Design: Sleek, Lightweight, and Eye-Catching
The Vivo V27 Pro is a stunner in the looks department. At 182 grams and 164.1 x 74.8 x 7.36 mm (7.4 mm for Magic Blue), it’s lighter and slimmer than the iPhone 16 Pro (199 grams, 6.3-inch display) and Galaxy S23 Ultra (234 grams, 6.8-inch display). The glass back with a fluorite AG finish feels premium, and the Magic Blue variant changes color under sunlight, shifting from blue to a greenish hue—a cool trick neither the iPhone nor Samsung offers. Noble Black is the other option, more understated but still sleek. It’s IP68-rated, so a splash of water during a rainy commute didn’t faze it, and it’s held up well against minor bumps.
The 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1080 x 2400 resolution (388 PPI) and 120Hz refresh rate is vibrant and smooth, rivaling the iPhone 16 Pro’s 120Hz ProMotion and the S23 Ultra’s Dynamic AMOLED. It’s HDR10+ certified, with 1000 nits peak brightness, making Netflix shows pop, though it’s not as bright as the iPhone’s 2000 nits outdoors. The curved edges give it a premium feel, but they can catch glare compared to the iPhone’s flat screen. The in-display fingerprint sensor is snappy, though I sometimes prefer the iPhone’s Face ID for convenience. Unlike the iPhone’s Camera Control or Action Button, or the S23 Ultra’s S Pen, the V27 Pro sticks to standard buttons, which are functional but less exciting.
| Additional details |
| Operating System | Android 13 |
| Processor Type | Mediatek Dimensity 8200 Processor |
| Battery Capacity | 4600 mAh |
| Display Size | 17.22cm (6.78 inch) |
| Ram | 8 GB , 12 GB |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 128 GB , 256 GB , 512 GB |
| Colour | Blue , Black |
| Camera | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP + 2MP | 50MP Front Camera |
| Form Fator | Smartphone |
| Sim Card Size | Nano SIM |
| Water Resistance Level | Water Resistant |
Performance: Smooth for Most, But Not a Gaming Beast
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 (4nm), the V27 Pro is no slouch. With 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 8GB of virtual RAM, it handles multitasking like a champ—I’ve juggled Instagram, YouTube, and Zoom without lag. It’s got 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage (no expandable storage, unlike some older Samsungs). Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s A18 Pro or the S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, it’s a step behind for heavy tasks like 8K video editing or maxed-out gaming. I played Call of Duty Mobile smoothly, but it stuttered slightly on max settings, unlike the S23 Ultra’s flawless performance. Some X users note it doesn’t overheat like older MediaTeks, which I’ve found true even during long sessions.
Running Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 (upgradable to Android 15), it’s customizable with kinetic wallpapers and a real-time AQI card, but it’s bloated with pre-installed apps compared to the cleaner iOS 18.4 or One UI 7. Vivo promises two years of OS updates and three years of security patches, shorter than Apple and Samsung’s five-year support. Connectivity includes 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C 2.0, but it lacks Wi-Fi 7 (iPhone 16 Pro) and UWB (S23 Ultra). It’s dual-SIM with eSIM support, and sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, and proximity sensor.
Cameras: A Portrait Powerhouse
The V27 Pro’s triple camera setup is a highlight: a 50MP Sony IMX766V main sensor (f/1.88, OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 16mm), and a 2MP macro (f/2.4). The main camera takes vibrant, detailed shots, especially in daylight, with accurate colors and skin tones. The Aura Light and Night Portrait mode shine in low light, reducing noise better than the S23 Ultra’s 200MP sensor in some scenarios, though the Samsung’s 10x zoom outpaces the V27 Pro’s digital zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro’s 48MP main and 5x telephoto offer better dynamic range and zoom, but the V27 Pro’s portrait shots with Wedding Style and Aura Light effects are stunning for social media.
The 50MP front camera (f/2.0) is a selfie beast, capturing sharp, bright shots that rival the iPhone 16 Pro’s 12MP front camera and beat the S23 Ultra’s 12MP. Video recording tops out at 4K 30fps (rear) and 1080p 30fps (front), solid but behind the iPhone’s 4K 120fps Dolby Vision and the Samsung’s 8K 30fps. Features like Double Exposure and Vlog Movie Creator are fun, but I mostly stick to standard modes. Some X users praise the camera’s low-light performance, and I agree—it’s a standout for the price.
Software and Battery
Funtouch OS 13 is feature-rich but feels cluttered compared to the iPhone 16 Pro’s polished iOS 18.4 or the S23 Ultra’s One UI 7. I like the Photo Privacy Protection for hiding sensitive info, but bloatware is a downside. Some X users report bugs with Funtouch OS, like notification delays, but I’ve had a mostly smooth experience.
The 4600 mAh battery lasts about 20-22 hours of mixed use, with 6-7 hours of screen-on time, solid but not as long as the S23 Ultra’s 5000 mAh (24-26 hours) or the iPhone 16 Pro’s 27-hour video playback. The 66W fast charging is a highlight, hitting 50% in 18 minutes and 100% in about an hour—faster than the iPhone’s 25W MagSafe and S23 Ultra’s 45W. There’s no wireless charging, which both competitors offer, and no charger is included, which is annoying.
Price and Final Thoughts
I got my V27 Pro (8GB/128GB) for ₹37,999 at launch, but as of May 2025, prices range from ₹28,499-₹36,990 in India on Flipkart/Amazon for 8GB/128GB to 12GB/256GB variants (Noble Black, Magic Blue). In the U.S., it’s roughly $350-$450 for renewed units. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro ($999) and S23 Ultra (₹78,899-₹85,999), it’s a steal, offering a 120Hz AMOLED, solid cameras, and fast charging. It lacks the iPhone’s AI features (e.g., Visual Intelligence) and the Samsung’s S Pen, 10x zoom, and sharper display, but its lightweight design and color-changing back are unique. It’s a step above the S23+’s 6.6-inch display for media but less compact than the standard S23.
Overall, the Vivo V27 Pro is a fantastic mid-range pick in 2025. Its sleek design, vibrant display, and portrait-focused cameras make it a great alternative to the iPhone 16 Pro or S23 Ultra if you want style and performance on a budget. If you’re upgrading from an older phone or prioritize cameras and fast charging, it’s a solid choice.