Vivo V25 5G Review: Basics done right!

Do you have an eye for a unique and interesting design in a smartphone? Even if the handset is covered with a case, its aesthetics holds more importance than one thinks. Considering the same, the recently launched Vivo V25 5G, follows the path of its higher variant, the Vivo V25 Pro, in terms of color changing-design. With a starting price of Rs. 27,999, the mid-ranger also gets advanced cameras and offers great battery life. But is that enough to make you buy the Vivo V25 5G? Find it out in our full review here.

Vivo V25 5G: Design

Vivo has been quite persistent with its color-changing design. From Vivo V23, V25 Pro to the latest V25 5G, all these smartphones have the ability to react to Sunlight or UV rays. Though the phone changes its color, it is only for a while (for around a minute or so). Also, the phone is being offered in two different color options, and to experience the change in its looks and even the formation of the patterns formed due to the UV rays, you will have to opt for the Vivo V25 in the Surfing Blue color.

The phone gets a boxy look, with a matte finish on the back and a glossy slender frame design. The device is easy to carry and is fingerprint-resistant. However, the sharp edges of the frame can slightly bother you while holding the phone in your hand. Overall, there is nothing new in the design, but the color-changing trick will grab your attention.

Vivo V25 5G: Display

Nothing much to complain about here other than the refresh rate! With a 6.44-inch AMOLED FHD+ display, the Vivo V25 5G offers a great viewing experience. From colors popping out beautifully to great viewing angles, ample brightness, and contrast, the screen gets it all. The phone gets slim bezels and a refresh rate of 90Hz and a touch sampling rate of 180Hz. Though it offers a smooth and lag-free smartphone experience, the price range at which the phone is being offered, Vivo could have gone with a 120Hz display rate.

Vivo V25 5G: Performance

The Vivo V25 5G uses MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset, which is a backstep from the Dimensity 1300 chip being used in its higher variant V25 Pro. However, the phone still manages to tick all the boxes right with its performance. From decent gaming experiences to long hours of binge-watching, internet surfing, and more, all seemed smooth and seamless. The phone allows you to easily switch between multiple apps and play graphics-intensive games (Asphalt 9) to normal ones (Temple Run, Subway Surfers) without heating up even after long usage.

The phone runs on FunTouch OS 12 on top of Android 12 and offers several personalizations and customization options. But what can bother you are the preinstalled apps like ShareChat, Moj, and Byjus, among others, and unnecessary notifications pushed by the browser app. But, the good part is these apps can be uninstalled as per your requirements. Another drawback is the single speaker. Though the sound performance is decent and makes your music and binging sessions fun, Vivo could have offered stereo sound at this price range. The 3.5mm headphone jack is missing here too.

Vivo V25 5G: Cameras

A slight disappointment on the performance front gets covered up when it comes to the cameras. The V25 is equipped with a triple rear camera setup supporting a 64MP primary sensor with OIS night camera; accompanied by an 8MP wide-angle and a 2MP macro sensor. The phone also sports a 50MP eye autofocus selfie camera. The images clicked in the daylight either with the front or the main rear camera are satisfactory and highlight every minute detail. However, pictures did get beautified and seemed a bit overexposed and enhanced, especially the ones clicked with the front camera.

I liked night photography more. Though a bit grainy, the photos looked amazing and captured details and colors almost accurately. The images captured with the wide-angle and macro lens were also impressive. The V25 also comes with numerous in-app camera modes like portrait, Vlog Mode, among others. Have a look at the camera samples here.

Vivo V25 5G: Battery

With a 4500mAh battery, the phone can survive for around 2 days depending upon your usage. In other words, for extensive users, the phone can breathe a day without charge, while on normal usage it can even run up to 2 days. Vivo packs a 44W FlashCharger in the box along with the phone, which can charge the handset from 20 percent to full in about 50-60 minutes.

Vivo V25 5G: Verdict

Wondering if Vivo V25 5G is worth considering? Choosing the best phone under Rs. 30000 is very challenging, as you have a lot on offer with amazing features. The V25 5G is a decent smartphone that tries to offer almost everything you require from a phone in a mid-range segment. With a unique color-changing design and advanced cameras to great battery life, the phone has a lot on the platter.

However, Vivo could have offered a better chipset like the ones used in V25 Pro, or V23, thus enhancing the performance of the phone. Considering the price range, Vivo could have also gone with stereo sound or at least a dual speaker. Competitors like Oppo Reno 8, iQOO Neo 6, and Nothing Phone (1), give tough competition to the V25 5G when it comes to camera performance, gaming, and overall performance.