Vivo X200 Pro review

The Vivo X200 Pro, which I’ll be looking at in this review, and the Vivo X200, the standard version launched at the same time, are the two flagship models from Vivo. While Vivo is a huge phone manufacturer in most of the world, in the UK and across Europe the name is lesser known, and general availability of their smartphones is through the online store rather than through one of the major retailers. When it comes to price, the pricing is in line with other premium smartphones such as the Samsung S23 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro, and as such, some of the specifications and ultimately the performance you’d expect to be in line as well.

What makes the Vivo X200 Pro so interesting for photographers is the Zeiss partnership, which comes in the form of two dedicated cameras: the 200MP Zeiss APO telephoto camera and the 50 MP Zeiss True Colour main camera. It also packs in plenty of other imaging potential, including the ability to shoot 4K HDR cinematic portrait video.

One of the big advantages for anyone shooting images or video with their smartphone is battery life, so here it’s interesting to see a huge 6000 mAh battery installed. While this isn’t quite as big as some of the rugged smartphones out there, it’s not too far behind.

As we’ve seen with many smartphone manufacturers, the imaging potential of the phone is now one, if not the leading, feature, and with the Vivo X200 Pro this is certainly the case. Not only has the partnership with Zeiss produced what looks, on the surface at least, to be an extremely interesting release, it also looks like it could seriously challenge the market leaders.

First up, the look and style of the Vivo X200 Pro follows what we’ve come to expect from premium smartphones: essentially a high-quality, stylish build with a screen that dominates the front and cameras at the back.

True to form, the X200 Pro follows that usual high-quality formula, and checking the phone over, it all feels exceptionally well-made, with the more rectangular form of the edges making it comfortable to hold.

At launch, the phone will be available in a variety of different colours. Our review sample is the Titanium version—albeit a very light titanium—with the other options being Black, Blue, Green, and White.

When it comes to size, this isn’t a compact phone, and while it isn’t iPhone Plus-sized, at 162 x 76 x 9mm (rounded up), it’s by no means small. Interestingly, looking through the spec sheet, it highlights that the Black version is slightly thinner than the other colour options and lighter at 223 g as opposed to 228 g. Another feature—and really an essential for any photographer or videographer—is the fact that the phone is IP68 and IP69 certified, which should mean it’s protected if you get caught in the odd rain shower or two.

On the back of the phone is the camera, and as is common, there are several lenses that feature for each of the onboard cameras. On the Pro, this array features three cameras, including the main 50 MP camera, a 200 MP telephoto, and a 50 MP ultra-wide.

Around the edges of the phone, you have the power and volume buttons on the right-hand side and the USB Type-C charge and data port on the base. You also have the small SIM slot just to the left.

Otherwise, the design and build of the phone are extremely slick and robust. The IP ratings help to ensure that it will survive the elements, which, for a phone being used by photographers and videographers, is essential. Then, on the specifications side, you have those two high-resolution cameras, which, while sounding impressive, are relatively common. However, the fact that these are backed by high-quality Sony sensors and that partnership with Zeiss means there’s huge potential in what’s on offer.

While there are far more features to the Vivo X200 Pro than just the cameras, as we’re Camera Jabber, in this review the cameras will remain all-important. So, before I take a look at what’s on offer, here’s a rundown of the main features.

Inside is the dual-chip MediaTek Dimensity 9400 and Vivo V3+ chip, and fronting the phone is the ZEISS Master Color Display. Powering the phone is a 6000 mAh battery, which is capable of receiving a 90W FlashCharge or 30W Wireless FlashCharge. Most phones enable 65W fast charging and 15W wireless charging, so this is impressive, but also necessary due to the battery’s capacity.

The phone runs on the latest Android 15 operating system, which has been adapted into the Funtouch OS 15, which in the past has been a bit of an issue and less refined than some of the Android based compition. Whatever you think of the name of the OS, the one thing you notice as you start to use the phone is just how smooth and well-laid-out it is. However, while it works extremely well and fast, as with most Android 15 devices, having made so much of the Zeiss partnership, you might have expected a dedicated Zeiss camera app or at least made more of a deal of the partnership in the OS design. Rather, the Zeiss logo and integration are pulled into the features of the standard camera app and somewhat hidden away.

As with other smartphones, there’s also a host of AI enhancements, including search, notes, transcript assistant, live call translation, global translation, and of course Google’s Gemini Assistant, all set and ready to help organise your life.

There is, of course, plenty more on the technical features to delve into, but let’s look at those three cameras.

The first is the Zeiss True Color Main Camera with the 50 MP Vivo x Sony LYT-818 sensor, which measures 1/1.28” and is fronted by an f/1.57 lens with a 23mm field of view. One of the big features of this main camera is rather technical but essentially utilises a 22 nm process, which uses less power. Less power means longer battery life, but it should also reduce the heat generated, which in turn helps reduce the noise created by the warming of the sensor and electronics.

