The camera is truly "Thanos-level", with the system and AI being added bonuses.

It was around the beginning of 2023 when a heavyweight product from a major manufacturer was exposed, with the code name - Thanos.

In the movie Avengers: Infinity War, the ultimate villain Thanos (Thanos) collected all six Infinity Stones, nearly wiping out the protagonists' team, achieving unprecedented combat prowess.

Carrying the title of "phone circle Thanos" and the momentum to "clean up the phone circle", vivo's first Ultra-level imaging flagship, after nearly a year of extended exposure and preheating, was officially launched on May 13th. With a one-inch main camera, Zeiss APO lens, a true 200-megapixel periscope lens, ultrasonic fingerprint recognition, a full-glass back cover, and a 2K display, the X100 Ultra boasts six "Infinity Stones" and snaps its fingers at competitors.

(Image source: vivo)

After attending the launch event and hearing the price announcement, I immediately placed an order for a white 16GB+512GB X100 Ultra at vivo's official flagship store on JD.com – however, the release date was actually at the end of May, and after about two weeks of waiting, the Thanos finally arrived in my hands.

(Image source: Leitech)

To be honest, in the run-up to the X100 Ultra's launch, there had been considerable controversy surrounding this phone circle Thanos: its launch date was in mid-2024, and those familiar with the flagship product release schedule would know that October each year is when Qualcomm/MediaTek release their next-generation flagship SoCs, and major imaging flagships have already completed their iterations early in the year, with some even seeing price reductions during major promotions. If the X100 Ultra didn't have sufficient hard power, it would be difficult to convince the public.

As for why I chose to spend money on this flagship, it was mainly to see how vivo had tuned its 200-megapixel periscope lens and to witness the new ideas that would emerge from the collision between the most luxurious imaging hardware and computational photography. Since I personally purchased this product, I can guarantee that this content is absolutely objective and neutral, without any sponsored content or mediocre conclusions akin to "balanced" reviews. Therefore, everyone can "enjoy" this content with confidence.

In particular, compared to "quick experiences" lasting just a few days or weeks, I used the X100 Ultra extensively for three months, truly relying on it as my primary device in daily life scenarios, making this experience report even more referential for you. Leitech will also make "long-term testing" a featured experience section in the future, so please stay tuned.

So, does vivo's belated imaging flagship live up to the title of "Thanos"? What is its daily usage experience like? Don't worry, I'll present my long-term usage report on the vivo X100 Ultra next.

Hefty Feel: Design Compromises for Luxurious Features

Before unboxing the X100 Ultra, I had already used the X100 Pro and X100S for some time, so there wasn't much of a surprise when first holding the Thanos. However, the prominently protruding camera module on the back, coupled with the large curved screen, took some getting used to.

In terms of design, I personally believe that the X100 Ultra is the most understated of all flagship phones this year, without resorting to leather-like materials to manage weight and dimensions, unlike the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, OPPO Find X7 Ultra, and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. I chose the safest option of white, and I haven't seen such a pure white glossy glass back on a flagship phone in a long time.

(Image source: Leitech Production)

Perhaps due to the significant internal components, vivo has designed grooves along the edges of the X100 Ultra, which can help distribute pressure points during prolonged use, reducing fatigue. However, the large curved screen poses a significant issue, as even with the grooves, discomfort is still noticeable when holding the phone.

(Image source: Leitech Production)

The discomfort also stems from the large camera module on the back. Compared to last year's X100 Pro, the protrusion on the X100 Ultra is even more pronounced. While it doesn't have the double-layer design of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, fingers still tend to touch the camera module, making it less comfortable to hold horizontally, which is why I don't often use the X100 Ultra for gaming.

(Image source: Leitech Production)

Another point of contention in the X100 Ultra's design is its screen, a 2K E7 display panel from Samsung that doesn't look bad in actual use but has an unsatisfying form factor. The significant curvature on both sides causes green tinting when viewed from the side, and the large bezels at the top and bottom also detract from the visual experience. If I were to grade this screen, the deductions would almost entirely be due to its form factor rather than its quality.

To appease consumers, vivo thoughtfully offers a free AR film program for X100 Ultra users. I applied for this program before the launch, and about four days after receiving the phone, I received a notification from the nearest after-sales center to replace the AR film, which went smoothly – a big thumbs up. However, the AR film, being a soft film, still falls short of a hard film, and its anti-fouling ability is poor. After about half a month, the central area became permanently stained with an unknown substance that couldn't be cleaned off.

Overall, the X100 Ultra, as the "phone circle Thanos," shares a robust and massive build with its cinematic counterpart, which is understandable given the space occupied by the one-inch main camera and 200-megapixel periscope lens, along with the need to fit a 5,500mAh battery and 3D VC cooling system.

(Image source: Leitech Production)

The X100 Ultra is also a microcosm of the current flagship era, where luxurious imaging solutions and large-capacity batteries necessitate design compromises to accommodate hardware stacking. This is why imaging flagships often struggle to break out of the "middle camera module" cycle – not because they don't want to, but because it's too difficult. Still, vivo's aesthetics are on point, with both the white and titanium color options featuring impeccable tones and textures that I believe are a significant draw for many consumers.

