Vivo V29 Pro Full Review - The Real Truth!
**A Mixed Bag: Vivo V29 Pro Review**
The Vivo V29 Pro is a phone that has been touted as a flagship device with impressive features, but does it live up to its promises? In this review, we'll delve into the details of the phone's performance, camera capabilities, and other aspects that make or break a device.
**Performance: A Mixed Bag**
One of the most significant concerns with the Vivo V29 Pro is its performance. In our CPU throttling test and the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, it was clear that the phone's performance was not as expected. The CPU throttling test showed that the phone's processor struggled to maintain a consistent performance level, even when put under heavy loads. Similarly, in the Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, the phone's performance was compromised, with temperatures rising to alarming levels.
However, we also ran some real-life gaming tests on the V29 Pro, and while it didn't exactly excel in these tests, it did manage to play popular titles like PUBG, Call of Duty, Minecraft, and Genin Impact at medium to high settings with decent FPS stability. While this is not exactly what you'd call a powerhouse, it's still a respectable showing for a mid-range device.
**Conclusion: Not Recommended for Hardcore Gamers**
While the Vivo V29 Pro may not be the best choice for hardcore gamers, it does have its moments. However, at this price point, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a top-notch gaming experience. The phone's performance is just not quite there, and you'd be better off opting for a more powerful device from Samsung or Google.
**Cameras: A Mixed Bag**
Moving on to the cameras, the Vivo V29 Pro brings a dedicated telephoto camera, which Vivo has been marketing as one of its standout features. In our tests, we found that the 2x portrait mode was quite good, with better color science and more balanced subject focus compared to the 1X mode. However, it's not quite on par with some semi-flagship phones from Samsung or Pixel.
The normal daytime shots were also impressive, preserving details and dynamic range in images well. However, Vivo tends to crush the shadows sometimes, which can be a bit disappointing. We also found that the ultra-wide-angle camera was average at best, with inconsistent color science and white balance issues.
**Low-Light Performance: A Disappointment**
Unfortunately, the V29 Pro's low-light performance was another area where it fell short. The phone tends to lift exposure unnecessarily, resulting in unnatural-looking images that don't exactly scream "Vivo". Nighttime shots were also underwhelming, with the camera struggling to capture any detail in the shadows.
**Selfies: A Bright Spot**
However, when it comes to selfies, Vivo really shines. The 50MP front camera with autofocus brings out some lively photos with good skin tone and dynamic range. While there is a bit of smoothing effect, I'd say that's actually a positive trait for most users.
**Video Recording: Decent but Not Great**
Finally, the V29 Pro has decent video recording capabilities, shooting at 4K 60 FPS from both the front and back cameras. However, we did find that the stabilization in both cameras was not the best in 4K resolution. Nevertheless, with a gimbal, you can still get some pretty decent videos from this phone.
**Conclusion**
Overall, the Vivo V29 Pro is a phone that has its moments, but it also has its limitations. While the design and display are impressive, the performance and camera capabilities are just not quite on par with some of its competitors. With so many other options available in the market, I wouldn't recommend the V29 Pro at this price point. Instead, consider opting for a device like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Fe Snapdragon Edition or the Google Pixel 7, which offers better cameras, proper IP68 dust and water resistance, great stereo speakers, stronger haptics, and a more reliable software experience.