Vivo V40e review: Sleek design, balanced performance

The device has a nice grip and is easy to use with its lightweight design and curved edges. However, the Mint Green colour shade we received has a glossy finish and attracts smudges and fingerprints if used without a cover. The phone features all physical buttons for volume and power on the right frame, while the USB Type-C charging port and the sim-ejector tray are at the bottom edge.

If we talk about the screen, the V40e has a 6.77-inch Full HD AMOLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate. You can select from the standard (default), professional, and bright screen colour modes. Like most other Vivo phones, the device comes with a Smart switch that can switch between 60Hz/90Hz/120Hz, 30Hz, or force it to 60Hz or 120Hz. sharp visuals, making it great for watching videos and playing games. The screen's brightness holds up well in outdoor conditions, and the overall display output is impressive for its price range.

While playing YouTube or Netflix videos, the V40e, with its HDR 10+ support, ensures a more immersive binge-watching experience. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate. However, we would have liked it to be placed close to the centre of the display, as the bottom position is a bit awkward sometimes. Vivo promises up to 4500 nits of peak brightness and the display is adequately bright outdoors, even under direct sunlight. With its 3D curved edges, the device provides a premium experience. The display is one of the standout features of this smartphone.

Vivo V40e review: Performance and Software

The Vivo V40e is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset. It further comes with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. If we talk about benchmarks, the device scores above 7,00,000 points on the Antutu benchmarking app. Although most devices in this price range offer better scores, the device didn’t have performance letdowns or stutters during day-to-day usage.

Even while playing popular games like Call of Duty: Mobile, the V40e hit 60 fps in High settings. However, while playing BGMI, we noticed minor jitters and frame drops. The device also includes a gaming mode that enhances performance by optimising the phone’s resources. It also has a gyroscope sensor which further improves the gaming experience.

If we talk about the software, the Vivo V40e runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14. The user experience is consistent like most other Vivo devices. It has a large number of pre-installed apps. However, most of them can be easily removed after setup. Like most smartphones launched in 2024, V40e has AI-powered features such as Eraser and Photo Enhancement.

The Photo Enhancement feature smooths out image details and reduces graininess to enhance overall quality. On the other hand, the AI Eraser tool removes unwanted objects, much like Google’s Magic Eraser. The Vivo V40e offers a bunch of customisation features and personalisation options. You can customise the lock screen, adjust UI colours, set up dynamic effects, and personalise the always-on display.

Vivo V40e review: Camera

The Vivo V40e features a dual rear camera which comprises a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP secondary ultra-wide camera. The rear camera also houses the popular Aura light ring from Vivo, which was also present in the V40 and V40 Pro. For selfies, the phone comes with a 50MP eye Auto Focus front-facing camera.

The smartphone features a familiar camera app, like most other Vivo smartphones. The main camera has a fast focus, minimal shutter lag, and produces accurate colours.

The main camera with the Aura light can click some really good portrait shots, even in extremely low lighting conditions. As for the daylight, shots have ample detail and they have adequate dynamic range.

With the OIS support, you can also click stable photos at night. However, like the Vivo V40 and V40 Pro, the V40e lacks Zeiss optics support. The ultra-wide camera captures the ultra-wide shots satisfactorily, while details do not appear to be the best in the segment, especially under low light.

If we talk about the front camera, unlike most other smartphones, it supports native 4K recording and can also shoot ultra-wide photos and videos. The portrait shots from the front camera also come out well with great edge detection. There is also a screen flash option for low-light shots, which the company calls aura screen light.

Vivo V40e review: Battery

When it comes to battery performance, the Vivo V40e really impressed us. With its 5500mAh battery, the smartphone easily managed to offer a day's battery life on a single charge, even under heavy usage. In terms of total screen time, we got more than 10 hours of usage with 5G turned on, which is impressive.

The device also comes with two power-saving modes: Battery saver and super battery saver. In the Battery saver mode, the system will limit or turn off the background activities, and some visual effects with the phone running on a native 60 Hz refresh rate. As for charging, Vivo has bundled an 80W charger inside the box, that takes 30 minutes to 50% charge the battery. A full top-up takes close to 65 minutes, which is somewhat slower than the competition.

Vivo V40e review: Verdict

At a starting price of Rs 28,999, the Vivo V40e offers great value for the price in terms of camera, battery life, and design. It also excels in everyday tasks, and if you keep your gaming expectations in check, the smartphone delivers a satisfactory gaming experience. Moreover, it doesn’t add a lot of bulk to the pocket or the hand and the display produces accurate colours.

If you're seeking an all-rounder smartphone with a strong camera and battery life, the Vivo V40e is a great buy under the Rs 30,000 price range. While there are a few minor drawbacks, such as the multiple pre-installed apps and low-light camera performance, the Vivo V40e still resolutely stands firm in the crowded mid-range market, especially for those who value premium design.