Smartphone cameras have come a long way in recent years, but one area that has always been a challenge to overcome is the limitations of the lenses. However, with the release of its new flagship smartphones, the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro, it seems that Vivo is determined to change that. These devices, which were first launched in China on November 13th and are now being released internationally, place a major emphasis on lens improvements.
The Vivo X100 Pro, similar to its predecessor, the X90 Pro, offers a 50-megapixel one-inch-type main camera, which is a significant sensor size for a smartphone. According to Vivo, the camera has been tuned with “Optical Precision Calibration” to ensure consistent sharpness and quality. The telephoto camera on the X100 Pro has also received an upgrade, with a 4.3x optical magnification and a lens designed to reduce chromatic aberration. Additionally, there is a floating lens element that enables close-up photography with the tele lens.
On the other hand, the Vivo X100 has a 50-megapixel 1/1.49-inch-type main camera sensor and a 64-megapixel 3x optical telephoto. While it does not feature a floating element, both devices have Zeiss coatings applied to their lenses. Furthermore, both phones boast 50-megapixel ultrawide cameras and a secondary imaging chip. The X100 Pro, however, comes with the latest V3 chip, which enables 4K cinematic portrait videos.
Both the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro are powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 flagship chipset, ensuring high-performance capabilities. In terms of display, both devices sport a 6.78-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. This is a notable decision by Vivo, as many other flagship series typically reserve the smaller screen for the “lesser” model. Additionally, both phones have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing added durability and peace of mind.
Vivo’s previous flagship, the X90 Pro, showed promise in terms of camera performance. However, there were some lens aberrations that affected the overall image quality. With the X100 Pro, it is clear that Vivo is doubling down on lens quality improvements. By addressing issues such as chromatic aberration and utilizing Zeiss coatings, Vivo aims to deliver sharper, more professional-looking images. While the X90 Pro fell short in comparison to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, it will be interesting to see how the X100 Pro fares against the seemingly imminent Galaxy S24 Ultra in a rematch.
Unfortunately, the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro will not be available in the US market. However, the X100 will be released in Southeast Asian markets, including India and Indonesia, while the X100 Pro will be available in European markets. Vivo has yet to disclose the European pricing for the X100 Pro, but it has announced that it will retail for HK$7,998 in Hong Kong, which is approximately €937 or $1,024. On the other hand, the non-Pro X100 is priced at HK$5,998 (around $768 / €702).
The Vivo X100 and X100 Pro showcase Vivo’s commitment to improving smartphone photography with their emphasis on lens quality. By incorporating larger sensors, precision calibration, and other enhancements, Vivo aims to provide users with a truly immersive photography experience. Although the camera performance will need to be put to the test in real-world scenarios, it is clear that Vivo has taken significant strides towards creating game-changing smartphones. Whether these devices will be able to compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, smartphone photography enthusiasts have something to look forward to with the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro.
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