The Vivo X200 Professional units the benchmark for what a telephoto lens can do on a smartphone. It’s uncommon for a telephoto to take the lead on a telephone’s rear digicam array, however that’s my largest takeaway after hanging this software via its paces. It’s no longer simply that it’s a 200-megapixel periscope; it’s additionally extra adaptable than maximum others recently to be had. In some way, Vivo works fairly backward with the X200 Professional by means of dialing issues again in some respects to house developments somewhere else. The effects, despite the fact that, provoke extra incessantly than no longer. It has some of the whole cellular pictures programs you’ll in finding on a smartphone as of late. It’s additionally but any other demonstration of the way a lot North The usa’s most well liked telephone manufacturers are coasting alongside. Design and Construct Some issues feel and look other this time round. Vivo gets rid of advertising labels that in the past donned its units. Not more “Skilled Pictures” or “Xtreme Creativeness” emblazoned at the telephone frame. Excluding the Zeiss emblem (plus its T* Coating) and Vivo’s emblem, the X200 Professional lacks any superfluous visible grandstanding. That is excellent as a result of there’s no use for gimmicks when there’s so much to paintings with. Vivo additionally reveals techniques to fortify the {hardware}. A flatter display screen is a smart get started, despite the fact that it keeps a slight edge and extra rounded corners. The semi-matte aluminum aspects be offering higher grip and ergonomics when merely retaining the telephone or taking footage. 
It’s unclear what Vivo used to make the glass again, however the ever-increasing measurement of the digicam module in large part overshadows it. It’s no wonder that it simply will get larger with each and every flagship release, albeit no longer misplaced while you evaluate it to different Chinese language manufacturers. While you put it subsequent to an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel, it seems to be monstrous by means of comparability. Cramming within the number of symbol sensors and lenses right here makes the bump simply as noticeable from a profile view. A minimum of the integrated silicone case hides the surplus just a bit. It’s a excellent factor it’s lovely rugged, courtesy of IP68 and IP69 mud and water resistance rankings. Why each designations? For the reason that ‘9’ signifies this telephone can face up to upper force water at upper temperatures. You’re probably not to search out your self in this type of state of affairs, however a minimum of you might have some peace of thoughts in the event you do. 
At the entrance, the 6.78-inch AMOLED (2,800 x 1,260) is similar panel going again to the X90 Professional except for the Armor Glass is more difficult this time. There’s additionally Dolby Imaginative and prescient and better top brightness (with sure content material). Below the hood, Vivo is an outlier operating at the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor, a 3nm chipset that are supposed to, in idea, compete in opposition to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. As for reminiscence and garage, they begin at 12GB of RAM and 256GB of garage, despite the fact that different variants take that to 16GB and 512GB or 1TB of garage. Digital camera Options Vivo gets rid of the Kind 1 Sony IMX989 sensor from the former X100 Professional and opts for a smaller Sony LYT-818 1/1.28-inch sensor as an alternative. It’s nonetheless a 23mm similar, solely with a much broader f/1.57 aperture, optical symbol stabilization, section detection autofocus, and 1.22µm pixels. There’s a 2x zoom crop issue for a 46mm similar as neatly. That is an extraordinary pivot for the primary digicam, even though Vivo and Sony spin it by means of suggesting it could actually fit the picture high quality of the IMX989. They cite higher low-light efficiency and real-time HDR preview as two explanation why. It’s nonetheless a 50-megapixel shooter; pixel binned to twelve.5 megapixels until you employ the Top-Solution mode.
The periscope telephoto lens proves extra attention-grabbing for a couple of causes. It’s a 200-megapixel Samsung Isocell HP9 — and one Samsung opted to not come with in its newest flagship — with 3.7x optical zoom (85mm similar) and f/2.7 aperture. The Kind 1/1.4-inch sensor is pixel binned down to twelve.5 megapixels, which in part explains why Vivo claims higher low-light efficiency. Once more, you’d have to head with Top Solution mode for full-res pictures. Vivo makes the telephoto extensively to be had in more than a few modes since it could actually paintings for motion, portraits, macro, panorama, Professional, and level, amongst others (to not point out the video modes). It’s an important departure from earlier Vivo telephoto cameras and one who carries over from the China-only X100 Extremely. That telephone presented the Isocell HP9 sensor and made waves for its talent to seize very good leads to various prerequisites. That’s probably not to be the case with the 50-megapixel ultra-wide digicam (15mm similar) that sticks with the Samsung JN1 symbol sensor from the X100 Professional. It keeps its f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, and 110-degree box of view. The entrance digicam additionally remains the similar, a 32-megapixel Isocell KD1 with a 25mm similar and stuck focal point lens. 
