Vivo’s latest flagship, the X100 Pro, boasts an exceptional camera system, blending advanced hardware with computational photography.
Over the weekend, while tidying up my room, I stumbled upon a box filled with old phones that had slipped my mind. I decided to charge them one by one and play around with their cameras. As I lost track of time, I couldn’t help but ponder when we began identifying our phones based on their cameras. Nowadays, when I get a new smartphone for review, my instinct is to test the camera first, and I assume it’s the same for you. When Vivo offered me the opportunity to review the X100 Pro, my immediate focus was on assessing its camera performance before delving into other features.
The camera stands out as the primary reason people upgrade their smartphones, and Vivo aims to position the X100 Pro as a more intelligent camera phone in every aspect. Despite being a phone, it gives off the impression of using a camera integrated into a phone’s body.
I faced a challenging decision to temporarily part ways with my iPhone 15 Pro and make the Vivo X100 Pro my primary smartphone for a few days. Here’s how my experience unfolded.
Vivo X100 Pro price in India (as reviewed): Rs 89,999
The camera
I’m passionate about photography, evident from my extensive collection of 7000 photos stored on my phone. I cherish capturing moments, utilizing not only my phone camera but also a DSLR and a point-and-shoot camera.
Through the years, I’ve realized that no camera is flawless. It’s a journey of trial and error to discover your photography style. Sometimes, I opt for the precision of my DSLR, while other times, the convenience of my phone suffices. I don’t easily fit into a specific category.
As a long-time iPhone user, I’ve grown accustomed to its camera, picture quality, and interface. However, I’ve always been open to experimenting with different camera phones. Recently, I started using the Vivo X100 Pro, and after a month of using the device, I’ve taken it on adventures in Hong Kong and explored my hometown, Delhi. The result? A plethora of photos capturing unique perspectives. I’m thrilled to share my experience with the X100 Pro’s camera.
Cameras have consistently been a highlight of the Vivo X series, and the X100 Pro maintains this tradition. Let’s delve into its camera configuration:
- 50MP main camera with 1-inch sensor
- 50MP 4.3x floating telephoto camera
- 50MP Ultra-wide
- 32MP selfie camera
The main camera on the X100 Pro is the same as last year’s X90 Pro. It uses Sony’s IMX989 sensor, has a 23mm equivalent focal length, and an aperture of f/1.75. Vivo upgraded the Zeiss T* coating, reducing reflectivity by 50% and improving image clarity. The ultrawide camera is now 50MP (up from 12MP) and slightly wider, with a 15mm equivalent focal length. The standout feature is the new telephoto camera, equipped with a 50MP sensor, 4.3x optical zoom, and a 100mm equivalent lens. It features Zeiss’ APO “floating design” with new Vario-Apo-Sonnar elements, allowing the lens to shift forward and backward for focusing at different distances.
Having a 50-megapixel telephoto lens sets the X100 Pro apart from other smartphones I’ve recently used. This 50MP zoom lens, offering 4.3x optical zoom, excels at capturing sharper shots of distant subjects. As someone who travels frequently, a phone with such a powerful lens has captured my heart. I believe it’s the telephoto lens that gives the X100 Pro an edge, positioning it as the go-to phone for photographers (though opinions may vary). It allows you to capture subjects from a distance, adding a touch of drama to the background. Notably, the telephoto lens performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions, a rarity in smartphone cameras.
Over time, phone cameras have significantly improved, diminishing the need for an annual upgrade solely for a better camera experience. However, the Vivo X100 Pro stands out by emulating a professional camera, catering to a distinct audience. The resulting pictures showcase details and clarity that might not be immediately apparent to everyone. For instance, the zoom lens produces remarkable results, elevating the quality of portrait shots to a whole new level. It encourages users to consider angles and lighting before taking a shot, offering both fun and a valuable learning experience.
The X100 Pro provides versatility by offering four focal lengths (24mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm), making it one of the most flexible camera smartphones I’ve used in a while. Whether for casual photography or a special project, the X100 Pro fits the bill perfectly. What surprised me, and was unexpected, is that it maintains detail in skin, hair, and texture, whether capturing people, animals, or buildings.
Here are a few sample shots.
Design and display
The Vivo X100 Pro is a sizable phone, sporting a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that’s impressively bright, reaching up to 3000 nits. Whether this is a plus or a drawback depends on personal preference. While it’s not my preference, I know folks who won’t settle for anything less than a 6.5-inch screen.
Having a larger phone comes with its pros and cons. It’s fantastic for watching videos, playing games, taking notes, and viewing photos. However, it feels less comfortable for texting or calling, especially if you have smaller hands like mine.
Fitting the X100 Pro into a jeans pocket can be challenging. Yet, this is a common challenge with smartphones these days—phones are getting bigger, while pockets are getting smaller. Despite this, the X100 Pro exudes a premium feel. Its bold look includes a glass back with a smooth, silky finish. Although it’s somewhat weighty at 225g, the stainless steel mid-frame and dual-curved design provide a robust feel.
In terms of material quality, there’s nothing to complain about. Everything looks and feels top-notch, which is crucial given the high price consumers pay for premium phones nowadays. What caught my eye in the design is the circular camera island on the back, featuring a stainless steel ring around the camera housing and Zeiss branding in the center. It reminded me of the Nokia Lumia 1020’s large camera module, but Vivo takes it a step further with the X100 Pro.
With an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, the phone can withstand submersion in 1.5m of water for 30 minutes.
Processor and battery
The X100 Pro caught my attention with its choice of the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 instead of a flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, even though it gives off clear flagship phone vibes. Honestly, I didn’t pay much attention to the processor until I stumbled upon information about it on the website. The performance has been impressively fast, thanks to four large Cortex X4 cores and four Cortex A720 cores (don’t worry if you’re not familiar with Cortex and cores). My review unit comes with a generous amount of RAM (I believe it’s 16GB) and 512GB of storage. I haven’t noticed any stutter or lag during intense multitasking and resource-heavy apps like Google Docs and LinkedIn. Gaming is smooth and responsive with no overheating issues.
The X100 Pro comes with a hefty 5400 mAh battery, ensuring impressive battery life. Over the past few days, my phone has never come close to running out of battery, easily lasting for more than a day on a single charge. Vivo also provides its 120W charger in the package. It takes a little over 35 minutes for a full charge, and you can hit the halfway point in just around 12 or 13 minutes. However, it’s worth noting that the charger is quite bulky, making it a bit inconvenient to carry on trips.
Software and updates
I’ve always had a complaint about Vivo smartphones, mainly about their user interface. It makes me uneasy, especially when I see unnecessary apps on the device. The X100 Pro uses Funtouch OS 14, built on Android 14 right from the start. It comes with a cleaner user interface and less unnecessary apps. This is a positive change, and I’m optimistic that Vivo will bring this cleaner UI to their mid-range and budget phones too. The brand assures four years of software updates, ensuring long-term support for the X100 Pro.
Should you buy the Vivo X100 Pro?
I really like the Vivo X100 Pro. It’s stylish, speedy, boasts amazing cameras, and has a powerful processor. However, whether it’s worth the Rs 89,999 price tag for a top-tier Vivo smartphone depends on your preferences. I wouldn’t suggest the X100 Pro to everyone seeking a high-end Android phone. It’s more of a specialized device, catering to photographers aiming for authentic-looking photos, a goal that Vivo has successfully achieved. I’m optimistic that Vivo might create a smaller “pro” version of this device with the same impressive set of cameras.
