Latest news with #VivoX200Ultra
Phone Arena
22-05-2025
- Phone Arena
Vivo X200 Ultra Review: Impractical design, but an incredible camera
The Vivo X200 Ultra is not just any camera phone. Just look at it — there is just no way you can mistake it for anything else! It's got a giant camera bump that sticks out more than ever before, so much so that everyone who picked it up noticed that right away. What's hiding in that massive bump is Vivo's suggestion for a new take on the smartphone camera system. Instead of compromising with the quality of the ultra-wide camera, why not make it as good as the main camera? And speaking of the main camera, why is it 24mm on most flagships? The way people perceive a picture is never that wide and when taking landscapes, photographers usually resort to wider lenses. So why not use a 35mm lens for the main camera? All of these decisions result in a unique phone, which now claims the title for the ultimate mobile camera of 2025. Oh, and one more thing! This Vivo has the best battery life of any phone we have tested in the last two years. Excited? Well so were we, but because of its slightly weird design, the Vivo X200 Ultra is definitely not a phone for everyone, and Vivo seems to know it — it will, sadly, not be releasing it in Western markets. But it remains an incredibly interesting device, so let's take a closer look. The Vivo X200 Ultra excels in areas like camera and charging, but lags a bit in the desing and update departments. What's clear is that it raises the camera bar from the already high one set with the Vivo X200 Pro. Table of Contents: Let's start with an overview of the Vivo X200 Ultra specs: (Image by PhoneArena) The Vivo X200 Ultra is defined by its gigantic camera bump. We are used to camera phones out of China having these supersized camera islands on the back, but this is something else. We measured that the camera bump itself is actually thicker than the Galaxy S25 Edge! It's something. The camera bump is GIANT (Image by PhoneArena) Because of that, the whole phone is very top-heavy, which makes it a bit weird to hold and handle. Because of this imbalanced weight, I almost dropped it on a few occasions. It's also a bit heavier than the Vivo X200 Pro model, nearing 230 grams, but admittedly, the weight is close to that of other big phones, it's the way it's distributed that bothers me more. A side view (Image by PhoneArena) For all else, it feels premium and solidly put together. You have flat sides and a mostly flat screen with a very slightly taper. One stand-out design element is the camera shutter button, placed similarly as the Camera Control on iPhones. And yes, it also has the same touch sensitivity, so you can swipe on it to zoom in and out. Vivo includes a charging brick, a charging cable, and a case, and we have zero complaints about that. The charger is a super fast 90W at that (keep in mind that it uses proprietary technology, so don't expect to use just any Anker USB-C PD charger to get those speeds). A big and bright screen (Image by PhoneArena) With a 6.8-inch screen, this is definitely a big canvas, on par with your Galaxy S25 Ultras and Pixel 9 Pro XLs. On our display lab tests, we see a slight improvement in the max brightness, so the X200 Ultra gets a bit brighter than the X200 Pro, but unfortunately the minimum brightness does not get dim enough for comfortable bedtime use and that's something we'd like to see improved. For biometrics, you get an optical fingerprint reader embedded in the screen that's fast and accurate. We've had no issues with it. Vivo is a camera innovator (Image by PhoneArena) While most modern phones feature a main camera with wide field of view (usually around 23mm to 24mm), the Vivo X200 Ultra goes a completely different route with a 35mm main camera. 35mm is a great focal length for street photography and environmental portraits, but it is not wide enough for landscapes, hence the reason why very few phone makers have actually adopted it. You have a dedicated camera button (Image by PhoneArena) So... how do you take photos of landscapes on the X200 Ultra? Well, you have a much larger and more capable than usual ultra-wide camera. In fact, the ultra-wide camera sensor is as big as the main one (roughly 1/1.3"). We've never seen another phone with such a powerful ultra-wide lens, so that's definitely unusual. It's a 14mm lens, but with a quick tap, you can also capture 28mm images, which is much closer to that wide perspective you need for landscape shots. Finally, the third rear camera seems to be the same one as on the X200 Pro, a 200MP camera with a 3.7X zoom and f/2.7 aperture. Plus, it can focus really close, allowing for some truly astounding macro shots. The first thing you have to decide on before starting to take pictures with any Vivo phone is the color mode. The phone defaults to Vivo's Vivid mode, which is what we've also used for the sample photos below. However, colors with this mode are vivid indeed (we are talkign much more vivide than a Galaxy!) and if you want more realistic colors, you should definitely take photos in the Zeiss color mode. 3.7X 10X With a 3.7X telephoto camera (85mm in case you get lost in the numbers), the zoom quality on the X200 Ultra has not changed much from the Vivo X200 Pro. Some may be disappointed by the lack of new hardware, but let us remind you that the X200 Pro had one of the most powerful zoom cameras we've ever tested, and we have the same quality with the Ultra. In other words, this is still absolutely a top-notch zoom camera. 