RAG Demo

Tag: Rs 30,000 – 50,000

  • Vivo V29

    The Vivo V29 launched in India in October 2023 with a focus on design, portraits and durability. It brought an IP68 rating to the V-series for the first time in this price range, along with a curved 1.5K AMOLED display and a slim, colourful body. Competitors included the Samsung Galaxy A54, Oppo Reno 10 and Nothing Phone (2).

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED panel offers a 1260 x 2800 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, and looks excellent. The Snapdragon 778G was an older chip by then, but it remained efficient and handled most games well. The phone's thin profile and light weight made it comfortable to carry. Funtouch OS 13 offered good features but shipped with apps that many users would rather remove.

    The 50 MP main camera with OIS, paired with the Smart Aura light, produces flattering portraits in dim conditions, while the 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro play supporting roles. A 50 MP autofocus front camera continues Vivo's selfie focus. The 4,600 mAh battery with 80W charging gives a day of use and refills quickly. The Galaxy A54 offered longer updates, but the V29 had a better display and faster charging.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 32,999 (base variant)
    India launchOctober 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 778G
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging80W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursHimalayan Blue, Majestic Red, Space Black

    What we like

    • Sharp 1.5K curved AMOLED display
    • IP68 rating in a slim body
    • Aura light improves night portraits
    • 80W fast charging

    What could be better

    • Snapdragon 778G was ageing
    • Average secondary cameras
    • Preinstalled apps

    Who should buy it

    Portrait lovers who want a slim, water-resistant phone with a great screen.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (October 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo V27 Pro

    Vivo launched the V27 Pro in India in March 2023 as a fashion-forward phone with a colour-changing rear panel that shifted shade under sunlight. The V-series has always prioritised design and selfie cameras, and the V27 Pro followed that formula while adding a capable Dimensity 8200 chip. It competed with the Oppo Reno 8 Pro, OnePlus 11R and Samsung Galaxy A54.

    The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display at 120Hz is vivid and immersive, and the slim body feels light for its size. Dimensity 8200 provides strong performance that comfortably handles gaming and multitasking, better than the Exynos chip in the Galaxy A54. Funtouch OS 13 on Android 13 offered plenty of customisation, but reviewers continued to note duplicated apps and preinstalled software.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX766V main camera with OIS performs well, and Vivo's Aura light ring helps with portraits at night. The 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are secondary. A 50 MP autofocus selfie camera remains a V-series strength. The 4,600 mAh battery with 66W charging gets through a day. Against the OnePlus 11R, it offered a nicer design and selfie camera but less raw performance.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 37,999 (base variant)
    India launchMarch 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8200
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX766V main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 2 MP macro
    Front camera50 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging66W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursMagic Blue, Noble Black

    What we like

    • Colour-changing back is eye-catching
    • Strong Dimensity 8200 performance
    • 50 MP autofocus selfie camera
    • Slim and light design

    What could be better

    • Smaller 4,600 mAh battery
    • Weak ultrawide and macro cameras
    • Bloatware in Funtouch OS

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious users who take lots of selfies and want solid performance.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (March 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.