We typically don’t expect great cameras from mid-range smartphones, and even some premium models struggle to wow us with their photography capabilities. Vivo, however, has consistently pushed back against this trend, and with the release of the new vivo V50, the company may have just elevated the standard for mid-range, camera-focused smartphones.
After testing the vivo V50 for more than 10 days, here’s my in-depth review of this camera powerhouse:
A sleek, eye-catching phone with a touch of style
The Starry Night variant of the vivo V50 initially seemed fairly ordinary when seen from afar during a product briefing. But once I held it in my hand, its beauty truly stood out. It’s the first smartphone in India to feature 3D-Star technology, which gives the device a sense of depth, making it look almost otherworldly—unlike anything I’ve seen on the back of a smartphone before.
Although it’s not the thinnest or lightest phone in its class, the vivo V50 has a solid weight that gives it a premium feel in the hand. The curved display and rear panel further improve its ergonomics. While the V50 does come in more understated colors like Titanium Grey, I’d recommend the Starry Night variant—it’s sure to catch attention and spark conversation.
The vivo V50 boasts an IP68/IP69 rating and features an underwater camera mode. It’s one of those phones you can take with you into the shower or even use while swimming in the pool.
Stunning quad-curved display
The V50 also embraces the latest trend of the quad-curved display, giving it a premium look that rivals more expensive models like the X100 Pro. Its 6.77-inch screen boasts a 1.5K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, reaching up to 4,500 nits in HDR mode for exceptional visibility even in direct sunlight. The display features evenly balanced bezels on all four sides and comes with a pre-installed screen protector.
By default, the display is set to vivid mode, but users who prefer a more natural look can switch to Professional or Bright mode, especially for higher contrast. This makes the V50 an excellent choice for streaming movies, watching YouTube videos, and gaming.
The camera performance of the V50 showcases the impressive collaboration between vivo and Zeiss, and the results speak for themselves. While it doesn’t have a dedicated telephoto lens, the 50 MP main wide-angle lens supports in-sensor crop, allowing for lossless 2x zoom, which is perfect for capturing 50mm portraits. The phone also comes with a 50 MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 50 MP selfie camera, all three supporting 4K video recording.
The vivo V50 is one of the best point-and-shoot cameras in its category, featuring a quick shutter speed. While there’s a slight delay for post-processing, the final results—especially for portraits—are impressive. Additionally, the V50 is the first smartphone to offer an Indian Wedding Mode, transforming it into a DSLR-like camera that captures stunning photos, along with several presets to further enhance the results.
There’s plenty more to say about the vivo V50’s camera features, but instead, here are some sample shots that highlight its impressive capabilities:
Lackluster performance
If there’s one area where the vivo V50 falls short, it’s performance, mainly due to the older Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip. This is the same processor found in the vivo V40 from late 2024 and the vivo V30 from early 2024. The base variant of the V50 comes with 8 GB of RAM and options for 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage, with a higher-spec 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage variant also available.
In everyday use, I didn’t experience any significant lag, but I did notice occasional frame drops, which became more apparent as I added more apps. While the device runs games like COD: Mobile without issue, the overall performance feels underwhelming for the price. If gaming is a priority for you, this probably isn’t the right choice.
On the software side, the vivo V50 comes with FunTouchOS 15, based on Android 15. It’s also guaranteed to receive three major OS updates and four years of security patches.
A battery champ that lasts almost two days
I don’t say this often, but the vivo V50 is one of the rare smartphones that has consistently lasted over a day and a half of heavy usage. Equipped with a 6,000 mAh battery and 90W fast charging, it’s a solid choice for those who are always concerned about battery life. Not only does it last longer, but it also charges to full capacity in under an hour.
Verdict: Choose it for the cameras
The vivo V50 is undoubtedly one of the best portrait camera phones under US$405, delivering stunning, picture-perfect shots. While its performance falls short in some areas, the overall experience more than makes up for it. With the V50, Vivo has once again raised the bar, putting it well ahead of the competition.