As at all times, Vivo’s collaboration with Zeiss brings the latter’s T* Coating to hide the whole rear array. Alternatively, Vivo additionally recognizes that lens flare problems might pop up, specifically with the primary digicam. I didn’t stumble upon this drawback whilst checking out the telephone, however the mere proven fact that there’s a “glare relief” slider within the settings tells me the corporate is aware of it’s an issue it could actually’t absolutely resolve with instrument updates. It doubles down in the course of the Album app’s modifying suite. Cross to edit a photograph there, and the AI options come with a glare relief instrument. The entire suite is cloud-based, so you’ll solely get admission to the ones options if you have cell or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Instrument Options You’d be hard-pressed to discover a instrument package deal that dives as deep as this one. There are many other modes to make a choice from, plus more than a few types. The Zeiss Herbal Colour profile remains to be essentially the most unique, whilst Bright saturates colours and will increase distinction, and Textured assists in keeping hotter tones and sharper main points. 
Some issues are other. Lengthy Publicity, lengthy one in every of my non-public favorites, is long gone and necessarily absorbed into the Panorama mode. Additionally long gone are the Evening, Meals, and Supermoon modes. Evening and Supermoon at the moment are a part of Panorama, while there is not any devoted choice for meals. Others combine into current ones as neatly to consolidate an another way crowded interface. Reside Photograph is now to be had as an choice in some of the modes, whilst Astro joins Panorama. At the video aspect, the former Cinematic Portrait now turns into Portrait Video. 
Snapshot returns as the most efficient manner to do so pictures and bursts. Prior to now restricted to the primary and telephoto lenses, it now works with all 3 rear lenses, plus hybrid zooms as neatly. Level is a brand new mode aimed toward taking pictures live shows, gala’s, and performances. Whilst it is advisable technically additionally check out Snapshot for a similar factor, Level differs in that it additionally has a video mode inside it. Each build up ISO to make amends for the quicker shutter speeds essential to freeze motion. Vivo says it’s discovered techniques to mitigate that by means of computation bracketing with out specifying when it kicks in. It was once difficult to inform when taking a look on the metadata all the way through my checking out. The modifying suite within the Albums app isn’t dangerous. It may possibly’t fit the intensity of the most well liked photograph modifying apps, however a minimum of it’s a reliable choice. The AI options are a little hit and miss, despite the fact that, in order that’s one house Vivo is making an attempt to catch up. Nonetheless, probably the most highest is the power to regulate bokeh for any photograph shot in Portrait mode in a while. Symbol High quality Primary Digital camera Dropping out on a Kind 1 sensor is hard, despite the fact that you gained’t realize it as a lot on the default 23mm vary. It’s on the cropped 2x 46mm the place the diversities turn into extra evident, with softer edges and a loss of element by means of comparability. Footage aren’t horrible in any way; it’s simply difficult to just accept a step backward when the X100 Professional was once so excellent in that vary.
In spite of that, the primary digicam is dependable due partly to the cast dynamic vary and versatility presented by means of the more than a few modes. Snapshot, Level, and Panorama are excellent examples, similar to Professional mode gives a respite by way of its more than a few handbook controls. What’s additionally transparent is Vivo is studying from previous overreach by means of exercising restraint on sprucing when processing a picture. It was once proper to push Evening mode into Panorama since additional sprucing has a tendency to occur extra when the use of that over the common Photograph mode. 
