What you need to know

• Vivo is positioning the X Fold 6 as a foldable that prioritizes camera performance without sacrificing the large-screen experience.
• The phone packs a 200MP main camera, ZEISS optics, and a dedicated V3+ imaging chip for flagship-grade photography.
• Support for the ZEISS G2 telephoto converter enables 200mm-equivalent zoom, giving users more flexibility for long-distance shots.

Vivo is no longer keeping the X Fold 6 under wraps. The company has begun confirming the key details of its next Galaxy Z Fold competitor ahead of its official launch in China later this month, and it’s clear that photography is the star of the show.

Earlier foldables have forced consumers to decide between superior camera quality or larger screens and slimmer profiles. Vivo appears eager to test that with the X Fold 6, which looks like one of the most ambitious foldable camera phones we’ve seen yet.

Vivo executive Han Boxiao posted some info on Weibo, saying that the X Fold 6 will feature a 200MP main camera using the same large 1/1.4-inch sensor as the Vivo X300 Ultra. The company also has a ZEISS APO Super Telephoto camera with Sony's LYT-602 sensor, as it continues its partnership with ZEISS, which provides premium optics.

But Vivo’s most impressive trick might be the support for the ZEISS G2 telephoto converter. The accessory gives you 200mm-equivalent shooting, so you get significantly more reach for distant subjects. Boxiao even claims the setup is ideal for concert photos. However, unlike the X300 Ultra, the new foldable won’t support the more powerful 400mm teleconverter.

The camera system will be powered by Vivo’s latest in-house V3+ imaging chip that handles all the image processing duties. Vivo also shared some sample shots to show what the hardware can do.

The screen is also drawing attention. The X Fold 6 will feature an 8.02-inch inner display with Samsung’s M14 luminous material. Vivo claims the panel is capable of 5,000 nits peak brightness outdoors but also as low as 1 nit for more comfortable nighttime viewing.

As teased earlier, the foldable will be powered by a Dimensity 9500 Super Edition processor and will support desktop mode when connected to external displays. There have also been rumors of a huge 7,000mAh battery, but Vivo has not confirmed that spec officially yet.

The foldable phone is expected to land in China this month, and its availability outside of China could determine how much pressure it puts on rivals like Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup.

Android Central's Take

Fewer compromises in a foldable ultimately benefit consumers, especially those wanting flagship cameras with the convenience of a larger screen. Features like the 200MP sensor, brighter display, and long-range photography options make the device feel more practical rather than being just flashy. That said, Vivo’s strategy still has a familiar catch: stuffing impressive hardware into a China-first release only limits who can actually benefit from it. It’s hard to not roll your eyes when companies tout cutting-edge features that many global buyers may never officially get their hands on.

What you need to know

• "Wide" fold rumors continue, but suggest that overseas makers, such as Honor and Vivo, might have versions of their own in the pipeline.
• Vivo's version could appear as the "X Fold 6," per a tipster's post online, while another allegation says Honor is working on one that could debut next year.
• Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide surfaced again, and it's cameras are looking a little typical.

Industries are typically competitive, and these rumors say the "Wide" foldable competition is heating up with new Chinese challengers.

There are a couple of tipsters on Chinese social media (Weibo) who have claimed that a couple of phone makers are looking into wider foldable phones. A post by Gizmochina highlights a post by Smart Pikachu, claiming Vivo is already working on a "Wide" Fold with a notable upgrade (via PhoneArena). The tipster points users toward an alleged "Vivo X Fold 6," adding that "those who like large folding designs" should seek that device out.

This tipster's allegations conclude by stating Vivo might "greatly improve" the display crease for its wider foldable. Joining the wider fold train is another tipster, Guan Tongxue, who says Honor wants a piece of the pie, too. Its expected timeline is still unknown, but the post claims it's "only a matter of time" before we see its market reveal.

What's more, Honor might equip the phone with a triple camera setup. Gizmochina did a little more digging, finding other rumors that said Honor could prepare for a debut sometime in Q1 2027. If true, then perhaps we can expect to see something late this year to hype us up.

Samsung's moving along

Of course, we're looking at this as a potential competitive future for Samsung. We've been seeing rumors about a "Wide" Fold 8 for a while, and there was even an animation leak. Samsung's been working on One UI 9 (beta just hit the Galaxy S26), and there was a supposed animation for the "Wide" Fold 8's displays. Though it was just a quick animation, it really gave us an idea of how much wider this foldable could be.

Most recently, there was a rumor about its cameras, and they seem pretty... tame. Supposedly, the Fold 8 Wide could feature a 50MP main lens and a 50MP ultrawide with 8K recording capabilities. There's a notable missing feature here: a telephoto lens. That's something that will seemingly separate the regular Fold 8 and this wider variant, should the rumor prove true.

I used Vivo's X300 Pro and the brand-new X300 Ultra, and there's no doubting that these are two of the best camera phones available today. The X300 Pro by itself is a fantastic phone, and if you want the best all-round cameras and intend to take a lot of videos, the X300 Ultra gives you the ultimate cameras of 2026 — with the associated price tag.

The regular X300 is quite good in its own right, and while it doesn't get quite as much attention, I enjoyed using the smaller phone. Vivo now has a new model dubbed the X300 FE, and while it shares a lot of similarities to the X300, there are a few key differences: it has better global bands, a bigger battery, and you don't get the same cameras.

There's just one problem: the X300 FE starts at a hefty €999 ($1,171) in countries like Austria, and that makes it a non-starter considering the regular X300 is now selling for €849 ($995) in the region. The X300 started out at €1,049 ($1,230), but as it has been on sale for close to half a year now, the phone is seeing discounts, making it more affordable than the FE model that just debuted.

It's a similar situation in India, where the X300 costs ₹75,999 ($800), and the X300 FE launched at ₹79,999 ($842). Clearly, Vivo will need to correct the pricing after launch, because it doesn't really make sense to pay more than the X300 to get the X300 FE.

Regardless, I used the X300 FE alongside the standard X300 and the X300 Ultra, and I have to admit that I like the phone quite a bit. Vivo changed a few things with the device to make it stand out from the regular X300, but the underlying foundations are broadly the same on both phones, and that's evident when using the devices next to one another.

The X300 FE has a design you'll love

If there's one thing that stands out with all the X300 phones, it's massive camera islands. There really isn't any other way to accommodate a trio or quartet of high-resolution cameras, and that's why the design of the X300 FE feels refreshing.

The phone has the same small 6.31-inch panel as the X300, but the redesigned camera housing makes it that much more comfortable to hold, and there's no wobble when using it on a table. The camera bar design is reminiscent of the Huawei Nexus 6P, but the metal housing allows it to be distinctive in its own right. While recent Pixels also have a camera bar, the design is differentiated enough that the X300 FE feels unique.

The in-hand feel is among the best of any Vivo phone, and I used all of the brand's phones released over the last four years. The boxy sides have beveled edges, and the smaller size means you can easily use the X300 FE one-handed. Vivo didn't shortchange buyers, and the X300 FE gets IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, an aluminum mid-frame, a glass rear with matte texture, and metal encasing the cameras.

I'm using the Purple variant, and it looks good while not being too flashy. I like the choice of colors this time, and if anything, I would've preferred to see this variant on the X300 Ultra instead. The 6.31-inch OLED panel is just as good as other X300 devices; you get excellent color vibrancy and contrast levels, decent customizability, and eye protection features you'll actually use.

You get a bigger battery than the Galaxy S26 Ultra

Coming in at 190g, the X300 FE weighs the same as the X300, but it has a much bigger 6,500mAh battery. By contrast, the Austrian model of the X300 that I'm using has a 5,360mAh battery instead. The bigger battery makes a huge difference in daily use, and it easily lasts a day and a half even with heavy use.

The fact that you get such a big battery in a relatively small phone is the biggest differentiator with the X300 FE. Vivo is once again using silicon-carbon tech to good effect, and the X300 FE outshines the X300, Xiaomi 17, and Galaxy S26 in this regard. This is the biggest battery on a 6.3-inch phone, and if that's something you're after, the X300 FE is a good choice.

Vivo's 90W charging means the X300 FE takes under 50 minutes to charge the battery, and you get USB PD charging as well, up to 50W. On the whole, battery longevity is one of the main reasons why I like the X300 FE, and Vivo did a great job in this area.

The X300 FE has reliable cameras and internals

Switching over to the internals, the X300 FE is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, and while it isn't using the best that Qualcomm has to offer, I didn't see any issues. I used the 12GB/512GB model of the device, and while I would've liked 16GB, that's about the only quibble I have on the hardware configuration.

The cameras aren't quite as good as the X300; instead of a 200MP main camera, you get a 50MP Sony Lytia 702 sensor, and it's joined by a 50MP Lytia 600 telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP wide-angle lens. I get that the X300 FE is positioned below the X300, but that's no excuse to not have the same wide-angle lens on the device. The main camera and tele lenses do a great job, but the wide-angle lens is average, and I would've liked a better module on the phone.

What is interesting is that the 200mm telephoto extender can be used with the X200 FE as well. I didn't get to put that to the test as I didn't have the requisite case on me, but I'll write a dedicated post around the lens down the line.

The X300 FE is a good overall choice — if the price is right

Whether you want to buy the X300 FE is entirely down to your priorities. If you want a bigger battery and better in-hand feel, I'd suggest getting it over the regular X300. But if you need better cameras, the X300 is the better choice — there's no doubt.

Also, Vivo needs to sort out the X300 FE pricing to make it an attractive option against the X300 and the X300 Pro, because as it stands, it doesn't make much sense to get the FE unless you need a bigger battery.

Vivo is doing all the right things in India, and with the X300 Ultra also available in the country now, the brand is consolidating its position at both ends of the flagship category. However, the X300 FE needs to cost a lot less than the X300 to be a viable choice.

"How is the camera doing this?" was the question I asked myself the most in the last six days. I used the X300 Ultra as my daily driver for just under a week now, and while I usually take longer to test phones, that wasn't necessary with this device. The moment I started taking photos and videos with it, I realized Vivo once again created a monster of a camera phone.

Vivo proved over the last two years that it knows how to deliver the best camera-focused flagship; the X100 Ultra raised the bar in this category, and last year's X200 Ultra was the best camera phone I tested at the time. If anything, the only reason I didn't use it for longer was because the Chinese model had issues with notifications, so I switched out to the excellent X300 Pro instead.

What's particularly interesting this year is that Vivo is launching the X300 Ultra globally. That makes the device all the more exciting as the global model will come with Google's Play Store, Gmail, YouTube, and other Google services installed out of the box. While I'm excited to get my hands on the global X300 Ultra (the phone is launching later in April), I'm currently using the Chinese variant of the device, and the only difference between the two is the software. As such, I'll reserve judgement on the software until I get my hands on the global model.

The X300 Ultra's cameras are in a league of their own

Cameras are the clear highlight here, so let's dive straight in. While brands don't usually change things too much between generations, the X300 Ultra has a new 200MP Sony Lytia LYT-901 main camera that's outstanding, and it's joined by another new 200MP custom Samsung ISOCELL HPB tele lens, and the same 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-818 wide-angle lens as last year. Now, while the main camera has smaller pixels and has an f/1.9 lens (versus f/1.7 last year), the much bigger 1/1.12-inch sensor allows it to take in more light than its predecessor, and the result is a camera that's on another level entirely.

Vivo's collaboration with Zeiss shows its worth once again, and the quality of the lenses and the image tuning is one of the best on Android — if not the best overall. I prefer Vivo's camera tuning, and that's why I like the X300 Pro better than the Find X9 Pro, and with the X300 Ultra, Vivo tweaked its camera algorithms to deliver even greater detail and vibrancy.

The X300 Ultra takes incredible shots in daylight situations, with excellent dynamic range and white balance. Photos aren't overly saturated, but you still get rich colors and good detail. The X300 Ultra does just as well in low-light situations, and it even has an edge over the X300 Pro in this regard, which I previously considered to be the best low-light shooter.

Like last year, the main camera's focal length is 35mm instead of 24mm that's used by most other brands. On that note, video recording is the clear star of the show on the X300 Ultra, with Vivo overhauling just about everything. In this context, the 35mm focal length feels just right.

You now get 4K120 Dolby Vision video recording from all the rear cameras, and even the 50MP front camera can shoot 4K60 video in Dolby Vision. There's 10-bit Log video, and a Pro mode that lets you add your own LUTs to give you a preview of what the video will look like in real-time. The Pro mode lets you tweak just about every other parameter, and honestly, if you intend to take a lot of videos from your phone, the X300 Ultra is the one to get — there's no doubting that.

The 200MP tele lens is arguably the best you'll get in this category, and it delivers usable shots at 10x. The 85mm lens goes up to 3.7x optical zoom, and it excels in low-light situations. I got detailed photos in scenarios with little to no lighting whatsoever, and even going up to 10x, the detail retrieval was better than the S26 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and any other phone I tested.

Portrait shots are just as good on the X300 Ultra, and I like the new macro mode. It lets you go incredibly close to a subject, and I got a few interesting shots this way. While the wide-angle lens is unchanged, it continues to deliver the same caliber of photos as the other cameras, and that's great to see.

On the whole, the Vivo X300 Ultra has the best cameras of any phone of 2026, and what I like the most is that all cameras produce consistent colors. This is particularly noticeable when shooting video, and that's what gives the X300 Ultra a definite edge over other flagships.

Vivo outdid itself with the X300 Ultra teleconverter lenses

The other huge differentiator is the accessories; Vivo has two telephoto converter lenses this year, with a new G2 200mm lens that is smaller than the lens accessory from last year, and a brand-new 400mm lens that's just ridiculous.

I got both lenses and the requisite accessories to attach them to the device, and while I'll delve into a bit more detail in a standalone post, what you need to know is that both lenses give the X300 Ultra a sizeable advantage. The best part is that the tele lens attachment that debuted with the X200 Ultra fits just as well on the X300 Ultra, so if you have that, you can use it with this year's phone.

The X300 Ultra has a stylish design — and great battery life

While the X300 Ultra is all about cameras, Vivo didn't miss any details with the rest of the phone. The design is pretty great in its own right, and the huge 6,600mAh battery ensures you can use this phone all day even if you take hundreds of photos and hours-long video. No matter how much I pushed the phone, I was able to get to the end of the day without needing battery saver. And with 100W fast charging tech, it takes just over 42 minutes to fully charge the battery, and it goes up to 50W with USB PD chargers as well.

The X300 Ultra has a two-tone design at the back with an etched pattern of a mountain underneath the camera module, and it looks cool. The bottom third of the phone has a plain texture with Vivo's logo on the side, with Vivo mimicking the feel of traditional cameras; that said, I would've preferred a leather finish. While it's a giant slab of a phone, the beveled edges along the mid-frame make holding the phone much more comfortable, and it doesn't dig into your hand like the Galaxy S26 Ultra or even the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

The mid-frame also has a matte texture, and in a refreshing change of pace, you don't have any additional buttons — there's just the power button and volume buttons on the right side of the phone. The overall build quality is excellent (as you'd imagine), and I didn't see any issues in this area. Like most other Chinese phones, the X300 Ultra gets IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance.

Vivo somehow went with an even bigger camera module this time, but as it is centered, it doesn't cause any wobble when using the device on a table. The rounded module has a metal ring encircling it, and the design contrasts well with the matte texture on the rear. If anything, the size of the module works to its advantage, as I found it to be the ideal place to rest my index finger while holding the phone.

The 6.82-inch AMOLED panel is unchanged from last year, and the only difference I noticed is that it gets a little brighter when used next to the X200 Ultra, and it handles HDR content a little better. The 144Hz refresh rate is nice, and it makes a slight difference against the 120Hz refresh that's been standard for a while now. Outside of that, the panel has great color vibrancy and contrast levels. There are meaningful eye comfort features, you get high PWM dimming across the entire brightness range, and decent customizability when it comes to tweaking the color balance.

You get all the power you need — and then some

Although Vivo uses MediaTek with its other X300 phones, you get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 on the X300 Ultra, and it is a powerhouse like no other. It handles demanding games with ease, and while other phones I tested ran into overheating issues, that wasn't a case on this device — it could be down to the Chinese version of the software. I'll test the hardware against the global model once I get my hands on it and see if there's any noticeable difference.

Otherwise, I didn't see any issues whatsoever with the hardware, and my unit has 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage. It will be interesting to see what storage variants Vivo launches globally, but we should get at least the 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB models.

Elsewhere, there are no problems with connectivity. The Chinese model has all the requisite cellular bands to use globally, and I had no issues getting 5G in India. The phone has the usual high-res codecs as well, including AptX Adaptive, and I didn't have issues using Roon. Now, the X300 Ultra gets satellite connectivity, but as I'm using the Chinese model — which is limited to China Mobile — I wasn't able to test it. It will be interesting to see if Vivo retains the feature in the global model.

The software is better than I imagined

I'll briefly talk about the software, as it's relevant if you're interested in getting the Chinese model. The phone runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, and honestly, it's great to use. I tested dozens of Android phones with Chinese skins in the past, and it's refreshing to see just how easy it is to move data from an Android phone over to the X300 Ultra — it's faster than Google's built-in data transfer system. Other than that, it's a breeze to install the Play Store and get all your apps installed on the device, and it took me less time to set everything up the way I want on the X300 Ultra than most other phones.

The only problem with using the Chinese version of OriginOS is that there are lingering notification issues. It's easy enough to address by disabling memory management, but you'll need to do with every individual app. With close to a week of use, I get Gmail and Slack messages without any issues, but that wasn't the case when I set up the phone. Other than that, OriginOS has a lot of positives, and I like the design and all the customizability that Vivo has added over the last 15 months.

The X300 Ultra is the camera phone to beat in 2026

If I'm being honest, the X300 Ultra didn't need to do much to dominate its rivals. The X200 Ultra holds up incredibly well in 2026, and with upgraded cameras and improved tuning, the X300 Ultra stands out even more, which is an achievement in and of itself. The new cameras are groundbreaking, and video recording in particular is on another level altogether.

I don't know what the global X300 Ultra will cost, but historically, Chinese variants have been much more affordable — by several hundred dollars — and that's bound to be the case this time as well. That means you have the potential to save quite a bit of cash by getting the Chinese variant, and honestly, if I had to buy the X300 Ultra, that's what I would do. Still, with the phone launching globally, it makes sense to wait and see how much the X300 Ultra retails for outside China before taking the plunge.

Look, I'm privileged in that I get to use all flagships, so there's no shortage of devices I can use on a daily basis. Between the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Find X9 Pro, Vivo X300 Pro, and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and there's no doubt that the X300 Ultra has the best all-round package. The cameras alone give the phone a distinct lead, but when you combine the rest of the hardware and the battery, you're looking at the best phone of 2026. OPPO has to do something truly innovative with the Find X9 Ultra to be able to challenge Vivo this year.

Vivo is launching the X300 Ultra globally sometime later this year, but ahead of that, the device has made its debut in China. Vivo showcased the X300 Ultra at MWC 2026, and I got an early look at the phone at the show. There's a lot of interest in the device, and justifiably so — the X200 Ultra was the best camera-focused phone last year, but it was limited to China, so the fact that the X300 Ultra is launching globally is a huge deal in and of itself.

Also, the launch gives us a clearer indication of the X300 Ultra's innards — this was something Vivo didn't detail until now. Starting with the cameras, the phone has a huge 1/1.12-inch 200MP main camera that's using a Sony Lytia 901 sensor with OIS, and it retains the same 35mm focal length as its predecessor. The bigger sensor and higher resolution should make a meaningful difference, and this may just be the best main camera of any phone in 2026.

The X300 Ultra gets a 200MP 1/1.4-inch tele lens with 85mm focal length and OIS, and it has a new ISOCELL HP0 module. The 14mm wide-angle lens is unchanged, so we get the same 50MP 1/1.28-inch sensor as last year, but it also gets OIS. This is a key feature, as Vivo is positioning video recording as the main highlight of the X300 Ultra; to that end, you get OIS over the entire focal length, and the ability to shoot 4K120 video in Dolby Vision.

Another point of note is the accessories; Vivo has two telephoto lens kits to attach to the X300 Ultra, and if they're anywhere as good as the tele attachment on the X200 Ultra, they should be fun to test.

Vivo talked a lot about how it overhauled its color science and imaging algorithms, and I'm keen on getting my hands on the X300 Ultra to see how it holds up against the X200 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Elsewhere, the device gets the latest Qualcomm silicon paired with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, with storage going up to 1TB. The bigger 6,600mAh battery should allow it to last all day, and the design itself isn't too different to last year's phone — you get a 6.82-inch OLED panel with 144Hz refresh.

The X300 Ultra starts at the equivalent of $1,012 in China (6,999 RMB), but it will be quite a bit costlier once it hits global markets. We'll need to wait and see what that will be, and I can't wait to get my hands on the phone.

I look forward to a few devices every year, and Vivo's Ultra model is high up on that list. There's a good reason for that; for the last two years, the brand has absolutely dominated with the X100 Ultra and X200 Ultra, and its cameras have the best tuning and take the best photos of any device.

Having seen the X300 Ultra, I have no doubt that Vivo is set to continue that momentum into 2026. Talking to Vivo's Senior Product Manager Keshav Chugh, there was a clear sense that the brand is focusing on video this generation. Basically, Vivo feels that its Ultra models do such a good job with still imagery that there isn't much to address, but with video recording on Android still not quite as good, the brand chose to dedicate its efforts in this area.

To that effect, the phone has the ability to shoot 4K120 video from all rear cameras in 10-bit Log and Dolby Vision. This gives greater flexibility to creators looking to get the most out of videos, and the brand is touting its OIS as a clear differentiator when it comes to shooting handheld. There are other niceties, including a Pro Video mode, better color science when shooting videos, and dedicated accessories — including a custom shooting rig — and a new 400mm tele extender lens.

Vivo didn't talk much about the actual camera sensors, and I wasn't able to take photos with the device the brand showcased at Mobile World Congress. That said, it should have better cameras than the X200 Ultra, and the demo video the brand shared looked promising to say the least.

The design itself isn't too different either, and the only difference I noticed is that the X300 Ultra has a slightly flatter profile on the sides, with the same gigantic camera module on the rear of the device.

What makes the device doubly exciting is that the X300 Ultra is making its debut globally. This is a huge deal in and of itself, as Vivo has limited the previous two models to China. Bringing the X300 Ultra globally allows Vivo to go up against the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and the Galaxy S26 Ultra to a greater degree, and if the cameras are even as good as its predecessor, Vivo doesn't need to worry about anything.

What you need to know

• Vivo is said to be testing a massive 10,000mAh battery using silicon-carbon battery tech instead of traditional graphite.
• A 4.53V single-cell silicon design reportedly lets Vivo pack massive capacity into a phone without turning it into a brick.
• The battery beast will likely land under Vivo's performance-focused iQOO sub-brand, not the slim X-series flagships.

Battery life is quickly becoming the next big competition in smartphones, and Vivo wants to be part of it. A new leak suggests the company is working on a phone with a battery so large it could set a new standard for endurance.

Tipster Digital Chat Station said on Weibo that Vivo is testing a device with a 10,000mAh battery (via GSMArena). However, the most interesting part is that the typical capacity could be between 11,000mAh and 12,000mAh.

The rumored device uses a 4.53V single-cell silicon battery, which helps Vivo fit so much capacity into a phone without making it huge. Silicon batteries store much more energy than traditional graphite ones, allowing manufacturers to increase battery sizes from 5,000mAh to 7,000mAh or even 8,000mAh without making phones much bigger.

This change shows a bigger trend in the market. Some Chinese brands, like Realme, have already released phones with batteries over 10,000mAh. What used to be a rare feature is now becoming a real selling point. Vivo joining in suggests this trend will continue.

This might not be a flagship feature

Interestingly, this phone with a huge battery might not be part of Vivo’s top flagship line. Those models still focus on being thin, and a big battery might not fit that goal. Instead, Vivo’s performance-focused sub-brand, iQOO, seems like a better fit for this kind of device.

There is no confirmed launch date yet. Since testing is still in the early stages, it could be months or even years before the phone is released, if it ever moves beyond the prototype phase.

A phone with an 11,000 to 12,000mAh battery would offer more than just long battery life. It could change how people use their phones every day. Users could go several days without worrying about charging, enjoy longer battery health, and use demanding features like AI, gaming, and high-refresh screens without making sacrifices.

Android Central's Take

This is where I get truly excited. As someone who always needs a charger nearby, this change feels liberating. We have long focused on faster charging to make up for short battery life. But a phone with a 10,000mAh battery or more changes everything. For most people, it means not just two days of use, but long GPS trips, hours of video streaming on flights, and heavy hotspot use without worrying about running out of power. With Xiaomi also purportedly looking into similar phones, this is not just a one-off — it’s the beginning of a new trend.

Vivo launched the V60 just six months ago, but the brand isn't slowing down with its mid-range onslaught — the V70 Elite is now available in select Asian countries. I'm still not onboard this strategy of half-yearly launches, and earlier V series devices barely came with any upgrades to justify a new model.

Thankfully, that isn't the case with the V70 Elite. To put it mildly, this is the biggest upgrade in the V series in quite a while, and if anything, the phone is closer to the X300 than the V60. Recent V series devices have delivered great cameras, and the V70 Elite continues that heritage.

But that's just one part of it; Vivo is clearly being ambitious with the V70 Elite, and the phone gets a brand-new design, much better hardware, and a slate of extras that make it stand out against its predecessors by a huge amount. I used the V70 Elite for just over a week now, and these are the upgrades that caught my attention.

The V70 Elite is the most powerful Vivo mid-ranger yet

The V60 and V50 used the Snapdragon 7 platform, but with the V70 Elite, Vivo is switching things up and using the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The move to the more powerful platform gives the V70 Elite a huge advantage when it comes to performance, and the difference is immediately noticeable. Using the V70 Elite next to the V60, it's evident that the phone is able to handle demanding games much better, and it's just smoother in daily usage as well.

This is a big deal, because it broadens the usability of the V70 Elite — it is no longer just a camera-focused device. On that note, Vivo finally switched away from UFS 2.2 storage modules, and is instead using UFS 4.1 storage on the V70 Elite. Best of all, the base model comes with 256GB of storage as standard, and there isn't a 128GB model this time (thankfully).

