Vivo V9 Pro 4G Introduction: Vivo’s Attempt to Redefine Mid-Range Smartphones
Vivo V9 Pro 4G- smartphone market in India has always been a battlefield, especially in the mid-range segment where price-sensitive buyers expect maximum value. With the launch of the Vivo V9 Pro 4G, the company tried to strike a balance between premium design, reliable performance, and a competitive price tag of ₹17,990. Equipped with 6GB RAM, Snapdragon 660 processor, and a powerful 16MP front-facing camera, this device aimed to become the go-to choice for millennials and young professionals who wanted a stylish phone without breaking the bank.
Back in its day, the Vivo V9 Pro stood out as one of the most talked-about smartphones. While today’s devices might offer faster 5G connectivity and upgraded processors, the V9 Pro still carries its charm for buyers who want a feature-packed 4G device. Let’s dive into a detailed look at what the smartphone offered and why it became a highlight in Vivo’s portfolio.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Key Specifications at a Glance
Here’s a quick summary of the important details before we get into the in-depth analysis.
| Feature | Vivo V9 Pro (4G) |
|---|---|
| Price in India | ₹17,990 |
| Display | 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 |
| RAM | 6GB |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable) |
| Rear Camera | 13MP + 2MP dual camera |
| Front Camera | 16MP selfie camera |
| Battery | 3,260 mAh |
| Operating System | Funtouch OS (based on Android Oreo) |
| Connectivity | 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Micro-USB |
| Special Features | AI Face Beauty, Fingerprint Sensor, Face Unlock |
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Design and Build: A Stylish Device That Looked Premium
When the Vivo V9 Pro 4G was launched, it immediately caught attention for its design. Vivo was known for making smartphones that looked much more premium than their actual price tag suggested, and this device was no exception. The slim bezels, curved edges, and glossy back gave it an elegant look that could easily compete with more expensive smartphones.
The phone featured a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a notch design, which was considered trendy back then. In fact, Vivo was among the early brands in India that popularized the notch display, following Apple’s iPhone X design inspiration. Holding the V9 Pro felt comfortable despite its large screen, thanks to its lightweight build and ergonomic design.
The glossy finish on the rear gave it a glass-like appearance, though it was made of polycarbonate. This meant the phone looked stylish but was still durable enough to handle everyday use.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Display: Big, Bright, and Made for Entertainment
One of the highlights of the Vivo V9 Pro 4G was its 6.3-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2280 pixels. For a phone priced under ₹20,000, this was impressive at the time. The panel produced sharp colors, good brightness levels, and wide viewing angles, making it a solid choice for binge-watchers who loved Netflix, YouTube, or mobile gaming.
The 19:9 aspect ratio with slim bezels added to the immersive experience. Watching videos on this phone felt more engaging, and mobile gamers found the display size perfect for extended play sessions. While AMOLED panels were still considered a luxury for higher-priced phones, the Vivo V9 Pro 4G LCD display managed to deliver a satisfying visual experience.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Performance: Snapdragon 660 with 6GB RAM – A Strong Combination
Performance has always been a deciding factor in the mid-range smartphone market, and Vivo equipped the Vivo V9 Pro 4G with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 660 processor. Back then, this chipset was one of the most reliable options in its category, offering a good mix of power efficiency and smooth multitasking.
Pairing it with 6GB RAM was the real game-changer. While most mid-range smartphones in that price bracket offered only 3GB or 4GB RAM, Vivo took the bold step of introducing 6GB, ensuring smoother performance even during heavy multitasking. Apps loaded quickly, switching between multiple apps felt fluid, and casual gaming was handled with ease.
Popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 ran decently on medium settings. Of course, this wasn’t a gaming beast, but it managed to deliver consistent and reliable performance without frequent lags. For daily use, from social media scrolling to video streaming, the phone performed smoothly and lived up to its promise.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Cameras: The 16MP Selfie Expert
If there was one area where Vivo always tried to make a mark, it was cameras, particularly the front-facing ones. The Vivo V9 Pro 4G came with a 16MP selfie camera, which was marketed as the highlight feature of the device.
The selfies clicked on the V9 Pro were crisp and detailed under good lighting conditions. The company’s AI Face Beauty feature enhanced selfies by automatically retouching skin tones, removing blemishes, and making photos look Instagram-ready. While purists preferred natural-looking selfies, many young buyers loved this feature for its convenience.
