It’s no secret that Vivo, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer owned by the BBK group, has had a rather difficult year in 2023. Partly because of the conflict that Oppo, a brand also part of the same group, had with Nokia. Despite this, the company continues to release affordable mobile phones in markets such as Spain, trying to gain a foothold in the mid-range segment, and although this year they will again focus on high-end phones, they continue to release products at a higher price. reduced price to meet the needs of those looking for a mobile phone under 300 euros. The brand’s new bet in this segment is Vivo B40 SE.
The new Vivo smartphone stands out in two key areas. On the one side, in its design. This is a mobile phone whose appearance is somewhat different from what we are used to seeing in the budget segment. It has a genuine leather back panel – a finish found on some high-end phones such as the Xiaomi 14 Ultra or the recently announced Realme 12 Pro+ – an aluminum photo module, and flat bezels with a glossy finish that is very reminiscent of Apple. iPhone and screen with glass slightly protruding over the edge.
He also emphasizes for your strength. In particular, the smartphone is equipped with a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory in the basic version, as well as a 5000 mAh battery with support for 44 W fast charging.
In addition to this, the Vivo V40 SE boasts a 120Hz AMOLED screen, a triple camera up to 50MP, and a customization layer whose main feature is customization. But are they truly noteworthy specs for the price, or are they just another entry-level option?
Design and screen
As I said, one of the most important sections of the Vivo V40 SE is its design. Although it is available in two variants, including a polycarbonate back panel that has a sort of matte effect, it is the version that stands out the most. with purple vegan leather trim.
Personally, this is not my favorite option on a mobile phone; I prefer something more classic, like a glass back with a matte finish, but I have to say that firstly, it makes the smartphone much more elegant, and secondly, it allows for a more comfortable grip. There are no fingerprints on the back, it doesn’t slip, and it feels much softer than other materials. It also seems pretty sturdy. After several weeks of use the device It withstood scratches very well jeans when folding them into a pocket, involuntarily scratching them with nails or sliding on the table.
The Vivo V40 SE is also quite thin. Thickness 7.99 mm, and weighs 191 grams, making it quite light. It also has IP54 splash protection.
The design is complemented 6.67-inch AMOLED screen almost no frames. This is a panel with Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a 120Hz adaptive screen frequency. It’s a decent screen in terms of quality and sharpness, with more than enough brightness for outdoor use and good tactile feedback; there is nothing to object to in this regard.
Performance, battery life and software
The Vivo V40 SE comes with the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor, an octa-core chip meant for the entry-level lineup. In this case it is accompanied 8 GB RAM and 256 GB internal memory. It’s a more than decent setup for social media browsing and the occasional game – although, yes, with standard graphics.
As for the battery, then 5000 mAh The Vivo V40 SE does its job very well, allowing you to get to the end of the day without any inconvenience, even with heavy use. The Vivo smartphone also supports 44W fast charging, although a charger is not included in the box. However, the company is offering users the option to get the charger separately through its website and major distributors for free.
Another important point worth mentioning about the Vivo V0 SE is the software. The smartphone has Funtoch OS 14, a native customization layer that runs on Android 14. It stands out for its customization features as well as features like the use of pop-ups. However, it has a lot of reinstalled apps and an aesthetic that isn’t as vibrant as other customization layers.
How are the cameras on Vivo V40 SE?
The Vivo V40 SE doesn’t stand out in the photo section, but even so, its cameras deserve a mention. There are three cameras in the smartphone: Main sensor 50 megapixels with an f/1.8 aperture, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2-megapixel macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture.
For its price, the 50-megapixel main camera meets most conditions. Especially outdoors. Yes indeed tends to saturate colors too much, and the truth is that the images don’t contain much detail. The ultra-wide-angle camera shows similar results, although in low light conditions it leaves much to be desired, and noise is present in most cases.
On the other hand, a macro camera can be useful for taking close-up photos, although the truth is that it is a very useful sensor.
Is Vivo V40 SE worth the money?
Vivo V40 SE will be available from April 8 at a price 299 euros for its version with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory. We reiterate that Vivo will also offer its users a version with included charger for the same price. So, is it worth it?
The smartphone meets almost all its characteristics, standing out in design, screen and performance. The camera, although not the best in its segment, is versatile enough for everyday use, and its battery does not leave anyone indifferent.
Now we have to keep in mind that at this price there are a large number of options that stand out in areas where the Vivo V40 SE doesn’t show off big chest. For example, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with a 200 megapixel camera and 200 W fast charging is also available for 300 euros. However, if you are looking for a mobile phone with a distinctive and rugged design, the Vivo V40 SE can be a good option.
Source: Hiper Textual
I’m Ben Stock, a highly experienced and passionate journalist with a career in the news industry spanning more than 10 years. I specialize in writing content for websites, including researching and interviewing sources to produce engaging articles. My current role is as an author at Gadget Onus, where I mainly cover the mobile section.
