Vivo V30 Pro review: all about four 50MP cameras

The Vivo V30 Pro could be an ideal option for those seeking a camera-centric smartphone with sleek aesthetics, all without a steep price tag. It carries three 50MP cameras on the back (main + ultra-wide + portrait), which promise reliable performance in different lighting conditions. The triple cameras get complimented by an in-built ring light, which Vivo calls Smart Aura, and can be highly versatile in super dim environments. There’s a 50MP front camera as well that gets some native features and filters to up your selfie game.

Moreover, the V30 Pro marks the debut of Zeiss-tuned cameras in a Vivo smartphone beyond its premium X-series. Portrait enthusiasts may appreciate the special filters offered by Vivo and Zeiss, adding an element of fun to photography. Additionally, content creators can explore features like Micro Movie, which provides preset templates perfect for crafting quick Instagram Reels.

While camera enthusiasts may appreciate all these features, performance-centric customers might be perplexed by the Dimensity 8200 SoC onboard, considering the Rs 41,999 price tag. The same chipset powers last year’s Vivo V27 Pro and Vivo V29 Pro. In that case, who should consider Vivo V30 Pro? Let’s find out.

Verdict

The Vivo V30 Pro is a great choice for camera enthusiasts. Not only do the rear cameras capture great details, but the partnership with Zeiss unlocks new filters and modes that make the overall photography experience fun. The Smart Aura light also proves to be versatile in tricky lighting conditions. While its cameras are great, the Vivo V30 Pro lacks key features, including NFC and stereo speakers. Its three-year Android update promise is decent, if not the best.

Design and display

Vivo’s V-series has been consistent when it comes to offering slim smartphones, and the Vivo V30 Pro is no different. It measures barely 7.45mm in thickness despite rocking a chunky 5,000mAh battery. The in-hand feeling is equally great, and the satin-like material on the back feels super smooth. This material even does a fantastic job of hiding fingerprint smudges and scratch marks.

Vivo has also highlighted enhanced durability features on the Vivo V30 Pro. It claims the new V30 series boasts a middle frame widened by 0.78mm and a bottom metal edge raised by 0.28mm, aimed at preventing immediate damages. The metal finish on the sides adds to its sturdy appearance and feel.

Despite all these additions, Vivo V30 Pro only gets an IP54 certification, which offers bare minimum protection against dust particles and water splashes. On the other hand, the more affordable Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (review) features an IP68 rating, which is much superior to the IP54 standard.

At least there are no compromises for the display, considering the price point. I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience on the Vivo V29 Pro and the experience remains the same on this year’s Vivo V30 Pro. The phone incorporates a 6.78-inch Full-HD+ (2,800 x 1,260 pixels) AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. The tall display can also be great for watching short videos.

I didn’t encounter any issues while watching shows on the Netflix app, which supports HDR playback. Watching videos on YouTube was equally enjoyable at 1080p premium playback available with my subscription. However, the overall viewing experience may feel somewhat lacking as Vivo continues to opt for single speakers on mid-premium smartphones. While wireless headphones can provide 3D sound, stereo speakers should be considered a standard feature on smartphones at this price point (read: any price point).

Cameras

Like the previous Vivo V-series phones, the real money on the latest Vivo 30 Pro is in the cameras – for all the right reasons. The phone includes three 50MP cameras on the back. There’s also a 50MP front camera for selfies. There aren’t generative AI-backed camera features yet, but Vivo provides a host of camera presets with Zeiss to improve the overall photography experience. As mentioned, Vivo has added an in-built ring light for dim conditions.

The Vivo V30 Pro defaults to natural colours in various lighting conditions, though colours may mildly lean towards the cooler side. This approach ensures photos aren’t overly saturated, although users can easily adjust this by switching to the Vivid camera mode. The “natural” Zeiss mode adds depth to the shadows, making overall photo quality slightly dramatic. These modes are easily accessible and can be switched using simple toggles.

