While we are still waiting for a chance of it's "plus" (it might not be needed too from our side), we maximized the days from our early access up to this point. Here is the Vivo V7 review
Before we start, our review will based on software version PD1718F_EX_A_1.8.6 . Before we got this new version, it was an 160+ MB which they promised for more stability in terms of performance
We do not have the idea yet on using the V7 Plus yet as a main driver (as I am comparing it with another 6 inch 18:9 display smartphone) and that trending display aspect ratio really gave us more comfort to do some one-hand navigation. The body has a bit grip on it's back but I am advicing you to use it's given protective case coz of that lil camera bump
It's only 5.7 inch HD+ display (as to compare with it's nearby competitors on the price range) is still very good in our view mainly from the hours of social media to using it to immerse of vast offline and online media that we can load it in.
The Funtouch OS based on Android Nougat 7.1.2 was an improvement in our own opinion compared to the one that we experienced on the Vivo Y69 mainly that they now added the multi window option in their "pull up" control center (Sorry but Vivo's implementation of multi window w/o that option was a learning curve to us) and the option to remove the standard Android buttons on display to maximize the 18:9 display. Coz of that, it was replaced by three gestures for controls. From the bottom, swipe from the lower corner left to reveal the control center; swipe from the center to go to home button and swipe from lower corner right part for the back button substitute. Navigation to multitasking was still a breeze, it still carries the same SoC and RAM as to V7+ . Unfortunately, Vivo's multi window mode is the least in terms of app support (it can't even go with the likes of MX Player or Opera Mini)
In connectivity, the OTA gave a remedy to the WiFi stability that I encountered in the first few days of our review. Calls, texts, mobile data, OTG and Bluetooth were smooth in the number of days that we used it as a main driver
Vivo V7 also included a face unlock feature for additional security aside from the fingerprint reader at the back. It unlocks for good as long as your eyes are open and you had a little moustache. It will not work if you have your eyeglasses on. Of course, we can't fool the V7 when we tried the face unlock with our own picture of our face either on print or from another Android device
Games with it's given display resolution plus Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 had no problems when we had some Modern Combat 5 and Asphalt. We really enjoyed the said display aspect ratio on going full control on the said racing game with the highest graphics possible
For the benchmarks of Vivo V7, here it is
Battery with the 14 nm-made processor inside the V7, 6 hours of screen on time was a breeze for me when I used it for normal usage or even on the number of blogging coverages which I run almost a lot from social media, photo editing apps, some games in the mix and LTE. Surprisingly, the 5V 2A charger only charges this phone for less than 2 hours.
And the camera. We are aware of the V7+ 's 24 MP camera. If to compare with it's own 24 MP selfie cam, the V7+ has very slight edge in terms of doing some selfies with mixed lighting but cameras on the V7 is still very good from auto, some tweaking on pro mode and selfies from auto, portrait and with it's softlight flash on. I noticed that shooting on HDR will do a bit of processing
Vivo V7 rear camera samples
Pro mode on S 1/50 on iso 1600 at the blinking Nuvali Magical Light of Christmas presentation
Normal selfie versus portrait mode comparison
Picture with softlight flash on again on the said Nuvali event
Vivo did not include a HIFi chip inside (maybe to cut some costs) but audio on 3.5 mm audio jack again one of the best that I heard so far in an Android midrange phone. It was totally a pleasure to us mainly on the additional things that we heard when we played some tracks with some complicated percussions
The Vivo V7 is Php 3,000 peso less than the V7+ at Php 14,990. If to compare with others, the fiercest will be the one with that 5.9 inch FHD+ display but with the trend that you are still putting a bit of price in a Qualcomm midrange SoC. Php 13,990 is a bit better pricing for us on the Vivo V7 but the overall performance of it might be some good reasons to having a V7+ -like characteristics in a smaller form factor. Vivo V7 for us is at 4 out of 5