1.5x 2.2x 3.7x 5.9x One place where we don't miss a 24mm perspective is for portraits. Many would argue that actually 35mm is the perfect focal lengths for environmental portraits. You then also have a 2.2x mode, 3.7x and 5.9x, and all of those are very useful for portraiture. My favorite lens is the 3.7X (85mm) one, which gives you a nearly 3D effect when you walk further back from your subject. And indeed, the quality we get is great and the perspective feels right. Look closer and you would notice that the software is able to pick up individual strands of hair and separate them from the background with great precision. One word of warning: notice the aggressively saturated colors from the Vivid color profile in the above images. We really wish we took those portraits using the neutral Zeiss color mode. Vivo has its usual bokeh simulations too, which are fun (you can pick between various bokeh ball shapes). At its widest 14mm mode, the ultra-wide camera captures excellent photos with little distortion and an excellent amount of detail. This is indeed one of the best ultra-wide cameras we have tested so far. During the day, the advantage is noticeable, but you really notice its big advantage in low light when its able to capture a lot more light than competitors. We had our doubts about using sensor crop for most of our photos (to match the perspective of a traditional smartphone main camera), but when we actually looked at the photos, the quality is really hard to distinguish from a native lens. Detail is excellent, there are no changes to the color science and especially during daytime you won't encounter a drop in quality. Selfies also look nice on the Vivo, with a good amount of detail and pleasing skin tones. Video Quality While Vivo mostly manages to go around the 35mm conundrum with a crop from the ultra-wide camera, this is not the case for video. And you can easily see that in the footage. We bet most folks would still need that wider perspective for most of their videos and 35mm would usually be a bit too zoomed in. That's why most videos recorded on the X200 Ultra will use the ultra-wide camera and if you try to match the standard 24mm perspective on the X200 Ultra, your footage ends up looking very noisy and details drops quite a bit. Switching to the main 35mm lens fixes that, but then your perpsective is too tight. Overall, I think video recording is the biggest issue we encounter when faced with the 35mm lens question, and Vivo does not convince us it has any good solutions for that. The Snapdragon 8 Elite is a familiar chip and it does not disappoint (Image by PhoneArena) While the X200 Pro launched with a MediaTek chipset, the X200 Ultra switches to the flagship Snapdragon 8 Ultra. Our unit also has 16GB of RAM, which definitely helps with multitasking and AI future-proofing the phone. GPU Performance The GPU scores, however, are interesting. We see that the X200 Ultra handles itslef better under stress as its performance after 20 minutes of heavy-duty gaming is nearly 10% better than the Galaxy S25 Ultra . Vivo X200 Ultra Software Origin OS has a few neat tricks up its sleever (Image by PhoneArena) The Vivo X200 Ultra runs on Origin OS which is a very interesting take on Android and it has lots of cool additions that you don't have on stock Android. We would say that it's among our favorite Android skins. For example, it's nice how you can drag and drop files and images to a separate vault and then easily drop them as an email attachment, or quickly share them with someone. In terms of software support, we expect four years of OS upgrades and a few more years of security updates, which is a standard among Chinese phone makers, but not as good as the seven years of OS upgrades you get from Samsung and Google. With a 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery and careful system-wide optimizations, the X200 Ultra surpasses expectations and shows mainstream phones that you can innovate here as well. On our lightest web browsing test the X200 Ultra scores exactly 22 hours, beating most rivals except for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which lasted some 40 minutes longer. But then for YouTube video streaming, the Vivo X200 Ultra lasts an insane 13 hours and 41 minutes. The already excellent iPhone 16 Pro Max scores "merely" 10 hours and a half on the same test and the Galaxy S25 Ultra lasts for less than 9 hours. The Vivo gets nearly 50% longer battery life than the Galaxy! You also have wireless charging support with 30W speeds, but you need to use a proprietary Vivo charger to get the full speed. You get very good audio quality via the loudspeakers on the X200 Ultra. They get quite loud and you get some depth to lows, which is always appreciated on a smartphone. As for haptics, they are also very good with a nice, tight feedback, so no complaints on that either. The Vivo X200 Ultra is an extraordinary camera phone, but with very limited availability (Image by PhoneArena) Well, you cannot buy the Vivo in most Western markets, so the question is not really relevant here. But the Vivo X200 Ultra is clearly an incredible camera phone. The clever idea of a 35mm main lens and a much better ultra-wide camera brings lots of benefits and results in fantastic images. However, that gigantic camera bump is not only an eye sore — it's a serious design flaw and one that many people won't be able to forgive. As for my personal conclusion, well, this will not become my daily driver for long, but I'm taking this phone on my next trip to Italy. It's a really exciting camera and would make for a great second phone, if you have that luxury.
