Vivo has introduced a new member to its V series – the latest Vivo V50. The new V50 resembles its predecessor, the V40; however, the Zeiss branding on the camera lens distinguishes it. Post this, there are no expectations of another Pro model in the V50 family as of now. Taking a balanced approach, the phone features a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, an upgraded camera, and a larger battery. Now, let’s take a closer look at all the offerings in the Vivo V50.
Design
The Vivo V50 maintains the sleek and stylish design language of the V series, featuring a curved body with an elongated circular camera module on the rear. This time, Vivo has added a larger Aura ring light, which enhances low-light portrait photography.
Vivo has significantly improved the durability of the V50, equipping it with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance—a step up from most mid-range phones. The device also features Advanced Shield Glass with Custom Anti-Drop Protective Film and shock-absorbing corner cushions, making it more resilient against accidental drops.
Available in two colour options—Starry Blue and Rose Red, the phone’s glossy back offers a dynamic, light-based effect, revealing a starry pattern under different lighting conditions. The in-display fingerprint scanner remains a reliable and quick biometric unlock solution. The Vivo V50 feels premium, lightweight, and pocket-friendly, making it a comfortable everyday driver.
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Display
The Vivo V50 sports a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. The thin bezels on all four sides provide an immersive experience for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use. With 4,500 nits peak brightness, the screen remains visible even under direct sunlight, ensuring a seamless user experience outdoors.
In addition to HDR10 support and Widevine L1 certification, the display offers razor-sharp clarity, deep contrasts, and vibrant colours. Whether you’re watching Netflix, playing games, or browsing social media, the panel delivers a smooth, visually engaging experience.
OS & AI
The Vivo V50 runs on FunTouch OS 15, based on Android 15, providing a clean, feature-packed user interface. While there are some pre-installed apps, third-party apps are limited and can be uninstalled if needed. Vivo has incorporated several AI-driven features to improve user efficiency.
AI-powered tools such as AI Eraser 2.0 and Circle to Search enhance productivity, allowing users to quickly remove unwanted objects from photos or search the web seamlessly. Live Call Translation and AI Transcript Assist bring real-time translations and text transcriptions to improve accessibility. The interface remains smooth and intuitive, making FunTouch OS 15 a user-friendly and well-optimised experience.
Processor
The Vivo V50 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, making it a reliable performer for day-to-day tasks, gaming, and multitasking. For this review, I had the 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage variant. There are other RAM and ROM options for users wanting a bit higher specifications.
In benchmark tests, the Vivo V50 scored 1,133 in single-core and 3,084 in multi-core tests on Geekbench, putting it on par with competitors in this price range. The device runs lag-free, even during heavy usage, making it an ideal choice for users who demand consistent performance.
Gaming is also a smooth experience, with BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile running at high frame rates without noticeable lag. Vivo has integrated an advanced cooling system that effectively dissipates heat, ensuring consistent performance during long gaming sessions.
Camera
Vivo has long been known for its camera expertise, and the Vivo V50 continues that tradition. The smartphone features a dual rear camera setup powered by Zeiss optics, consisting of a 50 MP OIS primary sensor and a 50 MP ultrawide sensor with a 119-degree FoV. For selfies, it has a 50 MP front camera—one of the best in the segment.
Vivo V50 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Daylight shots on the Vivo V50 are impressive, with natural colour reproduction, sharp details, and excellent dynamic range with true-to-life colours without excessive saturation. The ultrawide camera maintains colour consistency but could have slightly better sharpness at the edges.
Vivo V50 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Low-light photography is also on point. The Aura ring light and AI-powered enhancements significantly improve night shots, producing well-lit images with minimal noise. Portrait shots are also refined, with enhanced edge detection and multiple bokeh effects, such as Distagon, Sonnar, and B-Speed—all optimised for wedding photography.
Vivo V50 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
The selfie camera delivers stunning results, with well-balanced exposure, accurate skin tones, and enhanced background blur.
Battery
The Vivo V50 is backed by a 6,000 mAh battery, ensuring a full day of use even under heavy workloads. The device supports 90 W fast charging, which can recharge the battery from 20% to 100% in approximately 40 minutes. The charging power of Vivo V50 surpasses what we saw in the latest OnePlus 13R.
Verdict
The Vivo V50 brings an interesting proposition to the table, making it a strong contender in the premium smartphone market with its shimmery and matte design. The upgraded battery, AI-enhanced software, and Zeiss-powered cameras make it a worthy choice for users prioritising photography and multimedia consumption.
However, competition remains fierce, with the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro offering comparable specifications, while having used the same processor more than a year ago. If you’re upgrading from an older Vivo V-series device or looking for a stylish, camera-focused smartphone, the Vivo V50 can be an enticing option.
Published – February 25, 2025 03:59 pm IST
