Following the review of the V30e (https://www.smetechguru.co.za/quick-review-of-vivos-v30e/), we got to go hands-on with the V30e for an extended period. This stylish and sleek (164.36 × 75.1 × 7.45 mm; 186g) v30e that offers design and camera lovers a premium design upgraded Aura Light Portrait, an integrated 120 Hz 3D Curved Screen and captivating colours.
Our vivo V30 5G review unit came in a Waving Aqua edition colour that features a greenish-blue colour on a sleek glass surface, boasting a stunning water ripple pattern by using a Rippling Magnetic Particle process, which involves meticulous control of tiny magnetic particles in the flowing resin to create the sparkling water ripple effect. V30 5G also comes in a colour-changing Peacock Green that can transform into a deep blue hue in UV light, which should be equally easy on the eyes.
Included in the stellar camera features and advanced imaging capabilities is vivo’s upgraded Aura Light functionality that provides a light-emitting area that is 19 times larger and 50 times softer than a standard flash. Moreover, the Smart Colour Temperature Adjustment feature enables the v30 5G to intelligently identify and adjust the colour temperature based on the phot subject’s surroundings, offering broader colour temperature range compared with previous iterations of this midrange v series device. It also supports Distance-Sensitive Lighting that can detect the subject’s distance in real-time with centimeter-level precision to adjust the Aura Light brightness. When the subject is closer, the light is softer and more balanced, and the light is brighter when the subject is farther away, allowing users to capture perfectly-lit portraits in a breath.
Beyond the camera prowess provided by the 50 MP OIS + 50 MP + 2 MP camera array in the rear and 50 MP shelfie shooter, the v30 also offers 6.78” 2800 × 1260 (452 PPI, 120 Hz refresh rate) Ultra Clear Sunlight AMOLED Display. With a peak local brightness of 2800 nits and a maximum overall brightness of 1200 nits, this display can easily be used outdoors in direct sunlight.
In addition, you will find a large-capacity 5000 mAh battery packed within the slim frame of the v30e, thanks to vivo’s One-Piece Encapsulation Technique, which involves reconfiguring the battery casing to make it thinner. This will ensure that you get a full day’s worth of usage as a power user, or a day and a half as an average user.
The Android 14 smartphone (Funtouch OS 14 overlay from vivo) also packs enhanced 12GB + 12GB Extended RAM technology, 256GB onboard storage and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, which makes navigating the OS, multitasking, and mobile gaming seamless, snappy experiences.
All of these specs and hot design elements can be had for around R18 000 from local retailers such as Makro with some specials also running like currently on Takealot putting the RRP at R15500. Competing handsets worth considering at that price point include Xiaomi’s 14T at R19 000, the Samsung Galaxy S24 at R18 000, and iPhone 15 at R19 000. The vivo V30e remains the pick of this midrange bunch though.