Geeky Gadgets
21-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Vivo X200 Ultra: The World's Best Camera Phone
The Vivo X200 Ultra stands out as a flagship smartphone that reimagines the possibilities of mobile photography. With its advanced camera system, premium build quality, and robust performance, it appeals to both photography enthusiasts and technology aficionados. By blending innovation with practicality, this device establishes itself as a formidable competitor in the premium smartphone market, offering a comprehensive suite of features designed to meet the demands of modern users. The video below from Beebom gives us a detailed look at the handet and its impressive camera setup. Watch this video on YouTube. Advanced Camera System for Professional Results The Vivo X200 Ultra's camera system is a defining feature, engineered to deliver exceptional results across various photography and videography scenarios. At its core is a 35mm primary lens, which excels in portrait photography by producing images with natural depth and sharp clarity. This is complemented by an ultra-wide lens equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), making sure vibrant and detailed shots even in challenging low-light conditions. For users who require precision in capturing distant subjects, the 200MP telephoto lens offers 3.7x optical zoom, which can be extended to an impressive 8.7x using an external zoom lens. This versatility makes the device suitable for everything from landscape photography to wildlife shots. Video creators will benefit from its ability to record in 4K Dolby Vision at 60fps, as well as slow-motion 4K at 120fps, allowing cinematic-quality footage. A dedicated image processing chipset further enhances the quality of photos and videos by making sure accurate color reproduction and intricate detail capture. The 50MP front camera adds to the device's versatility, delivering high-resolution selfies and smooth video call experiences. Enhanced Photography Accessories The Vivo X200 Ultra extends its functionality with a range of accessories tailored for photography enthusiasts and professionals. These accessories are designed to enhance usability and precision, making the device a versatile tool for creative expression: Customizable camera grip: Features a shutter button and a built-in power bank, allowing for extended shooting sessions without interruptions. Features a shutter button and a built-in power bank, allowing for extended shooting sessions without interruptions. External zoom lens: Expands the optical zoom range, allowing users to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. Expands the optical zoom range, allowing users to capture distant subjects with remarkable clarity. Tripod mount: Provides stability for professional-grade photography and videography, making sure sharp and steady results. Provides stability for professional-grade photography and videography, making sure sharp and steady results. Functional case: Includes a stand and filter attachment options, offering added flexibility for diverse shooting scenarios. These accessories transform the Vivo X200 Ultra into a comprehensive photography solution, catering to both casual users and professionals seeking precision and convenience. Elegant Design with Durability The Vivo X200 Ultra seamlessly combines aesthetics with durability, offering a design that is both sophisticated and resilient. Its glass back and metal frame exude a premium feel, while its IP68/IP69 rating ensures reliable protection against water and dust. The quad-curved 2K LTPO display delivers stunning visuals with a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use and media consumption. Durability is further reinforced by the inclusion of Armor Glass, which protects the device from scratches and impacts, making sure long-term reliability. Despite housing a large 6,000mAh battery and an advanced camera module, the phone maintains a well-balanced weight distribution, providing a comfortable grip for extended periods of use. This thoughtful design ensures that the device is as practical as it is visually appealing. Unmatched Performance and User Experience Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the Vivo X200 Ultra delivers exceptional performance across a wide range of tasks, from multitasking to gaming and resource-intensive applications. With up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, the device offers ample space and speed to handle demanding workloads with ease. The smartphone runs on the refined Origin OS, which provides a seamless and intuitive user experience. This operating system is designed to enhance productivity and usability, offering features that cater to both casual users and power users. Whether you're navigating through apps, editing photos, or managing files, the Vivo X200 Ultra ensures a smooth and efficient experience. Competitive Pricing and Value Starting at 6,500 yuan (~₹76,000), the Vivo X200 Ultra offers a compelling value proposition within the premium smartphone segment. Its pricing reflects the advanced features and capabilities it brings to the table, making it an attractive option for users who prioritize innovative camera technology and high-end performance. By delivering a comprehensive package at a competitive price point, the Vivo X200 Ultra positions itself as a strong contender in the market. The Vivo X200 Ultra is more than just a smartphone; it is a versatile tool designed to meet the diverse needs of modern users. Whether you're a photography enthusiast, a content creator, or someone seeking a reliable flagship device, this smartphone delivers on all fronts. Its innovative camera system, durable design, and powerful performance make it a standout choice in the premium segment, offering a blend of style, functionality, and value that is hard to match. Expand your understanding of Advanced camera system with additional resources from our extensive library of articles. Source & Image Credit: Beebom Filed Under: Android News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Phone Arena
18-05-2025
- Phone Arena
This phone has the best battery life of 2025 and it's not even close