On the rear, the phone housed a dual-camera setup of 13MP + 2MP. The secondary lens was meant for depth sensing, helping create portrait shots with blurred backgrounds. The rear cameras performed reasonably well in daylight, capturing good details and colors. Low-light performance, however, was average, with some noise creeping in. Still, for a phone in this price range, it was a competitive offering.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Battery Life: Could Have Been Better
The Vivo V9 Pro 4G came with a 3,260 mAh battery, which, at the time, was fairly standard but not extraordinary. For moderate users, the phone could easily last a full day with activities like social media browsing, calling, and light gaming. However, heavy users who streamed videos or played games extensively found themselves reaching for the charger by evening.
The phone did not support fast charging, which was a bit of a disappointment for power users. Charging the device through its Micro-USB port took more than two hours to reach 100%. In comparison, some of its competitors had already started offering fast-charging features.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Software Experience: Funtouch OS with a Heavy Touch
The Vivo V9 Pro 4G ran on Funtouch OS based on Android Oreo. Vivo’s custom skin was packed with features but also criticized for being heavy-handed compared to stock Android.
The interface felt inspired by iOS, with no traditional app drawer and control shortcuts swiped up from the bottom. For users shifting from other Android phones, it took some time to get used to. On the positive side, Funtouch OS included features like split-screen multitasking, gesture navigation, and system-wide themes.
Vivo also added its AI Game Mode, which minimized interruptions during gameplay by blocking notifications and optimizing performance. While some loved the customizations, others wished for a cleaner, more stock-like Android experience.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Connectivity and Everyday Use
The Vivo V9 Pro 4G supported 4G VoLTE, making it compatible with all major networks in India. Call quality was reliable, and the phone maintained strong network connectivity even in areas with weaker signals. It also included Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and a fingerprint sensor placed at the back, which was fast and accurate.
Face Unlock was another feature Vivo promoted, and it worked surprisingly well in well-lit environments. However, in low light, the fingerprint sensor was more dependable.
The decision to stick with a Micro-USB port instead of Type-C was one drawback, especially when competitors were starting to shift to the newer standard.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Entertainment and Audio Performance
For a phone targeting young audiences, entertainment was a key area, and the Vivo V9 Pro 4G delivered decently. The large display made movie-watching enjoyable, and the speaker at the bottom was loud enough for casual listening. However, the sound wasn’t very rich and lacked depth.
Thankfully, the phone retained the 3.5mm headphone jack, which many music lovers appreciated. Pairing it with a good set of earphones improved the experience significantly.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Competition and Market Position
When Vivo launched the V9 Pro, it entered a very competitive mid-range space. The likes of Xiaomi, Honor, and Motorola were offering smartphones with powerful specifications at lower prices. For instance, the Xiaomi Poco F1 was another popular option around the same period, offering a flagship-grade Snapdragon 845 processor at a slightly higher price.
However, what worked for Vivo was its focus on design and selfies. The Vivo V9 Pro 4G wasn’t trying to compete purely on raw performance but rather on creating an all-rounder that looked premium, worked smoothly, and clicked great selfies. This positioning made it especially popular among young buyers who valued looks and cameras.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G User Experience: What People Loved and Didn’t
Over time, Vivo V9 Pro 4G users highlighted both positives and drawbacks. Many appreciated its slim design, smooth performance, and excellent selfies. It was considered a reliable phone for everyday tasks and entertainment.
On the flip side, users pointed out the average battery life, lack of fast charging, and the heavy custom UI as areas that needed improvement. But overall, the phone delivered solid value at its price point.
Long-Term Relevance of the Vivo V9 Pro 4G
Looking back, the Vivo V9 Pro 4G represents an important chapter in Vivo’s journey in India. It showed the brand’s strategy of offering stylish phones with strong selfie cameras, a strategy that continues even in today’s Vivo devices.
While newer smartphones have left the V9 Pro behind in terms of raw specs, it still remains a nostalgic device for many who bought it when it launched. Even today, it can serve as a decent secondary phone for users who do not require 5G or the latest features.
Vivo V9 Pro 4G Conclusion: A Balanced Mid-Ranger That Left Its Mark
The Vivo V9 Pro (4G) at ₹17,990 offered a compelling mix of 6GB RAM, Snapdragon 660 processor, and a 16MP selfie camera in a premium-looking body. While it had some shortcomings like average battery life and lack of fast charging, it still managed to win hearts with its design, smooth everyday performance, and selfie capabilities.
In the highly competitive mid-range market, the Vivo V9 Pro 4G stood out not because it was the most powerful device, but because it was a well-rounded smartphone that appealed to young buyers who wanted style and substance at an affordable price.
Even today, it’s remembered as one of Vivo’s most successful mid-range offerings, proving that sometimes it’s not just about specs, but about creating a complete experience that connects with users.