Vivo has raised the bar for smartphone photography with its latest flagship device that blurs the line between smartphones and professional cameras. The newly launched X200 Ultra represents a significant leap in mobile imaging technology, combining high-end camera hardware with cutting-edge computational photography in a device that's being marketed as a mirrorless camera that can make calls.
A Camera System That Rivals Professional Equipment
The X200 Ultra's camera system is where Vivo has focused its innovation efforts. The device features a triple camera setup with each lens covering a distinct focal length similar to a professional mirrorless camera system. The main highlight is the 200MP 3.7x periscope telephoto camera with Samsung's ISOCELL HP9 sensor and a wide f/2.27 aperture. This 85mm equivalent Zeiss APO Super Telephoto Lens II uses a floating lens structure and ultra-light prism design co-developed with Samsung.
Complementing the telephoto lens are two 50MP cameras with Sony's LYT-818 sensors: a 35mm standard lens with an f/1.7 aperture and a 14mm ultra-wide lens with an f/2.0 aperture. The ultra-wide camera offers a 181 percent improvement in light intake compared to its predecessor and features optical image stabilization with a 1.95-degree stabilization angle.
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| The Vivo X200 Ultra smartphone features a Zeiss-branded camera lens for superior photography capabilities |
Extending Photography Capabilities with Accessories
What truly sets the X200 Ultra apart is its optional accessories that transform the smartphone into a more camera-like device. Vivo has introduced a Zeiss telephoto extender that attaches to the 85mm lens, converting it to a 200mm f/2.3 long-focus lens. This increases the optical zoom range from 3.7x to 8.7x without relying on digital zoom, using a complex Kepler-inspired lens structure with 13 high-transmittance glass elements.
For photography enthusiasts, Vivo also offers a retro-style photography kit that provides manual controls, a dedicated video recording button, and functions as a 2,300 mAh power bank. This accessory adds a hardware grip with zoom and shutter controls, making the X200 Ultra feel more like a traditional camera in the hand.
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| The sleek and stylish Vivo X200 Ultra smartphone, ready for enhanced photography with its innovative accessories |
Powerful Processing for Professional-Grade Imaging
To handle the sophisticated camera system, Vivo has equipped the X200 Ultra with dual custom imaging chips. The VS1 chip manages pre-processing tasks like noise filtering and exposure balance, while the V3+ chip handles post-processing and enables advanced video features. This dedicated hardware allows the phone to support 4K recording at 120 fps, 4K 60fps 10-bit Log video, and 8K recording at 30 fps—capabilities typically found in professional video equipment.
Premium Hardware Beyond the Camera
The X200 Ultra isn't just about photography. It features a 6.78-inch QHD+ LTPO AMOLED quad-curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it's powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with two 4.32 GHz prime cores and six 3.53 GHz performance cores, paired with the Adreno 830 GPU for handling demanding applications and games.
The device comes with Android 15-based OriginOS 5 out of the box, and Vivo has promised four Android updates and five years of security updates. Battery life is addressed with a large 6,000 mAh battery supporting 100W wired charging and 30W wireless charging, with reverse charging capabilities as well.
Pricing and Availability
The Vivo X200 Ultra is currently available in China in three configurations. The base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage starts at CNY 6,499 (approximately USD 897), while the 16GB/512GB variant costs CNY 6,999 (approximately USD 966) and the top-tier 16GB/1TB model is priced at CNY 7,999 (approximately USD 1,104). The device comes in three color options: Black, Red, and a White version featuring a Rimowa suitcase pattern.
Setting a New Standard for Mobile Photography
With the X200 Ultra, Vivo has taken a different approach from competitors who typically focus on computational photography improvements. Instead, the company has invested in genuine optical engineering through its partnership with Zeiss, creating a smartphone that offers versatility and optical clarity rarely seen in mobile devices. While the average user might not utilize all these professional features, Vivo has established a new benchmark for what smartphone cameras can achieve, potentially influencing the direction of mobile photography development in the coming years.