Vivo V70 Elite Review: Premium Design, Display, and Camera Performance

Vivo V70 Elite Review: A Premium Camera-Focused Contender

The Vivo V70 Elite enters one of the most competitive smartphone segments in the market. With a starting price of ₹52,000, it positions itself just below the flagship territory while promising a near-premium experience. On paper, the specifications look impressive: a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, a crisp 1.5K AMOLED display with ultra-thin bezels, a 50MP 3x telephoto camera with OIS, a massive 6500mAh battery, and OriginOS 6 powering the experience.

However, in this price range, solid specifications alone are not enough. Brands like Oppo, iQOO, OnePlus, and Realme are aggressively competing with powerful chipsets, advanced battery solutions, and increasingly capable camera systems. So the question is not whether the V70 Elite performs well — it does. The real question is whether it stands out enough to justify its premium pricing in a fiercely competitive market.

Design and Build: Elegant Yet Practical

One of the first things you notice about the Vivo V70 Elite is how comfortably it fits in the hand. Despite featuring a 6.59-inch display, the phone feels surprisingly manageable in daily use. The weight distribution is balanced, making extended one-handed usage possible without discomfort.

The rear panel features a soft, velvet-inspired finish that feels smooth and secure without being slippery. It gives the phone a distinctive character. At 7.59mm thick and weighing 197 grams, it strikes a fine balance between slimness and sturdiness. The Passion Red variant stands out visually, while Authentic Black and Sand Beige offer more understated options. Slight variations in weight and dimensions may exist depending on the colour choice.

The device uses a glass back paired with an aerospace-grade aluminium frame, creating a premium and solid feel. The camera module adopts a square layout rather than a circular one, with separate accent rings around the 50MP primary and telephoto lenses. Below the 8MP ultrawide lens and Aura Light, the Zeiss branding is neatly integrated, adding a touch of refinement.

Durability is also well addressed. With IP68 and IP69 ratings, along with SGS five-star drop resistance certification, the V70 Elite is built to handle splashes, dust, and minor accidental drops. That said, it remains a glass-backed device, so careful handling is still advisable.

The button placement is standard and ergonomic. The power and volume keys sit on the right, while the bottom houses the dual Nano-SIM slot, speaker grille, and USB 2.0 Type-C port. An IR blaster is positioned at the top.

Display: Immersive and Bright

The V70 Elite features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. What immediately stands out is the slim bezel design, giving the phone a modern and premium front appearance.

The display supports HDR10 and HDR10+, offers up to 5000 nits of peak brightness, and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. In everyday usage, the screen delivers vibrant yet balanced colours without looking artificially boosted. HDR content on streaming platforms appears dynamic and detailed, with smooth colour transitions suggesting high colour depth performance.

Outdoor visibility remains strong, even under direct sunlight. Scrolling and animations feel fluid thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, enhancing both casual browsing and gaming.

The ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable, even with slightly damp fingers. This is a welcome upgrade over traditional optical sensors commonly seen in this segment.

The device features stereo speakers that deliver clear sound, sufficient volume, and decent audio depth for an enjoyable listening experience. While minor distortion may appear at maximum volume, overall sound clarity remains satisfying for media consumption.

Camera Performance: Balanced and Reliable

Instead of focusing purely on high megapixel counts, Vivo has opted for a practical and versatile camera setup. The rear configuration includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 50MP 3x optical telephoto lens with OIS, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. The front houses a 50MP selfie shooter with autofocus.

In daylight conditions, the primary camera captures detailed and naturally toned images. Vivo’s colour science leans toward realistic rendering rather than excessive saturation. Highlights are well controlled, skies retain detail, and dynamic range performs consistently. Photos are sharp enough for social media sharing and moderate cropping.

Low-light photography is equally dependable. The primary sensor manages challenging lighting scenarios without significant colour shifts. While it may not outperform flagship competitors in extreme scenarios, the results are bright, clear, and more than acceptable for its category.

The highlight of the setup is undoubtedly the 3x telephoto lens. Daytime zoom shots appear crisp and well-balanced in colour. Even at extended zoom levels like 5x or 10x, the images remain usable, which is commendable at this price. In lower light, the telephoto continues to perform respectably, though images may occasionally lean slightly warmer. Overall, it adds genuine versatility rather than serving as a mere marketing feature.

Overall, the Vivo V70 Elite delivers a polished and capable experience. It blends strong performance, premium design, an immersive display, and a versatile camera system into a refined package. Whether it justifies its price ultimately depends on how much you value its camera capabilities and balanced overall approach in a highly competitive segment.