Elsewhere, the V70 Elite retains IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, so it is just as resilient as the X300 Pro in this regard. You get the same 6,500mAh silicon battery as the V60, and it managed to last a full day without any issues. Most of the time, I got a day and a half with medium use, and Vivo's 90W fast charging tech is intact. I used the Indian model of the device, so there's a charger in the box, but that may not be the case in other regions.

Oh, and I like that the phone has an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor; it is easier to authenticate, and does a better job overall.

The design is scorching hot

Vivo always did a good job with V series designs, but the V70 Elite takes things to a new level. Vivo's traditional circular camera island is eschewed, and the V70 Elite instead gets a rectangular module that looks cleaner. The metal island resembles the Find X9 quite a bit, and it allows the device to look that much more elegant.

A lot of that is down to the Passion Red color. I still don't get why Vivo reserves its best colors for its V series devices — I would've loved to see this color on the X300 Pro or the X Fold 5. The red hue isn't that bold thanks to the matte texture, and it skews towards brown when viewing the device at an off-axis angle. That doesn't take away from its elegance one bit, and this is the best-looking Vivo phone yet.

While earlier devices came with polycarbonate designs, the V70 Elite has an aluminum alloy mid-frame with a glass rear, and it looks striking. If anything, I like the design of the phone a little better than the X300.

Because of a smaller OLED panel, the V70 Elite is shorter and thinner than its predecessor, and it has a much better in-hand feel. While I wouldn't call it a small phone, the device feels great to hold and use, and I prefer it to the V60.

Brighter OLED panel with better colors

The V70 Elite gets a smaller 6.59-inch OLED panel, but Vivo went with a higher-resolution panel (2750x1260), so you get better pixel density, and the colors are better overall. The panel is among the best you get in this category, and it excels at color vibrancy and brightness levels.

There's the standard 120Hz refresh and all the other software extras you get with Vivo devices, and it features a layer of the brand's custom glass protection, made with Schott. Against the V60, the V70 Elite gets brighter, has better color vibrancy, and the ultra-thin bezels make a noticeable difference.

The cameras continue to stand out

Vivo didn't change the cameras from the V60, and I don't mind that one bit. The V70 Elite gets the same 50MP main camera, 50MP tele lens with 3.7x optical zoom, an 8MP wide-angle lens, and a 50MP camera at the front. You get 4K60 video, HDR video, and a suite of filters and other camera extras that aren't limited to the X300 and X300 Pro.

What I like the most about the camera on the V70 Elite is that it takes terrific portrait shots. This is an area where Vivo has a clear advantage over its rivals, and while the V70 Elite isn't quite as good as the X300, it still does a better job than other mid-rangers I've tested recently.

Overall image quality is better than the V60 thanks to better tuning and the upgraded ISP, and the V70 Elite takes great photos in challenging scenarios.

The V70 Elite is the mid-ranger you need

With the V70 Elite, Vivo is showing that it knows how to deliver an all-rounder. The phone runs the latest OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, and the software is much better than Funtouch OS. It has better fluidity, greater customizability, and I like the interface.

The powerful internals make using the phone so much better than the V60 and older V series devices, and this is an area where you'll see the biggest difference if you're upgrading from an older phone. The cameras are excellent, the design is easily among the best of any mid-ranger, and you don't miss out on any extras.

What you need to know

• Global smartphone shipments rose by 2.3% YoY in Q4 2025, totaling 336.3 million units.
• Samsung shot up as one of the strongest performers, shipping 61.2 million units and contributing to 18.2% of the total global market share.
• Apple leads with 24.2% market share, while Chinese brands face new challenges amidst rising competition.

The holiday season seems to have worked in favor of the global smartphone market as shipments climbed by 2.3% YoY in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to preliminary data obtained by International Data Corporation (IDC). Despite the ongoing industry issues, like memory chip shortages, unprecedented tariffs, and other disruptions, the smartphone market seems to have ended the year strong.

In total, 336.3 million smartphones were shipped globally during the quarter, bringing the full-year shipments to roughly 1.26 billion units, which is a 1.9% increase from the same time last year.

Speaking of positive numbers, Samsung shot up as one of the strongest performers, shipping 61.2 million units and contributing to 18.2% of the total global market share. IDC says that Samsung delivered its best in Q4 since way back in 2013, all thanks to "strong sales of its Galaxy Z Fold 7 and affordable AI-enabled Galaxy A-Series devices," the report stated.

Samsung's new foldables basically contributed to Samsung's strongest Q3 in years, and the Galaxy Z Fold 7 sales in the US exceeded the Z Fold 6 by 50% within the same timeframe after launch. It also became the fastest-selling Galaxy Fold in Western Europe, selling more than double the units of the Z Fold 6 in its first four weeks. Giving the Korean OEM a 64% hold on the global foldable market.

Apple continued to hold its place at the top of the board, shipping over 81.3 million units, contributing to 24.2% of the global market share. Which hints at the fact that people are certainly reaching for high-end premium devices, according to Nabila Popal, senior research director for Worldwide Client Devices, IDC.

Chinese brands like Xiaomi held onto their third place with 37.8 million shipments, but the brand faced a YoY decline amid challenges like higher price points and competition from other brands within the country. Vivo and OPPO both held onto 8% of the market, shipping 27 million and 26.9 million units, respectively. IDC noted that Vivo's growth was due to its sales and performance in India, while OPPO's was bolstered by its new launches in China.

Meanwhile, other brands like Google, Motorola, Honor, etc that fall under the "others" category, accounted for 30.4% of the total market, down from 31.9% in the same period the previous year (4Q24).

Chinese phone brands had a good 2026; they delivered meaningful camera innovation and broke new ground in battery tech. Devices like the Vivo X200 Ultra, X300 Pro, and the Find X9 Pro are easily among the best phones you can buy today, and these brands are doing a better job selling their devices outside Asia.

Looking ahead to 2026, I predict a continuation of the dominance around imaging, with even bigger cameras and better tuning. I also see the likes of OPPO and Vivo establishing a solid presence in Western markets, rivaling Xiaomi and Huawei.

Cameras that are even better

If you need the best possible cameras on a phone, you'll need to get the Vivo X200 Ultra, Find X8 Ultra, or the Vivo X300 Pro — there's no question about that. With the X300 Pro delivering noticeable gains over its predecessor, where does Vivo take things in 2026? There's obviously going to be an X300 Ultra, and that should also get a 200MP tele lens.

Where I see Vivo differentiating its Ultra models is with the tuning; this was evident on the X300 Pro, and it's clear that Vivo wants to focus on its tuning algorithms as much as the physical sensors it uses on its phones. That's a good thing, because it allows the brand to meaningfully stand out against its closest rivals.

In a similar vein, I see OPPO and Xiaomi going all-out with their Ultra models, and I'm excited to see what they can deliver. While Xiaomi was the only brand out of the trio to sell its Ultra models outside China, that may change in 2026, with both OPPO and Vivo set to launch their best phones globally.

Increased global presence

What's the point of having a brilliant phone if it's limited to just a few countries? While Vivo and OPPO focused on Asian markets, that narrative is changing, and either brand is keen on building out a presence in the West. OPPO introduced the Find X9 and X9 Pro in the U.K., and Vivo debuted the X300 and X300 Pro in Germany and other markets in the region.

While either brand had a limited presence in these countries, they didn't market their products aggressively — that's going to change in 2026. In conversations with both brands, I got the feeling that they're enthused about expanding outside Asia in earnest.

Better panels

The latest wave of Chinese phones has a meaningful display upgrade: they go down to 1 nit. Chinese manufacturers have closely collaborated with display vendor BOE to deliver this, but the downside is that the resolution is lowered to 1.5K. There's no tangible difference in day-to-day usability between 1.5K and 2K.

That said, we should get phones with 2K panels that go to 1nit in low-light use in 2026. BOE is doing all the right things in this area, and it's clear that the manufacturer is able to work with phone brands to tailor panels to their needs.

Even bigger batteries

My Find X9 Pro has a 7,500mAh battery, and the phone lasts a day and a half with heavy use. Battery sizes are only going to increase in 2026, with brands set to cross 8,000mAh. This is made possible by silicon-carbon tech; the initial wave of phones with these batteries had 10% silicon in the anode, but silicon content is increasing, allowing brands to fit ever-larger batteries into their phones while still retaining a thin-and-light design.

Silicon batteries are just better; the greater density means the phones aren't bulky, and they hold up much better in challenging weather conditions.

Limited DRAM

We got phones with 1TB of RAM and 24GB of RAM, and while these models tend to be limited to China, I don't see this trend lasting. The meteoric rise in DRAM prices means brands will only deliver 12GB of RAM on their phones in 2026, and that will likely be the case even with 512GB and 1TB storage configurations.

Whether that's going to be enough in the AI-everything era needs to be seen. As it stands, I don't see any problems with 12GB of RAM on Android, but as more and more brands start switching to on-device AI models, it may turn into a bottleneck. Regardless, if you need 16GB of RAM, you'll want to buy a phone that's available now instead of waiting for a 2026 device.

I don't see the status quo changing too much with Chinese manufacturers in 2026. OPPO and Vivo will be looking to increase their imaging lead, and while Xiaomi didn't have a strong 2025, I want to see the brand do better next year. Huawei is once again likely to roll out a roster of devices with meaningful innovation (I'm testing its latest products, and they're wild), and Realme is guaranteed to deliver phones with the biggest batteries.

Grade: B+

This has been a particularly strong year for phone releases, with Vivo, OPPO, and Huawei shining bright with their devices. The tri-folding Mate XT set things off at the start of the year, and camera-focused devices like the Vivo X200 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra showcased just what's possible when Chinese brands dedicate resources in this area.

It isn't just about cameras either; the latest slate of flagships shows just how powerful these phones have gotten. Battery tech has evolved considerably over the last 12 months as well, with 7,000mAh batteries now considered a mainstay. I got to use all the phones launched by Chinese phone manufacturers this year, and I'm grading the performance of each brand based on the devices it launched over the course of 2025. Let's get started.

Vivo: A+

There's no doubt that Vivo is now my favorite Android brand. It has delivered the best cameras over the last two years, and it overhauled its software efforts in 2025, launching OriginOS globally. The Vivo X300 Pro is my go-to recommendation if you want the best cameras available today, and it is a great all-rounder as well. Vivo is doing all the right things in the mid-range with devices like the V50 and V60, and the foldable X Fold 5 continues to hold its own against the Galaxy Z Fold 7.

OPPO: A

OPPO also had a standout year, and the Find X9 Pro is an outstanding device — it is my daily driver, and I don't see myself switching to another device for another month at least. The brand is once again selling phones in Western markets, and that is a positive move.

I like what OPPO is doing with foldables as well; the Find N5 launched nearly a year ago, but it continues to be great. The only area where the brand needs to do better is wearables; it makes decent smartwatches, but they're somehow still limited to China — I'd like to see these debut in more markets around the world.

Huawei: A

Huawei just isn't letting the trade ban get in the way of delivering outstanding phones. The Mate XT is the most innovative phone I've used, and the tri-folding device is incredible. The Pura 80 Ultra has one of the best zoom lenses around, and the all-new Mate X7 takes foldable cameras to new heights. While Huawei's software efforts are still lagging behind industry standards, it's clearly leading in hardware design.

I also like how Huawei is building a broader ecosystem. The Watch Ultimate 2 is my favorite smartwatch, the 12-inch MatePad Pro is the best Android tablet I've ever used, and the brand rolled out several standout earbuds this year. And with recent devices like the Mate X7 offering the ability to install MicroG during initial setup, it's easier than ever to get Google services installed on Huawei's phones.

POCO: B

Honestly, I can't fault what POCO did this year. The F7 Ultra showcased the brand's imaging efforts, the X7 Pro proved to be a great budget phone, and the F7 held its own against rivals. With the F8 Ultra, the brand has a legitimate rival to what Vivo and other brands offer in the $700 segment.

POCO needs to do better in India, its biggest overseas market. By not bringing the F8 Ultra to India, it is ceding ground to Realme. Outside of that, the software needs an overhaul, but that's more on Xiaomi than POCO.

Realme: B

I started paying more attention to Realme again in 2025, and I like what the brand is doing. As an F1 enthusiast, it's exciting to see the brand partner with the Aston Martin F1 team, and the GT 7 Pro and GT 8 Pro Dream Edition devices are terrific. I'm excited about the Ricoh collaboration as well; as other Chinese brands have demonstrated over the years, there's plenty of benefit to be gained from partnering with a camera giant, and I'm keen to see where that takes Realme.

If anything, it looks like Realme is now the brand that gets all the limited edition models within the BBK umbrella. This used to be OnePlus' specialty, but that's no longer the case in 2025, as evidenced by the Realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones edition.

Honor: C

Honor continues to make good phones, but its software efforts lag behind its rivals. I'm not talking about update policy — Honor is in line with Samsung and Google when it comes to flagship updates — but the state of the UI itself. While Honor has been saying that its software is made entirely in-house, it still has vestiges of EMUI, and it's just not cohesive.

While Honor phones have decent cameras, the inconsistencies are becoming evident, and phones like the Magic 8 Pro aren't as good as the Vivo X300 Pro or the Find X9 Pro. Honor itself says it doesn't want to be highlighted to its Chinese brethren, instead inviting comparisons to Google and Samsung. Given Honor's struggles with its cameras and their inability to measure up to OPPO and Vivo, it's no surprise the company is unwilling to pit itself against the best the industry has to offer.

Xiaomi: C

Xiaomi needs a reset — that much is clear from its product positioning and strategy. The Xiaomi 15 and 15 Ultra were strong launches, and I liked using the 15T and 15T Pro. However, the Redmi Note 14 Pro Plus was underwhelming (yet again), Xiaomi isn't doing anything to address long-standing software issues, and it doesn't have a coherent vision around what it wants to do with its ecosystem globally.

Then there's the delay with the Xiaomi 17. While its immediate rivals debuted their flagships globally — the Vivo X300 Pro and Find X9 Pro are available in India and the U.K. — there's no sign of the Xiaomi 17, Xiaomi 17 Pro, or the Pro Max. Xiaomi isn't bringing these devices outside China, and that lack of consistency is hurting the manufacturer.

ASUS: D

I want to like ASUS's devices, but the Taiwanese brand just doesn't make it easy. This year's phones have been great (as always), but an obstinate stance on software updates — where its phones will only get two platform updates — basically killed any interest in its phones. Combined with the likes of Redmagic getting its act together and delivering better software, and I just don't see the point of ASUS when its devices just don't provide a good value.

OnePlus: F

Where do I even start with OnePlus? There was a time when the company could do no wrong. In 2025, it felt like it got everything wrong. The OnePlus 15 turned out to be a massive letdown, with the phone being a downgrade from the OnePlus 13, and the new OnePlus 15R is even worse — the phone doesn't even have a telephoto lens, and it costs $699. Even its Nord devices have been mid at best this year.

The way I see it, OPPO no longer sees value in OnePlus, and it's entirely possible it is just running out the clock on the brand. All the interesting bits to do with OnePlus — the Hasselblad partnership, unique limited edition devices, and fun software — have been integrated into other brands anyway.

It's good to see iQOO continuing the momentum it's built up over the last four years with its numbered flagship models. I enjoyed using the iQOO 11, iQOO 12, and iQOO 13, and it was with the iQOO 12 that the Vivo sub-brand really got its act together in terms of the cameras. With the iQOO 15, it isn't changing much — the phone has an even bigger AMOLED panel, a huge 7,000mAh battery, a trio of 50MP rear cameras, and it comes with the latest Qualcomm silicon.

With POCO fumbling its strategy by not introducing the F8 Ultra in India, iQOO has one less contender to deal with. However, iQOO's positioning this year means the iQOO 15 has increased rivalry from the likes of the Realme GT 8 Pro. While iQOO did a good job maintaining roughly the same price over the last three generations, the iQOO 15 gets a significant price hike this time around.

That makes the phone not as good a value against its predecessors, and pits it against phones with better camera systems. Does it still make sense to consider the phone? I used the iQOO 15 for just over two weeks now, and here's what I think.

iQOO 15 pricing and availability: Get ready to pay a lot

The iQOO 15 made its debut in India on November 26 — the same day as the global launch of the POCO F8 Ultra — and the phone is available in the country for ₹72,999 ($810). That's for the 12GB/256GB variant, and the 16GB/512GB model costs ₹79,999 ($888) in the country. To put that into context, the iQOO 13 debuted at ₹54,999 ($610) for the 12GB/256GB configuration, and ₹59,999 ($665) for the 16GB/512GB model.

I don't really understand what iQOO is thinking this year; we just don't see such a drastic price hike, and in doing so, it effectively killed any early interest in the device — particularly with the iQOO 13 still available in the country.

iQOO 15 doesn't stand out as much

I've always enjoyed using iQOO phones because of the brand's ostentatious designs, but I just don't see that from the iQOO 15. The brand doesn't have a model that stands out this year, and the black color variant I'm using is so it dull it may have been a OnePlus phone.

There isn't anything to indicate that you're using a high-end phone, and the iQOO 15 just doesn't convey a sense of excitement. That's what I look for in a new phone, and the POCO F8 Ultra does this really well thanks to the new denim texture. The iQOO 15, on the other hand, just feels like a giant slab of a phone with about as much character as boiled lettuce.

The phone has a fiberglass rear and aluminum mid-frame, and it is on the bigger side thanks to the 6.85-inch panel. It is also heavier at 216g, and that's down to the 7,000mAh battery. Weight distribution is decent enough, but it isn't the most comfortable to hold or use. Thankfully, iQOO retained IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance, and the ultrasonic sensor does a good job with authentication.

This is a true powerhouse

Unlike other brands, iQOO is still using a 2K (3168 x 1440) panel, and the 6.85-inch AMOLED is one of the biggest in this category. It has bright colors, excellent brightness levels, and does a great job with Dolby Vision and HDR content in general. While iQOO advertises this as a 144Hz panel, it only switches to the higher resolution in select situations, and in most daily usage tasks, you'll get the same 120Hz as most other phones today.

The phone does a good job while gaming as well, and although the stereo sound isn't that loud or detailed — the F8 Ultra blows it out of the water — it is serviceable. Annoyingly, iQOO limits popular titles like Call of Duty and PUBG to 60fps, so although these games can hit 120fps on other phones, you don't get that on the device.

In a similar vein, the iQOO 15 isn't quite as good with sustained performance. It handles demanding games without any hassle, but there is noticeable throttling with extended use, and it overheats — similar to all other Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 devices I tested. This is more to do with Qualcomm than iQOO, and although the phone has a bigger vapor cooling system this year, it still crossed 52 degrees in synthetic tests, and got uncomfortably hot in extended gaming scenarios.

The rest of the hardware is quite decent; the phone gets LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage modules, and the 16GB/512GB model I've been using didn't have any slowdowns or lag. The vibration motor is much better this generation, and I didn't run into any issues with connectivity.

Thanks to the 7,000mAh silicon battery, the iQOO 15 easily lasts a day and a half, and you can get it to last two days with regular use. The phone gets 100W charging tech, and it takes just under an hour to charge.

You get great cameras with the iQOO 15

Coming to the cameras, the iQOO 15 gets a 50MP Sony IMX921 main camera, alongside a 50MP Sony IMX881 tele lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 50MP Samsung JN1 wide-angle lens. There's a 32MP GalaxyCore GC32 selfie camera, and it gets 4K60 video.

The main camera and tele lenses do a great job (as you'd imagine), and the phone benefits from Vivo's tuning. I have no issues with the quality of the photos; the phone consistently delivered great shots in challenging shooting conditions, and the tele lens doubles as a portrait shooter.

The only point of contention is that the wide-angle lens isn't as good. It still produces decent photos, but you don't quite get the same quality, and that's down to the sensor of choice. Samsung's JN1 is starting to show its age, and other brands have switched to newer modules that are much better. Clearly, Vivo either had sensors left over and pulled a Samsung, or it decided to save costs by using the older module.

Regardless, the other two cameras on the iQOO 15 are great, and it does a good job against the POCO F8 Ultra and Galaxy S25.

iQOO 15 has better software this year

The iQOO 15 comes with OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, and it is identical to what you get on the Vivo X300 Pro and X300. The new interface feels fresh, it has excellent fluidity, and I don't have much in the way of negatives. It is much better than earlier iQOO devices, and there is plenty of customizability.

Another positive is that the device will get five years of OS updates alongside seven years of security updates.

iQOO 15: Should you buy it?

Buying the iQOO 15 ultimately comes down to your preferences. It isn't as clear-cut a choice as previous years because of the price hike, but I still believe the iQOO 15 is positioned well in the Indian market. Its cameras may not beat the Realme GT 8 Pro or the regular Vivo X300 and Find X9, but it is a legitimate rival, and the fact that POCO didn't launch the F8 Ultra in the country makes things easier for the Vivo sub-brand.

I'd still recommend getting the iQOO 13; its cameras are good, and the hardware isn't slow by any measure. The iQOO 15 is a definite upgrade, but it misses out on being anywhere as good a value as its predecessor.

I've said it several times this year, but I'm thoroughly impressed by what Vivo is doing in 2025. The X200 Pro, X200 Ultra, X Fold 5, and X300 Pro have all been fantastic, and Vivo's camera tuning is the best on Android right now — I prefer it to the Find X9 Pro and Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and it is on another league altogether when seen against the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Then there's the mid-range phones. The V50 showcased a great design and fabulous cameras, and the V60 debuted in August an even bigger battery and 50MP tele lens with 3x zoom. The phone is available in India for ₹36,999 ($410) and other Southeast Asian countries, and it thankfully isn't any costlier than its predecessor.

I'm not going to do a full-fledged review of the phone as it's broadly similar to the V50, instead focusing on two areas where it stands out: design and cameras. Vivo's V series devices have always been stylish as these phones are catered to a younger audience, but the V60 takes this to a whole new level.

I'm using the Moonlit Blue color variant, and it is gorgeous — it's safe to say that this is one of the best-looking phones I used in 2025. Photos don't really do this thing justice; the pattern underneath the glass evokes memories of waves cresting a beach, and Vivo did an excellent job with the design.

If anything, I didn't notice that the V60 has a 6,500mAh battery; this is one of the thinnest phones I used with such a big battery, and it isn't uncomfortable in the least. I still don't get why mid-range phones get the best designs; I would have loved to see something like this on my X300 Pro or the standard X300. Instead, those phones have a much more muted design, and this isn't anything new — flagships in general don't have bold styling any longer.

If I had to guess, it's because brands are wary of introducing outlandish designs on their costliest phones. Considering they don't sell in anywhere as much volumes as the mid-rangers, it's devices like the V60 that get all the design attention. Don't get me wrong; it isn't like there's anything wrong with the X300 or X300 Pro; in fact, they're better at usability thanks to the matte texture and metal mid-frames, with the V60 touting a glossy finish and polycarbonate sides.

Other than the design, the phone gets IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, and it handles weather conditions just as well as the X300. Vivo retained the same 6.77-inch panel, and it gets just as bright, with similar color vibrancy as its predecessor. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 ensures it is a little faster at gaming, but it isn't that noticeable unless you have the V50 next to it.

What's annoying in this regard is that Vivo continues to use UFS 2.2 storage modules; I don't see why the brand doesn't move to UFS 3.0 or UFS 4.0 in this category, but it likely has something to do with bringing down the cost to under $450. On that note, the optical fingerprint module is good enough, but it isn't as fast or good to use as the ultrasonic sensors on Vivo's latest phones.

There isn't much to talk about on the connectivity side of things, with the V60 unchanged from its predecessor. The bigger battery means I was able to get a day and a half before needing to charge the device, and even with heavy use, there are no issues getting it to last a day.

Charging tech is identical to last year, with Vivo's 90W standard now a known quantity. It takes just over 45 minutes to charge the battery, and Vivo thankfully bundles a charger with the device; then again, the phone is limited to Asian markets.

Cameras are even better this time around, with the V60 featuring a 50MP main camera with 50MP tele lens that does 3x optical zoom, with both lenses coming with OIS. There's an 8MP wide-angle lens, but that's average. The V60 has Vivo's standard Zeiss modes, and camera tuning is fantastic — it is definitely better than most other mid-range phones.

The main camera takes standout photos in just about any scenario, and the versatility of the 3x lens is great to see on a mid-range phone. It does just as well when shooting portraits, and if anything, this is what I like the most about the module. Other than the wide-angle lens not quite holding its own, I have no problems with the cameras on the V60. If you intend to take a lot of photos, this is the phone to get.

I'm still not quite sure that Vivo needs to launch two V series phones a year, but at least we're just getting one variant — there's no mention of the V60 Pro, and that's a good thing. On the whole, Vivo is doing a remarkable job bringing its latest camera innovations to the mid-range with the V60, and this is what Samsung planned to do initially with Galaxy A models.

Thankfully, Vivo is continuing to deliver with the cameras, and the V60 has proven itself as one of the best mid-range phones around.

Out of all the phones that crossed my desk this year, I used Vivo's X200 Pro the most. It has one of the best camera packages of the year, and only the China-exclusive X200 Ultra and Find X8 Ultra did any better in this area. And while Funtouch OS gets a lot of criticism, I prefer it to ColorOS, so that wasn't an issue.

With the X300 Pro, Vivo isn't changing the fundamentals. The design is roughly the same, it doesn't feel any different in daily use, and if you're in Asia, you get a bigger 6,510mAh battery that should last two days between charges. The cameras get a predictable boost, and they manage to take better photos and videos than the X200 Pro, which is all the reason I need to switch to the X300 Pro as my daily driver going forward.

Oh, and Vivo is bringing the device to western markets, which is a definite positive. Do the upgrades allow the X300 Pro to stand out against its Chinese rivals? I believe so — I used the phone for just over ten days, and this is the best all-round camera available today.

Vivo X300 Pro: Pricing and availability

Vivo unveiled the X300 and X300 Pro at a launch event in Shanghai, China on October 13, with both phones on sale in the country. The global debut is slated for October 30, which is when the X300 and X300 Pro will start being available in Spain, Austria, Germany, Hungary, and other western markets in addition to key regions in Southeast Asia.

