The Chinese manufacturer Vivo strikes a blow with its X80 Pro, a photo-oriented Android smartphone, which benefits from a partnership with the German Zeiss. A top-of-the-range model that immediately plays in the big leagues.
Vivo is starting to get noticed. In the first quarter of 2022, the Chinese brand even ranked in the world’s top 5 smartphone manufacturers according to Canalys, a company specializing in market research. Still relatively unknown in France, Vivo does not hide its ambitions and, after a few successful models such as the X60 Pro or the V23 5G, the manufacturer is now aiming with its X80 Pro, the top of the basket to come and rub shoulders with the tenors of the category signed Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi or Oppo. Elegant, powerful, versatile and devilishly gifted in photography thanks to the partnership with the German optical specialist Zeiss – which not only supplied the lenses but also collaborated in the software design – the Vivo X80 Pro has more an asset to seduce.
What are the technical characteristics of the Vivo X80 Pro?
Vivo has not skimped on the components that equip its X80 Pro in order to build a solid technical sheet capable of facing the competition.
Design. On the front, the Vivo X80 Pro does not in any way revolutionize the design codes of current smartphones. It has a beautiful 6.78-inch OLED screen curved at the edges and decorated with a central punch at the top to accommodate the selfie photo sensor. It is obviously on the back that the Chinese can afford a little more originality. Here the photo block occupies more than a third of the surface with its four sensors, and the flash. We also note the use of a satin coating that is soft to the touch and which has the advantage of not keeping fingerprints. Finally, the case is splash, water and dust resistant. Im benefits from an IP68 water resistance index (it can remain submerged in 1.5 m depth for half an hour).
Display. The screen of the Vivo X80 Pro reaches a definition of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz for better fluidity. This WQHD+ Oled panel thus benefits from infinite contrasts and is bright enough to remain readable in direct sunlight. The lower part of the screen conceals a fingerprint reader that is large enough and therefore very practical for unlocking the device without having to aim straight. He is quite reactive.
Processor. Lhe Vivo X80 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 supported by 12 GB of RAM. A winning duo that allows the smartphone to remain responsive in all situations and especially for gaming without overheating.
Autonomy. The device has a battery with a capacity of 4700 mAh. It’s a little below the current high-end standards, but it allows you to last a full day without keeping a permanent eye on the gauge. As for recharging, Vivo has also put the package there by providing an 80 W wired charger in the box. About fifteen minutes of charging thus recovers 50% of the battery. Allow a little over half an hour for a full charge. Note that the smartphone also allows induction charging (wireless).
System. Like most smartphones released in 2022, this Vivo X80 Pro is powered by Android 12, the latest updated version of Google’s mobile system. The brand also indicates that it will provide 3 years of major Android updates, enough to go up to Android 15 at least. Vivo adds its FunTouch OS software overlay. It offers an elegant interface but which, contrary to what its name suggests, lacks a bit of cheerfulness. It is nonetheless fluid and pleasant to handle. Android regulars will have no problem finding their reflexes and bearings.
Photo and video. High-end model requires, the Vivo X80 Pro is equipped with an array of sensors ready for all situations: a main module of 50 megapixels (Mpx); a 48 Mpx ultra wide-angle module; a 12 MP 2X module for portraits; uAn 8MP 5X telephoto module; a 32 Mpx module on the front for selfies. On the video side, the device is capable of filming in 8K at 24 frames per second and in 4K at 60 frames per second.
What is the price of the Vivo X80 Pro?
With such solid characteristics and since it ranks among the high-end models of this year 2022, the Vivo X80 Pro, available since the end of June from most distributors, also displays a “premium” price. Vivo markets it at 1299 euros in a single version for the moment. More affordable versions are probably to be expected during the year.
Vivo X80 Pro: the review
We were able to handle and test the VivoX80 Pro for a few days. Here is our feeling with this premium smartphone.
Design and ergonomics. The VivoX80 Pro seems a little heavy at first (215 g), but after a few minutes its weight is forgotten. We particularly appreciate the back coating which leaves no fingerprints and which is quite soft to the touch. Be careful, it can sometimes be slippery. All the buttons are distributed on the right edge and remain easily accessible even for small hands. The fingerprint sensor under the screen is a delight to use as the recognition surface is wide and the recognition fast. On the back, the imposing photo block does not disturb the balance of the smartphone when it is placed flat on a table. Finally, the case remains fairly well sized (75.3 x 164.6 x 9.1 mm) to fit easily in the hand.
Performance. During our hands-on, we failed to put the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and the 12 GB of RAM that come with it in default. The device remained responsive with multitasking operations (about twenty applications opened simultaneously) and did not overheat during the gaming phases, despite the fairly high ambient temperature at the start of summer. In short, the Vivo X80 Pro is on par with the market leaders without, however, standing out.
Photo. It is obviously on this ground that the device wants to make the difference. And we were not disappointed. The shots offer impressive sharpness and striking colors. The partnership with Zeiss plays a big part in this, especially since the photo app has a Zeiss button. Its goal: to go from the slightly enhanced colors as most smartphones deliver them, to more natural colors. They are less flattering and less flashy but suddenly, closer to reality. The ultra wide angle is also very effective with relatively little distortion and impeccable sharpness. The 2X module, on the other hand, produces spectacular macro results with stunning sharpness even when the camera is not on a stand. This same module also allows the realization of portrait with a small software key signed Zeiss. It allows you to play on the background blur without distorting the shot with an artificial appearance. Finally, the 5X telephoto lens also offers great performance with impressive sharpness. It is only when the ambient light drops that the photo sensors of the Vivo X80 Pro show their limit. There is a slight loss of sharpness. Nothing unacceptable, however.
Autonomy. Vivo had the good idea to provide an 80 W charger in the box to very quickly replenish the device’s energy. Because in intensive use (GPS, photos, games, Internet) the 4,700 mAh battery struggles to go the distance. We managed to last just the day. In normal use, however, no problem. The end of the day results in a battery still showing 40% charge.
What is the Vivo X80 Pro worth?
Vivo did not lie about the high-end performance of its device. The ergonomics are there, the performances are there but above all, it has serious advantages for amateur or experienced photographers. It’s hard to miss shots of landscapes, portraits, close-ups or paparazzi style with the 5X zoom. Some improvements remain to be made on low light photos even if most remain usable. A versatile and efficient device.