Vivo X100 Pro Review: Latest Mobile Photography Beast

The Vivo X100 Pro has taken the smartphone world by storm, positioning itself as a powerhouse for photography enthusiasts. With its cutting-edge camera system co-engineered with Zeiss, a robust MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, and a sleek design, this flagship device is a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. In this review, we’ll dive deep into what makes the Vivo X100 Pro a true "mobile photography beast," exploring its camera capabilities, performance, design, and more.

Unparalleled Camera System

The Vivo X100 Pro’s camera setup is the star of the show, and it’s no exaggeration to call it one of the best in the smartphone industry. Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss continues to deliver exceptional results, combining top-tier hardware with sophisticated software to produce stunning images in a variety of conditions.

Camera Specifications

• Main Camera: 50MP, f/1.75, 1-inch Sony IMX989 sensor, optical image stabilization (OIS), 23mm focal length, autofocus (AF).
• Telephoto Camera: 50MP Zeiss APO floating periscope, f/2.5, 100mm equivalent, OIS, 4.3x optical zoom, macro capabilities.
• Ultra-Wide Camera: 50MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119° field of view, 1/2.76-inch sensor, autofocus.
• Selfie Camera: 32MP, f/2.8, no autofocus, capable of 4K video at 60fps.

The 1-inch main sensor is a standout feature, capturing incredible detail and dynamic range, especially in low-light conditions. The telephoto lens, with its Zeiss APO certification, offers sharp and vibrant images even at 4.3x optical zoom, doubling as an excellent macro lens for close-up shots. The ultra-wide lens, while slightly less impressive in low light, still delivers crisp and well-balanced photos thanks to its autofocus capability.

Photography Modes and Features

The Vivo X100 Pro offers a plethora of shooting modes to cater to both casual users and photography enthusiasts. Key modes include:

• Zeiss Natural Color: Produces true-to-life colors with balanced saturation for a natural look.
• Texture Mode: Prioritizes detail and sharpness, ideal for darker scenes with lower exposure times.
• Sharp Mode: Boosts color saturation for vibrant, eye-catching images.
• Portrait Mode: Offers a range of Zeiss-branded bokeh effects, including Biotar, Sonnar, Planar, and Cinematic, with focal length options (24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 100mm) for versatile portrait photography.
• Astro Mode: Includes an AR Planetarium and Handheld Astro mode for capturing stunning night sky images.
• Food Mode: Enhances culinary photography with vibrant colors and sharp details, perfect for food bloggers.

The portrait mode, in particular, is a game-changer. The Zeiss-tuned algorithms, combined with the V3 imaging chip, create a natural depth-of-field effect with precise subject separation and customizable bokeh styles. Whether you’re shooting kids, pets, or objects, the X100 Pro delivers professional-grade portraits that rival dedicated cameras.

Low-Light and Zoom Performance

Low-light photography is where the X100 Pro truly shines. The main camera’s large sensor and computational photography techniques combine multiple shots to produce images with rich colors, excellent detail, and minimal noise. The telephoto lens also performs admirably in low light, outperforming many compact cameras with smaller sensors. For zoom, the 4.3x optical zoom is impressive, and the digital zoom up to 10x maintains surprising clarity, making it ideal for candid street photography or distant subjects.

Video Capabilities

The X100 Pro supports 8K video at 30fps on the main camera and 4K video at 60fps across all rear lenses, with both optical and electronic image stabilization. While video quality is excellent, the lack of autofocus on the selfie camera and limited video modes beyond 4.3x zoom are minor drawbacks compared to competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, the Vivo X100 Pro delivers flagship-level performance. This 4nm, all-big-core processor, paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage, handles multitasking, gaming, and AI-driven features with ease. In benchmark tests, it competes closely with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, though some thermal throttling has been noted during extended use. In real-world scenarios, the phone remains snappy, capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact at a stable 59.7 FPS with minimal power consumption.

The 5,400mAh battery is another highlight, offering excellent longevity. It supports 100W fast charging, reaching 98% in just 30 minutes, and 50W wireless charging for added convenience. The device also features IP68 dust and water resistance, ensuring durability in various environments.

Design and Display

The Vivo X100 Pro sports a premium design with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, 1260x2800 resolution, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The curved display offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, though some users may prefer a flat screen to avoid accidental touches. The massive camera bump, while functional, adds significant thickness, and the phone’s 225g weight makes it slightly cumbersome for one-handed use. The “Star Trail Blue” variant features a micro-nanolithography process that creates a visually striking ripple effect under light, adding to its premium aesthetic.

Software Experience

Running Android 14 with FuntouchOS 14 (or OriginOS 4 in China), the X100 Pro offers a smooth but somewhat dated user interface compared to competitors like OnePlus or Samsung. While the camera app is intuitive and feature-rich, the overall software experience could benefit from a more modern design. Vivo’s commitment to software updates is promising, with the X100 Pro expected to receive at least three years of Android updates, potentially more based on the brand’s track record with older models.

Drawbacks

While the Vivo X100 Pro excels in many areas, it’s not without flaws:

• Limited Availability: The phone is not officially available in the US or UK, making it harder to purchase in some markets.
• Selfie Camera: The 32MP front camera lacks autofocus, which may disappoint vloggers or selfie enthusiasts.
• Software: The UI feels less polished compared to competitors, and some users report minor notification delays on the Chinese version.
• Camera Bump: The large camera module makes the phone bulky and prone to slipping without a case.

The Vivo X100 Pro is a triumph for mobile photography, offering a versatile and powerful camera system that rivals dedicated cameras in many scenarios. Its 1-inch main sensor, Zeiss-tuned optics, and innovative features like Astro Mode and full-focal-length portrait photography make it a dream device for photographers. While the software and availability issues are notable drawbacks, the phone’s exceptional camera performance, robust hardware, and premium design make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing photography.

If you’re a photography enthusiast looking for a smartphone that can deliver DSLR-like results in your pocket, the Vivo X100 Pro is hard to beat. Just be prepared to hunt for it in supported markets or opt for the global version.

Price: Approximately $900-$1,200 depending on the region and variant.
Availability: Southeast Asia, India, select European markets, and as an unlocked Chinese version on platforms like Amazon.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars for its stellar camera and performance, with minor points deducted for software and availability.

For more details on pricing and availability, check Vivo’s official website or authorized retailers in your region.