We have tested the battery life of nearly one hundred phones in the past two years and we're not easily impressed by big batteries, but this phone really stands out. The Vivo X200 Ultra has the longest battery life of any phone in the past two years, only beating the Vivo X200 Pro which was already in the top charts. With a 6,000 mAh silicon-carbon battery on board and the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip under the hood, this Vivo phone truly shines in battery tests. The Vivo X200 Ultra scores a solid number on our web browsing test, but where it really shines is its nearly endless result for YouTube video streaming. On our web browsing test (it's our lightest test where we cycle web pages with a script), the X200 Ultra got exactly 22 hours, beating most of the competition except for the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which lasted some 40 minutes longer on this test. But then for YouTube video streaming , the Vivo X200 Ultra gets 13 hours and 41 minutes, crushing rivals. On this test, the iPhone scored "merely" 10 hours and a half, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra only lasted for less than 9 hours. The Vivo got nearly 50% longer battery life than the Galaxy! And finally, for 3D gaming, the X200 Ultra once again impresses with a score of over 14 hours, one of the all-time best results on this test. This time, it was on par with the Galaxy, while the iPhone was two hours behind. Our total battery life estimate for the Vivo X200 Ultra is 9 hours and 37 minutes of screen time , an insane number. Compare this to 8 hours and 30 minutes on the iPhone 16 Pro Max (an hour less) and 8 hours on the S25 Ultra. We should also note that the Vivo X200 Pro got similarly great results (just a bit lower) when we tested it a few months back. Both the Vivo X200 Pro and X200 Ultra have outstanding camera systems that also set a new bar for camera photography. The two phones also support ultra fast 90W charging with Vivo's proprietary "Flash Charge" protocol, so a full charge of the giant 6,000 mAh battery takes under 50 minutes. Keep in mind, though, that you need to use the company's own Flash Charger and proper cable to get those speeds. This is NOT just a regular USB-C Power Delivery system, so if you try topping up with a charger from the likes of Anker or Ugreen you will not get those ultra-fast speeds. Our review of the Vivo X200 Ultra is coming soon with more details on the camera, so stay tuned.
Phone Arena
13-05-2025
- Phone Arena
I used the best camera phones, but here is why I keep coming back to Apple and Samsung
Flagship phones out of China all have a distinct camera edge. Some like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra have clever additions like the so called "Photography Kit", which is a camera grip that doubles as a power bank and has a dedicated shutter button and zoom controls. Super cool! Read our in-depth Xiaomi 15 Ultra review The Xiaomi 15 Ultra with its Photography Kit camera grip Others, like the most recent Vivo X200 Ultra, come with even crazier accessories like a screw-on telephoto extender that results in this weird contraption that is also... the best zoom smartphone camera on the market. The Vivo X200 Ultra with its telephoto extender (screw-on lens) And earlier, the Vivo X200 Pro also won multiple awards for best camera phone of 2024 for a good reason — beautiful colors, large sensors and the versatility of actually useful camera presets and even bokeh simulations. The passion these flagship Chinese smartphones have for improving the camera experience is actually quite refreshing. The Vivo X200 Pro is a great camera, but there is a problem But there is also one problem that I inevitably stumble upon every time I pick up one of those phones. They are great as cameras, but... not so good as smartphones. See because of the exclusive focus on cramming in the biggest sensors and many of them, most of these phones share one element: a giant camera island. I don't mind it as a design element, but once you actually get to use these phones, you notice that all of that weight on the top of the phone makes for a very imbalanced, top-heavy phone that you feel might fall out of your hand... constantly! This is especially noticeable on the Vivo X200 Pro, but also on the Xiaomi 15 Ultra. These phones just want to tip over! And for a device you spend hours using every day, well... it's a deal-breaker. I don't want to fight my phone every time I pick it up and worry that it might fall out of my hand because of how top-heavy it is. If I wanted something heavy that would not feel comfortable in the hand, well, I would just carry my camera around! And while you don't mind this for the first few days, this issue kind of grows on you and at least for me, I just start noticing it more and more. So it's actually quite liberating going back to an iPhone 16 Pro Max or a Galaxy S25 Ultra which while having excellent cameras, also have a design that is properly balanced and not extremely top-heavy. The latest Oppo Find X8 Ultra recognizes the balance problem of modern Chinese flagships The answer is "no". The latest Oppo Find X8 Ultra recognizes this problem of modern Chinese smartphones and the company has gone for a design that purposefully avoids the top-heavy camera component, balancing the phone much better. Unfortunately, that specific model is the only one I've mentioned so far that is NOT getting a global release. But the good news is that we know that at least some of these Chinese phone makers realize that going after camera quality alone can have its downsides too and are looking for ways to fix them. While it's easy to get obsesses over specs, I'm happy to see more devices that focus on just the everyday comfort of your device. While I do hope that mainstream phone makers draw inspiration from these camera innovations, I actually don't think that cramming in the biggest sensors and completely ignoring the ergonomics of a phone is a good idea. And that's why I keep on coming to iPhones, Galaxies and Pixels which take a more holistic view of the smartphone experience.
