Vivo V50 Lite 5G review: Solid, but not outstanding

Having reviewed the Vivo V50 a few months ago, we now want to take a closer look at another smartphone in the V series: the Vivo V50 Lite 5G. The "5G" designation is very important here, as there is also a cheaper 4G version. 

For a current price of around €280, you get, among other things, a 6,77-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 5.200 mAh battery, 90W fast charging, stereo speakers, and a 50-megapixel dual camera. However, the processor does have some weaknesses on paper. You can find out how the Vivo V50 Lite 5G performed in our tests over the past few weeks and whether we can recommend it in this review.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Vivo V50 Lite 5G is a very solid smartphone for under €300. It doesn't surpass the competition in any area, but its display and battery life are particularly impressive. The main camera delivers solid results, the design is appealing, and the fingerprint sensor is among the best in this price range.

However, there are two significant drawbacks that limit my recommendation of this device. Firstly, the price of around €280 is, in my opinion, somewhat too high for what it offers – especially compared to models like the POCO X7 Pro or POCO F7. Secondly, the performance is simply too weak for this price range: Stuttering is frequent, and demanding tasks require patience. Xiaomi and POCO clearly have the edge in this area.

Thanks to its overall better price-performance ratio, I would currently recommend a Xiaomi or POCO model to most users. However, if you don't like their software, the Vivo V50 Lite 5G is a solid and reliable alternative that you'll still be happy with.

We would like to thank Vivo Austria for providing the test device!

Design

With dimensions of 163,77 × 76,28 millimeters, the Vivo V50 Lite 5G is a very large smartphone that is not practical in many situations. proIt can be easily operated with one hand. It's similar in size to the POCO F7. At 7,79 millimeters, it's pleasantly thin, and the weight of 197 grams is perfectly acceptable. Personally, I don't particularly like the feel of the smartphone in my hand, as the angular frame makes it rather sharp and simply not ergonomic. While the POCO F7 is no different in this respect, the POCO X7 offers a positive counter-example of how well even inexpensive smartphones can fit in the hand.

The frame is made of glossy plastic, which is very prone to fingerprints and doesn't feel particularly high-quality. The back is also made of plastic, but at least it has a matte finish. While it doesn't feel premium either, it is very pleasant and grippy. You can choose between black and gold. I tested the gold model, which looks slightly different depending on the light. I think the camera arrangement in the upper left corner is very well done.

I find the front design at least as appealing as the back. The large screen is surrounded by thin bezels and a small cutout for the front camera. Only the bottom bezel is slightly thicker, but even this is pleasantly thin for a €300 smartphone. The build quality of the V50 Lite 5G is solid.

Display

The display measures 6,77 inches and has a resolution of 2.392 x 1.080 pixels. It uses an OLED panel, resulting in excellent black levels. It supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

Picture: TechnikNews

Colors are reproduced with the intensity typical of OLED displays, yet still with sufficient realism. If you prefer a more saturated look, you can adjust the colors to your liking in the settings. Viewing angle stability is excellent. White tones, in particular, only begin to shift when viewed from a sharp angle. The maximum brightness is one of my favorite features. Even in direct sunlight, I never had any issues with readability.

Software

The Vivo V50 Lite 5G runs Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15. The smartphone will receive updates for five years, which is very commendable for this price.

In recent years, the user interface has improved significantly: it now appears cleaner, more intuitive, and more modern. The control panel is intuitively structured, animations run smoothly, and even system apps like the gallery are clearly laid out. The highlight remains the extensive customization options. Whether it's a freely configurable always-on display, individual unlock animations, or custom effects – hardly any other manufacturer offers so many personalization possibilities.

Performance

The device uses a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. It also features 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, which unfortunately cannot be expanded with a microSD card. I'm very pleased with the heat management; the smartphone remained cool throughout my use.

As with last year's entry-level to mid-range smartphones from Vivo, I unfortunately have to criticize the performance of the V50 Lite 5G. The system is very sluggish, and frankly, it's not enjoyable to use. There are frequent stutters and delays. Gesture control is anything but smooth, and the camera app requires a lot of patience. However, apps open and close quickly enough. Performance is by far my biggest criticism and the only reason I can't wholeheartedly recommend this smartphone. Even Xiaomi's Redmi Note 14 5G, currently priced at €180, runs significantly smoother than the Vivo V50 Lite 5G at €280.

Battery

Vivo's mid-range smartphones have been known for their outstanding battery life for years. The Vivo V40 and V50 already impressed me. proI easily got through two days with the previous model, and the V50 Lite 5G is no different. The battery has a capacity of 5.200 mAh. With a screen-on time of 3,5 to 4,5 hours, I still had between 60 and 75 percent battery left at the end of the day, which is simply outstanding. Even heavy users or gamers should have absolutely no problem getting through a full day with the Vivo V50 Lite 5G.

If the battery runs out prematurely, you can quickly recharge it with up to 90 watts. It reaches 60 percent charge in about 30 minutes and is fully charged in approximately 70 minutes. Xiaomi sometimes offers a bit more in this price range, but I'm still very satisfied. I just find it a shame that the appropriate power adapter isn't included, as Vivo used to always include one.

camera

On the back there is a dual camera, which is positioned as follows:

• 50 megapixel main camera – Sony IMX882 – f/1.79
• 8 megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera – f/2.2

Picture: TechnikNews

I have rather mixed feelings about the cameras. The dynamic range is typical of Vivo and really good for a smartphone in this price range. Only occasionally are bright areas slightly overexposed, but this is within acceptable limits. The main camera's sharpness is decent, but I often find the artificial sharpening too strong, which looks unnatural. The ultrawide camera's sharpness, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. Details – especially in dark areas – are quickly lost. Colors are usually rendered quite unnaturally, which I particularly noticed with green tones. The color matching between the cameras is also not optimal.

In low light and when zooming in, the cameras are rarely usable. The lack of optical image stabilization is a significant drawback here. Videos and selfies are acceptable for the price, but don't expect miracles. The POCO X7 Pro and POCO F7 are noticeably better in terms of cameras.

Other

Vivo has integrated a 2D fingerprint sensor under the display, which works very reliably and pleasantly quickly. For a current price of under €300, I think the sensor is even above average. However, I would prefer it to be positioned slightly higher so that I could reach it more easily with my thumb.

As is so often the case with Vivo's mid-range smartphones, I unfortunately have to criticize the vibration motor again. It sounds annoyingly loud when notifications arrive and doesn't give a premium feel in the hand. Even at the current price, I expect significantly more. Even the POCO X7, which currently costs €100 less, has a noticeably better vibration motor.

The built-in stereo speakers are perfectly adequate. They get surprisingly loud and deliver decent sound at low to medium volume. Highs, mids, and lows are well represented. However, as soon as you significantly increase the volume, the speakers sound very tinny, shrill, and simply not good anymore. For under €300, though, that's perfectly acceptable.

Finally, I'd like to highlight the positive fact that the Vivo V50 Lite 5G is IP65 certified. IP65 is a protection rating that means the smartphone is dustproof and completely protected against contact and water jets from any direction. It's important to mention that...The device is protected against water jets from any direction, but is not intended for complete submersion.