Less time perfecting the shot, more time living in the moment: Putting the vivo V80 to the test

Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by vivo and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

Our generation has been told countless times that we don’t know how to live in the moment. We’ve been criticized for being too immersed in our phones — more concerned with capturing the perfect moment than enjoying what’s happening right in front of us.

But for a generation of digital natives, the two aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. We can be fully present in an experience and still want something to remember it by. In fact, our camera rolls have become something of a personal diary — filled with moments that mean a lot to us.

And years later, when these photos resurface, it’s rarely just about remembering what happened, but about how we felt at that particular point in our lives.

So naturally, we’d want a phone that makes doing both easier. Something that makes capturing beautiful moments effortless, without compromising on style or everyday functionality.

Equipped with a ZEISS camera system, AI-powered photography features, and a customizable OriginOS 7 interface, the vivo V80 promises to make taking beautiful photos a little less complicated. So we took it out for a stroll to see just how much easier documenting everyday life could actually get.

At 85mm, the camera captured lovely portraits while keeping some of the surroundings in the frame.

At 100mm, I actually expected the photo to lose some sharpness already, but I was pleasantly surprised by how crisp it still turned out.

We also tested the vivo V80’s zoom capabilities, taking the same photo at 1x, 3x, and 10x while standing in the same spot.

At 1x, we captured the entire street, while 3x brought the buildings closer without losing much detail. Even at 10x, we were surprised by how clearly the architectural details came through.

This could be useful at concerts and live shows, where you want to take good photos or videos despite the distance and often unpredictable stage lighting.

Another feature we had fun experimenting with was the vivo V80’s AI Creative Camera.

Take these photos, for example. An afternoon stroll around Salcedo Village looked like springtime in Japan. It’s obviously not how the place looks in real life — but that’s the fun of it.

This is a photo we shot using the Top Lighting feature. It’s best for when you want a studio-like look even without professional lighting tools.

We also tried the default 50mm setting of the main camera for a candid shot, and I love how the photo turned out even without posing too much (lol). The colors looked natural and vibrant, with the trees and greenery appearing crisp and detailed even in the wider shot.

Another fun feature of the vivo V80 is the Creative Sticker Collage, which lets you turn your photos into personalized layouts. It’s a nice touch for creatives who want to do a little more with their photos. I tested it out using shots of vivo brand ambassador Anne Curtis from the launch.

A little more personality on your lock screen

Another feature I enjoyed exploring was OriginOS 7’s customizable themes. There are four to choose from: Wiggle, Pet Pals, Glint, and StickIt.

I tried the Pet Pals theme, which gives you an adorable virtual pet right on your lock screen. You can even set its waking times, making it feel like your very own digital Tamagotchi! It’s a playful detail that makes interacting with your phone a lot more fun.

For when you don’t want to interrupt your day

One thing that genuinely surprised me was how fast the vivo V80 charges. I walked into a café with my battery at 0%, plugged it in, and when I checked again just 15 minutes later, it was already at 49%! Honestly, I couldn’t believe it. Its 90W FlashCharge is definitely a feature I’d appreciate on particularly busy days.

For when you want your phone to look as good as your photos

The vivo V80’s Starwish Purple variant is particularly pretty in person. Its galaxy-inspired design has a subtle shimmer that changes depending on how the light hits it. It’s perfect for people who love aesthetically pleasing things.

Ready to make the upgrade?

The vivo V80 is available in two variants:

• 8GB + 128GB for P42,999
• 8GB + 256GB for P47,999

Pre-orders run until November 13, with exclusive perks including a P2.000 discount, a P500 Home Credit voucher, free vivo Buds Air3, and more. Get it in vivo physical stores nationwide, the vivo e-store, and the vivo Store app. – Rappler.com