vivo V29 5G Review: Is it a balanced camera phone?

October 04, 2023, 09:13 AM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- October 04, 2023, 09:13 AM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- October 04, 2023, 09:37 AM

vivo V29 5G Review: Is it a balanced camera phone?

vivo V29 5G (Image: vivo.com)

vivo has undeniably made significant strides in the competitive smartphone market in recent times. V Series lineup of vivo offers well-balanced devices featuring innovative Camera technology, standard performance, and smooth user experience. In this legacy, vivo launched the V29, a camera focused phone in September 2023. V29 is blessed with a powerful front camera to meet the needs of today’s self portraying generation. Does this device offer the same competency in other segments? Let’s review the key specs, pros and cons of the vivo V29 5G smartphone.

Key Features of vivo V29 5G

Design

The vivo V29 smartphone aims to revive the trend of curved waterfall displays in the premium segment. Its glass sandwich design, curved screen, and substantial camera module make it visually striking but notably slippery. The package includes a recommended TPU case. Despite its sleekness, the V29 offers comfortable one-handed use at 186g and 164.2 mm by 74.4 mm bu 7.5 mm dimension with a 90% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive display.

Features include an under-display fingerprint reader, USB-C charging, IP68 waterproofing (rare in its price range), and eSIM capability. It lacks a headphone jack, has a single downward-firing speaker, and no microSD card slot. Available in Space Black, Himalayan Blue, Purple Fairy, and Majestic Red, the V29 offers a premium look and feel. One drawback is the lack of information on recycling and sustainability efforts.

Display

The vivo V29 boasts a substantial 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a high 120Hz refresh rate. With a resolution of 2800 × 1260 pixels, a pixel density of 452 PPI, and HDR10+ support, this display offers a stunning visual experience. While it doesn't feature a quad-curved design like the HONOR 90, it stands out as one of the most visually appealing displays in its segment. The V29's minimal side bezels and compact top and bottom bezels contribute to its sleek aesthetics.

In terms of performance, the display impresses with excellent color reproduction and strong sunlight visibility, enhancing activities such as gaming, web browsing, video streaming, and reading. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures a smooth and fluid user experience. Additionally, vivo incorporates various display technologies to minimize blue light and screen flickering, prioritizing eye protection for users.

Camera

The vivo V29 shines brightly in the realm of smartphone photography, boasting an impressive camera setup. It inherits its predecessor's camera configuration, comprising a 50 MP primary camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2 MP monochrome sensor. On the front, the selfie camera retains its 50 MP resolution but now offers auto-focus and a wider f/2.0 aperture, enhancing the quality of self-portraits.

The primary camera delivers exceptional photos with rich detail and sharpness. Colors appear vibrant without crossing into oversaturation territory, distinguishing it from competitors like the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Images exhibit crispness, a wide dynamic range, and minimal noise, even in challenging lighting conditions. The V29 consistently captures an extensive range of details, surpassing even some flagship smartphones.

Low-light photography or situations with artificial lighting remain a strong suit for the V29's camera. Thanks to its built-in optical image stabilization (OIS), it excels in low-light conditions without relying on a flash. The Aura Ring Light proves beneficial in low-light scenarios, ensuring even lighting on subjects and seamlessly adjusting colors automatically.

While the primary camera excels, the ultra-wide angle camera and monochrome sensors leave something to be desired. They exhibit lower overall quality, diminished sharpness, detail, and color accuracy. Nevertheless, for occasional use, the ultra-wide camera serves its purpose. For optimal results, relying on the primary camera and the impressive 50 MP selfie shooter is recommended.

vivo V29 5G (Image: vivo.com)

Speaking of selfies, the V29 boasts a 50 MP selfie camera with an auto-focus feature and an f/2.0 aperture. It consistently delivers high-quality self-portraits with remarkable detail and sharpness, making it an excellent choice for selfie enthusiasts.

Hardware and Software

The vivo V29 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G chipset, boasting one Cortex-A78 core at 2.4GHz, three Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2GHz, and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.9GHz. Handling graphics is the Adreno 642L GPU. It offers configurations with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB.

In everyday usage, the Snapdragon 778G delivers smooth multitasking and app switching. While occasional stuttering was observed during initial setup, the phone generally feels fast and responsive.

For gaming enthusiasts, the V29 may not be the top choice, as demanding titles like Call of Duty, Asphalt 9, and Battlegrounds Mobile India require lower graphics settings for smooth gameplay. However, for tasks like social media, messaging, browsing, and more, it handles them capably.

The V29 runs on Funtouch OS 13, which closely resembles stock Android with added features like multi-window gestures, customizable animations, and themes. vivo promises two major Android OS updates and three years of security updates.

On the hardware side, the speakers are clear and loud but lack bass, and there's only one speaker, so the stereo effect is absent. Regarding software, Funtouch OS tends to lower animation refresh rates for battery preservation, but users can manually set it to 120Hz without compromising battery life.

Battery and Charges

The vivo V29 is equipped with a 4,600 mAh battery, which, while not the largest in its class, delivers commendable performance. Users can comfortably use the phone for a full day, involving tasks like email, web browsing, photography, and gaming, consistently achieving over 6 hours of screen-on-time (SoT) on a single charge.

For moments when a quick charge is needed, the V29 supports rapid 80W FlashCharge technology. vivo claims the phone can reach 50% battery capacity in under 18 minutes, a statement validated by testing. Notably, the charging adapter is included in the package. It's worth mentioning that the V29 lacks wireless charging, which may disappoint some users. Nevertheless, the impressive battery life compensates for this omission.

Pros and Cons of vivo V29 5G

Pros

- Striking glass sandwich design with a curved screen
- Impressive display with a high a refresh rate
- Robust camera setup
- Capable chipset
- Funtouch OS 13
- Commendable battery life
- Rapid 80W FlashCharge support.

Cons

- Slippery design due to curved screen
- The ultra-wide angle camera and monochrome sensors exhibit lower quality
- Not the top choice for demanding gaming
- Single downward-firing speaker lacks bass

Price of vivo V29

In Europe, the price for the vivo V29 starts at EUR 499.00 or BDT 57,967 for the 256GB storage with 8GB RAM version. The conversion rate here is EUR 1 = BDT 116.33. The official price of vivo V29 may vary in Bangladesh, due to tax, seller's policy and other issues.

vivo V29 5G (Image: vivo.com)

Verdict

The vivo V29 5G stands out as an impressive mid-range smartphone with several notable features. Its striking glass sandwich design, curved AMOLED display with a high refresh rate, and robust camera setup make it an attractive option for users who prioritize style and photography.

Its processor ensures smooth everyday performance, and the commendable battery life, coupled with fast charging support, offers convenience for users on the go.

However, it does have some drawbacks, such as a slippery design, a less impressive ultra-wide camera, and limited gaming capabilities.

Overall, the vivo V29 5G offers a compelling package, especially for those seeking a balance between style, camera performance, and affordability.