Vivo V27 Pro Review: Capable camera performance in a sleek form factor

• Vivo has introduced V27 Pro as its latest mid-range offering in India.
• The device features, MediaTek Dimensity 8200 and 66W fast charging.
• The smartphone will go on sale by 6 March on Flipkart and offline and online Vivo stores.

Vivo has launched the new V27 Pro in India, which is the latest in company’s popular mid range V-series smartphones smartphone. The device boasts a stunning design and a unique color-changing back, in addition to delivering impressive camera performance, as expected from Vivo’s V-series. However, the question remains: will these features be enough to justify the phone's price tag? To address this concern, Vivo has aimed to offer a well-balanced combination of hardware and software in all aspects.

Furthermore, the Vivo V27 Pro offers numerous improvements over its predecessor, which we will explore in-depth in this review. So, without further delay, let's dive in.

Price and availability

The Vivo V27 Pro comes in two variants - first has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, with a price tag of ₹37,999. The second version has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, available at ₹39,999. Meanwhile, the top-end variant, 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is available for ₹42,999. The pre-booking of the device starts today, 1 March 2023 and it will be available for purchase from 6 March 2023.

The Vivo V27 Pro is available for purchase on Flipkart, Vivo's direct-to-consumer website, as well as in offline stores.

Spec sheet

Design

Weighing in at just 182g, the Vivo V27 Pro is a relatively lightweight phone, which may be attractive to those seeking an alternative to the many larger smartphones in its price range. Its dimensions of 164.1*74.8*7.36 mm also make it a relatively slim device compared to its competitors. The phone has a USB-C port, volume rocker, and power button on its right edge, but it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may disappoint fans of wired headphones. All the buttons are easily accessible, and we found it comfortable to operate the phone with one hand.

The phone's glass coating covers the display and rear, while the rear is protected by ‘Fluorite AG' glass. This gives the device a sleek look and premium feel, although it may not be as durable as an aluminium frame phone against drops and impacts.

The back of the phone features an elegant looking rectangular camera module housing the three cameras. The protrution is lesser than we typically see on camera phones, with minimal wobbling when kept on its back.

The Vivo V27 Pro is available in two colors: Noble Black, a light pearlescent shade, and Magic Blue – the color shown in this review – which appears to be a navy-blue hue. Regardless of the color chosen, this phone boasts an attractive design.

I'd like to highlight the AG glass on the back of the phone, which Vivo is heavily promoting for its color-changing properties. The idea is straightforward - the glass reflects different colors depending on the lighting conditions. However, I had only noticed the color change once under direct sunlight when it turned into a thick dark blue shade that didn't particularly appeal to me.

The textured AG glass on the back makes it easy to grip though. Although it is not my usual recommendation, using the V27 Pro without a cover can be enjoyable.

Although the smartphone has an impressive design and aesthetic appeal, it lacks certain certifications typically expected in modern devices. For instance, it lacks an official IP rating, making it vulnerable to water damage. Another issue that concerns me is the absence of protection on the back, as the glass may not withstand a severe impact.

Display

This is one of the prettiest displays I have seen on a mid-ranger lately. The panel measures 6.78 inches and features a gentle 3D `curve at the edges, with a small cut-out for the front-facing camera located at the top. The bezels surrounding the screen are also thin which looks good. In terms of technical specifications, the AMOLED display offers a resolution of 2400×1080 (FHD+).

At first, I noticed that the colours on the curved panel appeared somewhat dull with the default settings. However, after tweaking the display settings, I discovered the ideal balance to suit my personal preference. From that point on, the curved panel delivered sharp, accurate, and vivid colours.

The display is capable of a peak refresh rate of 120Hz and includes an adaptive refresh rate feature called Smart Switch. This feature automatically adjusts the screen refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz based on the content being viewed. However, the implementation of this feature is not always consistent.

I would recommend sticking with the 120Hz setting for the best experience. While it may consume more battery power, it's worth for the overall smoothness and reliability, especially when gaming. I've extensively tested the V27 Pro while gaming and the display have been dependable so far.

The display is also compatible with HDR10+ content on Netflix. I watched a few movies and TV series and was thoroughly impressed. The display produced excellent clarity, and I could distinguish crisp details. The brightness levels were also aptly adjusted outdoors, and the display remained readable unless the sun was directly overhead.

Stereo speakers missing

It would have been great if Vivo had included speakers that matched the quality of the display. However, the V27 Pro only has a loud, bottom-firing speaker, which doesn't do justice to the display's capabilities. Like most bottom-firing speakers, your hand can easily block it. Looks like Vivo has cut some corners to keep the price low by not providing a dual speaker setup on the device.

