Vivo X200 Review: A Well-Rounded Phone with Exceptional Imaging, Still the "Blue Factory's" Signature

Vivo X200 Review: A Well-Rounded Phone with Exceptional Imaging, Still the "Blue Factory's" SignatureSo, can the newly released Vivo X200 live up to the consistently high standards of the Vivo X series? Having gotten my hands on this device two weeks early, I'm eager to share everything you need to know about the Vivo X200.In terms of design, the Vivo X100 series was my favorite last year

Vivo X200 Review: A Well-Rounded Phone with Exceptional Imaging, Still the "Blue Factory's" Signature

The X100 series has already been a year old, and it's hard to believe. Its harmonious and balanced design, decent performance, and "cross-level" imaging configuration have earned it a spot among the most worthwhile purchases in its price range in 2024. I've repeatedly recommended the Vivo X100 to friends, simply because it provides better value for money compared to "super-sized" flagship phones that cost upwards of 6,000 yuan. Both its price and configuration are more appealing to the general public.

So, can the newly released Vivo X200 live up to the consistently high standards of the Vivo X series? Having gotten my hands on this device two weeks early, I'm eager to share everything you need to know about the Vivo X200.

Familiar Design with a Touch of New:

In terms of design, the Vivo X100 series was my favorite last year. The centrally positioned camera module with a decorative ring and a seamless transition between the two circular cutouts exuded a sense of sophistication. It didn't feel like the camera was being emphasized for the sake of it, avoiding that "rich kid's toy" aesthetic.

As the successor to the X100 series, the Vivo X200 maintains a similar design language. However, the four-sided curved screen and more comfortable hand-grip frame are notable upgrades compared to the X100. This combination creates an illusion even though the screen size and weight remain unchanged, the X200 appears smaller and more lightweight.

Incidentally, the Vivo X200 measures 7.99mm thick and weighs 202g. The device's center of gravity is well-balanced, resulting in an excellent grip. The only gripe I have is the module's relatively large footprint. When holding the phone one-handed, your index finger easily bumps against the module's bottom.

Core Configuration: A Well-Rounded Phone with One Minor Regret

Here's a summary of the core configuration: The world's first Dimensity 9400 processor, a 6.67-inch 1.5K 120Hz display, an equivalent 5800mAh "Blue Sea" battery, 90W super flash charging, and a large-sized X-axis motor. Naturally, Vivo X200 doesn't skip out on features like IP68+IP69 dust and water resistance, providing added peace of mind for users.

However, I have a slight reservation. It seems like Vivo is subtly lowering expectations regarding charging power. The Vivo X100, launched last year, featured 100W dual core fast charging. Subsequently, the X100s reduced it to 90W dual core fast charging, and now the X200 has dropped to a standard 80W fast charging. While the battery capacity has indeed increased, why not have both fast charging and a large battery? The actual power difference between the three isn't significant.

Overall, considering the Vivo X200's configuration, it's clear that this is a well-rounded phone. Its biggest strength is the lack of drawbacks. It's likely to be the best-selling model in the Vivo X200 series.

Unleashing the Potential of Dimensity 9400: Performance That's "Terrifyingly Good"?

Honestly, I'm no longer overly focused on phone processors. Even the second-generation Snapdragon 8 processor or Dimensity 9200 from two years ago wouldn't hinder daily usage. These processors can handle even gaming needs without any issues. However, MediaTek's newly launched Dimensity 9400 deserves special mention. It boasts a significant reduction in power consumption a crucial aspect. This means that the Vivo X200, the first phone globally to feature the Dimensity 9400, will offer exceptional temperature control and battery life.

Here's a brief explanation of the Dimensity 9400's specifications: The CPU consists of a super-core Cortex-X925 clocked at 3.62GHz, three Cortex-X4 super-cores running at 3.3GHz, and four Cortex-A720 cores operating at 2.4GHz. Notably, the Cortex-X925 super-core boasts advancements in both process and architecture. It's safe to say it's a PC-level super-core.

