Just ahead of the festive sale season, Vivo has upgraded arguably its most popular V series with the Vivo V29 and V29 Pro. Both of these phones succeeds the V27 Series, where we first saw the wedding-style portrait mode. With the V29 Series, Vivo is adding another feather to its camera prowess called Aura Light, which claims to improve shots in tricky lighting conditions. Earlier this month, they shared a Vivo V29 Pro review unit with us. After using it for more than a week, here are our thoughts about the phone.
VIVO V29 Pro Review Snapshot
Editor’s rating: 3.9/5
Design
Display
Software
Performance
Camera
Battery
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Pros
- Stylish Design
- Good Performance
- Bright Display
- Reliable Camera System
- Fast Charging
Cons
- Bloatware
- Subpar Wide-Angle Lens
Vivo V29 Pro Price in India
- Vivo V29 Pro 8GB+256GB – ₹39,999
- Vivo V29 Pro 12GB+256GB – ₹42,999
Vivo V29 Pro review: Design
Vivo, under the V series banner, has been known for offering some striking rear panel designs, sleek side frames, and curved edge displays. The Vivo V29 Pro continues this design trend, making subtle adjustments to the rear panel. I have the Vivo V29 Pro in the Himalayan Blue color option, which utilizes “3D magnetic and nano-scale magnetic particles” technology to create a floating mountain texture on the back. The intricate multi-layered pattern on the rear panel vividly captures the essence of the majestic Himalayan range. Vivo’s team told us that they employed a staggering 15 million micron-sized magnetic particles to meticulously shape this Himalayan-inspired pattern, resulting in a delightful shimmer when exposed to light.
Vivo is known for making some exceptionally designed smartphones and this one is no different. You get a sleek, yet stylish device that surely stands out of the crowd. Vivo said that it has implemented an innovative 3D magnetic particle design at the back panel which uses 15 million micron-sized magnetic particles to form a specific pattern creating a unique light and shadow effect.
The Himalayan Blue colour option showcases a multi-layered pattern that gives a vibe of the beautiful Himalayan range. Although you might not notice it right away, the pattern grows on you with time.
You also get a 3D borderless curved screen that looks premium. The curved edges and slim side profile ensure it feels comfortable in hand while holding it for long hours. If you can slap in the silicon case that comes within the box. The side frames are made of plastic with right edge featuring volume rocker and power button both of which offer good tactile feedback. At the bottom edge of the phones, you have a Type-C charging port, SIM tray, and a set of speakers.
Vivo V29 Pro review: Display
The Vivo V29 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch Full HD+ 3D curved AMOLED display with a centered hole-punch for the selfie camera, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 1,300 nits. This display delivered sharp and vibrant performance, even in bright sunlight.
The phone offers three refresh rate modes: 60Hz, 120Hz, and Smart Switch. The latter two modes use 120Hz for the user interface and supported apps, seamlessly switching to 60Hz for static images, videos, and incompatible apps like Google Maps and the Camera app.
Widevine L1 certification allows HD content playback on streaming services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. It also supports HDR content on Netflix and YouTube. Vivo enhances video streaming with a Visual Enhancement option, optimizing colors and contrast for apps like YouTube and Netflix to enhance visual quality.
Moreover, the V29 Pro features a responsive in-display fingerprint scanner for secure and quick unlocking.
Vivo V29 Pro review: Software and Performance
The Vivo V27 Pro runs Android 13 with Funtouch OS 13. Like its predecessors, the V29 Pro should receive two years of Android updates and three years of monthly security updates. Funtouch OS offers software enhancements, personalization options, privacy features, and controls. However, it comes with pre-installed apps, including game folders, which may clutter the phone. This is a common issue with Chinese phone brands, not exclusive to Vivo.
Vivo continues to use the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, based on 4nm technology, with 8 cores. One Arm Cortex A78 core runs at 3.1GHz, three Arm Cortex A78 cores at 3.0GHz, and four Arm Cortex A55 cores at 2.0GHz. This MediaTek chipset has a solid track record. Vivo pairs it with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and offers 256GB of storage.