India is a huge market for the brand, and Vivo indicated that it is mulling a launch in the country at the end of November or December. I'll update once I have global pricing details, but for now, the X300 starts at CNY 4,399 ($617) in China, going up to CNY 5,799 ($814) for the 1TB configuration.

The X300 Pro starts at CNY 5,299 ($744) for the 12GB/256GB model, CNY 5,999 ($843) for the 16GB/512GB edition, and CNY 6,699 ($940) for the 16GB/1TB model. There's also a Photography Kit that's bundled with the phone this time, and it is identical to what we got on the X200 Ultra earlier this year. This model costs CNY 8,299 ($1,166), and is the only one that gets satellite connectivity.

Vivo X300 Pro: Design

As I noted in my X300 Pro hands-on, Vivo didn't change the design too much. I see this as a good thing, as it ensures design consistency between generations — something OPPO needs to look into. Essentially, you still get a slab of a phone with a giant camera island at the back, but it's a little easier to hold and use, and after a half-dozen tumbles (my 2-year-old decided to throw the phone around), the glass panes at the front and rear soak up a lot of damage without breaking.

Of course, there are small niceties; the mid-frame and rear glass have a matte texture this time, and this makes a big difference in usability. Vivo doesn't have any colors that stand out — nowhere as much as my orange iPhone 17 Pro, at least — but the brown color variant I'm using looks decent enough.

Obviously, the camera island dominates the design at the back, and it looks identical to the X200 Ultra because it needs to slot in the Photography Kit attachment. So you get an island that juts out even more, but I don't mind that at all as it is centered and doesn't cause any wobble when used on a desk.

Also, while the phone is heavy at 228g, weight distribution is ideal, and it doesn't feel top-heavy at all. You get the usual antenna bands around the sides of the frame, the SIM tray is located at the bottom, and there's now a dedicated button on the left that lets you trigger actions.

The button is identical to the iPhone's Action Button, and it's annoying that Vivo basically stole the software design that lets you customize it. However, what I like is that it gets the standard long-press alongside a double-press trigger, and this meant I could assign two actions to the button.

Rounding out the design, Vivo continues to use an ultrasonic fingerprint module, and it does a great job in daily use. The location is ideal too, and I didn't see any problems in this area. The phone gets the same IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance as last year, and the durability as a whole is better this time around.

Vivo X300 Pro: Display

There isn't much to talk about in this section. Vivo once again managed to deliver a bright AMOLED panel with standout colors. The X300 Pro gets a similar-sized 6.78-inch panel as its predecessor, but it gets even thinner bezels, allowing the phone to be a smidgen thinner and shorter than its predecessor.

Colors are vibrant, and the X300 Pro does a fantastic job in outdoor use; the phone got just as bright as my Pixel 10 Pro XL, and I didn't see any issues in this regard. Thankfully, Vivo retained all the customization options, and you can easily adjust the color balance and set up the panel just the way you like it. And with it now able to go down to 1nit, it's easier on the eyes at night.

On that note, you get full DC dimming at all brightness levels, and this is true on the global model as well. It's good to see Chinese brands are making this eye protection feature available globally, and this gives the X300 Pro a distinct advantage over Google and Samsung phones.

Gaming is a delight on the X300 Pro, and it gets good stereo sound as well. It does a great job with HDR and Dolby Vision content too, and on the whole, I can't find much to fault the phone in this area.

Vivo X300 Pro: Hardware

Vivo talked extensively about how it collaborated with MediaTek over the design of the Dimensity 9500, and the X300 Pro benefits from that. The phone is a true powerhouse, and it did a standout job in the ten days I used it. I didn't see any lag, it handled demanding games with effortless ease, and there wasn't much in the way of overheating.

MediaTek's Dimensity 9500 has huge gains across the board, and it isn't often that we see this year-on-year — that's entirely down to Arm's all-new cores. While that isn't evident immediately, I noticed a difference in extended gaming sessions.

I'm using the 16GB/512GB edition of the phone, and I think this is the variant to get if you're eyeing the device. All models get LPDDR5X memory and UFS 4.1 storage modules, and I didn't see any problems with connectivity. There's good news on that side of things, with Vivo finally adding eSIM integration to the phone globally; this made an immediate difference as I was able to set up and use an eSIM while attending the phone's launch in China.

Otherwise, there were no issues making calls, connecting to my home network, or pairing a myriad of devices over Bluetooth. The vibration motor has even better feedback this year, and it's much better to use than the module on my Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Vivo X300 Pro: Battery life

Like other Chinese phone makers, Vivo embraced silicon battery tech last year, and the X300 Pro builds on this foundation. The phone gets a 6,510mAh battery that's designed to last two days. There's just one problem — the variant I'm using has a smaller 5,440mAh battery instead.

While the rest of the hardware is unchanged, Vivo is using a smaller battery in the Austrian, German, and Hungarian models of the X300 Pro, and while I usually get the Asian unit of the device, I received the Austrian variant this time. Don't get me wrong; this phone lasts all day as well, but it doesn't measure up to the X200 Pro when it comes to battery longevity, and doesn't have the two-day battery that the Asian model gets.

That's annoying to say the least, and in my use, there were two days when I had to plug it in before turning in. Thankfully, it doesn't take too long to charge the phone thanks to 90W charging tech, and it even gets 50W USB PD charging, which is just easier. The downside is that there's no charger in the box; again, this isn't an issue everywhere, but the Austrian model doesn't have one. Vivo still provides a charger in Asia with the X300 and X300 Pro.

Vivo X300 Pro: Cameras

Similar to what Vivo did with MediaTek, the brand collaborated with Sony and Samsung over the imaging modules on the X300 Pro. The phone gets the brand-new 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-828, and a new 200MP telephoto lens that uses the highly customized Samsung HPB. Vivo didn't change the wide-angle lens, so you still get the same Samsung JN1, and this is what's being used at the front as well.

What's noteworthy is Vivo bringing the telephoto extender to the phone, making it that much more versatile. The accessory makes a huge difference, and while it isn't the easiest to use, it is a differentiator if you're an enthusiast.

The device excels at photos, and Vivo lavished plenty of attention towards video recording as well. The X300 Pro is able to shoot 4K120 Dolby Vision footage, and video quality is noticeably better than previous years. The interface itself hasn't changed much, and you still get shooting modes at the bottom, along with all the toggles and effects. On that note, Zeiss integration is intact, and you get to choose between various modes — I went with Vivid.

The X300 Pro does a standout job in daylight scenarios, producing photos with good color vibrancy and white balance. There are noticeable differences with the image tuning this generation, with the phone able to better manage highlights and shadows to eke out greater detail in challenging situations. It does just as good a job with portrait shots, but I noticed inconsistencies with segmentation, and this should be addressed with an update.

Vivo had live models ahead of the launch event to highlight the X300 Pro's portrait mode, and the phone does a better job in this area than the X200 Pro, which is no mean feat.

Where the X300 Pro comes alive is in low-light situations; the phone takes better photos than just about any other device I tested this year. Yes, the X200 Ultra technically does a better job, but the X300 Pro holds its own, and honestly, I prefer the latter. The wide-angle lens is decent enough in its own right, and the tele module is fantastic this year — it takes detailed shots at 10x without any hassle, and I got usable photos at 30x.

In short, the X300 Pro is my recommendation if you need the best cameras available today.

Vivo X300 Pro: Software

The X300 Pro sees the debut of OriginOS 6 globally, and it is based on Android 16. The software has a much more modern design, and it is a clear upgrade from Funtouch OS. What irks me a little is the similarities to iOS 26; the translucent effects and other design elements are heavily borrowed from the iPhone, and Vivo isn't the only brand doing this — all other Chinese phone makers are going this route.

There's no arguing that the software feels better to use on the X300 Pro. There's better uniformity to the UI as a whole, and Vivo did a good job with the smooth animations and transitions; they make interacting with the interface that much more enjoyable.

But as with every new redesign, there are issues; pressing down on a suggested action in the notification pane pulls up the app instead, and I noticed errant crashes. These kinds of issues usually get addressed, and the kinks should be ironed out by the time the phone becomes available globally.

Like other brands, Vivo is switching to a split notification pane, but you thankfully get the ability to switch to the older unified option. The pane itself is a clear downgrade from the one on Funtouch OS; pulling down on a notification card doesn't expand it automatically, and you have to use the arrow to do so. Similar notifications are now stacked — just like iOS — and it's just as annoying here as on my iPhone.

There's good customizability as well, and Vivo essentially "emulated" what you get on iOS. You can set up the phone to look like a clone of an iPhone, and it's clear that this was an intentional move by the brand. I still don't get the allure of trying to mimic iOS — I'd much prefer if brands went all-in on Material You aesthetic instead — but it's evident that all Chinese phone makers just want to make their phones feel like iPhones again.

Coming to updates, Vivo guarantees four years of Android OS updates, which is on the lower end of the scale as these things go. But like its BBK siblings, it's unlikely Vivo will budge on this front, and the result is that the X300 Pro lags behind Google and Samsung devices when it comes to software updates.

Vivo X300 Pro: The alternatives

The Find X9 Pro is slated to make its global debut soon, with that device being the obvious alternative to the X300 Pro. It shares the same Dimensity 9500, similar-sized AMOLED panel, and has cameras that hold their own against Vivo's offering. Where the phone stands out is the huge 7,500mAh battery; it's bigger than what every other brand is rolling out, and you get the same battery globally as well.

If you don't need the latest phone, Vivo's X200 Pro is still a standout choice, provided you're in a country where the brand sells the device.

Vivo X300 Pro: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You want the best cameras
• You need powerful internals
• You want a device with all the extras

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You want AI-assisted features
• You need long-term software updates

Having used the X200 Pro and now the X300 Pro, it's easy to see that Vivo has one of the best camera packages of the year. It's not just about the quality of the photos either, but the versatility — all lenses on the X300 Pro stand out in their own right, and that's what makes the phone notable.

It isn't just a camera phone; the rest of the hardware is just as good, and the only point of contention is that Vivo isn't using the same 6,410mAh battery in all regions. Other than that, I don't have any issues with this phone; it has a clean design, a high-quality AMOLED panel, better software than previous years, and the best cameras around.

There's no question that Vivo's X200 Pro continues one of the best phones of 2025. The design is elegant, it has top-notch hardware, a massive battery, and of the best camera systems on any phone today. I liked the X200 Pro so much that I used it more than any other device this year.

If there was one thing that Vivo needed to address, it was the software. While Funtouch OS 15 got a fresh coat of paint, it was clear that the interface was lagging behind OriginOS, Vivo's China-exclusive software.

With the X300 and X300 Pro, Vivo is addressing that issue — these devices mark the global debut of OriginOS. There are other changes to the X300 and X300 Pro that make the phones stand out from their predecessors. I used both the X300 and X300 Pro for the better part of a day ahead of the global launch in Shanghai, China; I got the Chinese unit of the X300, and the global model of the X300 Pro that will make its way to select regions globally in the coming weeks.

While Vivo didn't share global pricing just yet, we know what these devices cost in China. The X300 starts at 4,399RMB ($618), and the X300 Pro debuts at 5,299RMB ($745). Both phones start with 256GB of storage, and go up to 1TB.

Same great design, even better

Vivo hasn't changed the design of the X300 Pro too much, and it looks similar to its predecessor. That's a good thing, and what I like is that mid-frame has a matte texture now, making it easier to hold and use the device. On that note, the back also has a matte finish, and the in-hand feel is noticeably better than the X200 Pro. The phone gets the same 6.78-inch AMOLED panel as last time, and it is just as vibrant.

A new hardware addition is the shortcut button on the left. Vivo doesn't call it the Action Button, but it may as well have — it is nearly identical to what's available on the iPhone 17 Pro. The button lets you toggle ring/vibrate modes, launch the camera or flashlight, record notes, and transcribe in real-time among many others.

What's good to see is that there's a double press gesture that lets you assign a secondary action to the button. While that's convenient, what I don't like is the settings interface that lets you customize the button; it is a wholesale copy of what you get in iOS.

Outside of that, the design itself is broadly the same. The X300 Pro is a smidgen shorter and narrower than the X200 Pro, and coming in at 7.9mm, it is thinner as well. However, I didn't notice that because of the oversized camera island that dominates the design at the back. The island juts out considerably, but it is centered, so there isn't any wobble when using the phone.

Cameras that shine

In fact, the camera island is nearly identical to that on the X200 Ultra, and this is by design. Vivo is rolling out its external lens attachment and camera grip this time on the X300 Pro, and as far as I can make out, it is the same as the X200 Ultra — I'll have to put both phones next to each other to confirm, but in terms of usability, they're identical.

To accommodate the lens and the custom case, Vivo made the requisite changes to the camera island of the X300 Pro. It isn't just the design either — the X300 Pro gets new cameras at the back, with Vivo aiming to outmatch the X200 Pro.

The X300 Pro gets a new 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-828 imaging sensor (the X200Pro had the LYT-818), and what's even more interesting is the 200MP telephoto lens, which now has a heavily customized Samsung HPB module. The wide-angle lens is still the 50MP JN1, which is unchanged for two years now. You get the same JN1 module acting as the selfie lens as well, similar to last year.

The result of all of this is a device that outshines just about any other phone around today. I took a few photos with the X300 Pro, and it is line with the X200 Pro, with the tele lens delivering better shots at higher zoom levels. I'll reserve judgement until I've used the phone for an extended amount of time, but I'm impressed after just a day of using the X300 Pro to shoot photos.

Vivo is doing a great job with video as well, and the X300 Pro lets you shoot 4K120 10-bit Log video and 4K120 Dolby Vision via all the rear cameras.

What's notable is that the regular X300 also gets the 200MP Samsung HPB module, but on that device, it's being used as the main camera, with a 50MP tele alongside. The X300 has the same design and internals as the Pro model, and outside of the cameras, a smaller 6.31-inch AMOLED panel and 6,040mAh battery, there aren't any differences.

The hardware you deserve

Coming to the hardware, the X300 Pro runs MediaTek's latest Dimensity 9500, and it holds its own against what Qualcomm is offering this year. Vivo is once again rolling out the device in a single 16GB/512GB configuration globally, and I would have liked to see the 1TB model debut outside China.

Vivo phones have always delivered great battery life, and the X300 Pro is taking things to a whole new level in this area. The phone has a gargantuan 6,510mAh battery, with the brand noting that changes to the software and better battery management means it should hold up against phones with 7,500mAh batteries. While that sounds like a tall claim, the X300 Pro should have no trouble lasting two days between charges — I already get a day and a half with my X200 Pro, and that has a 6,000mAh battery.

Interestingly, the X300 Pro gets eSIM integration — at least on the global model — and that makes it convenient while traveling.

The origin of something great

Thankfully, the X300 and X300 Pro come with Android 16 out of the box, and it's good to see Vivo launch OriginOS globally. The software just feels better to use than Funtouch OS, and it has a modern design that looks good. It tends to feel a little like iOS 26 at times thanks to the translucent effects, but outside of that, I'm enjoying using the interface.

With the X300 Pro, it's clear that Vivo is building on its predecessor's strengths by delivering an even better camera system. I'm excited to put the phone through its paces, and I'll detail how it holds up in real-world use in my review.

It feels like Vivo can do no wrong in 2025; whether it's the X200 Pro, X200 Ultra, or the V60, the brand has managed to consistently deliver fabulous phones. The X200 Ultra continues to deliver the best cameras of any phone I used this year, and the X200 Pro is still my go-to choice when it comes to daily use.

If anything, Vivo is now my favorite Android brand, and I enjoy using Funtouch OS over other Chinese skins. It's a good thing, then, that Vivo introduced a small phone to take on the OnePlus 13s. The X200 FE comes with a smaller 6.31-inch panel, and it doesn't have much in the way of similarities to the regular X200 or X200 Pro — it has a distinct identity, and it looks great.

Vivo still doesn't sell its phones outside Southeast Asian markets, and as a result, the X200 FE is limited to select regions. The good news is that it is available in India, where it currently costs ₹54,999 ($620) for the 12GB/256GB model. That's in line with what the OnePlus 13s costs in the country as well, so there isn't much to differentiate either device in that regard.

Clean design with usability in mind

I like the design of the X200 FE. The phone has flat sides, but they're comfortable to hold and use, and at 186g, it isn't anywhere as heavy as the X200 Pro. In fact, it is a smidgen thinner than the 13s as well, and the in-hand feel is one of the reasons why I enjoy using this device so much.

I got the Frost Blue color of the device, but the Amber Yellow is the variant to get if you need a device that grabs attention immediately. The frosted glass finish at the back ensures it's easy to hold, and the mid-frame gets a matte texture. If anything, the X200 FE is better than the X200 Pro when it comes to usability, and I'm guessing that was the point.

Vivo did a good job in this regard, and the build quality is rock-solid — not that this was an issue on any Vivo phone in recent years. And just like the regular X200 models, the X200 FE gets IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance. Now, I haven't tried shooting jets of hot water at any of these phones with IP69 ingress protection, so I'll have Vivo's word that the phone withstands pressurized jets up to 80 degrees.

The only issue I have with the design is the camera island at the back; the oblong design meshes well with the overall aesthetic, but the island protrudes from the body, and makes the X200 FE wobble quite a bit when using it on a table. Of course, it isn't anywhere as extreme as the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but this just wasn't an issue on the X200 or X200 Pro because of the massive camera modules on those devices. Vivo should have retained a similar design at least, albeit a smidgen smaller.

The hardware you need

Vivo knows what it's doing with the hardware, and there isn't much to talk about in this area. The 6.31-inch AMOLED panel has good color vibrancy and contrast levels, and you get the same level of customization as the other X200 devices. It has the Shield Glass that Vivo has been using for a while instead of Corning's Gorilla Glass solution, and it has proven to be reliable in my usage.

I had the X200 FE for just over two months now, and in that time, the phone took a few tumbles thankfully, it came away unscathed each time. The panel gets 2,160Hz PWM dimming along with the usual 120Hz refresh, and it is fluid — just like other Vivo phones.

In short, there are no issues with the smaller-sized panel. It may not have the real estate of the X200 Pro, but it's just as good to play games on, and it gets bright in outdoor use. On that note, the Dimensity 9300+ platform powering the phone is a known quantity, and it does a good job handling visually-demanding games. I would have liked the same Dimensity 9400 as the rest of the X200 range, but the older platform still has a lot to offer.

My main annoyance in this area is that Vivo is using UFS 3.1 storage modules; while I get that the X200 FE doesn't cost as much as its siblings, even mid-range phones are now coming with UFS 4.0, so I don't really understand why the brand didn't use those modules. Thankfully, there's 12GB of RAM as standard, and the 512GB model I'm using comes with 16GB of memory.

The X200 FE gets a 50MP main lens alongside a 50MP 3x tele and 8MP wide-angle, and honestly, it does a fabulous job taking photos. It doesn't measure up to the X200 Pro, but it uses the same main camera as the X200, and while the wide-angle lens isn't quite as good, I didn't have any problems with the other modules.

It is a battery beast

Most small phones don't last as long as traditional flagships, but that is not the case with the X200 FE. Vivo somehow managed to slot in a huge 6,500mAh battery in the phone, and it is even bigger than what you get on the X200 Pro. The result is that the X200 FE lasts two days between charges, and even after pushing the phone, I comfortably got a day and a half.

Battery anxiety is a thing of the past on Android — unless you're using the S25 Edge. Other than that outlier, any phone should last a day with relative ease, and I didn't have to worry about the battery running out before the end of the day on any of the 50 or so devices I tested this year. If anything, the only device that was problematic in this area is the iPhone Air, but that's an entirely different entity.

With the X200 FE, you don't need to worry about the battery whatsoever. It takes an hour to charge even with the bundled 90W charger, but that's not a problem at all. Just like the other X200 phones, the X200 FE gets a silicon-based battery to achieve a density of 845Wh/L, and it's clear that Vivo and other Chinese brands are using this tech to great effect this year.

This is the small phone you need

If you need a small phone that holds its own against regular flagships, I have no problems recommending the X200 FE. The phone is better to hold and use than the X200 and X200 Pro, and it has most of the same features that makes those devices stand out.

It's better than the other small phones I used in 2025, and the best part is that it doesn't cost as much.

What you need to know

• The Vivo X300 Pro hits top-tier stability with a CIPA 5.5 anti-shake rating, which is claimed to be the best in the indsutry.
• Vivo's next flagship camera phone is also confirmed to keep the killer 200MP periscope zoom lens from the brand's top-tier models.
• It's packed with pro-grade ZEISS coatings and fluorite glass to crush lens flare and color fringing for incredibly clean shots, even at a distance.

Vivo's next-generation X300 series will feature a custom-designed 200MP sensor, developed in collaboration with Samsung. This new module, the ISOCELL HPB, is an evolution of the HP9 engineered specifically for Vivo, which marks a step forward in camera hardware.

While 2025 is full of capable camera phones, Vivo's X300 Pro is already making a case for itself. The device will carry forward the critical 200MP 85mm periscope shooter that established the X200 Pro and Ultra as low-light telephoto leaders, as confirmed by Vivo product manager Han Boxiao on Weibo (via Android Authority).

For the X300 Pro's 200MP zoom, Vivo confirmed two key hardware upgrades. The ZEISS T* coating tackles stray light and reflections for cleaner images, while the fluorite glass element steps in to keep chromatic distortion in check.

Han admits the X300 Pro isn't a blanket upgrade over the X200 Ultra. Where it wins? Four key things: it's more stable, faster, and delivers superior clarity and transparency.

Sharper images with multi-frame fusion

Vivo claims the X300 Pro's stabilization has achieved a CIPA 5.5 rating, which it states is the highest certification in the industry. The company is also developing custom focus-changing engines with partners to enable precise motion capture from ultra-long distances, while upgraded processing allows for high-pixel multi-frame fusion.

Co-developed with platform manufacturers, the X300 Pro’s focus-tracking engine is said to deliver faster and more reliable subject capture, even at extreme distances.

The X300 Pro's telephoto is engineered for optical-grade results, not artificial sharpening. Through exclusive Blueprint algorithms and full-stack optimization, it captures longer-range shots that are both clearer and look naturally authentic. This is backed by a ZEISS-coated, fluorite glass, APO-certified system.

At its core, the X300 Pro is tipped to run on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500. For its main camera, Vivo selected the Sony LYT-828, a 50MP sensor whose large 1/1.3-inch size and advanced architecture deliver standout HDR capabilities.

What you need to know

• Vivo unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Vision Discovery Edition, in China.
• The headset resembles Apple Vision Pro but is lighter at 398g versus 600g.
• Hardware includes dual 8K Micro-OLED displays and Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset.

The Android mixed reality headset market is beginning to boom, and while we're still waiting for Samsung's Project Moohan later this year, Vivo has just beaten the competition by launching its first mixed reality headset.

Vivo celebrated its 30th birthday today in Dongguan, China, with a special launch event where the company unveiled its first mixed reality (MR) headset called vivo Vision Discovery Edition. Vivo says it has been working on the product for about four years, and the headset is about the brand's vision of bringing mixed reality from the lab into everyday life.

At first glance, the Vision Discovery Edition looks very similar to the Apple Vision Pro. You have a glass-covered front with an aluminum frame and a fabric headband. What's different is that Vivo's XR headset is quite light compared to the Vision Pro, measuring just 398g, while Apple's comes in at around 600g. Vivo also says it offers four sizes of light seal and eight foam padding options to ensure an optimal fit.

While Samsung's XR headset is expected to be powered by Android XR, Vivo has used its own OriginOS Vision for the Discovery Edition. Vivo says the UI elements "seamlessly blend in the surrounding space," and the headset supports eye-tracking and fingertip gesture recognition.

On the hardware front, the Vivo Vision Discovery Edition comes with dual Micro-OLED 8K displays and is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 chipset. Vivo says the chipset is powerful enough for high-speed rendering in spatial computing.

The headset can generate up to a 120-foot virtual theater screen, allowing users to watch sports and e-sports broadcasts from multiple angles. Thanks to its split-screen feature, it can also display different games simultaneously.

Vivo hasn't announced pricing or availability yet, but the company will begin showcasing the headset to users in China starting next week.

Alongside the launch of the MR headset, Vivo revealed that it has renewed its partnership with ZEISS, aiming to deepen collaboration with the German brand for better night, portrait, telephoto, and video features on Vivo phones.

If you're ready to switch to a foldable, there are a few models that deserve your attention: Honor's Magic V5, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, and the Vivo X Fold 5. Vivo proved last year that it knows how to deliver an all-round package with a sleek design, amazing cameras, and good software features.

With the X Fold 5, it isn't changing things too much; if anything, the phone is nearly identical to X Fold 3 Pro. Coming in at 4.3mm, it is among the thinnest tech products you can buy today, but it just misses out on being the thinnest foldable — that honor goes to the 4.2mm Magic V5.

However, Vivo put a bigger 6,000mAh battery in its foldable, and that ensures the device easily lasts a day even with heavy use. And at 217g, it is 12g lighter than the X200 Ultra, and that in itself highlights just how much foldables have evolved in recent years. Like last year, Vivo is making the X Fold 5 available in several Asian countries, but it won't debut outside the region.

Having used the X Fold 5 as my daily driver, I'm convinced that it is one of the best foldables you can buy in 2025 — provided you're in a country where Vivo sells the device.

Vivo X Fold 5: Specs, pricing, and availability

Vivo unveiled the X Fold 5 alongside the new X200 FE on July 14, and the devices are slated to go on sale in select Asian countries over the coming weeks. The X Fold 5 is coming to India, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore, Pakistan, and Indonesia.

The X Fold 5 will retail at ₹149,999 ($1,745) in India for the 16GB/512GB edition, and while that is a huge chunk of cash, it undercuts the Galaxy Z Fold 7 by a considerable amount in the country, with Samsung's foldable debuting at ₹186,999 ($2,175).

Vivo X Fold 5: Design

• Vivo didn't alter the design too much from last year.
• Even then, the X Fold 5 is among the thinnest and lightest foldables of 2025.
• It also gets IP58 and IP59 ingress protection.

