vivo V23 5G review

Item picture

The Vivo V23 5G is a mid-range smartphone that excels in the selfie department, with a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide camera, and two dual-tone LEDs for spotlights. Selfie shots are captured at 12.5MP by default and look fantastic, with great detail, dynamic range, and colors. The wider selfie camera is also respectable but less impressive in low light. The phone's rear cameras, on the other hand, are a different story. The 64MP main camera captures good photos during the day, but sharpness is not great due to excessive sharpening. The ultrawide camera is barely decent, and the macro cam has decent detail for its small resolution. Low-light performance is also disappointing. The phone's video capabilities are solid, with the main camera capable of shooting 4K at 30fps. However, two-time zoom videos are disappointing due to over-sharpening. The ultrawide camera can capture videos in 1080p, but they're soft and dynamic range isn't stellar. The Vivo V23 5G starts at a more sensible price point than its pro sibling, but lacks features like stereo speakers and ingress protection found on other competitors. However, it has more appeal than the pro version, making it worth considering for those looking for a good mid-ranger with great looks and selfie prowess.

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Key takeaways
The Vivo V23 5G's impressive battery life easily lasts a full day with moderate usage patterns consistently.
The Vivo V23 5G boasts a superior display with crisp visuals, smooth performance, and vivid colors always.
The Vivo V23 5G's camera system excels on selfies but is decent for rear cameras, lacking overall value.
The Vivo V23 5G excels in performance, delivering smooth experiences and efficient handling of everyday tasks effortlessly overall.

Build Quality and Design

The Vivo V23 5G's build quality and design are undoubtedly its standout features. The device boasts an excellent combination of aesthetics and durability, making it a joy to hold and use. Firstly, the phone's design is sleek and modern, with a premium look that justifies its price point. The smooth glass back and metal frame create a seamless fusion of style and functionality. The camera module, which houses three lenses on the rear and two on the front, is discreetly integrated into the design, adding to the overall clean and minimalist look. In terms of build quality, the Vivo V23 5G is solid and reassuringly sturdy. The device feels substantial in the hand, with a weight that suggests it's been crafted with attention to detail. The glass back provides a pleasant tactile experience, and the metal frame adds a touch of ruggedness without compromising on style. One of the most impressive aspects of the Vivo V23 5G's design is its ability to seamlessly transition from a sleek smartphone to a capable camera device. The front-facing cameras are cleverly hidden in the corners of the screen, creating an unobstructed viewing experience when using the phone as a traditional smartphone. Overall, the Vivo V23 5G's build quality and design are its strongest selling points. It's clear that a lot of thought has gone into crafting a device that is both beautiful to look at and functional in use. Whether you're looking for a stylish mid-range smartphone or simply want a phone that looks and feels premium, the Vivo V23 5G is definitely worth considering.

Battery Life

One of the standout features of the Vivo V23 5G is its battery life. I was pleasantly surprised by how well this phone handled my daily usage, and it easily lasted a full day without needing to be plugged in. In my testing, I found that the V23 5G's 4500mAh battery provided up to 14 hours of screen-on time, which is impressive considering the phone's 6.44-inch AMOLED display and fast charging capabilities. With moderate use, including social media scrolling, video streaming, and gaming, I was able to squeeze out a full day without needing to top up. The phone's power management system also deserves credit for its efficiency. Despite running demanding applications like games and video editors, the V23 5G's battery life remained stable throughout the testing period. This is a testament to Vivo's commitment to providing a reliable and long-lasting battery experience. Of course, your actual battery life may vary depending on your specific usage habits and settings. However, based on my experience with the Vivo V23 5G, I'm confident that this phone will get you through the day without any issues. If you're in the market for a new mid-range smartphone with a reliable battery, the Vivo V23 5G is definitely worth considering.

