The Vivo V50 arrives as a stylish mid-range contender, boasting a stunning design, a vibrant display, and exceptional battery life. However, its performance lags behind competitors in the same price bracket, making it a compelling choice primarily for design-conscious users who prioritize battery endurance over raw power. Camera performance is a mixed bag, with impressive selfies and low-light main camera shots, but average daylight performance and underwhelming AI features.
| Key Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Price | Rs. 34,999 – Rs. 40,999 (India) |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (2392 x 1080), 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 12GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 256GB UFS 2.2 |
| Battery | 6,000mAh |
| Charging | 90W Wired Fast Charging |
| Rear Camera | 50MP Main (OIS) + 50MP Ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 50MP |
| Operating System | Funtouch OS 15 (Android 15) |
| Durability | IP68 & IP69 Dust and Water Resistance |
Overview and First Impressions
The Vivo V50 immediately grabs attention with its stunning aesthetics. Eschewing flat designs, Vivo has opted for a quad-curved display and rear panel, creating a device that feels remarkably slim and premium in hand despite housing a massive 6,000mAh battery. The Rose Red variant, with its matte finish glass back, not only looks elegant but also effectively resists fingerprints. The chrome-finished polycarbonate frame adds a touch of sophistication, contributing to the overall seamless and rounded “pebble-like” design that is genuinely comfortable to hold for extended periods.
The inclusion of IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance is a welcome addition, offering peace of mind against accidental spills and dust ingress, a feature increasingly important in everyday smartphone use. Vivo has refined the aura ring light, a signature design element, making it larger and seemingly more effective for illuminating selfies in dimly lit environments. First impressions are undeniably strong; the V50 is a visual treat and feels decidedly premium, setting a high bar for design within its category.
Features and Performance
Under the hood, the Vivo V50 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, a mid-range processor built on a 4nm process. While this silicon is energy-efficient and capable of handling everyday tasks and moderate multitasking with ease, it falls short when pitted against competitors focused on raw performance. Benchmark scores reveal this clearly, with AnTuTu v10 hitting 820,958, and Geekbench 6 single and multi-core scores at 1,121 and 3,110 respectively. In real-world usage, the phone operates smoothly for general applications, browsing, and social media. However, demanding tasks like graphically intensive gaming expose its limitations. Frame rate instability becomes noticeable in games like “Car Chase,” and gaming performance, while “tolerable,” is certainly not a highlight. The 120Hz adaptive refresh rate AMOLED display is vibrant and responsive, though sensitivity during intense gaming may be perceived as slightly lacking.
The Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15, is a significant improvement over previous iterations, offering a smoother and more stable user experience with notable customization options and visual enhancements. AI add-ons like AI Erase fall short of expectations, but the AI Call Translator is surprisingly functional, albeit with mixed results. The stereo speakers are loud but lack bass depth, and the haptic feedback could be crisper. One standout feature is the colossal 6,000mAh battery. In video loop tests, it lasted for an outstanding 29 hours, and with typical daily usage, it comfortably lasts for days, making battery anxiety a distant memory. The 90W fast charging swiftly replenishes the battery, reaching 56% in just 30 minutes and a full charge in around 65 minutes, minimizing downtime.
User Experience
The Vivo V50 excels in delivering a premium user experience, primarily driven by its exceptional design and long-lasting battery. The quad-curved display is not only visually appealing but also contributes to a comfortable in-hand feel. The vibrant AMOLED display is a pleasure to use for multimedia consumption and everyday tasks, with excellent outdoor legibility despite some reflections from the micro-curved edges. The Funtouch OS 15 is cleaner and more intuitive than previous versions, with welcome customization options enhancing personalization. While AI features like AI Erase might disappoint, the overall software experience is smooth and responsive. Photography is a mixed experience.
The 50MP front camera, enhanced by the Aura ring light, consistently produces excellent selfies, even in low-light conditions. The main 50MP rear camera also performs admirably in low-light scenarios, capturing surprisingly good images. However, daylight photos from both the primary and ultrawide cameras can be average, sometimes exhibiting oversharpening and a lack of detail. Macro mode, accessed through the ultrawide lens, also lacks the finer details one might expect. Video recording can appear somewhat soft. The in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable for biometric authentication.