Vivo didn't change the design of the X Fold 5, and I don't mind that one bit; you're still getting a thin-and-light foldable, and it's great to hold and use. The grey model I'm using doesn't stand out quite as much, and if you need a vibrant color, I'd suggest getting it in green or white.

Build quality is excellent, and Vivo clearly knows what it's doing in this area. There is enough width along the sides to hold the foldable comfortably, and the hinge has smooth articulation. If anything, the hinge has better durability this time around, and it stays unlocked at any angle between 45 and 150 degrees.

Most manufacturers are focusing on sleek designs this year, and the X Fold 5 comes in at just 4.3mm while unfolded and 9.2mm when folded. To give you some context, the X200 Ultra is 8.7mm, so the X Fold 5 is only a smidgen bulkier than a regular phone. In fact, you don't even notice that you're using a foldable when interacting with the cover panel, and that is the biggest difference with the latest-gen foldables — they're not unwieldy in the least.

It is also lighter than most regular phones at 217g, and what I like is that Vivo somehow managed to bring IP58 and even IP59 ingress protection to the X Fold 5. Samsung only manages to deliver IP48 on its foldables, and the increased protection on the X Fold 5 means you can unfold it underwater (at one meter), and that's just plain cool.

There's just enough width at the bottom to accommodate the USB-C port, and it's almost as if this is the bottleneck in limiting the design to 4.3mm. One of the best features on last year's foldable was that it had a traditional ultrasonic sensor embedded inside the cover and inner panels, but the X Fold 5 misses out on that — you get the usual side-mounted reader that's present on all foldables.

You get a dedicated button on the side that lets you trigger actions — similar to the Plus key on the OnePlus 13s — and it has good configurability. The positioning of the button isn't ideal, and I didn't get much use out of it while testing the foldable, but it's there if you need it, and you can assign short and long press actions.

Although Vivo didn't make many changes to the design, the X Fold 5 has a sleek profile, and there are no issues with usability. The glass back has a frosted finish that prevents smudging, and the oversized camera ring is similar to what you get with the X200 Ultra and X200 Pro.

Vivo X Fold 5: Display

• Both the inner and outer AMOLED panels have 120Hz refresh and great colors.
• The 8.03-inch inner panel is among the biggest around.

The X fold 5 has a 6.53-inch outer panel and a fold-out 8.03-inch panel on the inside, with both featuring AMOLED tech and LTPO. They both go up to 120Hz and dynamically alter refresh according to on-screen content, and they get bright. You also get 5,280Hz PWM dimming, and Dolby Vision.

I used the outer panel most of the time, and the size is just right; it's wide enough that there are no problems with text scaling, and it feels comfortable to hold and use. I switched to the inner panel to browse or get back to emails, and the sleek design doesn't inhibit usability in any way.

Colors are excellent out of the box, and you get a decent amount of customizability when it comes to adjusting the color balance. Funtouch OS has decent always-on styles as well, and there isn't much missing on the device. On that note, there's stereo sound that gets pretty loud and detailed.

Vivo X Fold 5: Performance

• The X Fold 5 misses out on Snapdragon 8 Elite, instead featuring last year's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
• It still manages to do a good job in games and daily use.

Annoyingly, the X Fold 5 misses out on the Snapdragon 8 Elite, and is instead powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 — same as last year. Vivo says it is about delivering the right "balance and efficiency," but the manufacturer didn't go into detail as to why it didn't use the 3nm-based 8 Elite over the 4nm 8 Gen 3. It's entirely likely that it wanted to undercut Samsung and Honor, so it utilized last year's platform.

Thankfully, the 8 Gen 3 still has plenty of power, and I didn't see any slowdowns in the week I used the X Fold 5. It handled demanding games and visually-intensive titles without any issues, and I didn't see much in the way of overheating either. That said, it tends to throttle significantly earlier than regular phones powered by the same silicon. This is the case with other foldables I tested; they just don't have the same thermal management systems, so they tend to throttle sooner to avoid heating issues.

The vibration motor delivers good feedback, and like last year, Vivo is selling a single 16GB/512GB edition of the device in global markets. This is the right call, and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage is the sweet spot for a foldable these days. It doesn't miss out on the essentials either, and it retains Snapdragon Sound, giving you all the high-res AptX codecs you need.

Vivo X Fold 5: Battery life

The X Fold 5 has a 6,000mAh battery similar to that of the X200 Ultra and X200 Pro. It utilizes silicon-carbon tech, delivering much better density and longevity. With a density of 866Wh/L, it is the densest cell you'll get on a foldable, and Vivo did all the right things in this area.

I had no issues getting the X Fold 5 to last all day even with heavy use. This was a problem on last year's foldables where they needed to be plugged in before the end of the day, but that just isn't the case this time around. While 80W charging isn't as good as the 100W standard from last year, there isn't much in the way of a difference in real-world usage. The foldable took an hour to charge, and unlike Samsung, you get a charger in the box.

Vivo X Fold 5: Cameras

• You get three 50MP cameras at the back with Zeiss tuning.
• It has the best cameras of any foldable right now.

Vivo slotted in a 50MP Sony IMX921 as the main camera on the X Fold 5, and it is joined by a 50MP Samsung JN1 module that acts as the wide-angle lens, and a 50MP Sony IMX882 as the tele lens with 3x optical zoom. The main and tele lenses get OIS, and there are two 20MP selfie shooters.

The camera interface is similar to what you get on the X200 Pro, and there are the usual Zeiss filters and exclusive shooting modes. The phone shoots 4K60 video with all sensors, and you get all the shooting modes available on the X200 Pro.

Vivo is clearly in a dominant position with its cameras, and the X Fold 5 takes fantastic photos and videos. It may not be at the same level as the X200 Pro, but it is better than every other foldable I used. Daylight shots have good detail and colors, and it holds up just as well in challenging situations, producing vibrant photos with minimal noise levels.

The auxiliary cameras are pretty good too, and like every other Vivo phone I tested in 2025, you get standout portrait shots. Although the cameras aren't as good as the X200 Pro, I never quite felt that I was missing out in this area, and that's a testament to how much Vivo has evolved in the last two years.

Vivo X Fold 5: Software

• The foldable runs Android 15 out of the box, with Android 16 slated to arrive by the end of the year.
• You get good customizability, and new multitasking modes.

The X Fold 5 runs Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, and I'm annoyed that it doesn't get Android 16 out of the box. Samsung managed to have Android 16 pre-installed on its foldables, and I don't know why Vivo couldn't do the same. Another bugbear is that the X Fold 5 will get just four Android OS updates alongside five years of security updates, and that isn't enough when Google, Samsung, and Honor are delivering seven years of updates.

Outside of that, I don't have any problems with the software. I like Funtouch OS 15, and the design is clean, cohesive, and you get extensive customizability. I think Vivo is on the right path with its software efforts, and while you get a slate of AI-backed features, they're not anywhere as annoying to use as other brands.

There's also a new Origin Workbench mode that makes multitasking easier on the device. The UI itself is fluid, and I didn't see any issues in the week I used the X Fold 5. I prefer Funtouch OS to ColorOS or OxygenOS now, and that's one of the reasons why I used the X200 Pro as my daily driver for a good chunk of 2025. Now that I switched to the X Fold 5, I intend to use this device for a few months, and a big part of that decision has to do with the software.

Vivo X Fold 5: The alternatives

The Honor Magic V5 is the closet rival to the X Fold 5. It has an even thinner design, is powered by Qualcomm's latest silicon, and gets a 5820mAh battery. I didn't use the foldable yet, so I can't talk about the quality of the cameras, but the Magic V3 was plenty good in this area, and the Magic V5 should deliver decent upgrades.

The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is available globally, and while it is costly, Samsung finally managed to tweak the design, so it is just as thin as the X Fold 5. That said, it doesn't last anywhere as long thanks to a 4,400mAh battery, and the charging tech lags behind its rivals. But you get Android 16 out of the box, and Galaxy AI has extensive utility.

Vivo X Fold 5: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You need a foldable with the best battery life
• You want a sleek design that's great to hold and use
• You need great cameras with good auxiliary lenses

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You want the best hardware
• You need Android 16 out of the box

The X Fold 5 proves that it doesn't need huge upgrades to stand out. While the overall design and underlying hardware hasn't changed much, there isn't much wrong with the device, and it continues to excel at gaming and mundane tasks. Battery life is a clear differentiator as well, with the X Fold 5 managing to last longer than every other 2025 foldable.

The cameras are among the best on a foldable, and I don't see any reason to switch back to the X200 Pro. The ultra-thin design and great in-hand feel is the main reason why I'll continue to use the X Fold 5 after the review, and it just feels like a regular phone most of the time — with the added benefit of an 8.03-inch fold-out panel.

If you've convinced yourself to get a foldable this year, don't bother with Samsung — the X Fold 5 is a much better choice in just about every area.

What you need to know

• Vivo launched its X Fold 5 foldable in China for 7,999 Chinese Yuan (~$1,114) with shocking WWC Shanghai reveal: Apple Watch integration.
• The X Fold 5 and the Apple Watch can fully pair for health data, texts, and calls, alongside AirPods integration and MacOS for file transfers and "Extended Display."
• The foldable features a similar design to the X Fold 3, bringing a triple 50MP camera setup, a bigger 6,000mAh battery (80W charging), and enhanced multitasking.
• Vivo has not stated whether we should expect a global launch or not.

Vivo's latest book-style foldable is here, and there's a massive spotlight on the device due to its surprising cross-OS integration with Apple.

Vivo officially launched the X Fold 5 earlier this week in China, with a starting price of 7,999 Chinese Yuan (~$1,114). The phone's design is pretty similar to what consumers received last year with the X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro. Consumers are granted a 6.5-inch cover display, which blossoms into an 8-inch inner screen with 2K resolution. Aside from its thin profile when folded (9.2mm), Vivo's main highlight is its Apple Watch integration.

What seemed like an improbability, Vivo's X Fold 5 fully supports the Apple Watch (via 9to5Google).

Android & Apple

This marks the first time an Android device can find "full" connectivity with Apple's iOS device. Vivo states on Weibo that users can pair their Apple Watch with the X Fold 5 to receive texts, answer calls, and find their collected health data from the device in totality. Your health information recorded via the Apple Watch will be available in your Vivo Health app. Additionally, Apple's AirPods also fully work with the X Fold 5.

As previously teased during MWC Shanghai, the X Fold 5 also receives full MacOS integration, letting users view their computer files at will (if connected), use the "Extended Screen" feature, and drag-and-drop files across apps.

Multitasking & X Fold 5 Specs

Another standout feature is Vivo's new "Big Screen Experience" for the X Fold 5 (via 9to5Google). Its Weibo post has been machine-translated, which dubs the feature "Atomic Workbench." In short, this is a new multi-tasking mode that can reportedly let users run "up to five applications simultaneously." Users will find file transfer support across these apps via dragging and dropping.

The rest of the X Fold 5 specs include a triple 50MP camera setup in its circular camera array. This is yet another similarity to the Fold 3. The internal and cover displays offer a 20MP selfie camera. Vivo details its resistances, stating the foldable has received IPX8 and IPX9 ratings for water resistance, as well as IP5X dust resistance.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC powers many of its functions. The X Fold 5 packs the following RAM/storage configs: 12/256GB, 12/512GB, 16/512GB, 16/1TB.

There is one notable improvement with the X Fold 5, and that concerns its upgraded 6,000mAh battery. Vivo complements this with 80W wired fast charging and 40W wireless charging capabilities.

The Vivo X Fold 5 is out for pre-orders right now for 7,999 Chinese Yuan (~$1,114). Vivo hasn't said anything about a potential global release yet.

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What you need to know

• The Vivo X200 FE is a compact flagship phone, and appears to be a rebrand of the Vivo S30 Pro mini for markets outside China.
• It features a large 6500mAh BlueVolt battery with 90W fast charging and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus processor.
• The phone includes ZEISS-powered rear cameras (50MP primary, 50MP telephoto, 8MP ultrawide) and a 50MP ultra wide front camera.

Vivo is back with an all-new smartphone, and this time it is a compact phone dubbed the X200 FE.

Vivo X200 FE was announced by the company in Taiwan, and the new compact phone looks to be a revamped Vivo S30 Pro mini — introduced in China last month. The company is likely to make the device available as the X200 FE for markets outside China.

The Vivo X200 FE is a compact and yet colorful offering as it has striking colors like yellow, pink, blue, alongside regular black and silver color options. The phone boasts of being lighter by weighing around 186 grams and measuring 7.99mm in thickness. In comparison, the compact phone from OnePlus, the 13s, comes in at 185 grams and 8.2mm in thickness.

The compact phone from Vivo is equipped with a 6.31-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1.5K resolution.

Despite the sleek form factor, Vivo has managed to cram a 6,500mAh battery underneath, which is a BlueVolt battery — Vivo’s proprietary silicon carbon battery technology. Plus, it comes with a whopping 90W ultra-fast charging speed.

Vivo went with the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of onboard storage. It has Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15 running out of the box.

Other additions of the compact phone include an IP68/ IP69 rating, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and ZEISS-powered rear cameras comprising a 50MP telephoto lens, a 50MP primary camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. For selfies, the device relies on another 50MP ultra-wide angle lens.

While the company has just announced the Vivo X200 FE for the Taiwanese market, the launch price and global availability of the device are yet to be determined. For reference, the Chinese variant, Vivo S30 Pro mini, is priced at RMB 3999 ($557).

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What you need to know

• Vivo's product manager, Han Boxiao, confirmed during WWDC that the next Android foldable, the X Fold 5, will fully support the Apple Watch.
• Boxiao states this Android & Apple compatibility will bring the call/text display to the watch and even full health data, which can be synced via the Vivo Health app.
• Vivo then teased "extended mode" support between its next Android foldable and Mac computers.

Vivo announcing support for a smart watch not within the Android framework probably wasn't on your bingo card (or ours).

As WWDC got underway for Apple, Vivo's product manager, Han Boxiao, announced that the company's next Android foldable will be compatible with the Apple Watch (via Android Authority). In Boxiao's machine-translated post, Vivo is calling its upcoming foldable, the X Fold 5, an "Apple Partner."

This "partnership" reportedly begins with the device fully supporting the Apple Watch, enabling the wearable to display your calls, texts, and health data.

Vivo states its work with Apple has enabled the device to record your health data and synchronize it with the Vivo Health app on its Android phone. Boxiao states iPhone users with an Apple Watch can switch their phone to its Android device and still utilize their watch, as if nothing changed.

In a follow-up post, Boxiao teased more in store with this "Apple partnership." Vivo teases that consumers interested in the X Fold 5 can utilize "extended mode" on a Mac computer. Essentially, this will turn your Android foldable into a second monitor, per se, letting you drag extra windows over to your phone. Additionally, the X Fold 5 reportedly receives some iCloud support, as well.

Android and Apple... Combine?

Vivo's Boxiao also teased that the X Fold 5 will have support for Apple's AirPods, too, bringing this partnership full circle in terms of accessories.

It might feel like a long time ago, but there was a brief period when Android's Wear OS supported Apple's iPhones. This specifically concerned the Montblanc Summit 3, which was set to receive Wear OS 3 back in 2022. This seemingly gave hope that other watches from other popular Android makers would see their watches in Apple's realm; however, this was only possible via the Wear OS by Google app.

Speaking of that app, iPhone users looking at it nowadays won't find much solace. While certain devices from Fossil, Montblanc, and Mobvoi were technically "supported" on Apple's iPhones via Wear OS by Google, that option's gone out the window. Curiously, in 2024, there were some limitations highlighted about trying to bridge the gap between Android and iOS software. This primarily concerned consistent connectivity, voice assistant support, calls/texts, and more.

This all seems to have been rectified, as Vivo pushes on ahead with the X Fold 5.

Another point of interest is a report from 2023 that said Apple nearly developed an Android-compatible watch, but dropped it due to "business considerations." Such a device would've brought all of Apple's health and fitness features to Android. However, Apple took it back, feeling it best to keep its features and watch in-house.

In the last 18 months, I used Vivo's phones more than any other brand. The Chinese manufacturer rolled out one hit after another; the X100 Pro was fabulous, and then the X100 Ultra came along, beating every other phone at taking photos and videos. Vivo built on that momentum with the X200 Pro, which is easily one of my favorite devices of 2025.

And now there's the X200 Ultra, which has a new design and even better cameras than its predecessor. Annoyingly, the phone isn't launching outside China; Vivo continues to limit its best phones to its home market, and it's having a hard enough time ensuring the device is in stock in the country.

So if you want your hands on the X200 Ultra, you'll need to go the reseller route. While I don't usually advocate it, the X200 Ultra is an outlier — it is no less than the best phone I used in 2025, and it easily outscores every other rivals in meaningful areas. I wasn't sure how Vivo could improve upon the X100 Ultra, but the X200 Ultra proves that it is possible.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Pricing and availability

Vivo unveiled the X200 Ultra on April 21, and the phone is now available in China. The base model has 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and it costs 6,499 RMB ($902) in the country. The 16GB/512GB model costs 6,999 RMB ($971), and there's a 16GB/1TB model that's 7,999 RMB ($1,112).

The device continues to be sold out in most variants, and as of writing, only the 16GB/512GB edition is available. Just like Xiaomi, Vivo is rolling out a custom edition that includes a Photography Kit, and this has the 16GB/1TB variant of the phone along with a dedicated hardware lens, case, camera attachment, and other extras. This is the variant I'm using, and it costs 9,699 RMB ($1,346) in China.

Obviously, that's quite a lot of cash, but you are also getting the most extensive accessory package sold with any device today.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Design

Brands don't really change their designs all that much these days, and that's true of the X200 Ultra as well. The phone is a massive slab, and coming in at 229g — the same as last year — it is one of the heaviest around. To be fair, all of the Ultra models this year are on the heavier side as they switched to 6,000mAh batteries (outside of the S25 Ultra, obviously), and to its credit, Vivo did a good job with the weight balance.

The back of the X200 Ultra is dominated by a gargantuan camera island; the phone houses four camera modules at the back, and given the size of each unit and the resolution you're getting, it's no wonder that the housing takes over a third of the back. Thankfully, there's no wobble when using the phone on a table.

The housing is cleaner this time as it just has a steel ring encircling it, and it adds a little bit of elegance to the design. In a similar way, the white model I'm using has a fluted pattern underneath the glass that breaks up the design quite well. The design extends to the halfway point of the camera island, so you get a nice dual-tone effect.

Basically, the X200 Ultra ends up looking that much more distinctive, and that is particularly true if you're thinking of getting the red model. The other key design change is the switch to flat sides; the X100 Ultra had a flowing design, but Vivo is emulating prevailing trends in phone design and switched to a flat profile.

That said, you get considerable bevels on the sides, so it isn't uncomfortable in the least to hold and use the device. And even though the X200 Ultra is heavy and has an oversized camera island, the weight distribution is ideal, and it doesn't feel unwieldy at all. Interestingly, you get a camera control button on the right that's similar to that of the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Find X8 Ultra, and like those two devices, I didn't use it much after the initial novelty wore thin.

While it doesn't look like it when you look at the images, the X200 Ultra is thinner than its predecessor, and it is a little shorter and wider. All of these make using the phone easier than the X100 Ultra, and Vivo includes a decent silicone case in the package, a nice addition.

The build quality is fantastic (as you'd imagine), and the aluminum mid-frame withstands tumbles without any issues. On that note, the device retains IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, making it withstand immersion in water as well as pressurized jets.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Display

Vivo managed to slot in a slightly bigger 6.82-inch AMOLED panel into a device that's shorter than last year's X100 Ultra, and it retains 120Hz refresh as well as Dolby Vision. The phone has razor-thin bezels and a flat panel this time, so if you're not a fan of the dual-curved designs that have been a mainstay over the last six years, you'll be glad to know that it isn't an issue on most 2025 phones.

While it doesn't get as bright as the Pixel 9 Pro XL — Google's phone continues to lead the way — the panel on the X200 Ultra gets just as bright as the X200 Pro, and it outshines just about every other Chinese brand. The phone does a great job with HDR in general, but not all streaming providers serve HDR content. That said, I didn't see any issues in YouTube.

The phone is a delight to use thanks to the factory color calibration, and it has extensive customizability when it comes to adjusting the colors. You get good eye protection features as well, and there's 2,160Hz PWM dimming at all brightness levels — a nice addition.

Vivo tends to not be as aggressive with throttling games on its Chinese devices, and this allows the X200 Ultra to shine in demanding titles. Basically, this is one of the best AMOLED panels you'll get on any phone today, and it is fabulous at mundane tasks as well as gaming and multimedia. The phone gets decent stereo sound as well, and you can reliably use the onboard audio if you're just gaming casually.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Hardware

While Vivo went with MediaTek on the standard X200 series, it switched to the Snapdragon 8 Elite for the X200 Ultra, and that's a good choice. The phone is among the fastest available today, and I didn't see any issues with lag or slowdowns in regular use as well as extended gaming sessions.

Like all Qualcomm-based phones in 2025, the device tends to get hotter than last year's phones; I saw it go up to 50 degrees after an extended gaming test lasting 30 minutes. There isn't much in the way of throttling, so you will get stable framerates, and outside of gaming, the phone doesn't heat up to any noticeable degree.

Vivo included just about all the extras possible; the phone gets AptX Adaptive and AptX Lossless in addition to the LHDC 5 codec, and there's Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 — no Bluetooth 6.0 like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra — and dual-band GPS alongside NFC, USB-C 3.2 standard with DisplayPort, and satellite connectivity.

While I got the 16GB/1TB Chinese model that has satellite connectivity — similar to Emergency SOS on iPhones — I wasn't able to test it as it is usable only within China.

Other niceties include an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that's fast to authenticate; it is much better than the module you get on Samsung phones, and I didn't see any issues whatsoever in this area. The vibration motor is also great, delivering granular feedback that makes a difference while using the keyboard or navigating the interface.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Battery life

Like other Chinese phones in 2025, the X200 Ultra gets a considerable battery boost thanks to silicon-carbon tech. The phone gets a 6,000mAh battery, and it easily lasts over a day even with heavy use. In the two weeks I used the device, there wasn't single instance where the phone failed to last all day. Most of the time, I got a day and a half between charges, and battery anxiety just isn't a problem these days — unless you're using a Samsung phone.

When it comes to charging, you get 90W as standard, and Vivo continues to bundle a charger in the box. You can also charge the phone at 50W over the USB PD standard, and that's just convenient. It takes just over 52 minutes to charge the battery with the bundled charger, so there is no reason to charge the phone overnight.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Cameras

Vivo isn't using a 1-inch sensor on the X200 Ultra, but the new 50MP 1/1.28-inch Sony Lytia LYT-818 module is fantastic in its own right. What's interesting is that there's a second Lytia LYT-818 sensor that handles wide-angle duties, and you get a 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HP9 tele lens with 3.7x optical zoom. Vivo isn't using a fourth sensor like the Find X8 Ultra, and honestly, the 200MP module is easily the best of any telephoto options available today.

The X200 Ultra has just about everything you can imagine; it does 4K120 video with the main lenses, and 4K60 as standard with all rear cameras as well as the front 50MP module, and it includes Dolby Vision at 4K60 as well. Video stabilization is decent out of the box, and there's an ultra stabilization mode that basically gives you clean footage while shooting handheld on the move.

You get a good range of shooting modes, and there's portrait video this time, giving you the ability to shoot video with a consistent background blur. The camera viewfinder has all the modes easily accessible, and you get Zeiss effects that alter the look of photos. I used the Vivid profile most of the time as it provides a vibrancy to the photos with high contrast, but there are a half-dozen effects available.

The main camera shoots at a 35mm focal length now, with the wide-angle lens at 14mm, and the telephoto hitting 85mm. The phone has the best wide-angle lens of any device I used, and Vivo deserves credit for using the same module as the main camera — it makes a noticeable difference. Predictably, the wide-angle lens takes photos of the same caliber as the main camera, and that's just great to see.

The 50MP main lens is the best around, and it overshadows anything that Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have to offer. I'll do a dedicated camera review of the device with the external lens, but the gist of it is that the main camera has better dynamic range and color vibrancy than the 1-inch main sensor on the X100 Ultra, and that is an achievement in and of itself. It delivers incredible shots in challenging situations, and even with little to no visible light, it produced images with plenty of detail and clarity.

What I like the most about the phone is its portrait shots; Vivo has proven over the last year that it knows how to deliver stunning portrait photos, and the X200 Ultra continues this trend. The phone takes shots with excellent detail and faultless background segmentation, and this is a key reason why I continue to prefer Vivo's phones over OPPO and Xiaomi.

In a similar vein, the 200MP telephoto is nothing short of extraordinary. The HP9 module is the best available today, and Vivo once again put it to great use, delivering crystal-clear shots at 3.7x and beyond. I was able to get usable shots at up to 30x, and it remains the best tele lens of any flagship you can buy today. Like last year, it doubles as a macro shooter, and you get decent detail in this mode.

Overall, the X200 Ultra is the best camera I used yet; it does a better job than last year's X100 Ultra, and there isn't any other phone that's able to measure up to it.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Software

Similar to other Vivo phones in China, you get OriginOS 5 instead of Funtouch OS 15 that is standard on global models. I like what Vivo is doing with OriginOS; the interface is fluid, and you get extensive customizability with exclusive features that aren't available in the global build.

Using a phone with a China-focused build isn't anywhere as limiting as it used to be just a few years ago; you can easily install the Play Store from Vivo's app store, and once that's done, you can sign in to your Google account (you'll need to go into settings to enable basic Google services), and then set up the phone as you would any other device.

I didn't see any issues with Google Pay or my usual banking utilities, and for the most part, it was just as seamless as using the global X200 Pro. However, there are two limitations: push notifications from WhatsApp and Gmail continue to be hit-and-miss, and in the case of WhatsApp, that included calls. Even if you disable battery optimization (which is enabled as standard), it doesn't make much of a difference.

I wasn't able to set up the Pixel Watch 3 with the phone — it just wouldn't connect to the smartwatch, and the app crashed constantly. So if you need to use a Wear OS smartwatch, know that you can't pair it with the device. Outside of these issues, there are no problems with using the X200 Ultra as a daily driver.

