Vivo X200 Pro Review: Carl Zeiss and Vivo Pair Up to Make the Ultimate (Non-US) Camera Phone

Yes, we use our phones for everything from texting to email to the occasional phone call. But the question that always gets asked is, “how good is the camera?” I’ve used a Google Pixel 8 Pro for about a year, and until recently, I would have told you it has a phenomenal camera. Then I tested the vivo X200 Pro, and now I’ve been ruined for all other smartphone cameras!

One major caveat before you dive into my review: While I tested the global edition of the vivo X200 Pro, this phone is unavailable in the U.S. and is not supported by our carriers.

Camera

Here’s the thing: we can’t go anywhere in this review before we discuss the camera. The vivo X200 Pro resets what makes a “good” phone camera. The hardware goes above and beyond, with a camera array codesigned with Carl Zeiss lenses. There are two rear 50-megapixel lenses and a 200-megapixel telephoto lens, which means capturing jaw-dropping details.

But a camera is only as good as its operator, and historically, I’m not known for being a great photographer. Luckily, the folks at Zeiss and vivo didn’t want someone like me using those gorgeous lenses and turning out terrible photos. The vivo comes with impressive AI-based software that helps ensure your shot is as good as the hardware!

Don’t believe me? Here’s an assortment of photos, including this one, where I did the same shot side by side between my Pixel 8 Pro and the vivo:

Again, and I cannot emphasize this enough, I am not a great photographer. The vivo X200 Pro does ALL the heavy lifting here!

There are many ways to further improve the photography inside the camera app. You can adjust the white balance, ISO, flash, filters, and just about any other setting to perfect each shot.

You can also use it as a point-and-shoot, like I did. Either way, you’ll always get a gorgeous picture.

Software

Unfortunately, we in the USA can’t use the vivo on domestic phone networks, so my experience with the X200’s non-camera portions was a bit more limited. Still, what I encountered made me wish I could have made it my main phone throughout the review period!

The vivo X200 runs FunTouch OS 15, a skin of Android 15. If you know Android, it’s basically all the same. The main difference is that some vivo apps can replace the Google apps if you choose. So there’s a vivo browser, Chrome, a separate app store, Google Play Store, etc.

Due to simplicity and the fact that, geographically, most of these apps are aimed at overseas markets, I didn’t play with them very much, but they’re well-designed and seem just as solid as their Google equivalents.

I did try my hardest to use the vivo as my main phone whenever I could. I hotspotted it to my Pixel and installed most of my go-to communication apps. I even used Google’s website to access my texts on the X200, and the Pixel just stayed in my backpack—attached to a battery because hot-spotting is thirsty work!

The X200 was snappy and responsive with texts, emails, telegram messages, and Google Meet calls, and I also had no issues with light gaming.

Vivo tucks a fingerprint reader under the screen and offers facial recognition with the front-facing camera. Both were extremely fast and responsive, especially the fingerprint reader. It’s as good, if not better than the one on my Pixel 8 Pro!

My only complaint is that you must manually hide or remove the vivo apps. This isn’t a big deal, but coming from a Pixel that has zero bloat, it’s a reminder that many extraneous shortcuts and apps come out of the box with a branded phone. This is a super minor quibble, though, and can be easily rectified with 20 minutes of dedicated cleanup and setup time when you’re getting started.

Hardware+

Yes, the camera is the real star here, but the rest of the X200 hardware is pretty great, too. It’s running a Dimensity 9400 Octa-Core processor with 16GB RAM and a generous 512GB of storage. The battery is 6,000mAh and seems to last and last; again, this was entirely on WiFi with no cellular connection, which does skew the results a bit.

The screen is 6.78″ and has a 2800×1260 resolution, which is very easy on the eyes. The colors are sharp and clear, which is unsurprising since this is an AMOLED screen.

There’s very little in the way of extras around the edges—the right side has the volume and power keys, and there’s a USB-C connector at the bottom along with the speaker and SIM tray. Otherwise, it’s plain and only has a simple vivo brand along the back, nothing flashy or ugly to detract from the general attractiveness of a thin slab of phone.

I heaped praise on the camera array at the start for good reason. The only downside is that the camera module sticks way out of the phone. It dominates the top half of the back, and it will definitely keep the phone from lying flat or even on a table when it is not in a case. Whether you love or hate it is a matter of taste; some might find it too big, and others might like the huge lens look. I happen to like it, but it is a specific design choice!

Some third-party cases are out for the vivo X200 Pro, including some with loops to help you hold it, but I would love to see a case come out with a grip on the opposite side of the camera array. It would allow you to hold the phone like a true point-and-shoot and allow you to more easily hold it to compose the best possible shots. It feels like a missed opportunity not to sell a case that would make the phone look like a retro camera! (vivo, if you do this, call me!)

The vivo X200 Pro offers many flagship-level features, including the camera, processor, and storage. Good news, though: in a world where “flagship phone” automatically means “costs over $1,000 easily,” the X200 runs between $750-850 (again, because it’s not officially available on any USA carriers, this is all from third-party stores).

If you look at the vivo X200 Pro as a camera that happens to have a phone attached, you can see the value proposition, especially if you live in or plan to travel to an area where it’ll be usable on the local cellular networks! I may not be able to make calls with this phone (as I am in the U.S., and my carrier does not support it), but the next time I go on vacation or head out on a hike, it’s definitely coming with me!

You can learn more about the vivo X200 Pro on the official site.

The vivo X200 Pro retails at Rs. 94,999 (approximately $925); it is available directly from the manufacturer (if you live in one of the countries where it is available) and from other retailers, including AliExpress, eBay, and GizTop,

Source: Manufacturer provided review unit

What I Liked: The camera hardware is incredible; The software makes sure the photographs are excellent; The battery life is good; It has a snappy processor; It is very responsive to touch; The screen is gorgeous; The phone is thin and easy to carry everywhere

What Needs Improvement: No official USA availability, and it will not work with most U.S. carriers