Like the Vivo V25 that I reviewed final yr, the Vivo V27 has an attention grabbing look that includes a trendy rear panel with a color-changing design.The V27 additionally shares a whole lot of the Vivo V27 Pro’s specs and options on the subject of the digicam, show, battery, charging pace, and extra whereas conserving the worth low. You can instantly discover the similarity between the 2 gadgets the second you lay your eyes on them.However, the common mannequin’s processor is a step down from its Pro sibling, being powered by MediaTek’s 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 chipset (the V27 Pro features a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC).Does this small distinction make an enormous discrepancy when it comes to efficiency? Or does the cheaper mannequin maintain its personal in real-world situations? This evaluate goals to primarily reply these questions.Vivo V27: Price and availability(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)While the V27 Pro is unique to the Indian market, the usual variant has a wider availability. You can seize the telephone at a base worth of $399 in additional than 25 markets, together with Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt, and the UAE.It’s value noting, although, that costs could differ by market.Today’s greatest Vivo V27 offersVivo V27: Design(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Unlike the Vivo V25, which seemed totally different from the Vivo V25 Pro, the V27 shares a whole lot of similarities with its Pro sibling this time. From the digicam design and curved show to the burden and dimensions, each fashions are troublesome to tell apart by simply the back and front panels.That’s not a nasty factor, because it implies that the usual V27 seems extra premium than it’s, at the very least on the floor. It doesn’t appear to be a typical mid-range handset, as an alternative sporting a high-end aesthetic. Vivo despatched me the Emerald Green mannequin, and to be sincere, I like this higher than the Magic Blue Vivo V27 Pro. While that telephone was comfy to wield, my most important gripe with its design was its slippery glass rear, and the matte end did not assist it.Like its predecessor, essentially the most charming aspect of the Vivo V27’s design is its color-changing again panel because of fluorite AG glass. Choose the Emerald Green model, just like the one I’ve, and also you’re in for a neat occasion trick any time the solar kisses the telephone’s rear panel. The inexperienced mannequin has a refined marble-like end operating throughout the higher portion of the again and fades into inexperienced on the decrease space.However, when it is uncovered to daylight or UV gentle, the colour adjustments to a darkish inexperienced. This provides you a enjoyable approach of quickly customizing your telephone utilizing stencils, for instance. When you place it again in a shadowy location, the colour returns to regular after a couple of minutes. This transition is barely noticeable, and whereas it serves no sensible goal, it provides a pleasant shimmer to the handset.The customary V27 has curved edges, which assist make it really feel slimmer than it truly is. This stands in stark distinction to the V25’s straight sides, which have been paying homage to the iPhone’s design. It has a typical shiny again, however nothing that’s simply smudged. The again panel can be immune to scuffs from on a regular basis scrapes when cohabiting with free change in my pocket throughout the weeks I examined the telephone.(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)There’s no water resistance ranking for the Vivo V27, however there’s rubberized sealing in areas the place water is most certainly to make entry, such because the SIM card tray. I do not see the shortage of an IP ranking as a significant downside so long as you are aware sufficient to maintain your telephone away from the pool or a water splash. This should not be an issue, both, since Vivo features a clear case within the field.Like the V27 Pro, the usual variant has a whole lot of high-end design parts, together with the shortage of a headphone jack and a microSD card slot. Both of those are components which will deter some consumers who may in any other case be on the lookout for these options in a smartphone. And whereas the body’s metallic end appears premium, it’s really polycarbonate.Vivo V27: Display(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Another shared aspect with the V27 Pro is the usual mannequin’s 6.78-inch show, which is sort of a large display by immediately’s requirements. Notwithstanding, the show is a particular deal with, with headline options together with a FullHD+ decision, HDR10+ help, and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh charge.It’s a vibrant AMOLED panel that is very nice to make use of, with a peak brightness of 1300 nits like its Pro sibling, which I discovered to be shiny sufficient underneath