vivo introduced the V70 series today at an event in New Delhi, India. This new lineup features two smartphones: the standard V70 and the V70 Elite. While the V70 builds upon the foundation laid by last year's V60, the V70 Elite represents the first "Elite" model in the V Series. Although vivo has not confirmed if the Elite will replace the Pro designation, we had the opportunity to spend some time with the vivo V70 Elite, and here are our first impressions.
The vivo V70 Elite comes in a retail package similar to that of the V60, which includes a charging cable, SIM ejector, 90W power adapter, documentation, and a transparent protective case. Unlike the bundled cases of some V60 models, this case does not match the phone's color.
The device boasts a 6.59-inch AMOLED display, shielded by Schott Xensation Core glass and encompassed by slim bezels. The screen has a resolution of 2,750x1,260 pixels and a pixel density of 459 ppi, supporting a local peak brightness of 5,000 nits and the ability to display 1.07 billion colors.
The panel supports multiple refresh rates of 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz. Users can choose from three options in the settings menu: Standard, Smart Adaptation, and High. Standard mode refreshes the display up to 60Hz, while High mode can refresh it up to 120Hz. The Smart Adaptation mode automatically selects the optimal refresh rate for a smoother display while conserving battery life.
In High mode, the "Apps running at a high refresh rate" option allows enabling a 120Hz refresh rate on a per-app or game basis. Furthermore, the display supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG codecs, along with Widevine L1 certification, facilitating 1080p video streaming in compatible applications.
A centered punch-hole houses the 50MP "ZEISS Group Selfie Camera" with an f/2.0 aperture, a 92° field of view, autofocus, and 0.8x–2x magnification. The front camera can record 4K videos at 60 FPS, though vivo has not disclosed the specific sensor used.
Moreover, the display integrates a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner for biometric authentication, marking it as the first V Series smartphone to feature this technology. It supports swipe-based fingerprint enrollment and can unlock the device even with wet fingers. Our experience with the fingerprint scanner was positive; it felt fast and accurate, located comfortably away from the bezel for an enjoyable unlocking experience.
On the back, the V70 Elite features a squircle-shaped camera island with a circular flash, termed Aura Light, and three cameras, highlighted by the ZEISS logo, indicating their co-development.
The primary 50MP camera (23mm) utilizes the Sony LYT-700V 1/1.56" sensor, equipped with an f/1.88 aperture, an 84° field of view, and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The telephoto camera is also 50MP (73mm), using the Sony IMX882 1/1.95" sensor with an f/2.65 aperture, OIS, and 3x optical zoom.
Unfortunately, the V70 Elite's ultrawide camera has a modest 8MP resolution, and while the sensor used has not been disclosed, it features an f/2.2 aperture and a 115° field of view, with the caveat of lacking autofocus.
The V70 Elite can capture 4K videos at 60 FPS with 1x, 2x, and 3x magnifications. Portrait Mode supports five focal lengths: 23mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm. Included are several AI-powered features, including the India-exclusive AI Holi Portrait, available until March 15, 2026.
Additionally, the phone comes with AI Audio Noise Eraser, which aims to reduce unwanted sounds during video recordings. However, during our testing, this feature did not function effectively, leaving us uncertain about its overall efficacy.
The camera module is described by vivo as being "engineered with a sleek metal". While it does contribute to a stylish aesthetic, it causes some wobbling when using the phone on a flat surface.
The V70 Elite's back panel, like the camera housing, features a matte finish that resists fingerprint smudges. Our Passion Red model's back panel consists of an unspecified type of glass; in contrast, the Sand Beige model is made from the same material, while the Authentic Black variant features a glass-fiber cover. Notably, the Authentic Black model is lighter at 187 g compared to the other two versions, weighing 7 g less. Additionally, the Authentic Black is slimmer than the other colors, measuring 7.4 mm versus 7.59 mm.
The flat, "aerospace-grade" aluminum frame also exhibits a matte finish. On the right side, you'll find the volume rocker and power button, both providing satisfying feedback. The bottom edge features a USB-C port alongside a SIM card slot, microphone, and speaker grille, while the top edge houses an IR blaster, an additional speaker outlet, and another microphone.
Ports and Controls
Overall, the design and build quality of the vivo V70 Elite are commendable. It’s sleek, compact, and facilitates one-handed usage, making it the most comfortable V Series smartphone we've encountered to date.
Under the hood, the vivo V70 Elite is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, marking a shift as previous devices in the series utilized MediaTek chips. The V70 Elite offers configurations of up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. This is a significant improvement, especially following criticism directed at vivo regarding the V60's UFS 2.2 storage.
Software-wise, the V70 Elite runs on Android 16, based on OriginOS 6. vivo has promised up to four OS version updates and six years of security updates, released quarterly. The Indian model, which this article covers, came pre-loaded with nine third-party apps and games; fortunately, all of these can be uninstalled if desired.
The V70 Elite packs a robust 6,500 mAh battery, supporting 90W charging and multi-scenario bypass charging. While vivo hasn't provided specific charging times, our tests indicated the device took over an hour to fully recharge.
Additional features of the vivo V70 Elite include IP68 and IP69 ratings, enabling underwater photography, 4D Gaming Vibration, an X-Axis linear motor, and NFC capabilities.
The V70 Elite will be available for purchase in India starting February 26, with three configurations: 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB, and 12GB/512GB. They will be priced at INR 51,999 ($570/€484), INR 56,999 ($625/€530), and INR 61,999 ($680/€580), respectively.
vivo V70 Elite 5G
The vivo V70 will also launch in India on the same date, available in Passion Red and Lemon Yellow, with two storage options: 8GB/256GB priced at INR 45,999 ($505/€430) and 12GB/256GB priced at INR 49,999 ($550/€465).