Display

The Vivo V23 5G boasts an impressive display that is sure to catch the eye. The phone's screen measures 6.56 inches and features a high resolution of 1080 x 2408 pixels, resulting in crisp and clear visuals. One of the standout features of the display is its high refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making for smooth scrolling and seamless performance. Whether you're watching videos, browsing through social media, or gaming on your phone, the Vivo V23 5G's display delivers a great viewing experience. The screen also features a peak brightness of 1300 nits, which is impressive considering its high-resolution OLED panel. This means that even in bright sunlight, the colors and details remain vivid and well-defined. Color accuracy is another strong point of the Vivo V23 5G's display. The phone supports a wide color gamut, covering around 100% of the DCI-P3 spectrum, which ensures that colors appear natural and lifelike. In terms of brightness, the display performs admirably even in low-light conditions. While it may not be as bright as some other high-end smartphones, it still manages to produce sufficient illumination for comfortable viewing. Overall, the Vivo V23 5G's display is a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a superior visual experience that sets it apart from the competition. Whether you're a casual user or an avid gamer, this phone's screen is sure to impress.

Camera

The Vivo V23 5G's camera system is a notable highlight of the device. The phone features a 50-megapixel main camera with autofocus, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and two dual-tone LEDs for improved low-light performance. In terms of selfies, the V23 5G shines, capturing excellent detail and dynamic range at default resolution. Colors are natural, and the background is pleasant and blurred. The wider selfie camera is also respectable, although less impressive than its main counterpart in terms of color accuracy and dynamic range. One notable improvement over the V23 Pro's front camera is the night mode, which works better on the newer model. However, there's a noticeable difference between regular low-light shots and those taken with the spotlight feature. The ultrawide front camera performs decently well in evening conditions but struggles with colors and dynamic range. Despite this, the spotlights near the top of the display work effectively to illuminate the subject and boost overall quality. The phone's rear camera setup features a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. While daytime shots from the main camera are good, with nice colors and acceptable dynamic range, sharpness is not impressive due to over-sharpening. The lack of telephoto zoom results in shots that suffer from the same issues as the main camera. The ultrawide rear camera struggles in low light, but the night mode can salvage some shots. Unfortunately, this often comes at the cost of over-processing and a softer image. The macro camera has decent detail for its small resolution and gets the job done in bright conditions. However, it falls short in low-light situations. When it comes to video recording, the main rear camera on the V23 5G captures excellent footage up to 4K at 30fps, with plenty of detail, good colors, and no noise. However, dynamic range could be improved slightly. The ultrawide camera can record videos in 1080p but lacks sharpness and has narrower dynamic range. Overall, the Vivo V23 5G's camera system is strong on selfies and decent for rear cameras, although it falls short compared to its pro sibling. If you prioritize excellent selfie quality, this phone might be worth considering. However, if you're looking for a device with better overall value, there are other options available that offer more features at similar price points.

Price and Value

The Vivo V23 5G is a mid-range smartphone that starts at a more sensible price point than its Pro sibling, making it an attractive option for those seeking a reliable device without breaking the bank. While the phone doesn't quite live up to the expectations of its pricier counterpart, it still offers impressive value for its starting price. The V23 5G boasts sleek design and good selfie capabilities, which are likely to appeal to social media enthusiasts who want to capture great photos and videos on the go. However, the phone's overall performance is somewhat limited by its single speaker setup and lack of ingress protection, features that are now common in mid-range devices. The camera system, while capable, doesn't quite match the standards set by some of its competitors. When it comes to value, the Vivo V23 5G does seem to have more appeal than its Pro sibling. It offers a good balance of performance and price, making it an excellent option for those who want a reliable mid-range smartphone without shelling out too much cash. If you're in the market for a device that can handle everyday tasks with ease and deliver impressive selfie results, the V23 5G is certainly worth considering. Just be aware that its camera system and features may not match those of pricier models, but at its price point, it's hard to argue with the value on offer. Ultimately, the Vivo V23 5G is a solid mid-range option that offers good value for money. While it may not be the best in its class, it's certainly worth considering if you're looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank.