direct daylight and among the many highest I’ve seen in a mid-range mannequin. As is nearly at all times assured with an AMOLED panel, the show boasts impressively vivid colours with deep blacks and good distinction, making watching movies a specific deal with, though the only downward-facing speaker would not present a good soundscape. The sound is evident sufficient, however there is not any respectable bass just like the low-end oomph of stereo audio system. Regardless, a pair of Bluetooth headphones can repair this.There’s an in-screen fingerprint sensor as effectively, which works superb and offers a quick response once you maintain your finger to the display. While this type feels extra premium than the side-mounted kind, there’s no actual profit from in-display fingerprint scanners over the traditional side-loaded variety.If you hate the normal show notch of the Vivo V25, you may be happy to be taught that this has been ditched in favor of a way more palatable, centered punch-hole selfie digicam (extra on that later). The V27 additionally stacks up towards the Pro variant when it comes to hiding its thickness with twin curved screens.Vivo tends to place its V sequence because the extra interesting various for customers who care extra about outer look and really feel than the rest, though earlier common V sequence fashions weren’t as profitable as their Pro siblings. That adjustments with the V27.Vivo V27: Performance(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The Vivo V27 comes with both 8GB or 12GB of RAM and as much as 256GB of onboard storage. Vivo despatched me the larger reminiscence configuration. Anyway, each variants use MediaTek’s 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 chipset, whereas the Pro model has a Dimensity 8200 SoC. That chipset is just about new, having been unveiled final February, and solely the Vivo V27 ships with it up to now.It’s an amazing mid-range processor whose efficiency is akin to that of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, which is probably the perfect chipset for this worth level. As far as my expertise with the telephone goes, day-to-day efficiency is great, and I wasn’t left wanting for extra energy in regard to content material consumption, social media, shopping, and productiveness duties. The Vivo V27 isn’t any slouch on the subject of efficiency.While it might be true that the Dimensity 7200 is not going to be topping the benchmark charts, the telephone it powers can take care of gaming with no main hiccups. The telephone’s recreation assistant overlay performs an important position in attaining this, providing fast entry to numerous helpful options whereas taking part in, together with proscribing notifications and locking the display brightness.(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)I loved taking part in numerous video games on the Vivo V27, and the sleek body charges made most titles addictive. However, whereas much less intensive titles may push previous the 60fps restrict to benefit from the display’s 120Hz refresh charge, this wasn’t the case with graphically difficult video games like Genshin Impact. So, for those who’re on the hunt for a gaming telephone on a price range, the V27 will not be the apparent alternative.During the course of my testing, although, there have been transient moments when the display would freeze and animations would stutter. Though not fairly as performant as its Snapdragon counterpart in most situations, the Dimensity 7200 holds its personal in every day use and stacks up towards lots of our favourite price range Android telephones.It performs PUBG Mobile effectively, even with graphics maxed out. I must also comment that the V27 doesn’t simply get scorching once you play most cell video games, and it’s as snappy as you’d count on, aided by the responsive 120Hz refresh charge that makes scrolling really feel fluid. That stated, some apps can take a second or two to open, although that doesn’t have a big influence on the general expertise.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryVivo V27OSFuntouch OS 13 based mostly on Android 13Display6.78 inches, AMOLED, 1080 x 2400, 120Hz, HDR10+ProcessorMediatek Dimensity 7200 (4nm)RAM12GB (+8GB digital RAM)Storage256GBRear digicam 150MP, f/1.9 (large), PDAF, OISRear digicam 28MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)Rear digicam 32MP, f/2.4 (macro)Front digicam50MP, f/2.5 (large), AFConnectivityWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3AudioMono speakerSecurityFingerprint sensor (in-display)Battery & charging4600mAh, 66W wired chargingDimensions164.1 x 74.8 x 7.4 mmWeight180gColorsMagic Blue, Noble Black, Emerald Green, Flowing GoldVivo V27: Battery life(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Like the V27 Pro, the common mannequin packs a 4600mAh battery, and it has no subject lasting all day away from a charger. Like many fashions on this worth vary that I’ve examined, the V27 