Despite the powerful speakers, the lack of bass might disappoint audiophiles, and the haptic feedback feels somewhat generic rather than refined. Battery life, however, is a significant positive, allowing users to confidently navigate their day and beyond without concern for battery levels. The design, display, and battery life contribute to a generally positive and premium feeling user experience, though performance limitations and inconsistent camera quality prevent it from being a truly top-tier mid-ranger.
Comparison with Competitors
In the fiercely competitive mid-range smartphone market, the Vivo V50 faces strong headwinds. Devices like the Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ offer comparable or even better features at a lower price point, making it a compelling value proposition. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ also boasts a solid battery life, challenging the V50’s endurance crown. For users prioritizing performance, the Poco F6 and Realme GT 6, both powered by the significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, present a considerable advantage. Benchmarking data clearly illustrates this performance gap. The Poco F6 and Realme GT 6 achieve AnTuTu v10 scores exceeding 1.4 million, nearly double the V50’s score. Geekbench 6 single and multi-core scores on these competitors also substantially outpace the V50, highlighting the performance deficit. While the Vivo V50 offers upgrades over its predecessor, the V40, it is considered a “tolerable successor” rather than a revolutionary leap. Compared to older Vivo models like the V20 and V30, the V50 represents a meaningful upgrade, particularly in battery and camera capabilities when set against the V30. However, within its current price bracket, the Vivo V50 struggles to compete directly on performance with similarly priced or even cheaper rivals, especially those from Xiaomi, Poco, and Realme. The choice ultimately hinges on priorities. If sleek design and exceptional battery life are paramount, the V50 holds its ground. But for users seeking top-tier mid-range performance, the competition offers more compelling alternatives.
Benchmark Comparison
| Benchmarks | Vivo V50 (Snapdragon 7 Gen 3) | Realme GT 6 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) | Poco F6 (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 | 820,958 | 1,405,190 | 1,457,491 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 10,496 | 18,828 | 15,743 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,121 | 1,944 | 1,835 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,110 | 4,895 | 4,693 |
Pros
- Design: Slim, stylish, premium look and feel, comfortable to hold, IP69 rated.
- Display: Vibrant, bright, smooth (adaptive refresh rate).
- Software: Smooth software experience, customizable, latest Android version.
- Battery Life: Excellent battery life, lasts over a day easily.
- Charging: Fast 90W wired charging.
- Selfie Camera: Good quality selfies, especially in low light with Aura light.
- Main Camera (Low Light): Surprisingly good low-light photos.
Cons
- Performance: Below average for a mid-range smartphone, not ideal for serious gaming.
- Gaming Performance: Frame rate instability in demanding games.
- Camera (Overall): Mixed bag – average daylight performance, oversharpening, lack of detail in ultrawide and macro. Video can be soft.
- Software (AI Features): AI Erase tool is unsatisfactory.
- Speakers: Loud but lack bass, haptic feedback not crisp.
- Price: Faces strong competition offering better performance at similar/lower prices.
- Micro-curved display reflections: Can be distracting outdoors.
- Slightly sharp USB port cutout: Minor design nitpick.
Expert Verdict
The Vivo V50 carves out a niche for itself by placing design and battery life at the forefront. It succeeds admirably in these aspects, delivering a visually captivating smartphone with exceptional battery endurance.
The premium feel, vibrant display, and refined software contribute to a pleasant user experience. However, its performance limitations and inconsistencies in camera quality, particularly in daylight conditions, hold it back from achieving top marks in the competitive mid-range segment. The price point further exacerbates this issue, as numerous competitors offer superior performance at similar or lower prices.
Vivo’s rapid product cycle, while offering the latest features quickly, might leave some users feeling less compelled to upgrade frequently. Ultimately, the Vivo V50 is a good choice for users who prioritize a sleek, stylish design and long-lasting battery above all else. If raw power and consistent camera performance are paramount, alternatives like the Realme GT 6 or Poco F6 present a more compelling proposition. The Vivo V50 is a tolerable upgrade, offering incremental improvements, but whether it represents the best value in its category is debatable, making it a stylish but slightly compromised mid-range contender.
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