vivo X200 Ultra review

Introduction

You can't have it, so that's why you want it, right? Well, no - we know we'll want the vivo X200 Ultra because of its camera greatness, just like we did with the X100 Ultra before. Not being able to have it isn't remotely part of its appeal - all it is, is one the world's most unfortunate enduring injustices.

On the X200 Ultra, vivo has decided to swap out the 1-inch main camera for a smaller-sensor one - the 1/1.28" optical format of the new imager is a bit of a downgrade. To make up for that, the company has chosen to pair it with a 35mm equivalent lens - not the most popular choice, so far almost an exclusive territory for nubia's camera efforts. It could be an attempt at misdirection by vivo so that we shift our focus away from the smaller sensor, though they just might be on to something with that focal length.

A proper upgrade can be seen on the ultrawide camera. It's another unit of the same sensor that is used here as well, replacing the 1/2.0" imager in the old model's setup. The 200MP 1/1.4" sensor on the 85mm telephoto didn't really call for an upgrade so it's been kept the same. It's really more like three 'main' cameras on the back of this Ultra, joined by one of the better specced selfie cameras in the industry.

There are a handful of other changes, none of them all too surprising. This year's most powerful Snapdragon replaces last year's and there's a minor battery capacity increase. And that's mostly it, in fact.

Well, that, and a new Photography kit - an optional accessory that includes a dedicated case with a battery grip and a telephoto extender lens. We'll give that one a look too.

vivo X200 Ultra specs at a glance:

• Body: 163.1x76.8x8.7mm, 229g; Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame; IP69/IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.82" LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, 4500 nits (peak), 1440x3168px resolution, 19.8:9 aspect ratio, 510ppi.
• Chipset: Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm): Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M); Adreno 830.
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.1.
• OS/Software: Android 15, OriginOS 5.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.7, 35mm, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, gimbal OIS; Telephoto: 200 MP, f/2.3, 85mm, 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, macro 3.4:1; optional add-on 2.35x teleconverter lens; Ultra wide angle: 50 MP, f/2.0, 14mm, 116˚, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS.
• Front camera: 50 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit Log, HDR10+; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 6000mAh; 90W wired, PD, PPS, QC, UFCS, 40W wireless, Reverse wired, Reverse wireless.
• Connectivity: 5G; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5; NFC; Infrared port.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Emergency SOS via satellite (calls, messages) - 16GB + 1TB model only.

vivo X200 Ultra unboxing

The X200 Ultra's presentation is no different from any other high-end vivo from recent years. The squarish graphite-colored cardboard box holds the usual stuff too, the Chinese market being perfectly okay with having one charger per phone, unlike some other jurisdictions.

Indeed, the package contains an adapter rated for 90W, and a USB-A-to-C cable to go with it. Also included is a soft matte silicone case in a color to match the phone's own colorway.