would get me by the day with out dipping into the pink for reasonable operations resembling taking pictures, shopping the web, taking part in YouTube movies, and watching films.I used to be impressed by the telephone’s battery life as effectively, and I typically discovered myself going to mattress with 30 p.c left within the tank on common. The Vivo V27 additionally features a chunky 66W charger, which is an influence ranking you’ll hardly ever discover in the intervening time on this worth vary. So, when it is time to juice it up, the telephone’s battery can stand up to round 60 p.c in half an hour on the charger, or 100 p.c in round 45 minutes.If you go for the “Smart Switch” refresh charge setting, which mechanically selects the suitable display refresh charge based mostly on precise utilization, in addition to different battery-friendly configurations, the telephone may get by on a single cost for a day and a half.Unfortunately, there isn’t wi-fi charging help, although that’s not unusual in mid-range fashions.Vivo V27: Cameras(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Moving on to the V27’s digicam, it is once more much like the V27 Pro, which is not a nasty factor. This implies that you get a triple rear digicam setup consisting of a most important 50MP f/1.9 snapper, aided by an 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor. However, the auxiliary cameras are a bit underwhelming, with solely the ultra-wide shooter coming in helpful on sure events. For most situations, particularly close-ups, you may get one of the best outcomes through the use of the primary or selfie digicam.Vivo appears to have doubled down on photographic efficiency, which is clearly the important thing focus of this sequence. This turns into extra evident with the phrases “professional photography” printed throughout the highest of the telephone. There is a few fact to this declare, and the V27 has a few of the most spectacular cameras I’ve seen in a mid-range telephone.(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The most important digicam captures pictures with comparatively correct colours and respectable dynamic vary when the auto HDR mode is turned on. However, zooming in on a photograph reveals some artifacts and aggressive sharpening.Vivo’s picture processing is difficult to disregard right here, as is often the case with each V sequence launch. There are a plethora of filters to select from, in addition to presets and enhancement choices that you could play with within the digicam app.As anticipated, the macro digicam doesn’t impress, so that you’re higher off utilizing the 2x digital zoom of the primary shooter. On the opposite hand, the ultra-wide lens does seize respectable pictures in daylight, however there is a noticeable drop intimately in low-light situations, the place movement blur turns into an actual drawback.Thankfully, that is conveniently remedied by the night time mode, which does a wonderful job of preserving particulars with spectacular dynamic vary. With the primary digicam, I did not have an issue taking pictures with out blur because of the included OIS stabilization and phase-detect autofocus.Flip the V27 and you may see the identical punch-hole cutout for the selfie snapper as on the Pro mannequin. It’s the identical 50MP sensor as final yr’s mannequin, and it is greater than sufficient for selfies with pretty correct edge detection. However, with the f/2.5 aperture, you need to keep away from low-light environments.Image 1 of 11Vivo V27 Night mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Night mode in large angle (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Portrait mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 digicam samplesVivo V27 regular Photo mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Photo mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Photo mode in daytime (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Photo mode in daytime (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 entrance digicam (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Night mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Photo mode in large angle (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Vivo V27 Photo mode (Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)Video recording is a bit underwhelming in comparison with the V27 Pro. You can solely shoot at as much as 4K/30fps on each the rear and entrance cameras of the common mannequin. At this decision and body charge, there’s restricted stabilization. The extra stabilized 4K/60fps functionality is unique to the Pro mannequin.That stated, footage will get a lot smoother at 1080p/60fps. All video recording modes depend on the first digicam, so you’ll be able to’t shoot video with the ultra-wide lens.Regardless, the Vivo V27 is a digicam winner general and represents one of many easiest implementations of Vivo’s photographic chops so far.Vivo V27: