Vivo V60 review: Sleek design, marathon battery and cameras made for sharing

In the competitive world of mid-range smartphones, Vivo has taken a unique approach with its latest release, the Vivo V60. Rather than focusing solely on raw power, Vivo emphasizes premium aesthetics, exceptional battery longevity, and impressive photography capabilities that are perfect for sharing on social media. The Vivo V60 showcases a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the V50, featuring a substantial 6,500mAh battery, a brighter display, an updated design, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor. While it may not claim the title for speed in the sub-₹40,000 category, it is clearly tailored for users who prioritize style and endurance above sheer performance metrics. At first glance, the V60 bears a striking resemblance to Vivo’s more upscale X series rather than its V-series counterparts. The previous model's oversized circular camera design has been replaced with a sleek pill-shaped module housing three sensors, adorned with Zeiss branding. The Auspicious Gold version I examined has a logo that may be too pronounced for some, but the matte finish effectively resists fingerprints, setting it apart from typical glass surfaces. One of the standout features of the V60 is its durability. With IP68 and IP69 ratings, this phone is built to withstand dust, rain, and high-pressure water jets. Additionally, Vivo employs Schott Core glass to enhance drop resistance, a rarity in this price range. All of this is encapsulated in a body measuring just 7.5mm thick and weighing under 200 grams, despite housing the large battery. The curved edges ensure a comfortable grip, although the glossy finish might feel a bit slippery at times. The display, a 6.77-inch AMOLED panel, maintains the same 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate as the V50. However, Vivo has upped the peak brightness to an impressive 5,000 nits, making HDR content visually stunning—whether you're watching the dark scenes in a thriller or vibrant action sequences. At night, the display dims down to a gentle 2.3 nits, reducing strain on the eyes. The bezels are minimal, and the subtly curved edges give it a more luxurious feel compared to its competitors. A minor drawback is that the always-on display locks the refresh rate at 120Hz, which might be seen as an inefficient use of the robust battery. Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip provides decent results, although it doesn’t lead the pack. Benchmark tests show it achieving around 1 million points on AnTuTu, lagging behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9400e. Everyday tasks such as scrolling and app switching are smooth, especially with 12GB of RAM. However, gaming performance is less impressive; while popular games like BGMI can run smoothly on high settings, Genshin Impact struggles at lower graphics settings. On the plus side, the phone manages thermal control exceptionally well, remaining only slightly warm after prolonged gaming sessions. Vivo has also improved its software support, promising four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, though the pre-installed apps in FunTouchOS might still deter some users. The camera setup on the V60 mirrors that of the Vivo X200 FE, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX776 main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom. Heavily branded with Zeiss, the camera offers various portrait filters and modes like the Wedding Portrait Studio, which automatically enhances photos with filters and music. Daylight photography yields vibrant, shareable images, though colors can be oversaturated by default. Switching to Zeiss mode helps restore a more natural color balance. While portrait shots are impressive, especially with the telephoto lens, low-light performance can be hit or miss, often resulting in grainy images and lens flares, falling short compared to competitors. The selfie camera, however, performs well and includes similar portrait features. When it comes to battery life, the V60 truly shines. With its 6,500mAh capacity, it is among the best in its class, paired with 90W fast charging. In rigorous testing, it lasted over 19 hours in PCMark’s battery test, and in regular use, I found it consistently provided a day and a half of usage with around 10 to 11 hours of screen-on time. Charging from empty takes about an hour, which is quite reasonable given the battery size. In conclusion, the Vivo V60 may not set new records in benchmarks or excel in night photography, but it successfully delivers on the essentials: a slim and durable design, a bright display, impressive battery life, and reliable performance. For those who prioritize a dependable and stylish phone over gaming capabilities or top-tier photography, the V60 is definitely worth considering.