The GPU has upgraded from Immortalis-G720 to the latest flagship-grade Immortalis-G925. It retains 12 cores, but the highlight is the inclusion of the new generation of ray tracing technology OMM, which is a first for mobile devices and rivals PC capabilities. The technology optimizes ray tracing rendering, accurately rendering irregular shapes and semi-transparent objects. This significantly reduces shader workload, especially beneficial for complex ray-traced objects, improving ray tracing quality.

The improvements in both CPU and GPU translate to a 40% reduction in theoretical power consumption for devices equipped with Dimensity 9400. I can only describe this achievement as "terrifyingly good."

Alright, let's get straight to the numbers. The first benchmark is a theoretical performance test. The Vivo X200 scored 2,518,527 in the AnTuTu benchmark. For comparison, the Vivo X100 with Dimensity 9300 achieved a score of 2,162,338, indicating an overall improvement of roughly 19%. That's a significant jump.

The second benchmark is GeekBench 6. The Vivo X200 scored 2,717 in single-core and 8,487 in multi-core, which is truly surprising. As a comparison, the Vivo X100 scored 2,254 in single-core and 7,552 in multi-core.

However, these two benchmarks only reflect the theoretical performance of the Dimensity 9300+. To truly assess the actual performance, gaming tests are necessary. To ensure an accurate portrayal of Genshin Impact players' everyday experience, I conducted a 30-minute test in the Sumeru region. All encountered enemies were engaged in combat, and all graphics-related settings were set to the highest to fully push the Dimensity 9400 to its limits.

The frame rate graph clearly shows that the Vivo X200 maintained a stable 60 frames per second throughout the 30-minute gameplay, as predicted. After all, even mid-range processors can run Genshin Impact smoothly these days, let alone a new flagship processor like the Dimensity 9400. But during the test, I noticed another advantage of the Dimensity 9400: low power consumption. In previous gaming tests, I often had to stop after 30 minutes to let the phone cool down as the internal temperature reached a thermal limit, causing throttling and reduced brightness. But the Vivo X200 didn't exhibit this issue. After 30 minutes of Genshin Impact, the phone was only lukewarm. Even after playing for an additional 20 minutes, there was no frame-dropping. This implies exceptional performance from the Vivo X200 in continuous output.

Familiar Vivo Imaging Style: AI Breaks New Limits

I haven't had any concerns about Vivo's imaging capabilities. Since the X80 series two years ago, Vivo has set a benchmark in the industry. Both novice users and photography enthusiasts have appreciated Vivo's imaging performance.

Before we dive into the sample image analysis, let's briefly discuss the Vivo X200's hardware configuration. The main camera features a 1/1.56-inch 50-megapixel sensor. Combined with Blue Factory's self-developed super-sensitive light algorithm and processing, the Vivo X200 achieves light intake comparable to a one-inch sensor, especially noticeable in low-light photography.

• The telephoto lens has been upgraded to a new IMX882 sensor, boasting 50-megapixel resolution, a 1/2-inch size, F/2.57 aperture, and Zeiss T coating. It supports up to 100x digital zoom. Real-world testing reveals that images captured at up to 20x zoom retain decent resolution and quality. The ultra-wide-angle lens is a 15mm 50-megapixel lens. Thus, the Vivo X200 covers the common focal lengths of 15mm to 70mm purely in optical terms. Additionally, its periscope telephoto lens supports up to 100x Zeiss super-clear zoom, making it incredibly practical.

As seen in the sample images, the Vivo X200's main camera and telephoto lens deliver exceptional image quality. The algorithms optimize the overall color performance for a pleasing and natural look, capturing attention without compromising the overall aesthetic.

However, the telephoto performance is limited to within 10x zoom. Vivo officially stated that when the telephoto zoom exceeds the optical zoom, AI will intervene to process the image. This is a good idea, a technique