Imaging is truly "Thanos-level," just one step away from "divinity"

When initially choosing an imaging flagship, I also considered the OPPO Find X7 Ultra and Xiaomi 14 Ultra, but ultimately opted for the X100 Ultra due to its superior hardware, particularly for telephoto photography.

In terms of hardware, the X100 Ultra boasts a rare triple-camera setup: a mainstream LYT-900 sensor for the main camera with 50MP and an F1.75 aperture; a co-developed HP9 sensor with vivo and Samsung for the telephoto lens, boasting an astonishing 200MP, a 1/1.4" sensor size, and an F2.67 aperture; and an LYT-600 ultra-wide-angle lens with 50MP and an F2.2 aperture.

The main camera's focal length is set at 23mm, which isn't the easiest to shoot with. In most scenarios, I opt for 1.2X or 1.5X zoom, equivalent to 28mm or 35mm. Additionally, since vivo has discontinued the widely praised 2X lens from its predecessor, the 50mm focal length is achieved through digital cropping by the main camera, which must cover a range from 23mm to 50mm, posing a significant challenge.

Furthermore, the HP9 sensor on the telephoto lens has an equivalent focal length of 85mm. Therefore, the main camera not only has to cover the golden focal lengths of 23mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm but also digitally crop between 50mm and 85mm, resulting in noticeable image quality loss when not using the default focal lengths provided by vivo.

Despite the top-tier sensors offered by the X100 Ultra, the lack of a mid-range and super-telephoto focal length necessitates algorithmic compensation.

The LYT-900, compared to Sony's previous 1" sensor IMX989, primarily improves in imaging speed, power consumption, full-well capacity, and dynamic range. When shooting at the native 23mm focal length, I could feel these improvements, enabling faster imaging and processing speeds, capturing more intricate details even in overcast conditions.

(Image source: Leitech Production / Texture Mode)

(Image source: Leitech Production / Vivid Mode)

Whether it's capturing a janitor swiftly sweeping or a jet of water erupting from an Apple Store entrance, the X100 Ultra manages to capture these moments instantly with relative clarity.

As mentioned earlier, my favorite focal lengths for daily use are 28mm, 35mm, and 50mm. However, in the initial software version of the X100 Ultra, there were some algorithmic issues with these golden focal lengths.

(Image source: Leitech Production / Texture Mode)

At the 50mm focal length, the X100 Ultra exhibits a hard-to-describe "dirty" tone, with excessive noise and a generally unpleasant visual experience. Meanwhile, the 85mm telephoto lens exhibits an overall green tint, with both sensors having their respective issues in the initial software version.

(Image source: Leitech Production / Texture Mode)

The Samsung HP9 telephoto lens also exhibits unpredictable tone changes when algorithmic intervention occurs, making it difficult to predict the final output. These changes are uncontrollable, and the viewfinder does not preview the algorithmic manipulations, leading to significant differences between what you see and what you capture.

(Image source: Leitech Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

(Image source: Leitech Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

Due to these issues, the X100 Ultra was mocked as the "Jiba" (a play on words with "Thanos") by netizens during its early release, implying that vivo had failed to deliver on its imaging promises despite the long wait. However, subsequent software updates have focused on improving color consistency and algorithmic intervention.

It's evident that after several software updates, the X100 Ultra's color processing has improved significantly, closely approximating human vision, with a gentle suppression of highlights and no aggressive shadow boosting to please the eye.

(Image source: Leitech Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

(Image source: Leitech Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

Rumors suggest that the X100 Ultra's delayed release was due to the large-sensor telephoto lens. Figuring out how to effectively utilize the 200MP sensor across longer focal lengths for optimal imaging results is a challenging task. Based on my three-month experience, vivo has attempted to enhance image quality through algorithms, with computations handled by the dedicated V3+ imaging chip, yielding satisfactory results.

For example, in this shot taken near the former site of Shanghai People's Hotel, the combination of high resolution and computational photography preserves architectural details and captures the warm tones of sunset at a super-telephoto range of 230mm, achieving the desired effect in both detail and coloration.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

As mentioned earlier, the X100 Ultra relies on a native 85mm telephoto lens to cover focal lengths of 135mm, 230mm, and beyond, placing significant pressure on its algorithms. For example, when capturing images of Linna Belle at ultra-long focal lengths, the algorithm tends to exaggerate her fur shadows, resulting in a less-than-ideal visual experience.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Zeiss Natural Color Mode)

In my opinion, vivo has demonstrated absolute dominance in both imaging hardware and computational photography, but finding the right balance between hardware and software remains a challenge. In low-light environments, vivo shines, almost guaranteeing stunning shots with every capture.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Texture Mode)

Computational photography plays a pivotal role in vivo's current imaging strategy. Active algorithmic intervention can indeed enhance photos' visual appeal, such as suppressing highlights in low-light scenarios, momentarily making one feel like a photography master. However, when algorithms malfunction, the results can be disappointing.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Texture Mode)

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Texture Mode)

After several iterations, I find the X100 Ultra's imaging performance in standard mode satisfactory. However, I would appreciate the inclusion of a manual EV adjustment option on the camera's main interface, allowing users to freely choose their exposure strategy and increase the chances of capturing satisfying shots.