The sensor is also relatively large at 1/1.28”, having been designed by both Sony—market leaders—and Vivo. This combination produces a large sensor capable of capturing images in low light conditions while reducing noise in normal light conditions.

The Vivo camera-bionic spectrum technology 3.0 is upgraded from previous generations and again helps to increase low-light performance. Used with the ZEISS True Color Main Camera, it is able to balance colours to give a true-to-life reflection of the colour renditions.

The main and telephoto cameras are both produced in partnership with Zeiss, and feature the ZEISS T* Coating with GLC coating technology. This coating aids light transmission and helps to reduce ghosting and haze, enabling the camera to capture clearer images.

A few of the other big features of the cameras are the Telephoto Super Stage, which enables you to zoom right in on a subject—perfect for events and other situations where you want to get up close from a distance. This mode also supports video recording and the ability to switch between stills and video. Alongside the imaging, the phone is also equipped with a decent internal mic that again uses software to enhance the audio captured.

The Zeiss Multifocal Portrait feature gives you two key focal lengths: 135mm and 85mm amongst others. The first helps to reduce the distance between the background and the subject, while the second enables the capture of ultra-clear, high-resolution shots. Both are tuned to produce stunning portraits with beautiful bokeh.

Another if the more unique features is the Telephoto Motion Portrait, which enables you to capture the same stylish depth of field you would usually expect from still portraits, but here you have the ability to capture subjects in motion with that same creative flair. Likewise, there are plenty of other photo options, including the Super Landscape Mode, which comes with a few additions to the user interface to enable long exposures and other shot types.

What sets this camera apart is the Vivo V3+ imaging chip, which is AI-enhanced. It recognises subjects and scenes and helps adjust settings to ensure you get the best possible shot.

Alongside this, 4K video has been enhanced with further shooting modes for Cinematic Portrait, offering plenty of options for how you shoot and the effects applied in-camera. The camera is also fully compatible with Blackmagic Camera, which is well worth downloading. So, on the surface, the hardware, camera, and software specifications are extremely interesting.

Getting started with the Vivo X200 Pro and from the box it takes around 10 minutes to set up, with the usual Google sign-ins needed to link your account so documents and features can be fully unlocked. The main interface of the Android OS or Funtouch OS looks much the same as usual, with a few Vivo additions and its own V-AppStore. The Play Store app is also on the front page, so all is present and correct.

Opening the camera app instantly highlights the range of options available to you, and while this is based on the standard Android camera, there’s quite a bit here in addition to the standard features.

Across the bottom, you have Snapshot, Landscape, Portrait, Photo, Video, Portrait Video, and “More,” which takes you through to a screen where you can find all the additional modes, including Pro, which unlocks the manual adjustments you can make to the camera settings.

As a camera app, there’s plenty here, with interesting additions that mark this camera out. The fact that when you go into one of those sub-shooting options you then have a slightly different array of icons to choose from is a nice touch. Switching into Portrait, for example, instantly gives you access to focal lengths including 23, 35, 50, 85, and 135mm, replicating, or coming close to, common prime focal lengths. Once you’ve had a play around with a few of these, you start to see just how powerful this camera is, and the quality of the images is instantly apparent, with plenty of depth and clarity.

Through the small ZEISS icon at the top, you can then delve into the ZEISS-tuned features that include: Cinematic, Cine-Flare, Distagon, Planar, Sonnar, B-Speed, Biotar, and Natural. The instant effect of these is subtle, and it’s only when you start to face highlights—such as Christmas lights at the moment—that you can really start to see the difference they make. These settings are all applied at f/4, with the smartphone handling the rest of the settings.

Using the camera through all the modes, with the variety of different options and settings, really starts to highlight just how good this camera is, especially with those effects supported by ZEISS technology. A few highlights have to include the Portrait mode with its effects for soft bokeh in a variety of styles, as well as the Cinematic Portrait Video, which is amongst the best footage I have seen from a smartphone. Otherwise, the Landscape mode really stands out, and throughout the test, the shooting conditions were challenging, with the typically overcast, dull winter days we expect at this time of year. Still, the camera was able to cope, and with the AI technology doing its thing in the background, the end result was quite striking.

After testing the X200 Pro, I have to say it has really impressed, much like the X100 Pro before it. The camera technology is incredible, and the images really do stand out against the market leaders.

The Vivo X200 Pro is one of the best camera smartphones on the market, with its high-resolution ZEISS-backed technology giving it the edge over much of the competition. The quality, clarity, and tone of the images are absolutely outstanding, and as a phone option for any photographer who wants a quality imaging device in their pocket, there is little to fault.

In use, the X200 Pro simply delivers, with outstanding speed and no slowdown between shots. The Android 15 operating system works well and extremely smoothly on standard phones, but here it seems to take a leap forward again, running like a high-powered desktop without any app causing issues.

Whether it’s shooting images and video or editing, the Vivo X200 Pro is able to handle it with absolute ease. If you’re a photographer or videographer looking for a great alternative to the market leaders, then the X200 Pro is a solid choice—if you can get your hands on one.