Actual-time HDR is helping you know what to anticipate when snapping the shutter, however in equity, some HDR nonetheless kicks in in a while that wasn’t visual ahead of snapping the pic. Even so, Vivo remains to be the most efficient I’ve observed at dealing with uncovered gentle resources. I did get clippings of the hearth performer, however I additionally were given somewhat extra element and colour out of the flames in comparison to the opposite telephones I attempted on the identical time. The wonderful thing about it’s Vivo additionally maintains it with all 3 of the photographic types, so it doesn’t topic if it’s Zeiss, Bright, or Textured. Telephoto This digicam carries the day for the X200 Professional for a couple of key causes. First, its 85mm default focal duration feels sensible and really a lot in step with the way it applies to other modes right here. I used the telephoto greater than some other lenses as a result of I saved discovering techniques to make use of it. Whether or not I used to be at a wearing tournament, looking at a efficiency, taking pictures a boulevard scene, or angling for a picture of a delectable dish, it become a go-to. 
That brings me to the second one explanation why, which is accept as true with. Effects stunned me with their common consistency and high quality, all buttressed by means of the shocked seems to be I were given from others when sharing them. I made some degree of revealing them the place I may just get a way of what they concept with out context, and each and every unmarried one lamented how their iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel couldn’t do the similar on the identical focal distance. The telephoto merely were given the task executed, serving to me lean on it increasingly. 
That still implemented to hybrid zoom. At 10x (230mm similar), I were given effects that simply weren’t imaginable with any telephone from the ones 3 manufacturers, specifically with motion pictures. At a New York Knicks recreation, I used to be sitting excessive up within the 200 phase, but nonetheless controlled to snatch exceptional effects at 10x zoom. Even at 20x, I used to be ready to freeze motion sufficient to warrant reward from each myself and others. Merely put, the X200 Professional trounces the iPhone 16 Professional on the identical telephoto focal distances and does it generating a ways much less noise and blur. And as excellent because the OnePlus 13 is with its telephoto, it could actually’t beat what Vivo’s executed right here. 
This lens additionally performs a particular function in Portrait mode because it kicks in at 85mm and 135mm. The 23mm, 35mm, and 50mm lengths come from the primary digicam, however you’ll get lovely inventive when taking pictures at an extra distance. Professional and Top Solution Vivo in any case addresses a ignored alternative by means of enabling customers to shoot in RAW at complete answer. This additionally applies to 14-bit SuperRAW pictures inside Professional mode, permitting you to head down to twelve.5 megapixels if you wish to accumulate extra gentle. Now not a lot adjustments in Professional mode, another way, save for including an impact adjustment panel that permits you to tweak brightness, saturation, distinction, and sharpness. Whilst no longer as extremely touted from Vivo, they are able to make an important distinction in composition when taking part in round with them.
You gained’t have the ones choices in Top Solution mode. Whilst you’ll now shoot full-res JPEGs in Professional mode — with the entire handbook keep an eye on trappings — this mode sticks to the fundamentals. It additionally caps telephoto pictures to 50 megapixels. If you need 200-megapixel footage, you will have to do it in Top Solution. There’s a separate 200MP toggle to do it, another way you’re taking pictures at 50. 
In spite of the huge quantity, effects will range, and they’ll solely be respectable in best lighting fixtures prerequisites. My photograph of the Empire State Development seems to be nice, and when cropping in, it assists in keeping an excellent quantity of element. Naturally, it’s no longer a large sufficient sensor to seem tremendous sharp when pixel-peeping. The mix of focal distance at 85mm and the sheer selection of pixels will provide you with latitude in how a lot you’ll crop in, particularly in the event you’re solely making plans to percentage it on cellular. Imperfections visual on screens gained’t display up as obviously on the ones smaller displays. Particular Modes An enchanting mode that purposes fairly one after the other is Side road Pictures. You get to it by means of swiping up at the digicam app’s interface from the ground. This has Zeiss written in all places it. Now not solely does it upload a black-and-white approach to the 3 current photographic types, but it surely additionally allows you to select amongst its more than a few bokeh flare results. You’ll additionally upload a watermark and border background. This whole mode purposes as a move between Professional, Portrait, and Photograph modes. There are handbook controls, together with the power to save lots of two presets, along side six focal lengths and center-weighted or spot metering to make a choice from. 
