Aura Portrait Algorithm give vivo V27 5G the competitive edge
When looking for a smartphone, especially for Filipinos, two things come to mind these days: it has to perform exceedingly well on photography and has to be gaming-capable. These benefits are usually hard to come by especially on mid range smartphones below PhP25,000.
vivo was kind enough to send us their latest smartphone, the vivo V27 5G, which is set to solve these so-called “purchase requirements” that targets those who want to extend their creativity – like having their own mobile studio. vivo has always been consistent in innovating the camera features of their V series smartphones. vivo introduced the V21 5G with 64MP main camera in 2021. vivo V23 was packed with numerous content creator tools; and vivo V25 was primed with OIS and Bokeh Flare Portrait, which was an amazing stepping stone for what everything you are about to see about the vivo V27.
In this article, allow us to share with you what we have found out while using the phone, and tell you our thoughts and impressions about them. This is not yet our full review, so please don’t expect numerical scores at the end of our article.
vivo V27 5G Specs
Let’s start off with the specs of the vivo V27 5G to get you up to speed about the important things you need to know about it.
vivo V27 5G boasts of a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 4nm processor that promises excellent performance. It is equipped with a whopping 12GB of RAM (with extended 8GB RAM) and 256GB of internal storage, providing more than enough space for all your files, photos, and apps.
The FHD+ AMOLED display of the vivo V27 5G measures 6.78 inches diagonally, making it perfect for streaming videos, playing games, or browsing the internet. The display offers a resolution of 120Hz, ensuring a smooth and seamless user experience. This smartphone is also equipped with a massive 4600mAh battery, promising all-day battery life, so you can stay connected to your friends and family, and get your work done without having to worry about running out of power.
The vivo V275G also features 66W fast charging, which means that you can recharge your phone in no time. This is particularly useful when you’re on the go and need to power up your device quickly.
For the selfie lovers out there, the vivo V27 5G is equipped with a 50MP Eye AF front camera, which is perfect for taking high-quality selfies. On the back, the device features a 50MP SONY IMX766V camera, which promises excellent image quality and sharpness. One more thing that this phone also features is Aura Portrait Algorithm feature, which helps in producing clear, natural night portraits.
Build & Design
vivo V27 5G gives a very premium impression with its fluid design and metal-like texture. It was designed to be slim and light, setting records for the thinnest and lightest 3D curved screen in vivo’s history. It has a 7.36mm thickness and 182g weight, providing a comfortable grip. The curved design on the front and back, along with a 2.3mm thick frame, gives it a minimalist yet premium and elegant look. The screen has a narrower black edge for a fully upgraded screen experience and a more immersive visual experience with its full-view display.
The real kicker here for me is how they designed the back panel of the phone. It gives a marble-like look, which adds more sophistication to its overall look and feel. It’s something that you don’t want to slap a silicon case with but I’d probably do it anyway to fully protect it. The Emerald Green colorway that we’ve got also has a Photochromic Technology 2.0 feature, which reacts to UV light. Since they introduced the photochromic feature in vivo V23, it added a different kind of dynamism to how phones look like. I believe that if you’re a beach bum and you’re carrying a vivo V27 with you, this aesthetic feature can definitely be an interesting conversation starter.
Camera Specs + Aura Light
Specs-wise, vivo V27 5G’s rear camera is powered by an IMX766V. It has 50MP main camera and another two 2-megapixel lens for ultra-wide (8MP) and macro. It’s impressively packed, honestly; add Aura Portrait Algorithm and OIS in the mix, and you got yourself a smartphone that can already go toe to toe against other flagship devices.
Aura Portrait Algorithm is designed to capture clear and natural night portraits with a great vibe. The system utilizes the aura light to create even and soft lighting for more detailed and vivid portraits. The ultra-sensing lens produces brighter and purer night images with higher light intake and OIS for stability. With portrait mode and aura light working in harmony, the system offers studio-level lighting for portrait shooting, including bokeh effects and face beauty enhancements. The optimized algorithms enable powerful Low Light Portraits with great vibe.
The combination of this Aura Portrait Algorithm and its Sony IMX766V sensor allow users to shoot amazing portrait photos. I honestly was blown away by this feature; and without any hesitation, I can say that this has got to be one of the best smartphones for portrait photography at its price point.
How does this actually work? The Aura Portrait Algorithm is designed to enhance the quality of night portraits by providing clear, delicate, and even lighting to the subject’s face and skin. It features three lightbulbs that adjust their brightness according to the ambient light, making the skin look more well-lit and detailed. The system works best for portrait mode, offering studio-standard lighting and portrait-enhancing capabilities at the same time. It also smartly brightens up the subject’s eyes to give them a bright look.
The vivo V27 5G’s camera features OIS in addition to its ultra-sensing sensor. This results in a six-fold increase in light intake, longer exposures, and more stable snapshots. As a result, the camera produces high-quality images with a higher success rate in low-light conditions.
Apart from its impressive rear camera specs, the vivo V27 5G also features a 50MP Eye AF vlogging Front camera. I was actually surprised to see that you can zoom in 2X using its front camera giving more flexibility and creativity to your selfie shots. The level of quality exceeded my expectations: subject and background separation is almost perfect, and saturation is not too overblown. There is no front camera OIS, but it does an amazing job in focusing the subject even at low light, making it good and ideal for night selfies and vlogging purposes.
Portrait Samples
Other Sample Photos
Video Features and Samples
Since vivo V27 5G is packed with a powerful camera sensor, it performs really well not just in photos but also in videos. Video stabilization is topnotch because of the combination of OIS+EIS Dual Ultra Stabilization, plus it uses Super Night Video algorithm to reduce noise in night footage and to make it a little brighter than usual without degrading details.
The phone also offers a slew of vlogging and creative video modes to help you become more creative with your shots. It offers templates with fun effects and has a built-in tool to edit your videos on the fly.
It also has 8 Film LUTs available to help you produce videos with baked film colors. All you need to do is frame your shot, check the display that acts as your “viewfinder” and shoot until you run out of storage.
I am impressed with the unique and flagship offerings of vivo V27 5G. While I have not talked much about its raw performance (which I will definitely talk more about on my video and full written review), there is no question that this phone is their best V series device yet. Good camera, innovative Aura Portrait Algorithm, OIS and 50MP Eye AF front vlogging camera – vivo is definitely making sure that you’re getting a device that truly extends your creativity.
How much and Where to Buy?
Now, while this isn’t a review, I’d like to point out a few things that you may consider as my initial impressions. vivo V27, at its PhP24,999 price, is shaping up to be one of the best offerings this early 2023 in the mid range camera smartphone blanket. I am incredibly impressed with what they are offering on this device, especially its Aura Portrait Algorithm, which works exceedingly well beyond my expectations.
Check out https://www.vivo.com/ph/ for more information.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