Photos with primary and ultra-wide cameras maintain good white balance. The dynamic range is also favourable in ideal lighting conditions. Even details are sharp, though you may occasionally notice an oil-painting effect to smoothen grains. The portrait camera, which uses 2x zoom, provides consistent colours, but edge detection is a bit iffy.

Even in low-light conditions, all three cameras perform well, but the portrait mode can be a hit-and-miss. The Aura Smart can greatly help with focus on the subject, but edge detection again needs improvement. I also compared the results with the same photos captured by the Vivo V29 Pro, and the Vivo V30 Pro offered better dynamic range and details.

I’m also impressed with the 50MP front camera’s ability to capture accurate skin tones in various lighting conditions. The 2x zoom on the front camera adds versatility for certain situations. Vivo further distinguishes itself by enabling 4K recording at 60fps for front and rear cameras both. Additionally, the ultra-stable mode, supported by OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation), ensures reliable performance for capturing steady footage with the primary camera.

Performance and software

As mentioned, Vivo has opted for MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC for Vivo V30 Pro, the same chipset powering the last two generations of Vivo V-series phones. The variant I am reviewing includes 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage (Rs 44,999). The base variant comes in 8GB RAM + 256GB storage configuration.

To be clear, using the same chipset as before does not necessarily translate into a bad move. We have seen a similar approach by Apple for the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, though there were minor tweaks underneath to bump the performance. Vivo also promises something similar.

In the AnTuTu test, the Vivo V30 Pro achieves roughly a five percent higher score than the Vivo V29 Pro. On the other hand, the single and multi-core scores on Geekbench were reduced by a few notches. In the Throttle test, the Vivo 30 Pro exhibited relatively improved stability.

During my brief usage, I didn’t experience any app crashes. The Funtouch 14, based on Android 14, feels more refined and lighter. I was able to play demanding titles, including GTA San Andreas and BGMI, without stutters, though the curved display can lead to occasional mistouches.

There are some pre-installed apps, but they are relatively fewer compared to previous Vivo V-series phones. You still can’t delete native Android or Vivo apps. It’s worth noting that Vivo promises three years of Android updates, which is a decent commitment, if not the best. It still goes without saying that Vivo could’ve considered adding a new chipset to the Vivo V30 Pro. If not, some native generative AI-backed features could’ve given it an edge.

Battery

The Vivo V30 Pro maintains a respectable 80W charging support, and the bump in battery size also makes a big difference. In a broad sense, you can get a full-day battery if you balance out the usage with Smart Switch for refresh rates and disable AOD. Even in the PCMark battery test, the phone attained a respectable figure (16 hours) with 50 percent brightness and flight mode enabled.

With the bundled 80W charger, the Vivo V30 Pro attains 57 percent charge in 30 minutes. A full charge takes roughly 45 minutes.

Final verdict

The Vivo V30 Pro proves that mid-premium smartphones can be fun to use even without native generative AI features. Of course, those features would give it an edge, but we may have to wait for another until those become mainstream.

Purely for cameras, the Vivo V30 Pro offers a host of options well-suited for upcoming creators and regular users. The 5,000mAh battery with 80W charging may also attract customers who value solid battery backup and fast charging.

However, performance-focused users may seek a more powerful chipset, and for that, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro (review) is a great choice. AI-focused users can consider the Pixel 7a (review). If you’re okay with an older chipset and a single speaker, but value great cameras, the Vivo 30 Pro is a solid choice.

Editor’s rating: 7.5 / 10

Reason to buy

• Triple 50MP cameras take great photos. Also, there are loads of camera filters and modes.
• The Vivo V30 Pro is lightweight and slim, making it highly portable.
• The 50MP front camera takes good photos in ideal lighting conditions.
• The Vivo V30 Pro supports respectable 80W charging. Full charge in just 45 minutes.

Reasons not to buy

• The smartphone gets only an IP54 rating, which offers bare minimum protection against dust and water.
• The Vivo V30 Pro lacks stereo speakers.