When it comes to updates, the X200 Ultra will receive four Android OS updates alongside six years of security updates, and while that is on the lower end of the scale, it is what Vivo guarantees on all of its devices. I would have liked to see at least five years of updates, but that isn't the case.

Vivo X200 Ultra: The alternatives

Chinese manufacturers are doing a good job with their Ultra models, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has better cameras than last year and a design that's easier to hold and use. While it doesn't quite measure up to the X200 Ultra — I still prefer Vivo's camera tuning and auxiliary lenses — the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is sold globally, and doesn't cost as much as the X200 Ultra, making it a decent alternative.

The Find X8 Ultra is the closest rival to the X200 Ultra, delivering a similar caliber of cameras and all the other extras. Like the X200 Ultra, the Find X8 Ultra is limited to China and isn't launching in other regions, so it is just as difficult to get a hold of if you're outside the country. Out of the two, I'd get the X200 Ultra; Vivo's software continues to be better, and the design is cleaner.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

• You need the best cameras
• You want a phone with versatile lenses
• You want a bright AMOLED with useful customizability
• You need reliable battery life

You shouldn't buy this if:

• You need global warranty
• You want hassle-free software

Vivo once again managed to deliver the best camera phone of the year, and the X200 Ultra doesn't have any notable shortcomings. Yes, the software is a little annoying to use at times as it doesn't have Google services integrated out of the box, and push notifications have intermittent issues.

However, the rest of the device is outstanding. It has the best AMOLED panel, the best internals, among the best battery life of any phone, and the best cameras available today. I really like what Vivo is doing with its camera tuning and sensor selection, and the brand has consistently proven over the last year and a half that it can not only measure up to its immediate rivals, but also beat any device handily.

Basically, the X200 Ultra is the best phone I used this year. Even though it isn't sold outside China, I recommend going the reseller route if you're interested in upgrading to a phone with the most versatile camera package you can buy today.

Vivo sub-brand iQOO has a differentiated product portfolio that's aimed at a younger audience, and it consistently delivers phones that have a good value. That was the case with the iQOO 13, a value flagship that has Qualcomm's latest silicon and decent cameras that undercuts the likes of the Galaxy S25 by a significant amount.

With the Neo 10, iQOO is looking to do the same thing in the mid-range category. The phone marks the debut of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 platform, and it comes with a massive 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery — made possible by the latest innovations in battery tech — and it has an AMOLED panel that goes up to 144Hz in select use cases.

Although iQOO introduced the Neo 10 in China at the end of last year, the model that's releasing globally is markedly different; it has a new design, uses Qualcomm's latest silicon, and has a bigger battery. I'm not entirely sure why iQOO didn't use another name with the device, because it doesn't really have any similarities to the Chinese model.

The global variant of the Neo 10 is now available in India, which is iQOO's biggest overseas market. The phone is sold in several storage configurations, including 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB, 12GB/512GB, and 16GB/512GB. As is the case with most brands, not all storage models will be available in all countries, but iQOO is bringing all four models to India, with the base 8GB/128GB edition debuting at just ₹29,999 ($352).

The 8GB/256GB variant is listed at ₹31,999 ($375), the 12GB/256GB model is available for ₹33,999 ($399), and the 16GB/512GB edition is ₹38,999 ($457). Coming in at the equivalent of $399 in other Asian markets, the Neo 10 is an clearly aiming to consolidate its position as the go-to gaming phone in the mid-range category. Having used the phone for just under a month, I can unequivocally say that this is one of the best all-round packages available at the moment.

iQOO nailed the design brief

As always, let's start with the design. The iQOO Neo 10 looks nearly identical to the iQOO 13 thanks to a squarish camera module at the back and similar design aesthetic. The phone has a flat design — like every other device in this category — but there are decent bevels at the edges, and that makes holding and using it much more comfortable.

Although the design isn't that different to what the brand used in the past, it still looks good in its own right, and if you're getting a vibrant color variant — the phone is available in orange — it will stand out. The phone gets IP65 ingress protection, and that is decent enough in this category.

iQOO retained the same 6.78-inch panel as the Chinese model, and it comes with AMOLED tech, 144Hz refresh, and good brightness levels. I didn't see any problems using the phone outdoors, and iQOO did a good job with color balance out of the box. Like all other Vivo and iQOO phones, you get a decent amount of customizability with regards to adjusting the colors according to your tastes.

The phone is particularly well-suited to gaming; it manages to run select games at 120fps and even 144fps, and there's a clear difference in this area. Onboard sound is quite decent too, and the stereo channels deliver a clean and detailed sound.

The Neo 10 is a beast of a gaming phone

Most mid-range phones now use MediaTek's Dimensity platforms as standard, and it's clear Qualcomm wanted to change that dynamic with the introduction of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4. The chipset sees a Cortex X4 in addition to seven A720 cores clocked at 2.0GHz to 3.3GHz, and it comes with an Adreno 825.

The result is that the Neo 10 is one of the fastest mid-range phones you can buy today; the phone does a fantastic job with gaming, and it handles visually-intensive titles without too much of a hassle. I didn't see any issues with overheating either — which is a downside on devices like the iQOO 13.

In short, if you want a mid-range gaming phone, the Neo 10 is a great choice. The phone does a good job with connectivity as well, and while the vibration motor isn't quite as detailed as high-end phones, it is decent enough.

Battery life is an area where the Neo 10 has a considerable advantage over its rivals; thanks to a 7,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, the phone consistently manages to last two days between charges. Even with heavy use, I was able to get well over a day and a half worth of use before having to plug in the device.

In general, battery anxiety is a thing of the past — unless you're using the Galaxy S25 Edge — and the Neo 10 proves that we are at a point where you don't need to charge your phone every single day. There's plenty to like on the charging front too, with the phone using Vivo's 120W tech; it takes just over 44 minutes to charge the device, and that's less than most flagships.

iQOO bundles a charger in the box, and it doubles as a 100W PD charger, so you can use it with any other device. As good as the Neo 10 is at gaming, it is the battery life where the phone truly comes into its own.

The phone has a 50MP Sony IMX882 as the main lens, and it is joined by an 8MP GalaxyCore GC08 wide-angle camera, and a 32MP GalaxyCore GC32E selfie lens. The selfie lens is notable as it gets autofocus, and it's clear iQOO wanted to prioritize this over the auxiliary cameras at the back.

That's because the 8MP wide-angle lens is strictly average; it does a passable job in daylight situations, but it just doesn't measure up in low-light shooting conditions. You don't get a tele lens either, and that puts the Neo on the backfoot. That said, the main camera is terrific, and it delivers vibrant photos in just about any lighting scenario.

There isn't much to talk about on the software side of things; the Neo 10 comes with Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, and the interface is identical to what you get on other Vivo and iQOO phones. I like the design, the UI itself is fluid, and you get extensive customizability.

You're getting a phenomenal value

Like every other brand, iQOO is dabbling in AI-assisted utilities, but it isn't going quite as overboard when it comes to pushing these services constantly — unlike Samsung. The phone will get four Android OS updates, and again, that is in line with other devices in this category.

With the Neo 10, iQOO is showing that it knows how to deliver an all-rounder that excels at gaming and battery life. Outside of the average auxiliary camera, I don't really have any negatives to point out, and that alone shows just how good this phone is — iQOO ticked all the right boxes.

What you need to know

• Qualcomm's latest midrange chip, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, is here with improved AI and processing capabilities.
• The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform is a 4nm processor with the latest connectivity specifications, like Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0.
• This processor will first launch on phones from Honor and Vivo this month.

Qualcomm is upgrading its midrange chip offerings with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, a processor with improved AI performance, better image-signal processing, and support for newer connectivity standards. The chipset will first launch in Honor and Vivo midrangers expected to be announced this month, Qualcomm announced in a press release today, May 15.

The last refresh of the Snapdragon 7 series arrived with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, announced in November 2023. That's the processor the new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 replaces, and the time between releases allowed Qualcomm to deliver a handful of key improvements. Compared to the prior generation, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 performs 27% better in CPU performance, 30% better in GPU performance, and 65% better in AI performance.

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform uses the Qualcomm Hexagon NPU with dedicated NPUs for audio and sensors. The drastically improved AI performance utilizes the Qualcomm AI Engine for on-device processing, with deep integration throughout the system-on-a-chip. That includes everything from Snapdragon Sound audio to image-signal processing. On top of that, the chip adds Qualcomm Expanded Personal Area Network (XPAN) support for audio listening for the first time.

Qualcomm is still using a 4nm fabrication process for the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, the same as the prior generation. However, the newer chipset has a revamped configuration, with one Prime core with a faster 2.8GHz clock speed, four performance cores clocked at up to 2.4GHz, and three efficiency cores clocked at up to 1.8GHz. Compared to the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, the latest version has a higher-clocked Prime core and an extra performance, with one fewer efficiency core.

Rounding out the chip's upgrades are connectivity improvements across the board, with 3GPP Release 17 5G support, Wi-Fi 7 support, and Bluetooth 6.0 support. That can result in peak W-Fi speeds of up to 5.8 Gbps, up from 2.9 Gbps on the Wi-Fi 6E-only Snapdragon 7 Gen 3.

Qualcomm's partner OEMs praised the new chipset in a press release, teasing the upcoming products that the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip will power.

"This powerful platform will enable us to deliver unparalleled performance and cutting-edge features, elevating our users’ mobile experiences in their daily lives," said Fei Fang, who is the president of products at Honor. "We are excited to collaborate closely with Qualcomm Technologies and integrate the new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform into our upcoming commercial device."

Unconfirmed leaks have claimed that the Honor 400 and the Vivo S30 could be the first phones to sport Qualcomm's new midrange mobile platform. The Honor 400 series is launching on May 22.

"Today, we are thrilled to announce that our upcoming smartphone will be powered by the next-generation Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform, designed to immerse users in innovative and efficient mobile experiences," said Weifeng Ouyang, who is the vice president of product at Vivo.

The first devices to feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip are expected to be officially announced this month, so stay tuned.

Vivo is doing all the right things in 2025; the X200 Pro continues to be one of the best camera phones of the year, and I'm excited to get my hands on the X200 Ultra and see how it measures up this year. In the meantime, the V50 is turning out to be a reliable mid-ranger with the best design in its category.

That shouldn't be surprising in the least, considering Vivo is making a habit of launching gorgeous phones in the V series. I thoroughly enjoyed using the V30 Pro and V40 Pro, and while there isn't a Pro model this time (it's likely coming later), the V50 retains the best features of its predecessors while getting a sizeable 6,000mAh silicon battery.

The V50 is available in select Southeast Asian countries, and in India, it costs ₹34,999 ($413) for the standard 8GB/128GB model, ₹36,999 ($436) if you want 8GB/256GB, and ₹40,999 ($484) if you're looking to get the 12GB/512GB edition. It goes up against the likes of the OnePlus 13R in the country, and Vivo is positioning the design and cameras as the key features.

What I like the most is the design; phones have decidedly gotten boxier in recent years, and I'm not a fan of the trend. Thankfully, Vivo retained a thin design with smooth curves at the back, and it makes using the phone that much better. It has a glass back, but the polycarbonate mid-frame allowed Vivo to save weight, and although there's a 6000mAh battery, the phone comes in at a manageable 189g.

The sleeker profile definitely makes a difference in daily use, and the Red Rose color option I'm using is gorgeous — I still don't understand why brands reserve the best colors for their mid-range phones and not flagships. The frosted glass finish at the back accentuates the color, and the design of the camera island is better this time around; you still get a sizeable module, but it doesn't look anywhere as busy as the V40.

The phone has color-matched sides, and while that's undeniably good, the glossy finish detracts from the otherwise-great in-hand feel. The only other issue with the design is that the in-screen module is located a little too low, and it makes accessing it a bit awkward. That said, Vivo did a great job with ingress protection; the phone gets the standard IP68 dust and water resistance, and it even picks up IP69, allowing it to withstand jets of water.

Vivo went with a slightly smaller 6.77-inch AMOLED panel on the V50, and the resolution is down to FHD+ (2392 x 1080). However, there isn't any noticeable difference in regular use between the device and the V40, and it gets just as bright. It's set to 60Hz out of the box, but you can easily switch to 120Hz via the settings, and I didn't notice any lag in day-to-day tasks.

The phone has good color vibrancy and contrast levels, and there's a decent amount of customizability when it comes to adjusting the colors. Another positive is that the phone gets stereo sound — much like the V40, and it makes using the onboard sound that much better.

There isn't anything new to talk about the performance, as the V50 is using the same Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 silicon as the V40 and the V30. I would have liked to see the 7s Gen 3 as it holds up a little better, and while the device is still good, it doesn't quite have the power needed to run demanding games at high settings.

That said, there isn't an issue with overheating, and outside of gaming, I didn't see any lag or slowdowns with the V50. The base 8GB/128GB is a bit limited in my view, and I'd suggest getting the 8GB/256GB option instead. Connectivity is pretty good too, and I didn't have problems making calls or connecting to my home network.

With Vivo continuing with a biannual release cadence, there isn't much that's different with the cameras on the V50. It has two 50MP lenses at the back, and while the main camera uses a slightly bigger module, I didn't see any difference in image quality. The phone continues to do a great job with portrait shots, and it is still one of the best mid-rangers in this area.

Battery life is where I noticed the biggest difference, with the V50 having much better headroom thanks to a 6,000mAh silicon carbon battery. The phone manages to last a day and a half comfortably between charges, and even with heavy use, there are no issues getting to the end of the day. It's a similar story with charging tech; with 90W USB PD as standard, it takes under 50 minutes to charge the device.

Vivo is doing good things with software as well, and I like the Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15. The interface is fluid, there's extensive customizability, and I didn't see any issues with notifications or aggressive memory management. The only point to note in this regard is that the V50 will get three Android OS updates — one less than its immediate rivals.

Overall, the V50 doesn't really bring much new to the table, and that's okay. Vivo didn't need to alter the fundamentals too much, and by adding a bigger battery and refreshing the design, the brand delivered a device that's slightly better than its predecessor. If you need a camera-focused mid-ranger with a stylish design, the V50 is a great choice.

Vivo has proven over the last 15 months that it knows how to deliver terrific camera phones, and having used the X200 Pro over the course of 2025, I'm very interested in seeing what the X200 Ultra has to deliver. To give you some context, last year's X100 Ultra is still one of the best camera phones around, and the combination of a 1-inch lens along with exquisite tuning continue to give the device a distinct edge.

Thankfully, there's no need to wait any longer, as Vivo has just unveiled the X200 Ultra in China. What's of particular interest is that the device has two imaging chips — the VS1 and V3+ — with the VS1 handling "preliminary optimization of raw data" to optimize image quality and the V3+ doing the usual "postprocessing tasks".

Video is getting a boost as well, with Vivo introducing what it calls Multi-Focal Portrait Video Master. The X200 Ultra is slated to deliver movie-like videos, and the device handles 4K60 10bit Log along with 4K120 footage. Interestingly, Vivo is debuting a Photographer Kit accessor this time that includes a ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Converter, camera grip, and bundled case.

Xiaomi has a habit of doing the same with its phones, and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra has a gorgeous red kit that's great to use. But with Vivo including an external lens with its package, I'm keen on seeing what it has to offer. I'll be getting my hands on the X200 Ultra and the external lens, and will share my findings in the coming weeks.

Continuing with the camera, the X200 Ultra doesn't have a 1-inch main camera any longer, but it has a 50MP 1/1.28-inch Sony LYT818 sensor, and it should be just as good as the X200 Pro. It retains the 200MP HP9 module that goes up to 3.7x, and you get a 50MP wide-angle that also uses the Sony LYT818 sensor.

Switching over to the hardware, Vivo is using Qualcomm silicon once again, and like the best phones of 2025, you get the Snapdragon 8 Elite. The device has 16GB of RAM as standard, and comes with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage models. It has a 6.82-inch panel with QHD resolution, 2160Hz PWM dimming, and a 6000mAh battery with 90W charging tech.

Similar to last year, the X200 Ultra isn't going to debut outside China, and that's annoying when you consider the caliber of the cameras. Still, the X200 Pro is a decent enough alternative if you need something similar, and having switched back to the device, it is easily among the best phones of the year.

What you need to know

• Vivo's X200 Ultra drops April 21, and it’s bringing the big guns in camera department.
• It’s loaded with a wild 200MP periscope lens and a 200mm super-zoom.
• Up front is a 2K Zeiss display with eye-friendly tech, and rumors point to a roomy 6.82 inches.
• Vivo is also rolling out the X200s, Pad 5 Pro, Pad SE, and Watch 5.

Vivo has confirmed that it is launching the X200 Ultra on April 21. As expected, the company's big 2025 flagship is built to impress, packing some serious photo firepower, including a wild 200MP periscope telephoto lens and an extra 200mm super-zoom to back it up.

Vivo announced on Weibo that it is bringing a whole lineup of new devices, including the X200s, X200 Ultra, Pad 5 Pro, Pad SE, and the new Watch 5 (via Notebookcheck). These new launches will join the Vivo X200 squad from last October, which already includes the X200, X200 Pro, and the compact Pro Mini.

Just like the rumors said, the X200 Ultra is packing Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip. On top of that, Vivo is throwing in its own custom VS1 and V3+ chips to handle all the behind-the-scenes magic for photos and videos.

Screen game strong

Up front, the X200 Ultra sports a 2K Zeiss Master Color display with circular polarized light tech. Vivo says it’s built to be easier on the eyes, especially for long screen time. The brand hasn't spilled the exact screen size yet, but rumor has it we’re looking at a 6.82-inch panel.

The Vivo X200 Ultra is packing the same 200MP Samsung HP9 periscope cam from the X100 Ultra, but this time with a wider aperture for better low-light shots. It’s also geared up for crisp 4K video at 120fps, thanks to a duo of dedicated imaging chips doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

That thicc camera bump

A recently leaked hands-on video gave us an early peek at the Vivo X200 Ultra, and the camera bump absolutely dwarfs the modest module on the X200s.

Apparently, Vivo is cramming in two big 1/1.28-inch sensors for the 35mm main and 14mm ultrawide lenses, plus a telephoto lens with next-level low-light skills that’s pushing the limits of what camera smartphones can do.

In a separate leak, tipster Digital Chat Station dropped some fresh X200 Ultra details on Weibo, including the expected color options. Vivo’s upcoming flagship is said to come in black, bold vine red, and white colorways.

Vivo itself teased a silver version of the X200 Ultra, showing off a back design with subtle vertical stripes for a bit of extra flair.

What you need to know

• Vivo X200 Pro Mini could launch globally and could be coming to India as early as March or April.
• Yogesh Brar took to X (previously Twitter) to talk about the X200 Mini's arrival, stating the phone would cost close to 70,000 rupees, which is about $804.
• We're yet to receive official confirmation from Vivo on the device's arrival.

Looks like one of China's exclusive flagship phones is making its way to India. Vivo's X200 Pro Mini is reportedly set for its launch outside home ground as early as Q2 (via Smartprix).

Prominent tipster Yogesh Brar took to X (previously Twitter) to talk about the X200 Pro Mini's arrival and said that the phone would cost close to 70,000 rupees, which is about $804. Considering the phone was already released in China in October last year, it is safe to say that we are more than aware of the specs this phone is said to come with.

The Vivo X200 Pro Mini is built with an aluminum alloy frame, weighing about 187g. When it comes to design, the Vivo X200 Pro Mini sports a 6.31" LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1.5K resolution, and 4500 nits of peak brightness. It's not exactly "mini" but small enough to match other small Android phones like the base Galaxy S25.

At the heart, it is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset and comes equipped with Android 15. When it comes to durability, the phone features an IP68+IP69 rating for water and dust resistance, just like the OnePlus 13.

Vivo's flagship phones come with top-notch cameras, and we assume that it would hold the same on this device as well, especially if it's anything like its larger X200 Pro variant. The X200 Pro Mini comes with a triple camera setup with a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 50MP periscope telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom and 100x zoom. On the front, it will get a 32MP ultrawide selfie camera capable of 4K video recording.

The X200 Pro Mini will come with a fairly large (for its size) 5,700mAh battery that is compatible with 90W wired and 30W wireless charging. Storage-wise, the phone will have 256GB/12GB RAM, 512GB/16GB RAM, and 1TB/16GB RAM.

Lastly, the phone comes in four colorways: Black, White, Green, and Pink.

What you need to know

• Vivo’s mixed-reality team has supposedly reached over 500 members and the company is going all-in on a new headset.
• At an event Dec. 31, the company revealed plans to prototype a mixed-realty headset with features that could surpass Apple Vision Pro.
• The headset is said to deliver “high-fidelity prototype experiences” in a few cities in late 2025, but there’s no word on when a Vivo headset would be available for purchase.

The race to build the best mixed-reality headsets is heating up, and we’re starting to see just as many cryptic, unreleased prototypes as widely-available products. The market will gain one more prototype in 2025, as Vivo announced plans to reveal a mixed-reality headset late next year at an event Dec. 31, 2024. Vivo has lofty goals for the headset, and wants to dethrone Apple Vision Pro in a few areas, according to information relayed by Digital Chat Station (via GSMArena).

Aside from a generic teaser image, Vivo didn’t share any details about its future headset. An unveiling is slated for next fall, sometime in September and October. At this stage, Vivo’s mixed-reality headset will almost certainly be a prototype. In fact, Vivo says that it expects to offer “high-fidelity prototype experiences" with its headset in select Chinese cities by the end of 2025.

Of course, aside from a confident pledge that Vivo’s mixed-reality headset will top Apple Vision Pro, Vivo doesn’t have anything to share about how it will achieve that goal. Vision Pro, while considered a commercial failure by Apple’s usual standards, is still lauded for its impressive hardware and feature set. That’s likely why Vivo is targeting Vision Pro, especially in its home country of China.

It is worth noting that Vision Pro, released in February 2024, will be well over a year old when Vivo supposedly plans to best it with its own mixed-reality headset at the tail end of 2025.

Although the company gave us a general idea of when a prototype Vivo headset will be revealed, there’s no word yet on pricing or general availability. It isn’t the only company to tease a mixed-reality product you can’t buy yet — and likely won’t be able to for a long time. Meta teased Orion earlier this year, a pair of MR glasses too expensive to mass produce. More recently, Samsung showed off Project Moohan, which will be the first Android XR headset to debut next year.

Being that so little is known about the Vivo headset, it’s probably best to approach it with a bit of skepticism. Pricing and availability have been huge barriers to mixed-reality tech to date. Meta’s Quest headsets are affordable but not necessarily top-tier, while Apple Vision Pro has great hardware and costs a fortune. It’s unclear where Vivo will fall, or if it’ll be somewhere in the middle.

What you need to know

• There are reports that Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15 is hitting devices like the Vivo X100 series, Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, and iQOO 12 ahead of its official September 30 release.
• Vivo’s new update includes cool AI tools like an AI Eraser, a shadow removal tool, and Live Transcribe.
• Traditionally, Google’s Pixel phones get updates first, but there’s been a lack of updates for the Pixel lineup despite Android 15 being available on the AOSP.

Vivo just hit a big milestone by being the first to roll out Android 15 to its users, with Funtouch OS 15 now rolling out to a few flagship phones, leaving Google and Samsung in the dust.

Ishan Agarwal’s scoop on X (formerly Twitter) says Vivo is pushing out the stable version of Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15, to devices like the Vivo X100 series, Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, and iQOO 12 (via Android Police).

Google and Samsung have usually led the charge when it comes to Android updates, with Pixel phones often being the first to get new versions. But even though the search giant recently dropped Android 15 to the Android Open Source Project, there’s been a noticeable lack of updates for the Pixel lineup.

In a surprising twist, some Vivo users have already started receiving the Funtouch OS 15 update a few days ago, even though its official release was set for September 30.

In theory, any other Android phone brand could've pulled off what Vivo did, thanks to Google making the Android 15 source code available on the AOSP at the start of September. This means any company can jump in and start creating their own customized versions of Android 15.

Currently, the Pixel 9 series is on standby for the Android 15 update, which is likely to drop in mid-October. Meanwhile, Samsung hasn’t revealed anything about the One UI 7 beta update.

Vivo's Funtouch OS 15 has added several AI-powered tools for its flagship devices, including an AI Eraser in the Gallery that’s expected to work like Google Photos’ Magic Editor, a shadow removal tool, and Live Transcribe.

The updated software also steps up user privacy and connectivity with new perks like partial screen sharing and satellite connectivity support. The update is being rolled out in phases, so all eligible devices will be getting it over the next few days.

While the Android 15 beta is out now, it’s not the final version just yet. If Google doesn’t wrap things up quickly, a few more manufacturers might just beat it to delivering stable Android 15 updates on their devices.

What you need to know

• Vivo's next V40e mid-range phone is coming soon, likely at the end of this month.
• The device is expected to ship with Dimensity 7300 and Android 14 out of the box.
• Vivo confirms the device's battery and cameras, amongst other notable specs.

After the recent launch of the Vivo V40 series, the company seems to be gearing up for yet another mid-range phone launch under the same series, starting with the Indian market. 

The phone is dubbed Vivo V40e, and the new website listing hints that it is coming soon. Meanwhile, some of the upcoming phone's specs have already been confirmed; another leak indicates the full specs of the V40e.

As per the listing, the device has an updated design over the predecessor Vivo V30e, with a new camera visor at the back and color variants in Mint Green and Royal Bronze. Further, it should feel light in hand, weighing around 183 grams.

The device will feature a 6.77-inch screen (which appears curved on the edges) with 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rates. Keeping the lights on is a 5500mAh battery capacity that further comes with 80W fast charging support.

For optics, the revamped camera visor features ZEISS-powered dual cameras: a 50MP primary camera and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera. There's also a 50MP sensor on the front for selfies. 

Per the listing, the company is firmly emphasizing its portrait camera capabilities, as the device is believed to capture 2x professional portrait mode. Additionally, the main camera supports 4K video capture with OIS+EIS.

While the company has confirmed these specs, tipster Yogesh Brar on X noted some other notable parameters, including a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, a shift from Qualcomm wherein the V30e came with Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. Besides, we can expect 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of RAM. The device is further expected to ship with Android 14-based FunTouch OS.

