Vivo V31 Pro 5G: In the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone segment, manufacturers continuously strive to deliver devices that blur the boundaries between premium and affordable.
The Vivo V31 Pro 5G enters this crowded arena with a clear focus on delivering exceptional photography, refined design, and balanced performance without the flagship price tag.
This comprehensive review explores how this latest addition to Vivo’s V-series lineup manages to differentiate itself through thoughtful feature prioritization and attention to real-world user needs.
Vivo V31 Pro 5G: Design Philosophy: Premium Aesthetics Meet Practical Durability
The Vivo V31 Pro 5G immediately captures attention through its sophisticated design language that successfully balances visual appeal with everyday practicality.
At 7.49mm thick and weighing just 185g, the device strikes an impressive balance between substantial feel and comfortable handling, creating a premium impression that belies its mid-range positioning.
Available in three thoughtfully curated colorways—Mystic Black, Titanium Gray, and the visually striking Celestial Blue—the V31 Pro 5G offers personalization options that genuinely stand out.
The Celestial Blue variant deserves particular mention for its “Fluorite AG Glass” finish that combines a mesmerizing depth effect with subtle light-refracting particles that create dynamic visual interest as the phone catches light from different angles.
The frame utilizes aircraft-grade aluminum with precisely chamfered edges that enhance grip security while maintaining a premium feel during extended use.
The glass rear panel incorporates a gentle curve that improves ergonomics without compromising the sophisticated aesthetic—a thoughtful detail that enhances the overall user experience beyond mere visual appeal.
Perhaps most impressive is the IP54 rating for dust and water resistance—a feature increasingly important to consumers but often absent in this price segment.
This practical addition ensures peace of mind during everyday use scenarios, from unexpected rain showers to accidental splashes, without significantly impacting the device’s slim profile or clean design language.
Display: Visual Excellence for Content Consumption
The V31 Pro 5G centers around a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that delivers an impressive visual experience relative to typical offerings in this price segment.
With FHD+ resolution (2400×1080) and 120Hz refresh rate, the screen provides sharp text reproduction and smooth scrolling that enhances everyday interactions from social media browsing to casual gaming.
| Display Specifications | Vivo V31 Pro 5G | Competitor A | Competitor B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panel Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2400 × 1080 | 2400 × 1080 | 2400 × 1080 |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Touch Sampling Rate | 300Hz | 240Hz | 240Hz |
| Peak Brightness (typical) | 1300 nits | 1000 nits | 650 nits |
| HDR Support | HDR10+ | HDR10 | None |
| Color Gamut | 100% DCI-P3 | 95% DCI-P3 | 85% NTSC |
| Glass Protection | Schott Xensation Up | Gorilla Glass 5 | Gorilla Glass 3 |
Color reproduction impresses with vibrant yet natural tones that avoid the excessive saturation sometimes employed to mask lower-quality panels.
The display achieves a peak brightness of 1300 nits, ensuring comfortable outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight, while providing an engaging viewing experience in typical indoor environments.
The implementation of AMOLED technology delivers perfect blacks and infinite contrast that enhance media consumption and general interface appearance.
The 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth scrolling and animations that create a premium-feeling experience that belies the device’s mid-range positioning.
Eye comfort features deserve special mention, with DC dimming capability reducing the eye strain associated with PWM (pulse-width modulation) dimming commonly used in AMOLED panels at low brightness levels.
The SGS Low Blue Light certification acknowledges the growing concern about sleep disruption from excessive evening screen use—a thoughtful inclusion that demonstrates consideration for user wellbeing beyond mere visual specifications.
Camera System: Photography Excellence as Core Identity
The V31 Pro 5G continues Vivo’s tradition of photography-focused mid-range devices, featuring a thoughtfully curated triple-camera array:
50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor (f/1.79, OIS, 1/1.56″ sensor size)
8MP ultrawide lens (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
50MP portrait telephoto (f/2.0, 2x optical zoom)
The primary camera captures impressively detailed images in various lighting conditions, with the optical image stabilization proving invaluable for reducing blur in challenging scenarios.
Colors appear natural yet vibrant, avoiding the excessive processing that often characterizes mid-range smartphone photography.
Low-light performance stands out particularly, with the night mode capturing usable shots even in challenging lighting.
While some noise is inevitable, the intelligent processing preserves details where it matters most while smoothing noise in less critical areas—a balanced approach that prioritizes realistic results over artificial clarity.
Portrait mode creates convincing background blur with accurate edge detection, benefiting from the dedicated 2x telephoto lens that provides more flattering perspective for human subjects compared to wide-angle implementations.
The “Aura Light” portrait feature deserves special mention, providing soft, diffused illumination that flatters subjects rather than the harsh lighting often created by traditional flash implementations.
The ultrawide lens provides welcome versatility for landscapes and group shots, maintaining reasonable detail and minimal distortion toward the edges.
Color consistency between cameras deserves praise, avoiding the jarring shifts seen in many competing implementations when switching between lenses.
Video capabilities include 4K recording at 60fps and 1080p at 60fps, with effective electronic and optical stabilization producing smooth footage during movement.
The “Vlog Mode” provides pre-configured shooting parameters optimized for social media content creation—a thoughtful addition that acknowledges contemporary usage patterns beyond traditional photography and videography.
The front-facing 50MP selfie camera delivers detailed self-portraits with natural skin tones and effective HDR processing for balanced exposure against bright backgrounds.
The “Studio Lighting” effects provide subtle enhancements that improve appearance without the artificial, over-processed look that plagues many beauty filters.
