vivo X200 Ultra review

Competition

The vivo X200 Ultra is about as cutting edge in its camera capabilities as they come, so it only makes sense for it to be measured up against other models with a particular knack for imaging. There's plenty of those, of course - some in a similar China-only state, some properly global.

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra is among the most recent top-end cameraphones we've reviewed, and it's so similar, yet so different. Also limited to its home market, it goes about zoom action in a dual-camera way and keeps the 1-inch main camera at 23mm - the differences in approach result in fine nuances in performance that are hard to sum up in just a few sentences.

The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is probably the least compromising of this year's photo-centric offerings - it's got a global software version, and it's also got an extra telephoto in addition to the one that's very similar to the X200 Ultra's. No telephoto extender on the Xiaomi, of course.

Very much global is the Galaxy S25 Ultra - possibly the most complete Android smartphone that's also not too shabby when it comes to cameras, if not quite vivo Ultra great.

Speaking of vivo Ultras, you could probably also look at last year's model - it can give you pretty competitive results at 35mm, while also being significantly better at its native main camera's 23mm than what the X200 Ultra's (otherwise vastly superior) ultrawide can muster at that focal length.

If, on the other hand, you want to get as close to the X200 Ultra's camera experience without making any software concessions, perhaps you can look to the X200 Pro - sure, the Ultra is superior in pretty much any camera-related comparison, but you'll have your Google Timeline.

Oppo Find X8 Ultra • Xiaomi 15 Ultra • Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra • vivo X100 Ultra • vivo X200 Pro

Verdict

The X200 Ultra brings in meaningful advancements in the camera system, treating us to what's the best ultrawide on the market, a fresh take on the main camera, and a touched up telephoto with potential for yet more reach. The vivo flagship is also great for selfies - not a given with many Ultras out there. It's hard to find a cameraphone as complete as this one.

Naturally, the X200 Ultra is solid on the fundamentals as well, even if it's not quite up there with the best in endurance and charging speed. The display is brighter than most, the speakers are good, the software is polished, even though it has its limitations for international use.

With the X200 Ultra vivo has introduced a few improvements to what was already a winning formula. One of our favorite camera systems got a little different and in many ways better. The end result is so good that it makes it all the more disappointing that the company still denies the world the opportunity to experience it.

That said, gray-importing the X200 Ultra is always an option, and we'd argue that its camera greatness would very well be worth the minor inconveniences.

Pros

• Appealing design, camera bump is almost a feature rather than an eyesore.
• China-focused Origin OS looks and feels nicer than its international Funtouch OS counterpart.
• Superb ultrawide and telephoto cameras, great 'main' camera with unusual focal length (for a smartphone).
• Class-leading video stabilization.
• Standout selfies.
• Optional Photography kit with a first-party telephoto extender that's not only unique, but also super high quality.

Cons

• Only available in China and it's missing some Google-based software functionality.
• Battery life is a little behind the competition; same with charging speed.
• No eSIM support.