Software(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)The Vivo V27 runs Android 13 and has the Funtouch OS 13 pores and skin utilized on high. It has a reasonably clear interface with a recognizable structure. However, it has a distinct strategy to Android 13 than most consumers on inventory Android are used to. For occasion, you may encounter stylized icons and additional performance that’ll take some endurance to familiarize your self with, although they’re fairly simple to deal with when you be taught the ropes.Like earlier variations of Funtouch OS, this iteration is not shy about its obsession with widgets. This means there’s a complete part devoted to widgets within the app drawer.The pores and skin additionally comes with a bunch of helpful options for recreation optimization and battery administration. However, I used to be bummed with the inclusion of pre-installed bloatware, although this observe has turn into the norm for smartphones from Chinese OEMs. So, there is not any shock right here.It’s not a completely irritating expertise since you’ve the choice to take away nearly all of undesirable apps and set up those you want seeing on your private home display or app drawer.Despite eliminating bloatware apps, I’m nonetheless reminded every time I unbox most of these handsets that I’m holding a budget-friendly mannequin in my hand. But the V27 simply manages to hide its low-cost nature fairly surprisingly elsewhere.My largest frustration is the shortage of Vivo’s dedication to software program updates, like with its earlier fashions on this sequence. While mid-range rivals just like the Google Pixel 7a and a few of Samsung’s Galaxy A fashions get three and 4 years of OS updates, respectively, Vivo has but to comply with swimsuit.Vivo V27: Competition(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)The Vivo V27 is a stable mid-ranger that may simply compete with in style price range fashions from Samsung and different Chinese telephone makers. While you’d hardly ever discover a handset powered by a Dimensity 7200 chipset, some fashions just like the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G could show to be a worthy choice, albeit at a better worth. Samsung’s newest mid-range mannequin begins at $500, which will get you 5000mAh of battery, stereo audio system, splash resistance, and Gorilla Glass 5 safety.If you are out there for a less expensive various, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro simply involves thoughts. It begins at round $290 and comes with an even bigger 5000mAh battery. It features a much less highly effective Dimensity 1080 SoC, but it surely will get the job achieved for less-intensive duties.The Vivo V27 has a greater processor, a better display decision, and a extra premium design. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro has a bigger battery, a extra versatile digicam system, and a lower cost.Vivo V27: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Jay Bonggolto / Android Central)You should purchase it if…You’re on the lookout for glorious efficiency from a mid-range telephone.You need a lovely, tremendous {smooth} show with extremely sharp and vibrant colours.You love a digicam system that takes nice pictures in a wide range of lighting situations.You like a modern and classy design that can flip heads.You shouldn’t purchase it if…You are on the lookout for a telephone with clear and quick software program expertise.You plan on storing a whole lot of pictures, movies, or apps, because the telephone will seemingly run out of house rapidly.You are on the lookout for a telephone with good stereo sound.The Vivo V27 is a superb mid-range telephone that has a whole lot of what I like in a price range smartphone: an costly look, a big display, and stellar cameras. The most important shooter, specifically, exceeds my expectations in low-light environments, and whereas the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 will not be as high-profile as some Qualcomm choices or its Pro sibling’s Dimensity 8200, it holds its personal in graphic-intensive duties and demanding video games.There’s no official IP ranking, neither is there any point out of Gorilla Glass safety. And for those who’ve been utilizing smartphones with inventory Android expertise just like the Pixel 6a or 7a, you may discover Funtouch OS a bit fiddly to make use of.Vivo’s lack of software program replace dedication is one other concern, with the V27 unlikely to obtain Android 14 when it hits the steady channel later this yr. So, whereas this telephone is a looker and has succesful {hardware}, it’s not fairly the perfect price range telephone for everybody.
Elegant mid-ranger
The Vivo V27 is a trendy telephone with a curved show and a flexible digicam. If you are on the lookout for an all-around mid-range telephone that feels premium within the hand however will not break the financial institution, this can be a telephone to think about.
Vivo V27: Price Comparison