In everyday use, the smartphone performs well, handling tasks like calling, social media, video streaming, gaming, and emails smoothly. It doesn’t overheat during use. Benchmark scores are competitive, and it handles games like BGMI and Call Of Duty Mobile at Very High graphics and Ultra frame rates, with some warmth during gaming but not excessively. It also runs Genshin Impact decently, considering the game’s demanding performance requirements, making the V29 series suitable for gaming enthusiasts.
Vivo V29 Pro Camera review
The Vivo V29 Pro’s camera setup has received a significant upgrade, making it a standout feature of the device. Leading the rear camera setup is a powerful 50MP camera with an impressive f/1.88 aperture, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Sony IMX766 sensor, and the capability for 4K 60 fps video recording. This primary camera is complemented by a 12MP portrait camera featuring the Sony IMX663 sensor with an f/1.98 aperture and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. Notably, Vivo introduced the Aura Light with the Vivo V27 Pro earlier this year, and it has undergone further improvements. The Aura Light now offers increased brightness and allows users to adjust its color temperature. This enhancement proves especially handy in challenging ambient lighting conditions, resulting in better photography outcomes. Additionally, the Vivo V29 Pro boasts a 50MP autofocus front camera with an f/2.0 aperture and support for 4K 60 fps video recording.
In well-lit conditions, the camera excels at capturing intricate details. The resulting photos are exceptionally sharp, with accurate color reproduction evident in most images. For instance, you can observe the sky’s color accuracy and the crispness of leaves in the provided samples. However, it’s worth noting that while the wide-angle lens captures a broader field of view, there may be a slight compromise in picture quality.
When it comes to nighttime photography, the Vivo V29 Pro truly shines, largely thanks to its 50MP OIS camera. Even under extremely low light conditions, the camera manages to retain substantial detail while keeping graininess in check. However, when lighting conditions are more favorable, you can expect exceptionally detailed shots, as demonstrated in the sample photos above.
For those who appreciate portrait photography, the V29 Pro delivers an enjoyable experience. In daytime scenarios, it captures detailed subject images with smooth bokeh effects in the background and well-defined edges. It’s worth mentioning that Vivo’s algorithms slightly enhance saturation, resulting in colors that appear more vivid than usual. Additionally, the phone offers the option to capture 2x portrait shots, delivering pleasing results both in daylight and at night.
The phone also supports video recording at up to 4K resolution and 60 fps, although full stabilization is available at 4K 30fps settings. To fully leverage video stabilization, users can opt for 1080p at 60fps. Regardless of the setting, the recorded videos are characterized by sharpness, rich detail, and natural color reproduction, enhancing the overall videography experience.
Vivo V29 Pro review: Battery Life
The Vivo V29 Pro offers impressive battery performance, despite its 4,600mAh capacity. During our extensive testing, we found that the device easily lasted a full day with some battery life to spare. Our daily activities included internet browsing, scrolling through social feeds, watching YouTube, and more. Vivo provides an 80W fast charger with the phone, capable of charging it from 0 to 100 percent in just 48 minutes, minimizing downtime.
Vivo V29 Pro Review Verdict
The Vivo V29 Pro presents a compelling package with several strengths and a few shortcomings. Its sleek design and distinctive back panel design set it apart from the competition. In terms of performance, it handles everyday tasks capably, making it a reliable choice. The display impresses with its high peak brightness and sharp visuals, enhancing the overall user experience. Moreover, the camera system proves to be dependable across various lighting conditions.
However, there are notable downsides to consider. The ultra wide-angle camera is not that impressive. Additionally, bloatware in the user interface might be a drawback for some users, particularly considering the phone’s price point.
Reasons to buy
- Stylish Design
- Good Performance
- Bright Display
- Reliable Camera System
- Fast Charging
Reasons to not buy
- Bloatware
- Subpar Wide-Angle Lens