Lastly, it is aimed at a mid-range segment priced around Rs 20,000 to 30,000, roughly between $240 and $360. Per the tipster, the launch should be around the last week of this month, similar to last year's model.

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What you need to know

• Both the V40 and V40 Pro feature Zeiss-branded lenses and portrait modes, building on Vivo's collaboration with Zeiss since 2020.
• The V40 series includes a 50MP main camera with Zeiss optics and OIS, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera on both models.
• The V40 Pro boasts a 50MP Zeiss telephoto camera with 2x optical and 50x digital zoom, covering focal lengths from 24mm to 100mm.
• Vivo is launching the new phones first in India, with other regions to follow; pricing and specs will vary by market.

Vivo's V-series is expanding with the new V40 Pro. Alongside it, the company is reintroducing the regular V40, which made its debut in June.

The two new models now both feature Zeiss-branded lenses and portrait shooting modes, potentially giving our favorite cheap Android phones a run for their money.

Since 2020, Vivo has been collaborating with Zeiss, a move also seen with other major Chinese smartphone brands. Historically, this partnership was mostly exclusive to Vivo’s flagship models.

The Vivo-Zeiss imaging system first debuted with the X60 series. Earlier this year, the Vivo V30 Pro brought Zeiss to Vivo's mid-range lineup. Now, both models expanding on this with Zeiss optics and a versatile focal length range is a thrilling development.

The V40 series features a 50MP main camera with Zeiss optics and Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on both models. For sharp detail, both phones use a large 1/1.156-inch sensor: the V40 Pro has the Sony IMX921, while the V40 sports the Samsung ISOCELL GNJ.

Both V40 models also come with a 50MP ZEISS ultra-wide camera, equipped with an f/2.0 aperture and autofocus tracking.

What sets the Pro model apart is its 50MP Zeiss telephoto camera featuring a Sony IMX816 sensor. It provides a 2x optical zoom and a 50x Zeiss-branded digital zoom. This setup allows the V40 Pro to cover focal lengths from 24mm to 100mm, thanks to a mix of optical and Zeiss-enhanced digital zoom.

Unlike the Pro model, the V40 features focal lengths of 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm using its main and ultra-wide cameras. To elevate portrait shots, Vivo has added Zeiss Style Bokeh effects.

The V40 series keeps the signature LED fill light from previous V series models but now features the AI Aura Light Portrait. This revamped version is more compact and delivers three times the brightness at 2x zoom compared to the previous model, all while providing a soft light that's 50 times gentler than a standard flash.

Alongside the physical Aura Light, both models offer the AI 3D Studio Lighting feature. This tech uses advanced algorithms and facial recognition to mimic natural fill light in tricky conditions.

Upgraded screen brightness and reliable chipsets

On the front, the V40 and V40 Pro feature a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2800 x 1260 resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, making visuals pop even in the sunniest conditions.

Under the hood, the V40 Pro runs on MediaTek's Dimensity 9200+ processor, while the V40 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC. Both models come with 12GB of base RAM, expandable by another 12GB.

The V40 series combines a lightweight design with a robust 5,500mAh battery, making it Vivo’s thinnest model with this capacity. To top it off, the phones support rapid 80W FlashCharge technology for quick recharges.

The Vivo V40 series is launching first in India, with global availability expected in the coming weeks. Vivo says that pricing, configurations, and availability will differ by region.

What you need to know

• More details about the Vivo X Fold 3 series have leaked, such as its supposed launch date, which is slated for March 26 at 5 PM in China.
• The device may continue to feature a 6.5-inch cover and 8-inch internal display like the X Fold 2.
• Vivo is rumored to pack the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, more RAM and internal storage, alongside a larger battery for its X Fold 3 series.

A few leaks have surfaced regarding Vivo's upcoming X Fold 3 series and its potential launch date later in March.

According to Gizmochina, a post on Weibo has seemingly spilled Vivo's plans to debut the X Fold 3 series on March 26 at 5 PM local time in China. More importantly, the series is expected to feature a Pro model and a standard, which may feature a 6.5-inch cover display and an 8-inch internal screen. The series may also be released with an in-display fingerprint reader.

Design-wise, rumors suggest the X Fold 3 series will offer a "thin profile and tall exterior display." The circular camera housing on its rear panel is rumored to stay the same by delivering three Zeiss-branded camera lenses like its predecessor.

A power boost may hit the X Fold 3 series as the leak purports consumers could see Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC. More internal boosts could arrive in the form of a maximum of 16GB RAM and 1TB of internal storage space.

Speculation suggests the battery is where the series differs, with the X Fold 3 Pro potentially featuring a 5,800mAh battery while the base model contains a 5,500mAh version. Each phone is rumored to support 120W wired and 50W wireless charging.

The recent rumors double down on a few we've heard previously about Vivo's upcoming foldable series. The X Fold 3 series appears ready to take on some of the best foldable phones, as past leaks said it would feature LTPO AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate. The series was also rumored to feature a 50MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 64MP periscope lens with 3x zoom.

The rumored camera strengths would give the X Fold 3 series quite the leg up over its predecessor as that device offered a 50MP, 12MP, and 12MP triple camera setup.

With Vivo's next launch rumored to arrive in a week, the device will likely provide OriginOS 4 (Android 14) out of the box. Additionally, it looks like consumers will be treated to a white colorway.

What you need to know

• A new leak suggests the X Fold 3 series could pack a serious punch, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, 16GB RAM, and storage up to 1TB.
• The X Fold 3 series is also rumored to maintain the screen sizes of its predecessor but with improved resolutions.
• Vivo might also slap a 5,550mAh battery into the regular  model, while the larger X Fold 3 Pro could potentially have a massive 5,800mAh battery.

A new rumor suggests the Vivo X Fold 3 series is about to blow away other foldable phones with its powerful upgrades.

Recent rumors claim that Vivo is preparing to drop its next lineup of foldable phones in China by the end of March. Before the official launch, reliable tipster Digital Chat Station spilled the beans on almost every spec of the Vivo X Fold 3 series (via PhoneArena).

The leak suggests that this foldable beast packs a serious punch, including a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a whopping 16GB of RAM, and storage up to 1TB.

If this pans out, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro and the X Fold 3 might be the first foldables to ship with Qualcomm's latest flagship chipset. That could mean a hefty performance boost, leaving other foldable phones in the dust.

The screens on the X Fold 3 series are rumored to keep the same size as the X Fold 2 from last year (8.03-inch folding display, 6.53-inch cover screen). But both screens are supposedly getting a resolution upgrade too. The leak suggests we're looking at 2480 x 2200 for the internal display and 2748 x 1172 for the external one.

Both displays on the X Fold 3 Pro and the X Fold 3 are rumored to flaunt an LTPO AMOLED panel and a 120Hz refresh rate. Just like the X Fold 2, they're expected to feature HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support.

The X Fold 3 Pro might also see a boost in the camera department. According to Digital Chat Station, we could be looking at a triple camera setup featuring a 50MP OV50H main camera, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 64MP 3x periscope camera. That's a major upgrade from the X Fold 2's duo of 12MP lenses.

It's also rumored to bring optical image stabilization and the capability to capture 4K video at a silky-smooth 60 frames per second, thanks to its V3 imaging chip.

In terms of battery, the regular variant is rumored to house a 5,550mAh unit, while its larger sibling might take the crown with a whopping 5,800mAh battery—the largest ever seen in a foldable device.

Charging won't be a hassle either, with a potential 120W wired fast charging and a zippy 50W wireless charging option.

If the leaked specs and design rumors hold water, the X Fold 3 series seems poised not only to outshine its predecessor but also to throw down the gauntlet against the current lineup of formidable foldable phones from Samsung, Google, and some of the Chinese brands.

What you need to know

• Vivo has unveiled the V30 series, which shares similarities in features and design with the China-exclusive Vivo S18.
• The V30 emphasizes camera capabilities, featuring an upgraded Aura Light flash, color temperature sensor, and distance-sensitive lighting.
• The triple-camera setup includes 50MP sensors for both main, ultra-wide, and selfie cameras.

Vivo has announced the V30 series, the company’s latest mid-range model, and it's pretty similar to its China-exclusive Vivo S18 in terms of features and design.

The new V-series phone is the first to come with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, paired with up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. It's the successor to the Vivo V29, a real contender in the mid-range smartphone market last year.

Vivo's V series is all about killer cameras, and the V30 keeps that vibe going strong. It's got a souped-up Aura Light flash, a fresh color temperature sensor, and smart lighting that adjusts the Aura Light's brightness depending on how far your subject is.

On the optics side of things, the rear camera setup consists of a 50MP main sensor and a 50MP ultra-wide shooter. Up front, there's a 50MP selfie snapper.

The V30 sports a 3D curved AMOLED screen, featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and up to 2800 nits of brightness for better outdoor visibility. A beefy 5,000mAh battery (up from V29's 4,600mAh) is keeping the lights on, juiced up with a speedy 80W FlashCharge.

Despite its relatively large battery, the V30 keeps a slim profile at only 7.5 mm thick. Plus, it has an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. On the software side, it's shipping with Android 14-based FuntouchOS 14 out of the box.

Vivo is also keeping things cool on the V30. The company has thrown in an Ultra Large Smart Cooling System for top-notch heat dissipation, consisting of a massive 3,002 mm2 vapor chamber to keep the phone cool even during heavy-duty tasks. And as if that's not enough, there are 11 temperature sensors onboard, making sure the performance stays smooth.

For now, though, the V30's price remains a mystery. It's set to arrive in 30 markets, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, Egypt, Thailand, and the UAE. As for colors, take your pick from Bloom White, Waving Aqua, Lush Green, and Noble Black.

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It has been a particularly great year for Android phones; we got insane cameras from Xiaomi and Vivo, Google went all-in on AI, OnePlus finally launched a foldable, and Samsung still managed to outsell everyone else by having a larger marketing budget and availability in pretty much all countries.

With 2024 just around the corner, there's a lot to be excited about. We already know a decent amount about key launches like the OnePlus 12 and Xiaomi 14, and with the Galaxy S24 series debuting imminently, Q1 2024 is going to be a busy time in the industry. Having used just about all the phones released in 2023, here's what I want to see from Android brands in 2024.

Samsung

With the Galaxy S24 series slated to launch in January, we don't have to wait long to see if Samsung rolls out any meaningful upgrades or if it's going to be business as usual. What I'm more interested in is the Galaxy A55; it hasn't gotten an overhaul in a few years, and I want Samsung to introduce updated camera modules and a new design next year.

While leaked renders suggest Samsung is going to continue with a similar design aesthetic, the A55 should get slightly faster internals thanks to the Exynos 1480. It could even offer an AMD-based GPU, and that should make things much more interesting in the mid-range segment. And as I'm making requests, I'd really like to see a better wide-angle lens on the back of the mid-range Galaxy A series.

But the biggest change needs to be around charging tech; yes, I understand that Samsung may be reticent to do so, but the brand already offers 45W charging on the S23 Plus and S23 Ultra, and it can easily bring that over to the rest of its portfolio. Samsung also needs to address PWM sensitivity; most manufacturers now offer displays with PWM dimming so that they're easier on the eyes, but Samsung hasn't done much in this segment — you won't find any Samsung devices in our best phones for PWM sensitivity list.

While Samsung is in a dominant position with its foldables, the hardware is nowhere as good as what Chinese manufacturers are doing at the moment. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 felt like an inferior product to all the Chinese foldables I used this year, and the only reason it's outselling everything else is because the other manufacturers don't have a foothold in North America. Samsung needs to do much better with its 2024 foldables, and it can start by adding a wider cover screen to the Z Fold 6.

Google

Google leaned heavily on AI with the Pixel 8 series, and to its credit, it actually delivered useful features that make a difference — Video Boost and Audio Magic Eraser are my favorite features on the Pixel 8 Pro. I want Google to go even further in 2024 with these features and create the ultimate AI-enabled devices. 

Also, I'd like to see some of these AI features show up on the Pixel 8a in 2024; the mid-range segment is where Google truly shines, and I want to see the brand continue to build on the Pixel 7a's strengths.

Like Samsung, Google is too conservative when it comes to charging tech, and I'd like to see that change in 2024. I'm not saying Google should start offering 100W charging on its devices, but if it can manage to go up to 65W over the USB PD 3.0 standard, that would make the Pixels that much more alluring.

More than anything else, Google needs to sort out availability. Its products are still limited to just a dozen countries, and that needs to change if the brand wants to be seen as a serious player in the hardware segment. Honestly, I just want Google to release the next-gen Pixel Fold in India — is that too much to ask?

Xiaomi

Xiaomi had a stellar year on the back of devices like the Redmi Note 12 Pro and Xiaomi 13 Ultra, and I'm excited to see how the brand's reimagined software holds up with the Xiaomi 14 series.

For a while, it looked like Xiaomi would be able to measure up to Samsung in global markets, but that excitement leveled off this year. While the brand continues to do well in the budget and mid-range categories, it still doesn't quite have the same sort of cachet in the high-end segment as Samsung and Google — and this is in spite of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra having the best overall camera package you can get today.

The biggest issue with Xiaomi is its lackadaisical attitude when it comes to launching its marquee products outside China. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra launched globally, but it is only available in a limited set of countries, and Xiaomi's biggest overseas markets missed out on the device. Unlike Google, Xiaomi has the distribution network to release its phones globally, so I'm not really sure what's preventing the brand from doing so. It also needs to bring its foldables outside China if it wants to go up against Samsung and Honor.

OnePlus/OPPO

I was going to suggest that OnePlus release its R series devices globally, but the company has just confirmed that it is doing just that with the OnePlus 12R, so it clearly knows what I want. The move makes a lot of sense; the OnePlus 11R delivers the best features of the OnePlus 11 — including the same primary camera — but it is much more affordable, making it the obvious choice for those looking to maximize value. I didn't understand why the device was limited to India, but I'm glad to see the 12R is going global — it has the makings of a terrific mid-ranger.

Obviously, the standout device of the year has to be the OnePlus Open, and the manufacturer did a terrific job with the foldable. While I may have been a bit harsh in my review, OnePlus did a good job sorting out the software issues a few weeks after launch, and the foldable is faultless now.

OnePlus will also be looking to continue its momentum into 2024. The OnePlus 12 is launching globally on January 23, and it is packing considerable upgrades — both on the camera and charging side of things. I want to see decent upgrades with the Nord portfolio as well, including bringing the Nord numbered series to North America. While the Nord N30 is aimed at the budget segment, it has far too many shortcomings, and the Nord 4 should get a global release next year.

Things were a little different with OPPO this year, with the brand exiting several global markets. It also didn't launch its best phone of the year — the Find X6 Pro — outside China, and that's a letdown, considering how good the cameras are on the device. It doesn't look like OPPO will change its strategy going into 2024, and the Find X7 could be limited to its home country. In global regions, the brand is instead focusing on its foldables and the mid-range Reno portfolio.

For 2024, I want to see a OnePlus flip phone that's based on the Find N3 Flip. It should be relatively straightforward to achieve as the Find N3 Flip already has all the requisite ingredients — an alert slider, ColorOS, legacy OxygenOS features, and a gorgeous design. Launching the device under the OnePlus label allows OPPO access to a significantly wider audience, and it can go up against Samsung in North America.

Honor

Honestly, I didn't think Honor would do as good a job with foldables; the Magic V2 is one of the best phones I used this year, and a lot of that is down to the unbelievably thin design. Honor is also doing a lot of good things in the mid-range segment, and the Honor 90 is a terrific phone with a gorgeous design.

While I have no issues with Honor's hardware, the software needs an overhaul — MagicOS 7.1 still feels too similar to EMUI, and a cleaner design with less bloatware would go a long way in making Honor's phones stand out.

My biggest source of frustration with Honor is that it takes too long to release its devices. I wrote about the Magic V2 three months ago, and when Honor launched the device at IFA, I thought sales would kick off immediately. But that wasn't the case, and the device is now slated to be available in Q1 2024, and that's just too late — Honor really needs to do better in this area in 2024.

ASUS

I've been bugging ASUS for the last two years to release a larger version of the Zenfone. The Zenfone 10 is the best small Android phone you can get, with ASUS somehow managing to cram all the features you'll find in a flagship into a small chassis.

While ASUS says it won't release a larger model in the Zenfone series, the upcoming ROG Phone 8 could just be that device; leaks point to a design that's much more mainstream, and that should allow the device to cater to a wider audience. I like what ASUS is doing with its phone strategy, and the only thing I'd like the brand to change is to make its phones available in more countries — I feel like that's a common refrain with most brands.

Vivo

Just like Xiaomi, Vivo had a good year. It rolled out exciting camera tech on devices like the X90 Pro, cleaned up its software efforts, and continued its momentum in key markets. Its 2024 flagship, the X100 Pro, is already selling in a few regions (review out very soon), and it may just be one of the best camera packages that we'll see next year.

The one thing Vivo needs to change is its launch schedule. The brand still has a tendency to flood the market with new products that are barely different from their predecessors. The V27 series launched back in March, and in less than six months, Vivo debuted the V29 and V29 Pro, with the only difference being increased storage, a new wide-angle lens, and slight tweaks to charging tech.

Nothing

Nothing had a good year on the back of the Phone (2), and the brand made good on its promise of delivering software updates faster. While I didn't talk as much about the device (I've got a long-term review coming soon), it is a decent overall option — if you like the design.

Looking forward to 2024, Nothing needs to focus on the imaging side of things. While the Phone (2) has a better camera than its predecessor, it still doesn't measure up to the best phones in this category, and that needs to be addressed. And while Nothing OS 2.0 has a unique design (much like the phone), it also has plenty of bugs, and I'm waiting to see if these are finally addressed with the Android 14 update.

Motorola

Motorola had a better-than-expected year thanks to the launch of some rather compelling phones. The Motorola Edge Plus (2023) gave us a proper phone to compete with the top Pixel and Galaxy devices, the Razr Plus is a spectacular flip phone with the best cover screen implementation we've seen, and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2023) is perhaps one of the best bang-for-your-buck midrange phones in North America. And that's just talking hardware; Motorola has also upped its software game a bit with better update promises for its flagship phones.

Sure, Motorola may have been voted as the most improved Android brand of 2023, but there are still ways the company can improve going into 2024. Software is a big part of that, and the company has started this annoying habit with its midrange devices where it will install annoying ad-like bloatware that's harder than it should be to get rid of. And while Motorola's software promise has improved with flagship devices, it still falls behind with its cheaper phones, which is a shame when Samsung's upgrade promise extends across its lineup.

Motorola also has to be much quicker and more communicative regarding its major update plans. Companies such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Nothing, and even Sony have all started rolling out Android 14, while Motorola has been radio-silent on the matter. What's the point of offering better software promises when we're waiting longer than everyone else to get these promised updates?

Smartphone makers love to show off their latest and greatest flagship phones with much fanfare at product launches. These devices often cost nearly a thousand dollars, but do you really need to spend that much money on a phone?

Vivo says no. With the V29 and V29 Pro, the company is trying to prove you can get a great phone with flagship-like features without spending a fortune. Vivo has been on a roll in the mid-range phone category, and it's all thanks to its phones' great cameras and reasonable prices.

The company's new mid-rangers use the same formula as their predecessors, the Vivo V27 and V27 Pro (which I reviewed earlier this year), and add a bit of extra flare to make them appealing to consumers. So, let's take a closer look at these two devices and see how they perform in the real world.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Price and availability

The Vivo V29 is only available in a few markets right now, but Vivo says it will be available in nearly 40 countries across Europe, Asia, and Latin America in the future. In Spain, it costs €529. It also launched in India on October 4 at a starting price of ₹32,999.

Meanwhile, the Vivo V29 Pro is officially available in India for around ₹40,000 (approximately $480).

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Design

Distinguishing between the Vivo V29 and V29 Pro can be a bit tricky, even if you have both right in front of you. Let's start by checking out the only noticeable external contrast—the back. The Vivo V29 series offers vibrant choices, such as Himalayan Blue, Majestic Red, and Space Black. Just like its predecessors, all these models showcase Vivo's Fluorite AG Glass back, a nifty feature that changes color when hit by sunlight or UV light.

The Majestic Red and Space Black versions rock that signature thermochroic glass back, but the Himalayan Blue one goes with a surprisingly sleek and premium-feeling plastic back.

On the other hand, the V29 Pro only has a couple of hues—Himalayan Blue and Space Black. However, only the blue variant plays the color-changing game. Its design is inspired by mountain peaks, packing around 15 million tiny magnetic particles that make the color shift and shimmer with every move, according to Vivo. Space Black is still awesome, but the blue one is next-level mesmerizing.

I got to play around with both the Himalayan Blue and Majestic Red flavors of the V29, and they've got this dazzling thing going on. The Himalayan Blue keeps it chill with a consistent color vibe, while the Majestic Red takes you on a journey from a light purple hue to a deeper shade in one smooth, gradient move.

When it comes to how the Vivo V29 and V29 Pro feel and look in your hand, they're practically twins. Besides the glass (or plastic) back finish, there's not much setting them apart. They both rock a substantial camera module that takes up a large portion of their backs. But it's not as chunky as the ones you'll find on some other flagship phones. That means these babies slide into your pocket with ease.

Both models feature the same curved glass front and back, held together by a plastic frame. Flip it over, and you're greeted by the same trio of cameras and the stylish Aura Ring light.

Both the V29 and V29 Pro are a little slippery to hold, but Vivo has your back with a clear TPU case it throws in the box. Now, durability is where the V29 flexes a bit. It boasts an IP68 dust and water-resistant tag, which isn't your usual feature in budget smartphones. It means this phone can handle decent water exposure, with submersion below one meter. Not that I tried it myself—I'm not that brave. On the other hand, the Pro model, oddly enough, doesn't sport the same waterproof bragging rights.

Down at the bottom, you've got the usual suspects: a USB-C port, a speaker grill, and the SIM tray. On the right side, you'll find the power button and volume rockers.

Like its V27 siblings, the V29 series is rocking the Aura Light Portrait System in its camera game. It's got the main camera sensor, a bit of software tricks, and the ring light back flash, all teaming up to make your subjects shine.

Now, don't get me wrong, both models do churn out some pretty stellar flash portraits. But the Aura light is on the smaller side, so you're not getting that full-blown light ring effect you see in those fancy professional images.

Despite being relatively affordable, the V29 and V29 Pro don't compromise on quality. With their solid build and eye-catching design, these phones feel like high-end devices.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Display

Now, let's talk screens. Both versions keep it consistent with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that's a joy to use. The smooth 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel extra snappy, and the brightness holds its own against the sun, so no squinting necessary.

These models stick with the same color reproduction controls we've seen before, giving you three basic presets to play with. You've got your Standard, Pro, and Bright presets, plus the option to tweak the color temperature of each. It's pretty much the same color controls you'll find on other phones from the BBK-owned company.

Whether you're playing games, browsing the web, or watching videos, the Vivo V29 is all about making those experiences top-notch. As a bonus, Vivo throws in some nifty display tech to cut down on blue light and screen flickering, giving your eyes a little extra love and protection.

While many top-tier Android phones are going all-in on flatter displays, there's something cool about Vivo's mid-range models rocking those curved edges. It gives these phones a slick and premium vibe. The side bezels keep it minimal, and even the top and bottom ones are playing it small.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Performance

The highlight of the show when it comes to performance is the Vivo V29 Pro, especially when you pit it against its regular buddy. The Pro variant draws its power from MediaTek's Dimensity 8200 chipset built on a 4nm node process. This same powerhouse of a chipset is also the one doing the heavy lifting for the Vivo V27 Pro. When MediaTek rolled this out, it promised some serious gaming upgrades and efficiency boosts. Well, in my testing, it looks like the company wasn't just talking the talk—the performance gains are legit.

Sure, it's not rocking that flagship chip status, so you won't find it flaunting its stuff at the top of any benchmark charts. But for everyday users, this chipset holds its own and then some, especially when it comes to gaming. I threw Genshin Impact at it, cranked up to 60fps with high settings, and I encountered no hiccups or any noticeable slowdowns.

Of course, it's not quite as powerful as a phone with the latest Snapdragon chip, but the V29 Pro holds its own in the performance arena. Now, if I'm getting picky, there's a bit of pre-installed bloatware lurking in the software. That said, you can kick it to the curb, but it takes a bit of effort.

The Pro model can handle even the most demanding games, but if you push it to the max, you might notice some minor frame drops during intense action sequences. Considering the price, this is still a remarkable performance.

When it comes to handling everyday tasks, the V29 Pro can deal with everything I throw at it, from texting and social media to web browsing and emailing. It's running on Funtouch OS 13 based on Android 13 right now, but Vivo is promising an update to Android 14 by the end of the year.

On the other hand, the Vivo V29 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) processor, a chip that's been around for about two years. Interestingly, the regular V27 is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 7200, which was only launched earlier this year. 

I reached out to Vivo to ask why the company chose an older processor for the V29, and here's what the company's product development team had to say:

"With V series, we want to deliver an all-around carefree package at an attractive price point. A product is always as good as the selection and the combination of its individual parts. We believe that the V-Package is a good match for our consumers' needs, with which they can fully rely on stable and good performance for everyday tasks. Together with advanced features such as the Aura Light with Smart Color Temperature Adjustment and 88W FlashCharge, V29 offers an unparalleled combination of stylish design, studio-level imaging capabilities, powerful performance, and value for money."

Having said that, the chipset kept up with my daily tasks without any major hiccups. While there were a few instances of minor slowdowns and one brief freeze, the phone generally felt responsive and smooth.

But when you fire up certain games, you really notice the difference in performance. With the Pro model, I could smoothly play PUBG Mobile at high frame rates. On the V29, though, I had to tone it down for a decent gaming experience. There's a fancy game boost mode that's supposed to make everything run like butter, but even with it turned on, I couldn't get 60fps unless I cranked the graphics way down.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Cameras

The V series is where Vivo shows off what it can do when it's flying solo. Unlike the X flagship series, which teams up with Zeiss for the cameras, the V29 series is all Vivo's own work. And just like past V series phones, the camera is the real star of the show.

The camera setup on the V29 and V29 Pro is pretty much the same, except the Pro ditches the regular depth sensor for a beefier telephoto lens. This means you can zoom in further on the Pro without things getting blurry. Both phones have a 50MP main camera that packs enough detail, so you can zoom in twice without losing any quality.