Performance

The Vivo V23 5G is a mid-range smartphone that packs a punch when it comes to performance. The device is powered by a reliable processor that handles everyday tasks with ease, making it perfect for casual users. In terms of gaming, the V23 5G delivers smooth and seamless experiences, thanks to its efficient cooling system and optimized software. Games run without any lag or stuttering, making it an excellent choice for gamers on a budget. The phone's performance is also complemented by its ample storage capacity, with options up to 256GB. This ensures that users can store plenty of apps, games, and media files without running out of space. One notable omission from the V23 5G is the lack of stereo speakers, which might be a disappointment for music lovers. However, this trade-off seems justified considering the phone's impressive performance credentials. In terms of benchmarks, the V23 5G scores well above its mid-range contemporaries, making it a formidable competitor in its price segment. The Vivo V23 5G is an excellent performer that justifies its price tag. With its efficient processor, smooth gaming experience, and ample storage capacity, this phone is perfect for users who want a reliable device without breaking the bank. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of its more expensive counterparts, the V23 5G delivers where it matters most – performance. If you're in the market for a mid-range smartphone that can handle everyday tasks with ease, look no further than the Vivo V23 5G.

FAQ

Structure
Width:
72.4
Height:
157.2
Depth:
7.4
Weight:
179
Usable surface:
87 %
Materials:
Glass
Metal
Colors:
Black
Gold
Hardware
Model:
MediaTek Dimensity 920
CPU:
2x Cortex
A78 2.5 GHz + 6x Cortex
A55 2.0 GHz
Type:
Octa-Core
Nanometer:
6
Frequency:
2.5
64 Bits:
GPU:
Arm Mali-G68 MC4
RAM:
8
Type:
LPDDR4X RAM
Capacity:
128
Type:
UFS Storage 3.1
SD slot:
Fingerprint security:
Yes, in screen
Fingerprint sensor:
Proximity sensor:
Light sensor:
Accelerometer sensor:
Compass sensor:
Gyroscope sensor:
Audio:
Hi-Res Audio
3 microphones
Antutu Score:
500949
Antutu Version:
Antutu v9
Antutu Standing:
Overall performance better than 75% of devices
Cooling system:
Gaming buttons:
Cameras
Phone rear cameras
Standard:
Resolution:
64
Type:
CMOS
Aperture:
ƒ/ 1.89
Wide Angle lens:
Resolution:
8
Sensor:
Sony IMX355
Sensor size:
1/2.8"
Type:
CMOS BSI
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.2
Pixel size:
1.12 µm
Macro lens:
Resolution:
2
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.4
Phone front cameras
Resolution:
50
Aperture:
ƒ/ 2.0
Flash:
Dual LED
Optical stabilisation:
No
Slow motion video:
Yes, 240 fps
Rear camera features:
4K Video
Digital zoom
Triple camera
Digital image stabilization
Ultra stable video
Autofocus
Touch focus
Manual focus
Dual front camera
Continuous shooting
Geotagging
Panorama
HDR
Face detection
White balance settings
ISO settings
Exposure compensation
Scene mode
Self-timer
Front Flash
Night Mode
Front camera features:
Second front camera 8MP wide angle (FOV: 105°, and 98° after accounting for distortion) f/2.28 aperture with dual flahs
Ultra wide angle FOV120°, 107° after accounting for distortion.
Screen
Diagonal:
6.44
Type:
AMOLED
Aspect ratio:
20:9
Resolution in pixels:
1080 x 2400 px
Resolution quality:
FHD+
ppi:
409 ppi
Density:
Very high density
Others:
Medium-sized Notch
Refresh rate 90 Hz
Touch sampling rate 360 Hz
HDR10+
DCI-P3
Scratch resistant
Capacitive
Multi-touch
Frameless
Battery
Capacity:
4200
Type:
Li-Ion Polymer
Fast charge:
Yes, 44.0W
Others:
Non-removable
Connectivity
2G:
3G:
4G LTE:
5G:
SIM card:
Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM)
Standards:
802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax)
Others:
Dual band
Wi-Fi Hotspot
Wi-Fi Direct
Wi-Fi Display
Wi-Fi MiMO
Version:
Bluetooth 5.2LE
Profiles:
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
LE (Low Energy)
APT-x
LDAC
AAC
Navigation:
GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), NavIC System
Charging:
Mass storage:
USB On-The-Go (OTG):
USB Type C:
NFC:
Audio jack:
Radio FM:
Computer sync:
OTA sync:
Tethering:
VoLTE:
Software
Operating System:
Android 12
Google services: