Vivo V30 Pro review: Svelte design, stunning cameras

Vivo’s V collection has at all times been about delivering svelte designs and good cameras within the mid-range section, and the Chinese producer is taking issues to an entire new stage in 2024. The model’s Zeiss integration is being prolonged to cowl the V collection with the introduction of the V30 and V30 Pro, and that makes issues very attention-grabbing.Obviously, Vivo is not the one model to do that; Xiaomi additionally did the identical factor final yr with the Xiaomi 13T collection, bringing Leica-tuned imaging modules to its mid-range portfolio. Where Vivo has an edge is with the design; the V30 Pro appears to be like gorgeous, and it’s the thinnest and sleekest telephone I used this yr.But it is the cameras that really stand out. The telephone has a trio of 50MP cameras on the again, and so they’re a major improve over final yr. You get a 50MP digital camera on the entrance as nicely, and it does an excellent job with selfies.Vivo additionally has a brand new design on the again that appears fairly placing, and the model by some means managed to fit in a 5000mAh battery into a tool that is simply 7.45mm thick. I used the Vivo V30 Pro for the higher a part of every week, and here is why I believe the telephone is a good alternative in the event you’re seeking to swap to a brand new mid-range system in 2024.Vivo V30 Pro: Pricing and launch date(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Vivo unveiled the V30 Pro on February 28, and the telephone will go on sale within the coming weeks in choose areas — India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, and Taiwan. The telephone is launching in Indonesia and Thailand initially, and is slated to debut alongside the usual V30 in India on March 7.The V30 Pro is ready to retail at IDR 7,999Ok ($510) in Indonesia, and THB 19,999 ($555) in Thailand. Vivo is releasing two configurations of the V30 Pro in world markets: a base mannequin with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and a 12GB/512GB model.Vivo V30 Pro: Design(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Vivo is aware of a factor or two about fashionable designs, and the V30 Pro could be one in every of its finest choices but. The telephone has an unbelievably svelte profile, and switching from the Honor Magic 6 Pro, I instantly observed the distinction. The telephone has comparable dimensions because the V29 collection, however the general design appears to be like a lot cleaner due to the modifications on the again.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The V30 Pro makes use of a brand new digital camera housing that appears way more elegant, with Vivo switching out the blocky rectangular design with a refined housing that appears nice. The key differentiator for these gadgets is that the digital camera housing does not jut out from the chassis, so there is not any wobble when utilizing the V30 Pro on a desk.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The digital camera island has smaller rings round every module, and I discover this ironic as a result of final yr’s design had arguably mediocre auxiliary cameras that had been slotted into big rings. This time round, the V30 Pro encompasses a trio of 50MP cameras on the again, however they’re housed in diminutive rings.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)There’s a purpose for this, and it has to do with the Aura Light; the function is mainly an auxiliary flash module that is designed to provide a lightweight that is brighter and softer than the common LED flash sensor, and it does a terrific job in low-light conditions. I’ll cowl Aura Light intimately within the digital camera part, however the extra of the module means the precise digital camera housing is smaller.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The design additionally has loads going for it, significantly the Bloom White model that mimics the “delicate gradient color scheme of flower petals with a serene white base, seamlessly transitioning into a subtle blue gradient.” The gradient impact is delicate, and it appears to be like very cool. You additionally get a delicate shimmer sample on the again, the matte texture is a delight to make use of, and it’s placing to behold — it appears to be like a lot better than its product photographs recommend.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Anyway, I obtained the V30 in Bloom White and the V30 Pro in Noble Black, and the black model is as plain as designs get in 2024. It has a shimmering glow as nicely, and the frosted glass design means you aren’t getting a lot smudging. The telephone has flowing curves at the back and front, and this lets you maintain the system comfortably.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)That mentioned, there is not a lot to carry on to on the sides, and I’d recommend getting a transparent case to make use of with the system (there’s one bundled within the field). The energy and quantity buttons are on the appropriate, the SIM card tray is on the backside, and also you get the identical metallic plate up high because the X100 Pro, nevertheless it says Professional Portrait this time.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)There’s additionally IP54 ingress safety, and whereas it is not nearly as good because the IP68 ranking that almost all gadgets on this section provide, it’s higher than nothing — which was the case till final yr. The solely design quibble is that the telephone is a bit tall, however aside from that, Vivo nailed the general aesthetic.Vivo V30 Pro: Display(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The V30 Pro has a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh, and it ticks all the appropriate packing containers: it has good coloration saturation and vibrancy, will get extremely shiny in out of doors use, and has HDR10+. The panel goes as much as 2800 nits in HDR content material, and as much as 1200 nits in out of doors use.