Forbes
04-05-2025
- Forbes
Hands-On: Zeiss Zoom Lens For The Vivo X200 Ultra
Vivo X200 Ultra with the 200mm lens add-on Vivo's newest Ultra smartphone, the X200 Ultra, has a very impressive camera system on its own: a triple 50-megapixel lens array with (relative in the mobile space) large sensors and fast aperture. By itself, the phone has a high chance of claiming 'the best smartphone camera' throne of 2025. But Vivo didn't stop there. The Shenzhen-headquartered company and long-time collaborator Zeiss worked together to build a zoom lens that attaches to the phone to extend the latter's 85mm optical zoom to 200mm. I've been testing the whole kit for the past week, and I am very impressed. The lens, officially named ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Converter, is well-built, constructed out of mostly metal and featuring 13 glass elements inside. It attaches to the phone via a special case mount which is included with the lens as one kit. The ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Converter The case looks great on its own to my eyes, with a two tone finish consisting of faux-leather and plastic frame that snaps onto the Vivo X200 Ultra. There's a kickstand at the bottom of the case, along with a circular ring that wraps around the camera module with a 67mm filter thread. The case needed to use the lens. The lens snaps onto the mount the same way a real camera lens does, requiring lining up the lens to the mount's marker, followed by a twist and a snap. As someone who's tested his fair share of add-on lenses for smartphones, this one feels much more premium. The Zeiss lens has a metallic mount. There's a camera grip that also attaches to the bottom of the case to turn the whole setup into something resembling a camera. The grip adds a dedicated shutter button for photos and videos, as well as two dials to adjust camera settings. The grip also packs a 2,300 mAh battery inside to give the phone extra juice. The camera grip. Vivo X200 Ultra with the Photography Kit But how does the lens perform? Well, first of all, temper your expectations. This is still ultimately a smartphone that fits into your pocket, so its telephoto sensor size (1/1.3-inch), while large for a phone, is still small compared to a dedicated camera. So photos snapped by the lens still has a digital look to it, likely because Vivo also likes to use sharpening for zoom photos. But with the right lighting and a steady hand, you can definitely get some jawdropping long zoom photos for a phone. For example, I was able to snap a 800mm portrait of my friend, who was standing over 20 feet away. Where friend stood relative to me (left); the camera viewfinder; the finished photo The finished photo (right image in above collage) features very strong natural bokeh and background compression, and while the image slightly digitally sharpened his face, the portrait came out far better than what any previous smartphone is capable of. This is also an 800mm shot, meaning it's a four times digital zoom of the phone's default 200mm focal length. For those not familiar with camera terminology, 800mm is roughly about a 34X zoom from an iPhone (theoretically, anyway, because an iPhone cannot zoom that far). A 200mm shot with the Zeiss add-on lens Notice the shallow depth-of-field and natural bokeh of the 200mm lens. You do need good lighting to get the above shots, which look like they were snapped with a real camera. In low light conditions, the image quality takes a hit. But still, considering the relative affordability (compared to the cost of typical camera lenses), this is an excellent accessory for mobile photography enthusiasts. I can see myself bringing this lens when I go to concerts or vacation. The Photography Kit, which includes the 200mm lens, case, camera grip, a lanyard, is retailing in China for 1599 yuan, which converts to around $219. This does not include the cost of the Vivo X200 Ultra, which starts at about $900. But the total price of about $1,120 is considered affordable in the camera space. PR image of the kit Vivo X200 Ultra in red As for the Vivo X200 Ultra by itself: it's a top notch flagship phone with the best processor, camera hardware, and screen around. Even just the phone by itself will capture some excellent images, just not as far as 200mm.
