Latest news with #compactphone
Khaleej Times
22-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
Vivo X200 FE to launch in UAE on July 23: Is it worth Dh2,599?
In a market dominated by phones getting bigger, Vivo throws a curveball. The X200 FE, dropping July 23 in the UAE, is a compact flagship that tries to defy the trend. With a Dimensity 9300+ processor, Zeiss-backed camera system, and a stunning display, all wrapped into a sleek, one-hand-friendly design, this is Vivo's attempt to deliver the power of its X-series flagships in a smaller footprint. But in 2025, is compact still compelling? Let's unpack the device. What's in the box? Vivo X200 FE handset, 90W FlashCharge adapter, USB-C charging cable, a protective case, a pre-applied screen protector, SIM ejector tool, and the quick start guide. Design & Display First impressions matter, and the X200 FE gets it right with its polished, minimalistic aesthetic and lightweight build. At just 150.8 mm tall and 186 grams, it's light and surprisingly ergonomic. The Black Luxe finish (also available in Yellow Glow) offers a sophisticated look without being flashy. The front features a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which is as sharp as it is smooth with a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. And with sharp brightness, outdoor visibility is excellent, even under the harsh UAE sun. If you miss the days of truly compact phones but don't want to compromise on screen quality, this hits the sweet spot. Performance The X200 FE is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+, a flagship-class chipset that trades efficiency cores for a full-core performance architecture. Paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the device handles everything from multitasking to mobile gaming without breaking a sweat — at least at first. That said, prolonged gaming or 4K video rendering does cause the phone to warm up, not uncomfortably, but enough to notice. Vivo's internal cooling system helps manage this, but thermals are still a point to watch. However, those who prefer the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, will ideally pick other smartphones like OnePlus 13s 5g or iQOO 13 5g that are in a similar price range. Cameras The X200 FE's camera setup is impressive on paper and mostly delivers in real-world use. 50MP Sony IMX921 main sensor 50MP ZEISS super telephoto camera with up to 100x zoom 8MP ultra-wide lens 50MP front-facing selfie camera Photos have that familiar Vivo vibrancy, punchy colours and crisp details, especially in daylight. The Zeiss optics do make a difference in low light, with good control over flares and decent exposure stacking. The periscope lens captures surprisingly detailed shots at 3x and 5x zoom, although zoomed-in shots beyond that see a quality drop. A personal favourite in the phone, an upgraded Aura Light system. This isn't just a gimmick — the ring light around the rear camera offers temperature and brightness controls, allowing for soft, flattering lighting that mimics natural studio setups. In a world of harsh LED flashes, this is a game-changer for skin tones and nighttime portraits. Both the front and rear cameras benefit from this, with the studio-grade dual Aura lighting helping elevate selfies and vlogs. On the front, Vivo adds a unique twist: a dual-LED flash, currently exclusive to the X200 FE, that ensures even low-light selfies are sharp and well-lit without blinding brightness. Video capture peaks at 4K 60fps, with gyro-EIS and HDR delivering sharp, steady footage. The selfie camera deserves a shoutout too — it's fast to focus and flattering without over-smoothing. The cameras here make for a strong all-rounder for casual shooters and mobile videographers, though not quite in iPhone territory for low light. Battery Life & Charging Vivo has crammed a 6,500 mAh battery into this compact frame, an impressive engineering feat. In real-world use, it easily delivers a full day and a half with medium to heavy use, making it one of the best battery performers in this size class. Charging is equally impressive: 90W FlashCharge gets you from 0 to 100% in less than an hour. However, there's no wireless charging. Software and AI Running Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15, the software is packed with AI-driven features, from Live Text and AI Call Assist to Smart Eye Protection Mode and Circle to Search. There's a lot to play with, but the UI still feels a bit bloated compared to the clean aesthetics of One UI. Availability and pricing in the UAE The Vivo X200 FE will be available in the UAE starting July 23 in a 12GB + 512GB variant with 12GB of Extended RAM, priced at Dh2,599. Is the Vivo X200 FE worth Dh2,599? The Vivo X200 FE gets a lot right. It's a rare compact flagship in 2025 that doesn't feel compromised. For UAE users who value a bright, sharp display that beats the desert glare, strong performance, versatile and high-res cameras, and long battery life and fast charging, it's a compelling option, especially if you're tired of larger phones. However, for Dh2,599, it enters the ring with similar offerings from names like OnePlus, all of which offer their own strengths, especially in software polish and brand trust. So, should you buy the Vivo X200 FE? If you're looking for a phone that fits in your pocket without skimping on power or camera quality, yes. It is a sleeper hit in the making. But if you lean on software smoothness, wireless charging, or brand loyalty, you might want to wait and compare.
