera app, and camera focusing delays after major OS updates
As of mid‑2025, many users still await Funtouch OS 15 update or face stalled OTA rollout

🔋 Battery & Charging: Still Excellent

GSMArena lab tests show around 13–14 hours screen-on time, consistently ahead of many rivals with similar battery sizes
Real‑world usage: 14–15 hours typical SOT, with moderate gaming, streaming, and camera use
Charging from 0–100% takes approximately 37–50 minutes, depending on testing conditions

🎨 Design & Display: Premium Feels That Still Impress

The 1.5K AMOLED 120 Hz panel remains bright and vibrant, with top-notch sunlight visibility thanks to 4,500 nits peak brightness
With IP68 dust/water protection and stereo speakers, the build still competes well in mid‑range segment

❌ Limitations & Aging Concerns

Software issues post-update plague many users: overheating, battery drain, and lag have emerged in Reddit reports after Android 15 rollout
Camera weaknesses: telephoto non-activation at close range, soft ultra-wide in low light, and zoom artifacts beyond 5x digital
Competition: newer phones like Realme GT 6T, Xiaomi 14 Civi, and Vivo’s own successors bring AI-powered imaging, faster chips, and smoother updates

🧭 Final Verdict: Is Vivo V40 Pro Still Worth Buying in 2025?

Yes—with caveats. If you prioritize:

Portrait and daylight photography with natural bokeh and color,
Long battery life and fast charging,
Sleek, premium design with great display visibility,

then the Vivo V40 Pro remains a compelling mid-range choice in 2025—often available under ₹45,000 as a discounted value.

However, if you’re after:

AI-enhanced imaging,
Lag-free Android 15 performance,
Improved telephoto and ultra-wide lens quality,

then newer rivals launched in 2025 may serve you better.

Bottom line: The Vivo V40 Pro review 2025 shows it’s still worthy—but only if you’re buying for its camera-first strengths and battery reliability, not for fresh performance or AI features.

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