vivo X200 Pro review

Introduction

Let the Ultra-fication of the Pros continue - the vivo X200 Pro is getting the superb telephoto camera of the X100 Ultra, an upgrade in battery tech (and capacity), plus the mandatory new chipset. And with the X100 Ultra remaining China-only, we're looking forward to getting that zoom action in a globally-ready package like the X200 Pro.

That said, the vivo X200 Pro unit we have for review is still the Chinese version - there's a bit more of a wait before the global one becomes available. So for the time being, it's Origin OS we'll need to settle for, but the fresh Android 15 core is a welcome touch.

The X200 Pro's camera system is what we're here for, first and foremost. The telephoto unit's 3.7x 85mm-equivalent lens has a large 1/1.4" 200MP sensor behind it, and the combo has proven a top performer in the X100 Ultra (or is it just a very similar combo?). The Ultra isn't giving this next Pro the 1-inch main camera - instead, it's a new 1/1.28" Sony design that's supposedly just as good - we'll see about that.

The ultrawide, meanwhile, comes straight from the X100 Pro - not particularly exciting hardware, but not too shabby either. We'd have appreciated seeing the Ultra's selfie camera here, but the one we get appears to have been lifted off the previous Pro instead.

Trickling down from the Ultra is the silicon carbon battery that brings improved energy density over conventional graphite-based lithium-ion solutions. Vivo has also been pretty generous with the capacity too, the 6,000mAh number being among the highest in the class.

The X100 Ultra uses a Snapdragon, but the Pros have been tapping Mediatek's high-end chip supply for a few generations now, and the X200 Pro uses the latest Dimensity 9400. But there are at least a couple more X100 Ultra influences on the X200 Pro - the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor (optical on the X100 Pro), and the IPX9 rating for protection against steam jets (IP68 is also present, of course).

vivo X200 Pro specs at a glance:

• Body: 162.4x76.0x8.5mm, 223g; Glass front, aluminum alloy frame, glass back; IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.78" LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak), 1260x2800px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 452ppi.
• Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 9400 (3 nm): Octa-core CPU (1x3.63 GHz Cortex-X925 & 3x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720); Immortalis-G925 GPU.
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM; UFS 4.0.
• OS/Software: Android 15, OriginOS 5 (China).
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 200 MP, f/2.7, 85mm, 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, macro 2.7:1; Ultra wide angle: 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚, 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF.
• Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (ultrawide).
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 10-bit Log, Dolby Vision HDR; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 6000mAh; 90W wired, 30W wireless, Reverse wired.
• Connectivity: 5G; Dual SIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4, aptX HD, LHDC 5; NFC; Infrared port.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Satellite connectivity support (optional).

vivo X200 Pro unboxing

The X200 Pro gets the usual vivo high-end treatment and ships in the familiar large squarish off-black thick cardboard box. Inside it, you'll find a 90W charger and a USB-A-to-C cable to go with it.

Also included is a basic protective back cover - it's not the softest or grippiest around, nor does it look particularly good. Still, it's decent enough to keep the phone safe until you find a nicer one.