As is always the case with Vivo's mid-range lineup, the main camera steals the spotlight here. It takes amazing photos with tons of detail and sharpness. The colors are vibrant, leaning a little towards the livelier side, but they're not overblown. The shots come out crisp, boasting a wide dynamic range and almost no visible noise. Even in tricky lighting, the V29 and V29 Pro somehow manage to capture a ton of details, which is something that most budget Android phones struggle with.

Even when it gets dark or the lights are weird, the camera still holds its own. It picks up enough light even without the fancy ring light, thanks to the built-in stabilizer. But if you're really in a pinch, the ring light comes to the rescue. It evens out the lighting on your subject and automatically adjusts the color so you look your best.

This phone's camera has a secret weapon called Aura Light Portrait. That big circle next to the cameras isn't a flash, but a bi-color light source.

This smart light adjusts itself to match your scene's lighting, giving you a soft fill light that blends right in with your surroundings. As far as I know, it's the only phone on the market with this cool feature.

Sure, the night mode is solid, so you might not find yourself using this smart lighting trick too often in real life, but it's a cool option to have anyway. In my tests, it did a great job of automatically adjusting to the lighting around me, but you can tweak it manually if you want.

On the flip side, the ultra-wide and macro cameras are kind of a let-down. The ultra-wide, though, has its moments and can be useful every now and then. Regardless, you're better off sticking to the main camera and the selfie shooter for the best-quality photos.

Meanwhile, the V29 Pro's 2x zoom lens is a real game-changer, as you can see from the sample photos below. The pictures are super sharp and detailed, and the colors match perfectly with the main camera.

Taking photos with the regular V29 feels just as smooth and fast as the Pro model. There's barely any delay, even when you're snapping tons of pictures, which is awesome considering the V29 doesn't have the same powerhouse processor.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Battery life

The V29 and V29 Pro pack a 4,600mAh battery, which might not sound huge compared to some other mid-range phones, but don't let that fool you. This battery has always lasted me through the day, even when I was traveling and using my phone like crazy with navigation and tons of screen time. I consistently got more than six hours of screen-on-time on a single charge, which is pretty impressive.

If you're taking it easy on your phone, you could probably stretch that single charge to cover two days. The only small bummer is that there's no wireless charging, which might be a dealbreaker for some. But honestly, the battery life is so good that I never really felt the need for it.

When the battery finally runs dry, the V29 series juices back up at lightning speed thanks to the included 80W wall charger. It's not quite as fast as the crazy 120W charging on some Redmi Note phones, but it's still plenty quick for most of us. You're looking at hitting around 50 percent in just 20 minutes.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: The competition

The Vivo V29 series stands out as a pretty solid midrange option, especially if you're all about that camera life. However, it's worth noting that although they hold their own for everyday tasks, the V29 and V29 Pro don't top the charts as the most powerful midrange smartphones out there.

The Google Pixel 7a has more power with its Tensor G2 chipset, better video, and longer software support, while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus has faster charging and a better screen. 

That said, the V29 is the best option for people looking for a camera-first phone at a price that doesn’t break the bank.

Vivo V29 and V29 Pro: Should you buy them?

You should buy them if...

• You want a phone that's easy on the weight and feels comfortable to hold.
• You're into a killer display paired with software that meshes perfectly with it.
• You're a fan of phones that can really flex their camera muscles.

You should not buy them if...

• Wireless charging is your jam.
• The absence of stereo speakers in smartphones is a bit of a letdown for you.
• You're not a fan of using cases, because both models tend to slip out of your hands.

If you're on a tight budget, the Vivo V29 already gives you a solid option. It handles your everyday stuff like scrolling through socials, watching videos, jamming to music, and some light gaming without breaking a sweat. But, if you're a serious gamer or you're thinking of doing photo and video editing on your phone, it might be worth splurging a bit more for the V29 Pro.

In the photography showdown, each of these phones has its own strengths and weaknesses. The V29 Pro nails vibrant colors and handles challenging lighting, but the V29 edges ahead in the fine details game, especially in macro mode. Despite that, my vote goes to the V29 Pro for photography, mainly thanks to its beefier processing power.

Update (April 26, 2:50 am ET): This article has been updated with details on regional pricing for the Vivo X100 Pro.

What you need to know

• After debuting in China last month, Vivo's X100 and X100 Pro are gearing up for a global launch.
• The X100 series is set to hit India and Indonesia, while Europe will exclusively receive the X100 Pro.
• Both phones boast the new MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, a 6.78-inch LTPO OLED display, and an IP68 rating.
• The X100 Pro introduces a cinematic portrait mode, potentially rivaling the iPhone's cinematic mode, with automatic focus switching and a sun mode.

Vivo's X100 and X100 Pro have officially gone global after their recent debut in China. 

The X100 is set to hit Southeast Asian markets, including India and Indonesia, while the European market will only get the more advanced X100 Pro, according to The Verge. Unfortunately, there's no love for the U.S. as these devices won't be making an appearance in the country.

According to Vivo's press release, the X100 Pro takes its photography game seriously, boasting a massive 50MP one-inch-type main camera with "Optical Precision Calibration" for consistent sharpness. The telephoto camera also got a makeover, jumping from 2x to 4.3x optical magnification. 

Notably, it introduces a cinematic portrait mode that could give the iPhone's version a run for its money. Supposedly, it can auto-shift focus between subjects, a feature so rare in the portrait video modes of many Android phones these days. Vivo even throws in a "sun mode" for capturing sunlight using the periscope camera.

In contrast, the regular X100 features a more standard 50MP main camera and a 64MP 3x optical telephoto. As usual, the lenses on both devices boast Zeiss coatings. Both phones play with a secondary imaging chip, but the X100’s chip is an older V2 variant, while the Pro rocks the latest V3 with support for 4K cinematic portrait video.

Despite being considered the "lesser" model, the standard X100 doesn't compromise on the 6.78-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate shared by both phones. They also share an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Under the hood, both phones are powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 9300 chipset, boasting on-device generative AI capabilities. MediaTek claims it can juggle AI models with 7 billion parameters per second. This means it can whip up an image using Stable Diffusion in less than a second. 

The X100 Pro packs a robust 5,400mAh battery and impressive 100W wired and 50W wireless charging capabilities. Meanwhile, the standard X100 offers a still substantial 5,000mAh battery with a speedy 120W wired charging, though wireless charging is absent.

As for pricing, Vivo kept mum on European details but revealed that the X100 Pro is priced at HK$7,998 in Hong Kong (approximately €932), while the non-Pro comes in at HK$5,998 (around €699).

Update

The 16GB/512GB model of the Vivo X100 Pro is priced at €1,199 in Europe and INR 89,999 in India.

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Like the Vivo V25 that I reviewed last year, the Vivo V27 has an eye-catching look featuring a stylish rear panel with a color-changing design.

The V27 also shares a lot of the Vivo V27 Pro's specs and features when it comes to the camera, display, battery, charging speed, and more while keeping the price low. You can immediately notice the similarity between the two devices the moment you lay your eyes on them.

However, the regular model's processor is a step down from its Pro sibling, being powered by MediaTek's 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 chipset (the V27 Pro includes a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC).

Does this small difference make a huge discrepancy in terms of performance? Or does the cheaper model hold its own in real-world scenarios? This review aims to primarily answer these questions.

Vivo V27: Price and availability

While the V27 Pro is exclusive to the Indian market, the standard variant has a wider availability. You can grab the phone at a base price of $399 in more than 25 markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan, Egypt, and the UAE.

It's worth noting, though, that prices may vary by market.

Vivo V27: Design

Unlike the Vivo V25, which looked different from the Vivo V25 Pro, the V27 shares a lot of similarities with its Pro sibling this time. From the camera design and curved display to the weight and dimensions, both models are difficult to distinguish by just looking at the front and back panels.

That's not a bad thing, as it means that the standard V27 appears more premium than it is, at least on the surface. It doesn’t look like a typical mid-range handset, instead sporting a high-end aesthetic. Vivo sent me the Emerald Green model, and to be honest, I like this better than the Magic Blue Vivo V27 Pro. While that phone was comfortable to wield, my main gripe with its design was its slippery glass rear, and the matte finish didn't help it.

Like its predecessor, the most captivating element of the Vivo V27’s design is its color-changing back panel thanks to fluorite AG glass. Choose the Emerald Green version, like the one I have, and you’re in for a neat party trick any time the sun kisses the phone's rear panel. The green model has a subtle marble-like finish running across the upper portion of the back and fades into green on the lower area.

However, when it's exposed to sunlight or UV light, the color changes to a dark green. This gives you a fun way of temporarily customizing your phone using stencils, for example. When you place it back in a shadowy location, the color returns to normal after a few minutes. This transition is barely noticeable, and while it serves no practical purpose, it adds a nice shimmer to the handset.

The standard V27 has curved edges, which help make it feel slimmer than it really is. This stands in stark contrast to the V25's straight sides, which were reminiscent of the iPhone's design. It has a typical glossy back, but nothing that is easily smudged. The back panel is also resistant to scuffs from everyday scrapes when cohabiting with loose change in my pocket during the weeks I tested the phone.

There's no water resistance rating for the Vivo V27, but there's rubberized sealing in areas where water is most likely to make entry, such as the SIM card tray. I don't see the lack of an IP rating as a major drawback as long as you're mindful enough to keep your phone away from the pool or a water splash. This shouldn't be a problem, either, since Vivo includes a transparent case in the box.

Like the V27 Pro, the standard variant has a lot of high-end design elements, including the lack of a headphone jack and a microSD card slot. Both of these are factors that may deter some buyers who might otherwise be looking for these features in a smartphone. And while the frame's metallic finish looks premium, it’s actually polycarbonate.

Vivo V27: Display

Another shared element with the V27 Pro is the standard model's 6.78-inch display, which is quite a sizable screen by today’s standards. Notwithstanding, the display is a special treat, with headline features including a FullHD+ resolution, HDR10+ support, and a super-smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

It’s a vibrant AMOLED panel that's very pleasant to use, with a peak brightness of 1300 nits like its Pro sibling, which I found to be bright enough under direct sunlight and among the highest I’ve seen in a mid-range model. As is almost always guaranteed with an AMOLED panel, the display boasts impressively vivid colors with deep blacks and good contrast, making watching videos a particular treat, although the single downward-facing speaker doesn't provide a decent soundscape. The sound is clear enough, but there's no decent bass like the low-end oomph of stereo speakers. Regardless, a pair of Bluetooth headphones can fix this.

There's an in-screen fingerprint sensor as well, which works fine and gives a snappy response when you hold your finger to the screen. While this style feels more premium than the side-mounted type, there isn't any real benefit from in-display fingerprint scanners over the classic side-loaded kind.

If you hate the traditional display notch of the Vivo V25, you'll be pleased to learn that this has been ditched in favor of a much more palatable, centered punch-hole selfie camera (more on that later). The V27 also stacks up against the Pro variant in terms of hiding its thickness with dual curved screens.

Vivo tends to position its V series as the more appealing alternative for consumers who care more about outer appearance and feel than anything else, although previous regular V series models weren't as successful as their Pro siblings. That changes with the V27.

Vivo V27: Performance

The Vivo V27 comes with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of onboard storage. Vivo sent me the bigger memory configuration. Anyway, both variants use MediaTek's 4nm-based Dimensity 7200 chipset, whereas the Pro version has a Dimensity 8200 SoC. That chipset is pretty much new, having been unveiled last February, and only the Vivo V27 ships with it thus far.

It's a great mid-range processor whose performance is comparable to that of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870, which is perhaps the ideal chipset for this price point. As far as my experience with the phone goes, day-to-day performance is superb, and I wasn't left wanting for more power in regard to content consumption, social media, browsing, and productivity tasks. The Vivo V27 is no slouch when it comes to performance.

While it may be true that the Dimensity 7200 isn't going to be topping the benchmark charts, the phone it powers can deal with gaming with no major hiccups. The phone's game assistant overlay plays a vital role in achieving this, offering quick access to various handy features while playing, including restricting notifications and locking the screen brightness.

I enjoyed playing various games on the Vivo V27, and the smooth frame rates made most titles addictive. However, while less intensive titles could push past the 60fps limit to take advantage of the screen's 120Hz refresh rate, this wasn't the case with graphically challenging games like Genshin Impact. So, if you're on the hunt for a gaming phone on a budget, the V27 is not the obvious choice.

During the course of my testing, though, there were brief moments when the screen would freeze and animations would stutter. Though not quite as performant as its Snapdragon counterpart in most scenarios, the Dimensity 7200 holds its own in daily use and stacks up against many of our favorite budget Android phones.

It plays PUBG Mobile well, even with graphics maxed out. I should also remark that the V27 doesn’t easily get hot when you play most mobile games, and it’s as snappy as you’d expect, aided by the responsive 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling feel fluid. That said, some apps can take a second or two to open, though that doesn’t have a significant impact on the overall experience.

Vivo V27: Battery life

Like the V27 Pro, the regular model packs a 4600mAh battery, and it has no issue lasting all day away from a charger. Like many models in this price range that I've tested, the V27 would get me through the day without dipping into the red for moderate operations such as taking photos, browsing the internet, playing YouTube videos, and watching movies.

I was impressed by the phone's battery life as well, and I often found myself going to bed with 30 percent left in the tank on average. The Vivo V27 also includes a chunky 66W charger, which is a power rating you’ll rarely find at the moment in this price range. So, when it's time to juice it up, the phone's battery can get up to around 60 percent in half an hour on the charger, or 100 percent in around 45 minutes.

If you opt for the "Smart Switch" refresh rate setting, which automatically selects the appropriate screen refresh rate based on actual usage, as well as other battery-friendly configurations, the phone could get by on a single charge for a day and a half.

Unfortunately, there isn’t wireless charging support, though that’s not uncommon in mid-range models.

Vivo V27: Cameras

Moving on to the V27's camera, it's again similar to the V27 Pro, which isn't a bad thing. This means that you get a triple rear camera setup consisting of a main 50MP f/1.9 snapper, aided by an 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor. However, the auxiliary cameras are a bit underwhelming, with only the ultra-wide shooter coming in handy on certain occasions. For most scenarios, especially close-ups, you'll get the best results by using the main or selfie camera.

Vivo seems to have doubled down on photographic performance, which is obviously the key focus of this series. This becomes more evident with the words "professional photography" printed across the top of the phone. There is some truth to this claim, and the V27 has some of the most impressive cameras I've seen in a mid-range phone.

The main camera captures images with relatively accurate colors and decent dynamic range when the auto HDR mode is turned on. However, zooming in on a photo reveals some artifacts and aggressive sharpening.

Vivo's image processing is hard to ignore here, as is usually the case with every V series release. There are a plethora of filters to choose from, as well as presets and enhancement options that you can play with in the camera app.

As expected, the macro camera does not impress, so you’re better off using the 2x digital zoom of the main shooter. On the other hand, the ultra-wide lens does capture decent images in daylight, but there's a noticeable drop in detail in low-light conditions, where motion blur becomes a real problem.

Thankfully, this is conveniently remedied by the night mode, which does an excellent job of preserving details with impressive dynamic range. With the main camera, I didn't have a problem taking photos without blur thanks to the included OIS stabilization and phase-detect autofocus.

Flip the V27 and you'll see the same punch-hole cutout for the selfie snapper as on the Pro model. It's the same 50MP sensor as last year's model, and it's more than enough for selfies with fairly accurate edge detection. However, with the f/2.5 aperture, you should avoid low-light environments.

Video recording is a bit underwhelming compared to the V27 Pro. You can only shoot at up to 4K/30fps on both the rear and front cameras of the regular model. At this resolution and frame rate, there is limited stabilization. The more stabilized 4K/60fps capability is exclusive to the Pro model.

That said, footage gets much smoother at 1080p/60fps. All video recording modes rely on the primary camera, so you can’t shoot video with the ultra-wide lens.

Regardless, the Vivo V27 is a camera winner overall and represents one of the very best implementations of Vivo's photographic chops to date.

Vivo V27: Software

The Vivo V27 runs Android 13 and has the Funtouch OS 13 skin applied on top. It has a fairly clean interface with a recognizable layout. However, it has a different approach to Android 13 than most buyers on stock Android are used to. For instance, you'll encounter stylized icons and extra functionality that’ll take some patience to familiarize yourself with, though they're pretty easy to handle once you learn the ropes.

Like previous versions of Funtouch OS, this iteration isn't shy about its obsession with widgets. This means there's a whole section dedicated to widgets in the app drawer.

The skin also comes with a bunch of useful features for game optimization and battery management. However, I was bummed with the inclusion of pre-installed bloatware, though this practice has become the norm for smartphones from Chinese OEMs. So, there's no surprise here.

It's not an entirely frustrating experience since you have the option to remove the majority of unwanted apps and install the ones you like seeing on your home screen or app drawer.

Despite getting rid of bloatware apps, I'm still reminded each time I unbox these types of handsets that I'm holding a budget-friendly model in my hand. But the V27 easily manages to conceal its low-cost nature quite surprisingly elsewhere.

My biggest frustration is the lack of Vivo's commitment to software updates, like with its previous models in this series. While mid-range rivals like the Google Pixel 7a and some of Samsung's Galaxy A models get three and four years of OS updates, respectively, Vivo has yet to follow suit.

Vivo V27: Competition

The Vivo V27 is a solid mid-ranger that can easily compete with popular budget models from Samsung and other Chinese phone makers. While you'd rarely find a handset powered by a Dimensity 7200 chipset, some models like the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G may prove to be a worthy option, albeit at a higher price. Samsung's latest mid-range model starts at $500, which gets you 5000mAh of battery, stereo speakers, splash resistance, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

If you're in the market for a cheaper alternative, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro easily comes to mind. It starts at around $290 and comes with a bigger 5000mAh battery. It includes a less powerful Dimensity 1080 SoC, but it gets the job done for less-intensive tasks.

The Vivo V27 has a better processor, a higher screen resolution, and a more premium design. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro has a larger battery, a more versatile camera system, and a lower price.

Vivo V27: Should you buy it?

You should buy it if...

• You're looking for excellent performance from a mid-range phone.
• You want a beautiful, super smooth display with incredibly sharp and vibrant colors.
• You love a camera system that takes great photos in a variety of lighting conditions.
• You like a sleek and stylish design that will turn heads.

You should not buy it if...

• You are looking for a phone with clean and fast software experience.
• You plan on storing a lot of photos, videos, or apps, as the phone will likely run out of space quickly.
• You are looking for a phone with good stereo sound.

The Vivo V27 is a great mid-range phone that has a lot of what I like in a budget smartphone: an expensive appearance, a large screen, and stellar cameras. The main shooter, in particular, exceeds my expectations in low-light environments, and while the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 is not as high-profile as some Qualcomm options or its Pro sibling's Dimensity 8200, it holds its own in graphic-intensive tasks and demanding games.

There's no official IP rating, nor is there any mention of Gorilla Glass protection. And if you've been using smartphones with stock Android experience like the Pixel 6a or 7a, you might find Funtouch OS a bit fiddly to use.

Vivo's lack of software update commitment is another concern, with the V27 unlikely to receive Android 14 when it hits the stable channel later this year. So, while this phone is a looker and has capable hardware, it’s not quite the ideal budget phone for everyone.

What you need to know

• Vivo's patent dispute with Nokia has gone awry and the company has shutdown all operations in Germany.
• The company's German website simply lists the Court's decision from April and its main page holds a goodbye message to consumers.
• Reports suggest Vivo may have to leave Poland, as well, though its sister company OPPO is preparing to launch a new phone in the region.

Various Chinese subsidiaries have grappled with a patent dispute with Vivo for several months now. A new development displays the unfortunate reality the OEM is now facing.

According to the German publication WinFuture, Vivo's patent dispute has unfortunately ended with the Chinese OEM pulling out of Germany, ceasing all product operations to consumers.

Consumers in the country interested in purchasing newer Vivo phones and other such devices can no longer do so as a result of this.

Due to Vivo shutting down its operations in Germany, the Chinese brand's website for the country has been completely stripped of anything relating to any former practices and announcements. Only two things remain: the press release from April which spoke about a decision brought down by the District Court of Mannheim, and a goodbye message on its main page.

According to the machine-translated farewell message, Vivo states its products will no longer be available in Germany, and no information regarding devices will be available on the website moving forward. However, those with a Vivo device can continue to use it as always, as the company's customer service will be on standby for any assistance, and their devices will continue to receive software updates.

The District Court of Mannheim brought down the order for Vivo to suspend all sales and marketing of products if a reasonable agreement between it and the Finnish brand Nokia was not met. The two companies had been in talks for a while, although Vivo felt as though Nokia did not offer a mutual license based on FRAND (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms. Thus, things have fallen by the wayside.

BBK Electronics subsidiaries have been grappling with a patent dispute with Nokia over 5G technology since the latter summer months of 2022. At that time, OPPO and OnePlus started going through trying times in Germany as they were forced to halt sales in the country.

More recently, reports have suggested Vivo be leaving another European country, Poland, as a result of this patent dispute with Nokia. Curiously though, OPPO has been making preparations to launch its new Reno 10 series in the same region, displaying no signs of a struggle with the ongoing legal battle — in Poland, anyway.

What you need to know

• An unofficial report first states Vivo is exiting Poland after an authorized distributor ceases operations.
• Current Vivo product owners are assured of continuous customer support and software updates.
• Sister company OPPO has refuted rumors of an exit, insisting that it plans to launch the new Reno 10 series in Poland.

It looks like Vivo may be on its way out of Poland after reports surfaced of the company's authorized distributor pulling out.

The report first emerged on GSMOnline (via GSMArena) and was seemingly confirmed by Vivo. A statement later provided to the publication states that the distributor has decided to cease operations in the country and that current devices will remain supported.

"Continuous market analysis and selection of an appropriate business strategy in consultation with local representatives is crucial for the vivo brand. We regret to inform you that the authorized distributor of the brand in Poland has decided to stop operating. Despite this, our customers can still rely on vivo's robust products, comprehensive customer support and uninterrupted software updates."

While it is certainly sad to see a company leaving a certain region, on the plus side, Vivo is assuring customer support next to software updates.

So far, it seems Vivo's product site is still active, meaning users may still be able to purchase phones from the company, although it's unclear how long that will be the case if the report is to be believed. Android Central is reaching out for clarification on these reports and will update this article when we hear back,

Meanwhile, Vivo's sister company OPPO has issued a separate statement putting an end to the rumors of its exit from Poland. It added that it would also release the upcoming Reno 10 series next month, followed by its IoT devices. The Reno 10 series went official in China last month, with the global launch on the way.

"We strongly deny rumors about leaving Poland. The country is a very important market for us and we already have launches scheduled for the end of the year. In July, we will present the Reno 10 series and in the following months IoT devices, including the new OPPO Air3 Pro headphones, and we will expand the ecosystem portfolio."

For the uninitiated, both companies, Vivo and OPPO, including OnePlus, all belong to the Chinese conglomerate BBK Electronics, and they make some of the best Android phones that are out in the market. All have been dealing with (and largely denying) reports they are exiting various European markets following a dispute with Nokia.

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What you need to know

• Vivo faces a patent dispute in Germany with Nokia.
• The company is prepared to suspend all sales and marketing of products "if necessary."
• After talks to renew mutual licenses, Vivo believes Nokia has not "fulfilled its obligation to offer a license on 'FRAND' terms."

Dismay has arrived for another Chinese OEM in Germany as a dispute a ruling has been brought down.

After a decision by the District Court of Mannheim, Vivo is willing to suspend all operations (sales and marketing) of products in Germany, "if necessary," as stated in the company's press release. Vivo and Nokia have been in talks to renew mutual licenses, but neither has come to a satisfying agreement.

Vivo believes Nokia has not "fulfilled its obligation to offer a license on 'FRAND' (fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory) terms."

The Chinese-based company isn't entirely down and out as Vivo detailed its next step is to appeal the District Court's decision and review other possible options. The company will also re-engage in talks with Nokia to solve this dispute in accordance with FRAND terms.

Vivo assures German customers that it does not plan on altering its long-term commitment to the country. The company states that it will "continue to be present in Germany in the future, and our customers can continue to rely on our service," which seems to show some confidence that the company will rectify the present problems.

This isn't the first instance of companies coming into a patent dispute with Nokia. Last August, OPPO and OnePlus had to wrangle with a halt of sales in Germany due to Nokia's lawsuit against the Chinese OEMs over the use of 5G technology. Recently, both companies were rumored to pull out of the EU completely due to the challenges, but that was swiftly refuted.

Vivo launched its X90 Pro globally back in February, and sales of this phone could be impacted if the brand is required to cease all sales until the issue is resolved. There is also the matter of the Vivo X Flip and X Fold 2, which will launch on April 20 in China. While it hasn't explicitly stated if the devices, along with the Pad 2, will see a life outside of China's market, the current issue with Germany could very quickly turn things around from launching in the country.

What you need to know

• Vivo has shared the first look at its next foldable smartphones.
• The Vivo X Fold 2 and X Flip will launch on April 20 in China.
• Alongside the foldables, the company is launching its next tablet, the Vivo Pad 2.

Vivo is the next major player to take on Samsung foldables this year. While the company already had the X Fold from last year, it is preparing to launch its successor, the X Fold 2, next to the first clamshell foldable phone, the X Flip. The latter phone will take on the likes of the Galaxy Z Flip 4, Motorola Razr, and OPPO Find N2 Flip.

The company announced that the next foldable phones from Vivo will launch on April 20 through its official handle on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo. Alongside the announcement, the company has given the first look at the next-gen Vivo X Fold 2 and the X Flip, the company's first clamshell foldable phone. Next to the foldables, Vivo has also unveiled the Pad 2, which will be the latest entry to the Android tablets market.

Going by the showcased images, X Fold 2 will look very similar to the first-gen Vivo X Fold. There is a slight change in the camera module at the back, though. The X Fold had a circular camera island enclosed in a large rectangular pane. Instead, the X Fold 2 will stick to just a circular housing carrying three sensors, an LED flash, and the famous 'ZEISS' branding. This design will also carry over to the X Flip.

