vivo V27 5G Unboxing, First Impressions, and Camera Samples Philippines

We got an early look at the recently launched vivo V27 5G and here are our impressions and experiences with the new Aura Portrait Master.

vivo V27 with Aura Flash

To recap, the new vivo V27 ring light LED flash, 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 octa-core processors, 50MP Sony IMX766V equipped primary rear camera, and in-display fingerprint scanner. This also boasts the new Aura Portrait Algorithm Feature to further elevate your shots.

In the Philippines, the vivo V27 is priced at PHP 24,999 for the 12GB/256GB storage configuration.

Let's dive in.

Unboxing/Accessories

Outer packaging

The vivo V27 comes in a gray box with a diagonal line pattern and reflective vivo v27 branding. The specs, key features and regulatory information are printed around the box.

Box inclusions

Inside the packaging are the phone, USB-A to USB-C cable, SIM ejection tray, 66W wall charger, silicone case, and documentation.

There are no included earphones inside the box.

Build Quality/Design

Rear design

In terms of materials used, the phone has a front glass panel, a glossy inner polycarbonate frame, and a glossy glass back panel.

This is a color-changing back design!

This combination makes the phone look premium but also makes it slippery and makes it a fingerprint smudge magnet.

SIM tray

There is no mention of an IP rating but there are rubber gaskets on the SIM tray. The said SIM tray accommodates two nanoSIMs. There is no microSD card expansion.

Curved display

In front of the vivo V27 is the 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED screen with a 2400 x 1080 resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. Around this panel are super slim side bezels and slightly thicker top and chin bezels.

One of the slimmest curved screens around!

On the upper portion of the display is the punch hole that carries the selfie camera. Above it is a super slim earpiece that is hidden in between the bezel and the polycarbonate frame.

vivo says that the curve allows it to be the thinnest curved screen at 7.4mm.

Top and bottom

On top of the phone is the text "Professional Portrait" and beside it is the microphone port.

While at the bottom are the speaker grill, USB-C port, microphone port, and SIM tray.

Left and right sides

The phone's curved front and back panel produces a somewhat sharp edge for the sides which makes it sharp to hold. To prevent discomfort and to reduce the chance of slipping, we recommend wearing a case right away.

On the left side of the phone is a smooth surface while on the right side are the polycarbonate volume rocker and polycarbonate power button. These buttons offer somewhat plastic-like feedback when pressed.

First Camera Samples

Rear cameras with Aura Light Ring LED flash

At the back of the V27 is the 50MP f/1.88 primary camera with Sony IMX766V with OIS and EIS, an 8MP f/2.2 119-degree ultra-wide angle camera, and a 2MP f/2.4 4cm Macro with an LED flash. The LED flash design is similar to a ring light which the brand calls Aura Light Technology.

While in front is the 50MP f/2.45 selfie camera with both AF and eye AF.

The camera app includes the following modes: Photo, Video, Portrait, Night, Micro Movie, High Resolution, Pano, Documents, Slo-Mo, Time-lapse, SuperMoon, Pro, Sports, Double Exposure, Dual View, and Live Photo.

The included Pro mode has controls for Exposure Compensation (+-3), ISO (50-3200), Shutter speed (1/12000 - 32 seconds), White balance, AF, and Metering.

Rear camera daylight 1x

Rear camera ultra-wide

Close-up with Aura Light

Close-up without Aura Light

Selfie without screen flash

Selfie camera with Screen flash

First camera samples from the 50MP rear and 50MP selfie camera are noticeably sharp and detailed while the 8MP ultra-wide camera is noticeably less sharp. 

When using the Aura Light flash on the close-up of the pasta, the white balance skewed to the warmer side as opposed to the correct one when shot without it.

Like recent vivo phones, it comes with 12GB LPDDR4X RAM that can be expanded up to 20GB with Dynamic RAM which can add up to 8GB of RAM.

Lastly, inside is a large 4,600mAh battery with USB-C 66W Fast charge.

vivo V27 Specs

Display: 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED screen w/ 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution at 388 ppi

CPU: 2.8GHz 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7200 octa-core processor

GPU: Mali-G610 MC4

RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X

ROM: 256GB UFS expandable storage via microSD

Back Camera: 50MP f/1.88 Sony IMX766V w/ OIS, EIS + 8MP f/2.2 119-degree ultra-wide-angle + 2MP f/2.4 4cm macro + LED flash

Selfie Camera: 50MP f/2.45 w/ AF, Eye AF

Battery: 4,600mAh w/ 66W Fast Charge

OS: Android 13 w/ FuntouchOS 13

Connectivity: WiFi (2.4GHz/5GHz), 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.3, OTG, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, QZSS, dual SIM (nano)

Sensors: Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic

Others: In-Display fingerprint sensor, dual mic, large cooling system, USB-C, Colors: Flowing Gold, Magic Blue, Emerald Green

Dimensions: 164.1 x 74.8 x 7.36 mm

Weight: 180 g 

Price: PHP 24,999

As of the moment

vivo V27 web surfing experience

As mentioned above, the vivo V27 is priced at PHP 24,999.

This may be one of the most affordable phones with a 4nm SoC inside. The MediaTek Dimensity 7200 octa-core processor is accompanied by the Mali-G610 GPU, 12GB LPDDR4X RAM, 256GB UFS storage, and a large 4,600mAh battery with 66W Fast charging.

In front is the thinnest curved AMOLED screen at 7.4mm with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1080 resolution.

We also would like to emphasize the inclusion of a 50MP selfie camera with both AF and eye AF. While at the back is the 50MP main rear camera with a vivo-exclusive Sony IMX766V sensor with OIS and EIS. Alongside it are the 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and the Ring Light LED flash called Aura Portrait Algorithm Feature.

Lastly, it is running on Android 13-based FunTouch OS 13.

vivo has made interesting changes to the new vivo V27 when compared to the previous generation. We would argue that the new design and improved cameras are already better on paper. But we will have to run more tests to see how it performs in real life.

Stay tuned for the full review.

What do you guys think?