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The panel has good customizability, and Vivo’s always-on mode has loads of distinctive kinds. I did not see any points in day by day use, and the display screen is nice for streaming content material and taking part in video games. The display screen refresh is ready to Smart Switch out of the field, however you may manually toggle between 60Hz and 120Hz from the settings.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)Although the system is on the broader aspect, the svelte design means it is not uncomfortable within the least in day by day use, and having examined the Nubia Z60 Ultra not too long ago, I am unable to consider two gadgets which have such a contrasting design. I additionally just like the curved panel, and it permits the system to face out on this section. There is stereo sound right here, nevertheless it does not get significantly loud or detailed.Vivo V30 Pro: Performance and battery(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)While Vivo modified numerous issues this yr, the V30 Pro makes use of the identical Dimensity 8200 platform as final yr’s V29 Pro and V27 Pro. It is constructed on a 4nm node and is first rate in day by day use, nevertheless it has older Cortex A78 and A55 cores, and so they simply do not measure up in 2024. Most telephones on this class use Arm v9 cores as commonplace — the Cortex A710 and A510 — and the effectivity good points with the 4nm node are offset by way of older cores.While the system is not gradual as such, it does not fairly ship the identical stage of efficiency as its rivals, significantly with regards to gaming. Vivo does not place this as a gaming telephone, and I perceive the model’s reasoning to make use of a secure platform with confirmed reliability, however it is a downside of its personal making. Vivo’s insistence to launch a brand new system within the V collection each six months, and there is solely a lot that may truly change between generations.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategoryVivo V30Vivo V30 ProOnePlus 12RPCMark Work 3.0 (Overall)105601078912189PCMark Work 3.0 (Web Browsing)7950850312111PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Editing)586651625548PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing)122251576415752PCMark Work 3.0 (Photo Editing)230652458619074Geekbench 6 (single-core)109912591332Geekbench 6 (multi-core)3144383244753DMark Wild Life Extreme (rating)1491181836863DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS)8.93510.86522.07This is clear with regards to gaming, with the V30 Pro not going managing to carry its personal in opposition to highly effective gadgets — the one system that is slower is the usual V30. You can nonetheless get playable framerates in demanding titles supplied you flip down the settings, however there’s seen jitter. I wasn’t in a position to run the Solar Bay check as 3DMark highlighted a Vulkan error, however in real-world utilization eventualities, there are not any points launching video games. If you play informal video games and do not care about getting one of the best framerates in demanding titles, the V30 Pro might be a good alternative. It has good thermal administration, and my unit did not cross 44 levels even after prolonged use. At that time, it obtained noticeably heat, however not too uncomfortable.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The telephone does not fairly have the newest connectivity; you get Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, however there are first rate Sub-6 5G bands, and also you get the AptX HD codec. While Android producers are doing a very good job switching to the USB 3.1 commonplace on their high-end telephones, the V30 Pro’s USB-C port continues to be based mostly on USB 2.0, and it’s restricted in its usability outdoors of charging the system.When it involves battery, the V30 Pro does an impressive job. The 5000mAh battery manages to final a day comfortably, and I did not see any points with the system on this regard even with heavy use. And when it’s essential to cost it, the telephone takes a smidgen over 45 minutes to cost the battery through the bundled 80W charger.Vivo V30 Pro: Cameras(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The greatest situation with even one of the best mid-range telephones is the dearth of fine auxiliary sensors; most telephones on this section have a very good principal digital camera, however manufacturers usually throw in a median wide-angle lens and an unusable macro or portrait lens simply to spherical out the advertising and marketing supplies.That is not the case with the V30 Pro; Vivo is delivering a powerful digital camera bundle with the system, and that features a trio of 50MP cameras on the again. The principal 50MP digital camera makes use of a Sony IMX920 module and has OIS, the 50MP wide-angle makes use of Samsung’s ISOCELL JN1 and has autofocus, and the 50MP has a Sony IMX816 and goes as much as 2x optical zoom. The identical 50MP ISOCELL JN1 is getting used on the entrance, and the V30 Pro takes one of the best selfies on this class.