Vivo X Flip might be the one that turns heads across the industry since it's the first clamshell phone from the company, and it's competing with some more popular phones in the segment, including the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and OPPO Find N2 Flip. The official images show a relatively sizeable foldable screen that looks prominent and makes the phone look taller than the competition. When in the folded state, the X Flip has a significantly bigger cover screen that includes some fun features like having an interactive cat character respond to an alarm or a notification alert, for example.

Next to the cover screen, the flip phone also incorporates a circular camera island very similar to the X Fold 2. However, instead of three cameras, the X Flip contains only two cameras, which are also ZEISS-powered. The power button on the X Flip is likely to act as a fingerprint sensor for authentication.

The other interesting product we will witness during the launch is the Vivo Pad 2, a successor to the Vivo Pad. It also comes with the relatively same design as the predecessor, but it would also opt for a similar camera module as the foldables are getting this year.

Aside from the design, aesthetics, and launch date, Vivo has revealed a few other specs. The X Fold 2 features a 2K folding display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a 4nm chipset powering it, which reliable tipster Digital Chat Station expects will be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. The device also features a whopping 120W super fast wired charging, which may be paired with 50W wireless charging.

The X Flip, on the other hand, may be powered by Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC coupled with 44W fast charging and dual cameras featuring an IMX866 50MP sensor. Lastly, the Pad 2 will launch with MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor and is likely to sport a 2.8K LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate.

Overall, it is good to see more OEMs launching foldable phones, a form factor largely dominated by Samsung. We're looking forward to Vivo's next big launch and hope to get our hands on some of these devices.

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What you need to know

• A leaked image of the Vivo X Flip in the hands of a Chinese actress has surfaced.
• The photo gives a good look at the X Flip's large cover display which rivals the Galaxy Flip 4's.
• Vivo may be gearing up for an April launch of both its first clamshell foldable, the X Flip, and its the X Fold 2.

Vivo's introductory clamshell foldable device is starting to feel a little more real, thanks to a new leaked image of the device.

Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station posted an official-looking photo of the Vivo X Flip, giving us an early look at its design. The photo features Chinese actress Wang Ziwen as she holds the device folded, showing off its cover display showing the time and a cat.

The main takeaway here is the X Flip's cover display and overall design, which appears pretty similar to previous leaks about the device. The foldable's cover display does appear to take up around half of the cover's surface area, making it much larger than what we've received with Samsung's Galaxy Flip 4.

One can't help but acknowledge that circular camera array beneath the vibrant cover display. Leaks from a month ago spoke about Vivo potentially using Zeiss branding. The camera array may also house a 50MP Sony IMX866 primary camera and a 12MP Sony IMX663 ultra-wide lens. To compare, Samsung's latest Flip series release offered a dual 12MP lens pairing.

Aside from more personal customization options like a cat-themed clock, there also appears to be a pattern on this photographed X Flip.

Vivo's first clamshell foldable could deliver a 6.8-inch, 120Hz refresh rate display. Leaks have previously touched on the possibility of a 4,400mAh battery with 44W charging. It also looks like the Chinese OEM could be interested in matching Samsung's latest Flip series device by including a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC in its first clamshell, as well.

The rumor mill suggests users in China could receive this foldable phone contender sometime in April. It's unclear if other regions, especially North America, will receive the Vivo X Flip, however. The brand is also expected to reveal details about its X Fold 2 in April, which could either dive into more official information or it could be an actual launch date after it was just recently teased.

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What you need to know

• Vivo has confirmed users may see more about the upcoming X Fold 2 in April which could indicate a launch or more officially stated specifications/features.
• After the Boao Forum for Asia, Vivo states the new phone will have an "all-round flagship configuration."
• It's currently speculated the device may deliver an 8-inch display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, and a 50MP main camera in its triple camera array.

Vivo's next second-generation foldable phone could be upon us quite quickly as teasers begin to roll through.

The Chinese OEM recently confirmed the possible imminent launch of the X Fold 2 through a Weibo post (via 91Mobiles). The machine-translated Chinese post explains Vivo's excitement behind unveiling the new foldable phone at the Boao Forum for Asia. The company states the X Fold 2 has an "all-round flagship configuration" with a "light and thin flagship feel."

Vivo refused to go any further with any details about its second-gen foldable device through its brief announcement post. However, the company gives us something to look forward to by mentioning it'll see us in April for "more surprises." While it's not explicitly stated, this could either mean we're gearing up for a proper launch or Vivo will spill some more details in an official manner next month.

April would make sense for a full reveal, as the company's initial X Fold phone was announced around the same time last year.

Considering Vivo has touted flagship specifications, expectations are swirling, and people are only suspecting what that could mean during its proper release.

For the moment, it's been assumed that the Vivo X Fold 2 may contain a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Giving it the latest chipset would give the foldable a leg up over other foldable phones, which continue to use the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The next foldable may also deliver an 8-inch display which the company has stated as being "the most powerful folding screen" developed by Vivo.

Regarding photography, the device is rumored to have a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens triple camera array. Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station states the X Fold 2 may feature an IMX866+V2 ISP three-camera imaging system and no periscope lens. This could explain why we're only hearing rumors of a triple array and not a quad like the original X Fold featured.

The selfie camera for the X Fold 2 is also rumored to come in at 32MP, which is double the front-facing camera featured on its predecessor. It's also rumored that the new foldable is around 10% lighter than its first iteration; in a way, this sort of doubles down on Vivo's quick mention of the phone offering a "light" feeling.

Finally, consumers may also find a slightly larger battery in the X Fold 2 as its speculated to offer a 4,800mAh battery with lightning-fast 120W fast charging.

For now, everything is speculation, but we expect to learn more about what Vivo has in store in April. This could also include its first clamshell foldable to take on the Galaxy Z Flip 4

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Vivo has been pretty consistent with churning out slim, lightweight mid-range phones that boast a slick aesthetic as part of the V series phones. The Vivo V25 Pro was one of the brand's most appealing budget phones in terms of design, owing to its color-changing back panel, as I remarked in my review. Last year's model also delivered a bunch of premium features, including a full-glass back, a flawless screen, and a versatile camera.

As is the case with the Vivo V27 Pro. Vivo's latest mid-range phone has the same character, with fan favorites like color-shifting glass on the back, a super-smooth screen, and flagship-like performance making a comeback. These are the phone's true highlights, along with a camera that stacks up against the competition. 

However, it skimps on the finer details, and with the mid-range market becoming more competitive than ever, Vivo may find it harder to entice consumers. The phone's design and hardware may be a sizzling proposition on paper, but how does it hold up in real-life conditions?

Vivo V27 Pro: Price and availability

The Vivo V27 Pro is only available in India and other Southeast Asian markets for ₹37,999, or approximately $460, which gets you 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

Meanwhile, you can opt for a bigger storage of 256GB, which costs ₹39,999 (approximately $485). The top-tier variant, with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, retails for ₹42,999 (approximately $522).

Vivo V27 Pro: Design

Vivo is no stranger to making visually appealing phones in both the premium and budget segments, and the V27 Pro is one of the best-looking phones in this price range that I've seen. It resembles last year's model, the Vivo V25 Pro, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Like its predecessor, the V27 Pro doesn't look like a typical budget phone, thanks to its premium aesthetic. The phone's backside is built out of fluorite glass that changes hues when exposed to UV light. It's a fun party trick that lets you create patterns on the phone’s back using a stencil, for example, though they’ll only last for a few minutes before reverting back to normal. 

For the Magic Blue finish that Vivo sent to me, it’ll go from light to dark blue when UV light hits it. While this gimmick has no practical use, it does give you a neat way of customizing your phone, albeit only temporarily.

Chameleon capabilities aside, the Vivo V27 Pro is a reasonably attractive budget handset with a curved glass front that I rarely see in many of the best cheap Android phones on the market. After debuting with the Samsung Galaxy S8, this style paved the way for a new type of flagship design language for smartphones.

While not everyone likes it, this design is usually reserved for high-end models these days, and that makes the Vivo V27 Pro look expensive. Its frame is plastic, though, despite its metallic finish. Vivo obviously has to make some compromises here to keep the price down, and this becomes clear when you touch the sides of the phone. That said, it's so thin that your hands won't even notice the polycarbonate material, so this device feels more expensive than it is.

The matte finish is a little slippery to the touch, so you should use a case to protect it in case it slips through your fingers.

Although the design of the V27 Pro and its predecessor are similar in many ways, the latest model is significantly thinner. I commended the V25 Pro’s lightweight nature and remarked that it made the phone more comfortable to hold than most of its rivals, and the V27 Pro even more so. Vivo noted that it's the brand's thinnest curved-edge phone to date at 7.4 mm. It's also a bit lighter than the V25 Pro, weighing only 182g versus 190g for the previous model.

The V27 Pro has also adopted some contentious features from flagship models, such as the lack of a headphone jack and expandable storage. While some of you will not like it, I actually prefer handsets with fewer ports.

However, the real weakness of the V27 Pro is its lack of IP rating. There’s no water or dust resistance on offer, so I recommend keeping this thing away from the pool or sprinkler.

Vivo V27 Pro: Display and speaker

Vivo has recently spoiled us with affordable phones featuring stunning screens, and the V27 Pro continues that trend. It packs a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen that plays nicely with HDR10+ content. It has the same FullHD+ resolution and refresh rate as its predecessor, so there isn't much of an improvement there.

The AMOLED panel does a great job of producing vivid colors with deep blacks and excellent contrast, which makes watching movies on streaming platforms a particular treat. I have to say that the V27 Pro has one of the prettiest displays I have seen on a budget phone. Initially, the colors appeared to be overly saturated with the default settings, but after tweaking the color temperature a bit, I found the right balance for my tastes.

Since then, the screen has yielded punchy colors and superb contrast, making it difficult to pinpoint what it lacks in comparison to the displays of smartphones priced around $1,000. Obviously, the V27 Pro's display falls short in terms of peak brightness compared to flagship models. Nonetheless, it proved to be sufficiently bright for use even when the sun was directly overhead.

Like its predecessor, the V27 Pro includes an under-display fingerprint scanner that works as expected for the most part. It instantly recognizes my fingerprint, and I didn't have any issues unlocking the phone using this security method.

Vivo has ditched the large notch of the V23 Pro in favor of a centrally placed punch-hole selfie camera, which we've seen in the V25 Pro as well. The V27 Pro retains the same front camera, though the selfie snapper has been upgraded to a 50MP camera from the previous 32MP.

However, the mono speaker struggles to provide a decent soundscape, like on the V25 Pro. To be clear, the speaker doesn't sound terrible; the vocals are clear, but the high-end notes sound a bit sharp, and the bass is frustratingly weak.

Its position also makes it quite easy to muffle, especially in landscape orientation, so you'd be hard-pressed to find the best way of holding the phone without blocking the speaker grille. One of Vivo's glaring omissions here was not including a stereo speaker setup.

Vivo V27 Pro: Performance and battery

The Vivo V27 Pro is no slouch in terms of performance. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8200, a mid-tier silicon with all of the elements found in MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 9000 SoC, such as an eight-core CPU, 3GPP Release-16 5G, and support for 120Hz QHD displays. When MediaTek unveiled the chipset last year, it claimed that the Dimensity 8200 promised an accessible flagship experience, and that seems to be the case here.

When you dive deep into performance, the device handles performance-hungry tasks like gaming and shooting. The V27 Pro provides plenty of power to deal with graphic-intensive tasks, holding up pretty well for a decent span of time.

Although the processor is not quite as robust in most scenarios as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or the Tensor chip, the Dimensity 8200 holds its own in daily use. It’s remarkably snappy, plus you get a silky smooth 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling the screen feel fluid in use.

However, some apps can hang for a second upon launching, but that doesn’t have a significant effect on the overall experience. As a matter of fact, the V27 Pro achieves high frame rates in most games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile at moderate graphic settings. This is bolstered by additional game-centric software that improves the experience by temporarily freezing unnecessary processes in the background.

I played a couple of games over the previous weekend, switching between PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact. This was a two-hour session with maxed-out graphics on both titles, and my experience was generally on par with flagship models when it comes to graphic output.

While there were no terrible frame drops to ruin my experience, the device's heat management was a bit of a letdown. It can get extremely hot with extended gaming sessions. Eventually, I had to pause for a few minutes before moving on to the next session.

That said, the RAM management on this phone is remarkable. The 8GB RAM on my unit can run multiple apps like Google Chrome and social media apps simultaneously for a long time. I turned on the RAM expansion on board, which adds another 8GB from system storage. This resulted in an improved experience with heavy apps, and if you are into gaming a lot, you'd be wise to keep the RAM extension on.

Coming to battery performance, the Vivo V27 Pro has no issue lasting all day away from a charger. It packs a 4600mAh battery, which supports 66W fast charging with the included power brick. This cell is a bit of a downgrade from the previous model, which packed a 4830mAh battery, and on certain days full of gaming and movie streaming, I was getting a screen on time of up to eight hours.

I deliberately switched on the 120Hz refresh rate instead of the smart switching feature. Under these conditions, you would need to reach for a charger at least twice a day. Nonetheless, light use of the phone can stretch it for a whole day between charges.

Charging times are as decent as what Vivo claims; the phone goes from 0 to 50 percent in about 20 minutes. It may not be as super-fast as the likes of the OnePlus 11R with 100W fast charging, but it holds up well for the price. However, don't expect any wireless charging support, which comes with the territory.

Vivo V27 Pro: Cameras

The camera department is where the Vivo V27 Pro is in its element. It boasts a triple camera setup on the back, consisting of a main 50MP snapper alongside an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro sensor for close-ups.

Vivo also likes to highlight a dedicated ring light known as "aura lighting." It is supposed to help with illumination when video calling or vlogging, although the ring is too small to make a significant difference in lighting. In any case, Vivo's camera software can perform some tricks to that end.

The 50MP Sony IMX766V primary sensor is the camera that I stuck with for the majority of my shots. Despite having a lower resolution than its predecessor, the camera did not disappoint. Images captured with the main shooter tend to pack in detail, produce accurate colors, and boast excellent dynamic range. 

However, the detail is impressive mostly on the surface level, as zooming in reveals minor artifacts and excessive sharpening. Regardless, it can get the job done for everyday snaps.

The native OIS support means you get images with minimal blur, backed by the phase-detect autofocus that helps in accurate focus by providing a quick point-and-shoot experience.

But OIS night mode is the phone's strongest suit here, enabling the phone to click clear shots in low light or at night. When taking photos in pitch-dark settings with the V27 Pro, the camera app would display in real-time how the shots would look once processed. Naturally, the image can take a few seconds to process, but the results would be brighter shots than the actual pitch-dark surroundings.

During daytime, the portraits are a sight to behold, and you can even adjust the background blur in the native photo app. The edge detection is stellar under natural lighting conditions.

There’s a significant drop in overall detail when switching to the 8MP ultrawide camera, though, and images tend to have less warmth than with the main lens. While this is more than enough for capturing photos to share on social media, it will most likely disappoint pixel-peepers.

The auxiliary cameras are a nice addition to have, but they are not quite up to standard and are best avoided whenever possible. Vivo’s hybrid stabilization tech doesn't apply to the ultrawide snapper, so it's not really a powerhouse.

As is always the case, the 2MP macro camera is the weak point in the phone's camera module. While it's able to keep decent colors, the details are off-putting most of the time.

The selfie camera is a 50MP shooter, a noticeable upgrade from its predecessor. I took multiple selfies with the V27 Pro and was pleased with the results, which included accurate autofocus and a Portrait mode with impressive edge detection. This is a huge upgrade over the V25 Pro, whose camera sounds more impressive with a 64MP main sensor, but its low-light performance leaves much to be desired.

Vivo V27 Pro: Software

The Vivo V27 Pro runs on Android 13 out of the box, with the Funtouch OS 13 skin overlaid. Like its predecessor, this phone has some fun software tricks, such as the ability to set a unique light effect for incoming calls or notifications.

However, there are a bunch of pre-installed apps that clutter up the phone the moment you turn it on for the first time, including folders of hot games. Bloatware is a mainstay with many Chinese phone brands, and Vivo is by no means the only offender in this regard. A lot of phones I've reviewed in the past from Xiaomi (and its sub-brand Poco) and Oppo come out of the box with plenty of apps that I’ll never use. It's not that these apps are impossible to remove, but I'd rather have the option to download them myself if I so desire.

It’s a different approach to Android 13 than I'm used to, with stylized icons and a vastly different stock Android experience that’ll take a lot of getting used to. Anyway, once you get used to its quirks, it's simple to use and navigate.

Funtouch OS is visually pleasing and colorful, with animations and customizations that stand out from the crowd. It stands in stark contrast to what other brands offer and emphasizes Android's unique selling point, which is the ability to apply your own skin and create wonders.

I find Vivo's Android skin less obtrusive than Xiaomi's MIUI, which shoves ads down our throats in certain areas of the UI. Funtouch’s obsession is obviously widgets, and there's a whole shelf dedicated to them alongside the usual app drawer.

However, Vivo's software update commitment is a bit less clear. While mid-range competition like the Google Pixel A-series of phones gets three years of OS updates, Vivo hasn't committed to any upgrade promises yet. This might leave the Vivo V27 Pro behind as rival smartphones in the same price range move on to Android 14 and beyond. You may want to distance yourself from Vivo phones if you want a device that can keep up with OS updates for the next few years.

Vivo V27 Pro: Competition

The Vivo V27 Pro is a solid mid-range smartphone, but there are a few alternatives that may be right up your alley if you're looking for models with comparable, if not beefier, specs in the same price range. 

One solid contender is the Nothing Phone (1), owing to its unique design with LEDs at the back, decent cameras, and stellar battery life for $300. If you want to keep your phone up to date in the next few years, Nothing has committed to three Android OS updates.

If that's not to your liking, the OnePlus Nord 2T also boasts a 120Hz AMOLED screen, a decent 64MP rear camera, and all-day battery life for $350. Plus, it has reliable hardware and is bloatware-free. However, it also lacks an IP rating and wireless charging support, like the V27 Pro.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 6a remains a no-brainer if you're in the market for a smartphone with flagship-level performance. It's powered by a custom-built Tensor chipset that Google used in its 2021 flagships, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Above all, it's only priced at $449.

Vivo V27 Pro: Should you buy it?

You should buy it if...

• You want an all-around mobile phone camera that can take stunning photos even at night.
• You're looking for a snappy performance without spending north of $500.
• You like decent gaming performance in a budget smartphone.
• An all-day battery life is one of your main considerations.

You should not buy it if...

• You're looking for a phone with a long-range zoom camera.
• You want stereo speakers to enjoy audio without putting on a pair of headphones.
• You're always on the go and need a phone that can withstand the elements.

The Vivo V27 Pro is a pretty damn amazing phone, and the massive display is fascinating if you consume tons of content. It has the raw power that performance seekers crave, capable of handling all of your daily tasks and allowing you to juggle social media apps with ease. If you're constantly trying out the latest high-end smartphone game, the Dimensity 8200 chipset is the least bit limiting of all mid-range processors.

Overall, the V27 Pro is a fine phone for the price, with a great screen, versatile main and selfie cameras, and a solid processor. But the company is churning out the V models at such a rapid pace that it has become difficult to find any meaningful upgrade over previous generations.

Like last year's model, the V27 Pro is undoubtedly quite the looker, but it’s far from being the perfect mid-range smartphone.

What you need to know

• Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi might have a new solution for migrating data across devices.
• They are collaborating for the first time to deploy third-party app data migration.
• The solution is currently limited to China.

Prominent Chinese OEMs like Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are collectively working on a new method to pull Android data from their smartphones to make switching devices much more effortless.

In a new announcement post (via 9to5Google) on the Chinese microblogging site Weibo, Xiaomi's MIUI has stated that it is collaborating with Vivo and Oppo to bring a better replacement experience. Moving data between Android phones made by these OEM makers involves transferring system data such as photos and contacts.

Xiaomi says it is adding new support for migrating third-party application data from phones manufactured by OPPO and Vivo. MIUI has further shared some instructions on how to proceed with the migration process in the comments for the announcement post. In addition, OPPO (ColorOS) and Vivo (OriginOS) have also acknowledged their support with identical posts on Weibo.

The process of shifting from an OPPO or Vivo device to a Xiaomi handset involves using the "Mi Replacement" feature, where users must scan the code to install the Mi Replacement on their respective devices and begin the migration. This sounds similar to what OnePlus did with its OnePlus Switch app, which also helped Android devices to migrate data to a new OnePlus device.

It looks like OPPO phones will utilize a "Huantai Mobile Moving - Replacement Assistant" app when moving to one of its phones, while Vivo requires the phones to have the latest version of "mutual transfer," which can be found in their app stores.

Phone-switching apps primarily transfer photos, contacts, and videos from one device to another. Apps can be moved from phone to phone, but transferring third-party app data, such as from messaging apps, is another thing altogether. WhatsApp, for example, lets users save chat data in the cloud with Google Drive to help move from one phone to another. However, the new trio is aiming to make switching phones a much more seamless process.

The collaboration sounds like a promising alternative to the currently available methods, although it's currently limited to China.

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What you need to know

• Vivo could introduce a clamshell foldable phone soon.
• The specs of the rumored Vivo X Flip have leaked online, indicating a worthy competitor for the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
• The device may be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor and feature a large cover screen.

Vivo may soon join Samsung, Oppo, and Motorola in the race for foldable flip phones. The BBK-owned company is rumored to be preparing a Galaxy Z Flip 4 competitor, dubbed the Vivo X Flip, and a massive leak has spilled the beans on its specs.

According to leaker Digital Chat Station, the Vivo X Flip will have a big cover screen, and based on a mockup that previously surfaced on Weibo, the external display may sit vertically just below the rear camera bump (via GSMArena).

Like the recent Vivo X series of flagship phones, there could be a large camera sensor on the back, complete with Zeiss branding. The cameras may comprise a 50MP Sony IMX866 main sensor and a 12MP Sony IMX663 ultra-wide shooter. If this is accurate, the Vivo X Flip will have a chance to one up Samsung's contender, which only has a 12MP dual camera, on this front.

The most contentious feature of this flip phone may be its chipset: a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 from 2022. While it is not the most recent mobile platform available, the processor can still stack up against the competition. The processor could also be paired with 12GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

Vivo's decision to use an older SoC rather than the most recent Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC is most likely a cost-cutting measure to compete with the best foldable devices from Samsung and its sister company, Oppo. The Galaxy Z Flip 4 is powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset as well, while the Oppo Find N2 Flip has a Dimensity 9000+ inside.

As per the leak, the flip foldable device will sport a 6.8-inch internal display with an FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, similar to the Find N2 Flip. The Vivo X Flip might outshine the competition in terms of battery capacity, with a 4,400mAh battery that will be the largest for a clamshell foldable handset. It is said to have a charging speed of 44W.

Rumor has it that Vivo will unveil the flip phone in April in China. But given Vivo's lack of presence in Northern America, don't hold your breath for a U.S. launch.

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Update (March 1, 5:10 am ET): An earlier version of this article stated that the V27 series was available in India. This has now been rectified.

What you need to know

• Vivo today announced its latest mid-range series of phones, boasting plenty of camera smarts and imaging capabilities.
• The Vivo V27 Pro is powered by MediaTek's 4nm-based Dimensity 8200 chipset, which promises near-flagship experience.
• Meanwhile, the regular version includes a Dimensity 7200 SoC, which is still built on a 4nm process.
• The new devices are available for preorder in India, and the standard variant will be released in global markets later this month.

Vivo was one of the most head-turning brands in the smartphone segment last year, releasing a line of mid-range phones with a unique back panel that changes color when exposed to sunlight or UV light. Last year's aesthetics are now making a comeback for the company's latest handsets, the Vivo V27 and V27 Pro, alongside a number of upgrades and new features.

The new devices have made their debut today, with the Pro model focusing on the Indian market. The Vivo V27 and V27 Pro share a similar design, which comes with the same color-changing glass on the back as last year's models. The company uses Fluorite AG glass for the rear design, claiming that it is "the first phone manufacturer to achieve this color-changing effect on the back cover of a phone."

Vivo's latest budget offerings also see flagship features from many of last year's leading Android phones trickle down to the mid-range space, including a 4nm-based Dimensity 8200 SoC for the V27 Pro.

MediaTek launched the new processor late last year, promising an accessible flagship experience. The chipset includes an eight-core CPU, 3GPP Release-16 5G, support for 120Hz QHD displays, and Wi-FI 6E capability, all of which were found in MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 9000 SoC last year.

Meanwhile, the regular V27 model is powered by a Dimensity 7200 chip, which is a tad lower in rank than the Pro's processor.

On the optics side of things, the V27 series' cameras are a mixed bag. On the one hand, both models boast Vivo's Aura Light Portrait System, which the company claims "provides natural night portraits." In India, this feature is known as night portrait with aura light. The camera uses a Sony IMX766V sensor, which is just a rebranded Sony IMX766 sensor found on the Huawei Mate 50, OnePlus 10T, and Asus Zenfone 9, among other flagship models of 2022.

However, both phones ship with a triple camera setup that comprises a 50MP main shooter, as opposed to the 64MP main camera of the Vivo V25 series. This is paired with an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro sensor.

Nonetheless, the V27 Pro's selfie snapper has been upgraded to a 50MP sensor versus the V25 Pro's 32MP front camera. The regular V27's front shooter is just the same as its predecessor.

The screen on both V27 models is larger than on their predecessors, with a 6.78-inch 3D curved FullHD+ AMOLED display capable of up to 120Hz. This makes the new models slightly taller than the V25 series, which could be a bit clunky for people with tiny hands.

Keeping the lights on for both devices is a 4,600mAh battery with support for 66W FlashCharge technology. Vivo claims the fast-charging capability can juice up the phone "to 43% in only 15 minutes while the screen is off, 72% in 30 minutes, and 100% in under an hour."

Elsewhere, the V27 series has up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. They run Android 13 out of the box, with Funtouch OS 13 on top.

Preorders start today in India, with the V27 Pro retailing at $459. The standard version costs $399, and in addition to India, it'll be available in global markets, including Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, Egypt, and the UAE.