Performance: Balanced Capability for Everyday Needs
At the heart of the V31 Pro 5G beats the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor—a 4nm chipset that strikes an effective balance between performance and power efficiency.
Paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB/256GB of UFS 2.2 storage (expandable via microSD), the device handles everyday tasks with confidence and fluidity.
Day-to-day performance feels consistently responsive, with apps launching promptly and multitasking handled gracefully.
The thoughtfully optimized Funtouch OS 14 (based on Android 14) contributes significantly to this fluidity, with intelligent resource management enhancing the overall user experience without requiring technical knowledge to maintain.
While not marketed as a gaming-focused device, the V31 Pro 5G handles popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile admirably at medium to high settings, maintaining playable framerates with reasonable thermal management during extended sessions.
The “Ultra Game Mode” provides useful optimizations and tools like notification blocking and performance monitoring without overwhelming users with excessive options.
Perhaps most impressive is the performance consistency during extended use, with minimal slowdown even after days without restarting.
This characteristic proves particularly valuable for users who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day, where gradual performance degradation can significantly impact satisfaction more than benchmark numbers.
The extended RAM feature, which can temporarily convert up to 8GB of storage into additional RAM, provides welcome flexibility during memory-intensive tasks without requiring users to invest in the higher RAM configuration upfront.
This thoughtful addition enhances the device’s adaptability to varying usage demands without increasing base cost.
Battery Life: Endurance That Defines User Experience
The 5,000mAh battery provides impressive endurance, easily lasting through a full day of heavy usage.
Most users will comfortably achieve 6-7 hours of screen-on time, consisting of social media browsing, video streaming, photography, and occasional gaming.
More moderate users can expect up to two days between charges—a liberating experience that minimizes battery anxiety during travel or extended outings.
When recharging becomes necessary, the included 80W FlashCharge adapter refills the battery from empty to 50% in approximately 18 minutes and reaches full capacity in about 45 minutes.
Battery health features deserve mention, with optimized charging patterns designed to preserve long-term capacity.
The night charging protection slows charging rates during overnight connections, while the “Battery Saver” mode extends runtime in emergency situations without completely sacrificing usability.
This combination of generous capacity and rapid charging creates a genuinely transformative user experience, effectively eliminating the battery anxiety that often accompanies mid-range devices with lesser endurance or charging capabilities.
Software Experience: Funtouch OS Finds Balance
Running Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the V31 Pro 5G delivers a software experience that has matured significantly from earlier iterations.
The interface offers extensive customization options while maintaining intuitive navigation and thoughtful organization that prevents overwhelming complexity.
Vivo promises three major Android updates and four years of security patches—an impressive commitment for a mid-range device that ensures longevity beyond immediate purchase.
This support horizon enhances both practical usability and resale value throughout the device’s lifespan.
Particularly noteworthy is the restraint shown in pre-installed applications compared to previous Funtouch OS versions, with bloatware reduced and most additions offering genuine utility rather than partnership-driven space consumption.
This evolving approach demonstrates growing recognition of user preferences for cleaner software experiences without excessive duplication of system functions.
The “Multi-Turbo” system optimization maintains performance over time through intelligent resource allocation and background management, while the comprehensive privacy features offer granular control over application permissions and data access—essential considerations in an increasingly privacy-conscious market.
Audio Experience and Additional Features
The V31 Pro 5G incorporates dual stereo speakers that deliver impressive audio performance with clear vocals and reasonable bass response considering the device’s slim profile.
The Hi-Res Audio certification ensures quality listening experiences with compatible content and headphones, while Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable wireless connections with reduced latency compared to earlier implementations.
The in-display fingerprint sensor deserves mention for its improved speed and reliability compared to previous generations, approaching the consistency of traditional capacitive sensors while maintaining the clean aesthetic of an uninterrupted front panel.
The facial recognition provides a convenient alternative that works well in good lighting, though with expected limitations in low-light conditions.
Key Takeaways:
Premium Design: Sophisticated aesthetics with practical durability and thoughtful ergonomics
Immersive Display: 120Hz AMOLED with eye comfort features and exceptional brightness
Photography Excellence: Versatile camera system with impressive low-light capabilities
Balanced Performance: Dimensity 7300 delivers responsive everyday experience
Exceptional Charging: 80W FlashCharge with intelligent battery health protection
Refined Software: Funtouch OS 14 with promised long-term support and reduced bloatware
Comprehensive Package: Thoughtful attention to real-world usability across all aspects
Vivo V31 Pro 5G: Redefining Mid-Range Expectations
The Vivo V31 Pro 5G represents a compelling package that challenges preconceptions about what a mid-range smartphone can offer.
By carefully balancing premium features with thoughtful compromises, Vivo has created a device that delivers exceptional value without feeling like a collection of specification sacrifices.
While it naturally lacks certain flagship features, the trade-offs have been intelligently selected to preserve the fundamental experience quality in areas that most significantly impact daily satisfaction.
The result is a smartphone that feels cohesive and complete rather than arbitrarily limited—a product developed with clear understanding of target user priorities rather than marketing-driven feature checklists.
For consumers seeking premium photography capabilities and refined design without flagship pricing, the V31 Pro 5G deserves serious consideration.
It demonstrates that thoughtful product development focused on real-world user experience can create devices that transcend specification comparisons to deliver genuine satisfaction throughout ownership—perhaps the most meaningful measure of value in an increasingly homogenized smartphone market.