GSM Arena
26-06-2025
- GSM Arena
Mini powerhouse vivo X200 FE goes global, shipping from June 27
Rejoice, lovers of compact flagship phones, the vivo X200 FE is coming to a store near you! So far, the X200 FE has been officially announced only in Taiwan and is coming to India next month. But today, vivo announced that its potent pocketable powerhouse is bringing its talent to the global stage. The X200 FE will be available in all its fancy colors - Yellow Glow, Black Luxe, Blue Breeze, and Pink Vibe. The phone measures 150.8mm x 71.7mm x 8mm and weighs 186g. Despite its compact dimensions, it houses an impressive 6,500mAh BlueVolt battery with an ultra-high energy density of 845 Wh/L. The pack has fancy tech like Silicon Anode 3.0, semi-solid electrolyte, Electrode Cold Press Technique 2.0, and C-FPACK packaging. It supports 90W FlashCharge. Note that Hungary and Austria will get a smaller 5,300mAh pack. Buyers needn't fear dust and water, thanks to IP68 and IP69 ratings. Being part of the X200 series, the FE has impressive Zeiss-backed cameras. The man is a 50MP 23mm f/1.9 (1/1.56-inch IMX921) wide-angle with OIS. Next to it is another 50MP 70mm f/2.7 Zeiss Super Telephoto cam, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide. Upfront is another 50MP sensor for the f/2.0 selfie. Aside from the regular vivo camera app, the Street Camera app brings a photography-centric design and custom shooting modes like Classic Negative Film (which imitates old film stocks, it's similar to the blue-hued Fuji Superia 400). At the front, there's a 6.31-inch flat LTPO AMOLED with a 1216x2640px resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 4,500 nit peak brightness. Zeiss is doing its magic on the display as well - the Zeiss Master Color Display tuning ensures rich yet true-to-life colors. Powering the vivo X200 FE is the 4nm Dimensity 9300+ with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM. The runs the global Funtouch OS with a helping of Google Gemini AI with features like Circle to Search, AI Caption, Live Text, and AI Screen Translation. You'll be able to pick up the X200 FE in four colors - Yellow Glow, Black Luxe, Blue Breeze, and Pink Vibe - and in three configurations - 12/256GB, 12/512GB, and 16/512GB. Vivo says that the X200 FE is ready to ship as early as tomorrow, June 27. There are no pricing details just yet so stay tuned!
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
OnePlus 13s Blends OnePlus X Pocketability With OnePlus 13 Power
OnePlus 13s in Green Silk color The OnePlus 13s is a refreshing take on small(er) phones. With mainstream smartphones continuously growing in size, the definition of a 'compact phone' has changed over the years. It isn't iPhone 12 mini-size small. In fact, it is slightly taller than the iPhone 16 Pro but it is compact by 2025 standards. The 13s is the first OnePlus phone in seven years to feature a 6.3-inch display (the last one was the OnePlus 6 in 2018 with a 6.28-inch screen) and it does so while being 5mm smaller than the 2018 OnePlus flagship. The OnePlus 13s borrows its DNA from the OnePlus 13 and packs it into a more pocketable form factor. That's not to say you get everything you'd want from a flagship phone. But it gets close. Here are five things you need to know about the refreshingly new OnePlus 13s. OnePlus 13s display The OnePlus 13s reminds me of the decade-old OnePlus X for two reasons. First, it isn't the smallest phone, but it is comparatively smaller in its era. Second, it deviates from the flagship OnePlus design. The company has gone for a bolder look with a redesigned camera module, a boxier frame with flat sides, and by replacing the iconic Alert Slider with a Plus Key. In terms of actual numbers, the OnePlus 13s measures 150.8 x 71.7 x 8.2mm. As mentioned, it's just slightly taller than the iPhone 16 Pro (149.6mm) and 12.9mm smaller than the OnePlus 13. It weighs significantly less than both of those flagship devices. At 185 grams, the OnePlus 13s is not only pocketable but also comfortable to hold. OnePlus 13s with OnePlus 13 in the background The OnePlus 13s features a 6.32-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. It is sharp, bright, and offers an enjoyable content consumption experience. Like other OnePlus 13 series phones, you also get Aqua Touch 2.0 tech for better usability in rain or around the pool, plus Glove Mode. However, don't submerge it in water – it's not rated for freshwater submersion, with an IP65 rating. The 13s is powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the OnePlus 13. It is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. It does a good job at heat dissipation and doesn't overheat during gaming, unless you're pushing it to the limits for more than 30 minutes. OnePlus 13s The OnePlus 13s sports a dual rear camera setup led by a 50MP Sony LYT-700 sensor (same as the OnePlus 13R) and a 50MP Samsung JN5 telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom. You'll get better results than the OnePlus 13R, despite using the same sensor. The OnePlus 13s captures vibrant photos in daylight with slight oversaturation. It also snaps good-looking photos in indoor lighting. However, there's a noticeable color shift between 2x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. OnePlus 13s portrait and color shift between 2x and 4x zoom. As for portraits, you don't get the option to choose the main sensor or digital zoom—they can only be shot at 2x. Flipping things around, the selfie shooter is better than on previous OnePlus phones, thanks to autofocus. One of the best parts about the OnePlus 13s is its battery life. You don't have to compromise on battery for pocketability. There's a 5,850mAh cell that easily lasts all day and supports 80W fast wired charging. OnePlus 13s and iPhone 16 Pro OnePlus is moving on from the iconic Alert Slider for a Plus Key. Like iPhone 16's Action Button, it lets you toggle certain actions with a press and hold. A new addition to that functionality is AI Plus Mind, which analyzes whatever is on your screen—notes, articles, calendar invites, etc.—and saves it to a single place called Mind Space. The problem is, it doesn't do much beyond summarizing the on-screen information. It suggests actions based on the content, like creating a calendar event from an invite. But it misses the details. The AI feature doesn't take different time zones into account. It created a 3pm IST event for a 3pm BST invite. Like almost every other AI feature, it remains unreliable, doesn't save time, and creates a layer of doubt around everything it saves. I wouldn't rely on any kind of AI summary for an important task. OnePlus 13s The OnePlus 13s is an India-only phone. This means, it won't be launching in the US or UK. It is positioned between the OnePlus 13R and the OnePlus 13. The OnePlus 13s is available in two configurations: 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB. The base model starts at INR 54,999 (approx. $640) and goes up to INR 59,999 (approx. $699) for the 512GB variant. It comes in Green Silk, Black Velvet, and Pink Satin color options.