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)A key function this yr is Aura Light; that is primarily a hoop LED mild that augments the principle flash module, and it’s designed to ship even lighting whereas retaining a very good texture — consider it as a miniature ring mild that is hooked up to the again of the system. What I like concerning the function is which you can swap between cool and heat hues, and you may set it to kick in when ambient lighting goes below a threshold or have it at all times enabled.The V30 Pro marks the introduction of Zeiss lenses to the V collection, and the digital camera UI will get a toggle that permits you to swap between the three obtainable modes: Vivid, Textured, and Zeiss Natural. The Vivid mode is chosen out of the field, and it produces vibrant colours that look nice. As the identify suggests, the Zeiss Natural mode delivers correct colours.The digital camera interface itself is unchanged, and also you get the capturing modes, lens choice, macro toggle, Google Lens, flash settings, and sweetness results on the viewfinder.Image 1 of 9(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The V30 Pro takes nice photographs in daylight situations, with good dynamic vary and coloration rendition general. Vivo continues to be a bit on the aggressive aspect with regards to smoothening particulars of foliage, however aside from that, there are not any points on this space. The wide-angle lens does a terrific job in daylight eventualities as nicely, producing photographs with nice colours and good element retrieval.The 50MP zoom lens solely goes as much as 2x optical zoom, however its greatest power is as a portrait shooter. In truth, that is the place the V30 Pro really comes into its personal; the telephone enables you to select between six Zeiss bokeh kinds, and it takes among the finest portraits of any system at 2x. This is what I like essentially the most concerning the Xiaomi 13 Ultra and Vivo X100 Pro, and to see an analogous caliber of photographs out of a mid-ranger is a giant deal.Switching to low-light, the V30 Pro manages to take stellar photographs even with little to no ambient mild, and once more, that is significantly higher than what the V29 Pro was in a position to obtain final yr. The wide-angle lens struggles a bit on this space, however you continue to get usable photographs, and portrait photographs at 2x look nice at evening as nicely.Overall, the V30 Pro has among the finest digital camera packages of any mid-range telephone, and the versatile lenses give the telephone a definite edge.Vivo V30 Pro: Software(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The V30 Pro runs Funtouch OS 14 based mostly on Android 14 out of the field, and the software program is clear and is assured to be fluid for a minimum of 4 years. Vivo says it continuously optimizes the software program to make sure it does not decelerate, and contemplating the caliber of the {hardware} obtainable, will probably be attention-grabbing to see if these claims are literally legitimate.Anyway, I like what Vivo did with Funtouch OS 14, and identical to the X100 Pro, you get loads of customizability. There are a number of Material You design influences, however for essentially the most half, Vivo has its personal styling, and numerous it’s much like OxygenOS — not astonishing given each use ColorOS as a basis.(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)At least Vivo has numerous customized options of its personal that you aren’t getting inside ColorOS, and general, it’s good to make use of; the UI appears to be like polished, and it’s optimized.The greatest situation with the software program is that the V30 Pro will get simply two Android OS updates together with three years of safety updates, and that simply is not sufficient. While earlier fashions within the V collection additionally had the identical assure, the V30 collection is considerably costlier, and with all of Vivo’s rivals providing a minimum of three platform updates as commonplace, the model must rethink its technique.Vivo V30 Pro: The competitors(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)The OnePlus 12R is the apparent various to the V30 Pro, with each gadgets costing roughly the identical. The 12R has a lot better {hardware}, and also you get a brighter display screen, bigger battery, and extra software program updates. The principal digital camera is terrific as nicely, nevertheless it is not a lot better than the V30 Pro, and the auxiliary lenses aren’t well worth the trouble.If you just like the look of the V30 Pro, the usual Vivo V30 is a good various as nicely. It has the identical 50MP digital camera on the again and a 50MP wide-angle lens, however you miss out on the zoom lens. The 50MP digital camera on the entrance is excellent as nicely, and also you get the identical svelte design.Vivo V30 Pro: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)You can purchase this if:You want a mid-range telephone with terrific camerasYou desire a smooth system that is skinny and light-weightYou want a big battery that lasts all dayYou should not purchase this if:You want long-term software program updatesYou desire a gaming telephoneIt’s laborious to carve out a distinct segment within the mid-range section, however Vivo managed to do exactly that with the V30 Pro. Thanks to 3 50MP cameras on the again and one other 50MP lens up entrance, the V30 Pro delivers a flexible digital camera bundle that you just simply do not get on every other system aside from true flagships, and that offers the system a professional edge.If something, I’m stunned Samsung and Xiaomi have not considered doing this already. Come to think about it, there aren’t many faults with the V30 Pro; the design is totally gorgeous — you need to simply get the Bloom White mannequin — the battery lasts all day, the display screen is nice to make use of, and the system is considerably thinner than every other 2024 telephone.Vivo turned its software program efforts round as nicely, and Funtouch OS 14 is clear and has numerous helpful options. The solely draw back is that the telephone will not get as many platform updates, and it’s costlier than its predecessor. Vivo’s world availability can also be missing, and the V30 Pro is not launching outdoors of some Southeast Asian international locations.That mentioned, I ended up liking the V30 Pro much more than I assumed I’d, and I could not say the identical for any of its predecessors. Vivo’s choice to make use of sturdy cameras and prolong its Zeiss collaboration to the mid-range provides the V30 Pro one thing you do not see usually on this class: uniqueness.