Vivo V27 Pro: Software

The Vivo V27 Pro comes with Android 13 and Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13 skin, and my initial experience with the UI has been positive. Despite some bloatware that can be uninstalled, the software feels clean and smooth to navigate, especially with the high display refresh rate. One standout feature of Funtouch is horizontal-screen functionality, allowing you to scroll through menus for certain productivity and business functions. Additionally, the customizable dynamic effects, such as changing animations or ambient light effects, are cool additions.

The device's OS offers impressive levels of customization, with options to change themes, app icon sizes, text sizes, and animations. The widgets available are well-executed with Android 13.

The game space is another useful addition with features such as a voice changer, screenshot shortcut, and performance modes to enhance the gaming experience.

Vivo V27 Pro: Performance & specs

The Vivo V27 Pro comes equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, the same SoC we have seen on the iQOO Neo 7. The chipset is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of internal storage.

In terms of performance, the V27 Pro has enough power to handle demanding tasks such as gaming and multitasking. During my gaming session, which involved playing COD: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends with maximum graphics settings, the device performed well. I did not experience any lag or frame drops that could ruin the gaming experience. The device was very responsive and connected to the servers instantly. The heat management was promising even after prolonged gaming sessions.

The RAM management on the device is decent, and the 12GB RAM can hold lightweight apps like web browsers and social media apps such as Instagram or Facebook for a long time. The device can hold heavier apps like COD: Mobile halfway. However, with the onboard RAM expansion of 8GB, which adds to the system storage, the performance with heavier apps improved considerably. If you are into gaming, I recommend keeping the RAM extension on.

Upon launching a game, the device automatically triggers its Ultra Gaming mode, providing the user with various performance options. Additionally, this mode includes various features such as screen recording, a voice changer, call blocking, and more.

Camera

The Vivo V27 Pro has four cameras, three at the back and one at the front. The primary rear camera boasts a 50MP Sony IMX766V lens, and I found its performance impressive. The photos were vibrant and captured with plenty of detail. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) integrated into the lens was highly effective at minimizing the impact of shaky hands on the image. Then there is an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 2MP macro sensor.

The device offers up to 10x zoom, but the results are good; up to 5x zoom as 10x will fail to capture details. Also, when switching from the primary camera to the ultra-wide-angle camera, you will undoubtedly notice a significant change in color tone.

The natural light portraits captured by the Vivo V27 Pro are truly stunning. The edge detection is excellent. When using HDR mode, I did observe warmer tones in the images, particularly with red hues in the frame.

The 2MP macro camera on the Vivo V27 Pro captures decent photos, it requires adequate lighting for optimal results. But to get the best out of the macro camera, you must keep the subject and camera extremely steady to achieve a clear and focused shot.

The 50MP front-facing camera on the Vivo V27 Pro leaves some room for improvement, as it tends to overexpose images and produce colors that look a bit unnatural. However, you may find it appealing if you prefer enhanced skin tones and a smoother appearance.

Regarding video performance, the Vivo V27 Pro does not fail to impress. Its camera can record 4K videos at both 30 and 60 fps, and the hybrid image stabilization system is noticeable when there are quick changes in camera angles. There is minimal shaking, and the lens focuses quickly.

The device features a dedicated vlog mode, allowing you to play with both front and back cameras simultaneously. Other features like live photos and AI enhancements are additional perks that will likely appeal to most consumers.

Battery life

Compared to many of its premium competitors, such as the IQOO Neo 7 and OPPO Reno8 T 5G, the Vivo V27 Pro features a relatively small battery with a capacity of 4600mAh. I used it throughout the day for tasks like texting, and music streaming, it made it through until bedtime with some juice left.

However, with more demanding use like playing games, taking photos, using social media, and more, I experienced battery anxiety, and the device didn’t last a day. The device comes with 66W fast charging capability that charges the device in 45 minutes from 0 to 100% with an active internet connection.

Similar to other phones, the Vivo V27 Pro features a battery-saving mode that conserves power by disabling background syncing, restricting data usage, and enabling dark mode, among other things. This feature guarantees that the phone can last for an entire day. However, if you are a heavy phone user, this phone may not fit you best.

Verdict

Having used the Vivo V27 Pro, it's evident that the phone can be a suitable choice for those seeking a device priced below ₹40,000, particularly camera enthusiasts, gamers, or users who like a slim and light phone. While it's a good option for its price, if you prioritize the best camera or user interface experience, you might want to explore other options like the iQOO Neo 7 or OPPO Reno8 T.

Buy it if

The Vivo V27 Pro remains a compelling option as it is available at a reasonable discount. Not all smartphones in this price range are currently available at a hefty discount. Additionally, compared to many other Android user interfaces, Vivo's Funtouch is minimalistic and doesn't come with unnecessary pre-installed software and some extra features that we found useful.

Don't buy it if

You can find smartphones with similar specs at a lower price if you do some research. But you might have to compromise on some things like the design or camera.

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