vivo X200 Pro review

Design, build quality, handling

The X200 Pro doesn't stray too far from the X100 family design language, but this generation is not without personality either. Sure, there's the oversized camera cluster on the back - you have to fit those cameras somewhere - but tweaks can be found on both the face and the sides.

Vivo has reworked the facade so that the display and its cover glass are both flatter and more rounded at the same time. In place of the X100 Pro/Ultra's curved sides, you get a panel that's ever so slightly rounded towards all four edges. It manages to achieve a premium look and feel without compromising ergonomics (for those who insist that curved displays compromise ergonomics, that is).

We reckon that moving from a thin exposed aluminum rail on the sides to a more sizable flat surround (still aluminum) improves grip. It's also in keeping with trends - iPhones and Galaxies have been transitioning to flatter sides for a few generations now.

What iPhones and Galaxies don't have, is an IPX9 rating - the vivo X200 Pro, just like the X100 Ultra, is rated to withstand high temperature water jets. Why you'd want that is anyone's guess, but it probably means the body of the device is that extra bit better sealed than the majority of other smartphones that only have the water submersion-grade (and dust resistance) IP68 label. The X200 Pro also has that, of course.

That's one important blue gasket on the SIM tray (dual nano slot, eSIM not supported)

The back of the phone is made of glass, but vivo isn't throwing around brand names. There are four color options for the Chinese market, though we imagine not all of them will make it internationally. The Carbon Black and Titanium Gray colorways have a delicate anti-glare satin treatment, while the Moonlight White and Sapphire Blue options are glossy.

The Sapphire Blue variant is seemingly the hero colorway and it has a wavy brush-stroke-like pattern underneath the surface that likes to play with sunlight.

Just like we don't know the make of the rear glass, we're not entirely certain what covers the display. Underneath it, on the other hand, is where you'll find one of the somewhat major changes for this generation - the X200 Pro gets an ultrasonic fingerprint reader instead of the optical one of the X100 Pro.

In general use, we haven't been finding much difference in the past few years in terms of speed and accuracy, but in edge cases (magnesium- and/or sweat-covered fingers), ultrasonic sensors have proven more reliable. Then again, some of us still hate on them for one reason or another. Either way, the X200 Pro unlocks quickly and reliably and doesn't shine a light at you while doing it.