The remainder of the modes and choices are great to have. Lengthy Publicity nonetheless works the similar approach, letting you select a motion kind, taste, and publicity countdown. Snapshot is superb, whilst Level displays indicators of promise, despite the fact that I wouldn’t be stunned if it ultimately finally ends up merged into any other mode in Vivo’s subsequent flagship. Panorama is even higher now that it has the opposite components concerned, however its point of view correction function stays an extraordinary deal with (when it really works neatly) in cellular pictures choices.
Video Options I targeted my checking out on nonetheless footage but in addition gave the X200 Professional a whirl with video. You’ll report in Video mode in 8K at 30fps, 4K and 1080p at 30fps, 60fps, and 120fps. Dolby Imaginative and prescient is to be had in 4K and 1080p in h.265 structure by means of default, however in the event you use extremely stabilization, it cuts out Dolby Imaginative and prescient. Portrait Video allows you to report at 24fps in 4K or 1080p, whilst Professional mode will provide you with the entire identical handbook controls you get with nonetheless footage. That incorporates LOG video for additonal keep an eye on in put up, a function you’ll get admission to within the common Video mode. Basic photos seems to be excellent, and it’s transparent that Vivo has taken some strides over the past two generations in high quality. It’s no longer but on the iPhone ProRes degree, however the hole is ultimate. Taking part in the Lengthy Sport Going with a smaller symbol sensor in the primary digicam would normally doom a telephone digicam’s possibilities, but it surely’s no longer as adverse as anticipated. Plus, the telephoto lens bails out the remainder of the array with its very good efficiency, buttressing probably the most private digicam apps within the trade. There’s such a lot versatility right here that it’s difficult to not dive in and notice what it could actually do, to not point out how Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss is paying dividends within the consumer enjoy. 
The only factor retaining this telephone again is Vivo’s personal Funtouch OS Android overlay. It’s by no means been nice, and whilst it’s higher than ahead of, it simply doesn’t rise up in opposition to the likes of inventory Android and OnePlus’ OxygenOS. Even Samsung’s One UI feels extra cohesive, and Honor’s MagicOS is taking excellent steps. Vivo gives 4 years of Android and 5 years of safety updates. With Samsung and Google at seven for each, Vivo’s instrument longevity isn’t on par. The opposite drawback for Vivo is to make the X200 Professional to be had. Sure, there’s a “world release,” however that doesn’t come with North The usa. You must import the software or snatch one visiting out of the country. That’s by no means been tricky, except for that provide is tight as I write this assessment. Assuming that adjustments and the telephone turns into more uncomplicated to search out, it’s value taking into account it as a day-to-day driving force. Are There Possible choices? Festival is tight. The Honor Magic 7 Professional sticks out as it’s in a equivalent boat: a high-end flagship with out a North American presence. It options very good {hardware} and bettering instrument with a forged digicam array. In case that issues, it’s additionally farther alongside at the AI aspect. Xiaomi is at all times within the operating for the most efficient digicam, which was once simple to believe with the very good Xiaomi 14 Extremely. The 15 Extremely is most likely heading for an international release and can vie for the cellular pictures crown. Then there’s the OnePlus 13, a telephone that earns its position as probably the most highest Android telephones recently to be had (and for the remainder of 2025). More than a few enhancements in each {hardware} and instrument make it a compelling selection.
I’m nonetheless checking out the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely, however my preliminary ideas are that it could actually’t absolutely fit the flexibility of Vivo’s flagship. It’s additionally sudden that Samsung selected to not come with the similar symbol sensor in its telephoto lens. The S25 Extremely makes use of growing older {hardware} and focuses extra on AI-driven options. The Google Pixel 9 Professional is extra of a continuation of the Pixel 8 collection, despite the fact that Google’s instrument computation and modifying options are nonetheless world-class. For iOS customers, the iPhone 16 Professional and Professional Max are the most efficient you’ll in finding for the platform, except for cracks stay forming in photograph high quality relative to the likes of the X200 Professional. It’s nonetheless the king of cellular video, despite the fact that. Will have to You Purchase It? Sure, if you’ll in finding one. It begins at more or less $1,100 USD, so it isn’t affordable, but it surely shoots higher than maximum telephones at that worth anyway.