Accompanying the X100 Ultra are two new imaging modes: Street Photography and Stage.

Street Photography is, in my opinion, vivo's most successful imaging mode. It mimics the logic of professional DSLRs, offering a wealth of customization options while minimizing algorithmic intervention. If desired, you can even disable HDR for a more authentic "street sweeping" experience.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Street Photography)

With most imaging algorithms removed, this mode enables more precise snapshot captures. Street Photography also boasts an exclusive black-and-white tone that I often use for art exhibitions, delivering high-contrast imagery with exceptional texture.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Street Photography)

While the Street Photography mode is excellent, I wish its operation logic were more "intelligent." For instance, in Auto mode, the camera defaults to an F4.0 aperture, but the simulated large aperture effect isn't natural, contrary to the mode's original intention. vivo offers C1 and C2 custom settings in this mode, mirroring traditional camera logic. However, I believe fully adopting camera-like "save" settings isn't necessary, as it may hinder quick responses in snapshot scenarios.

The X100 Ultra's debut "Stage" mode can be considered the pinnacle of vivo's imaging capabilities. It fully utilizes the telephoto hardware's performance while pushing computational photography to its limits. From sample images, even at 460mm, the X100 Ultra captures subjects clearly. Based on my observations, vivo may have subtly incorporated beauty algorithms to ensure an exceptional overall look.

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Stage)

(Image source: Leikeji Production / Stage)

In summary, the X100 Ultra, as an "imaging juggernaut," prioritizes imaging above all else. Adjusting the HP9 200MP telephoto lens necessitated a delayed launch and several system updates within a month of release, optimizing color, focus, and imaging. However, I believe the X100 Ultra's overreliance on algorithms may strain computational photography's capabilities, leading to occasional algorithm failures and focusing issues. Stability needs improvement.

(Image source: Leikeji Production)

Yet, I'd still call the X100 Ultra a "camera disguised as a phone" because it delivers satisfying shots in over 90% of scenarios, especially in extreme environments like low light and concerts. Its success rate is impressive.

Ultimately, the difference between mobile and professional imaging lies in "enjoying the result" versus "enjoying the process." Most professional photographers cherish the moment of pressing the shutter, followed by refining their shots into professional masterpieces. Mobile imaging, however, caters to the masses, where users expect a visually appealing shot instantly upon pressing the shutter.

In this regard, I believe vivo's X100 Ultra has delivered an exemplary performance.

OriginOS 4 boasts robust customization and minimal system ads

When deciding to purchase the X100 Ultra, my primary focus was on its imaging capabilities. Upon receiving the phone, I embraced it as my primary device, exploring OriginOS 4, which holds the highest Coolapk rating.

My first step as a primary device user was data migration. vivo's Migration Assistant is the most comprehensive I've experienced, supporting Android-to-Android, Android-to-iOS, and iOS-to-Android transfers. It offers both selective and full device migrations. However, note that Live Photos and HDR images from iPhones will not transfer to vivo devices.

OriginOS 4 impresses with its rich customization options and smooth animations, though it's not flawless.

1. Default frame rate limitation.

The X100 Ultra locks the frame rate at 60Hz after installing new apps. As a top-tier flagship priced above 6K, I believe vivo could have avoided this battery-saving measure.

(Image source: Leikeji Illustration)

If you manually enable the highest frame rate after installing apps, OriginOS 4 ensures consistent performance, unlike other systems that secretly downgrade frame rates. This is commendable.

2. Confusing vivo official app names.

During the FunTouch era, vivo's official apps often had "i+" prefixes (e.g., iTheme, iMusic). These legacy names coexist with OriginOS apps, causing confusion. While nitpicking, vivo's highly praised UI deserves stricter standards.

3. Limited customization options.

iTheme offers few high-quality third-party icons, and top creators seem uninterested in vivo theme development. A colleague recently switched to vivo but couldn't find their preferred icon pack, leading to disappointment. Similarly, Atomic Components lack first-level operation support for many apps.

OriginOS 4's minimal system ads are another strength. Users must manually disable them, like in vivo Wallet, which becomes extremely clean with ads and promotions disabled. The exception is vivo Weather's unremovable news feed ads.

(Image source: Leikeji Illustration)

vivo's commitment to ultrasonic fingerprint sensors for its top-tier devices was a decisive factor in choosing the X100 Ultra. While it doesn't feature the previous wide-area ultrasonic fingerprint, its single-point ultrasonic sensor excels in speed and recognition efficiency over thin-film sensors.

AI: vivo's Ace in the Hole for True AI Phones?

vivo's other ace in the hole is AI, a feature I've grown to love.

Centered around Blue Heart XiaoV, vivo's AI assistant has evolved from basic search queries to AI-generated images and beauty effects. However, I particularly appreciate AI Removal and AI Document Assistant.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, I visited Changsha with the X100 Ultra. As a popular tourist destination, avoiding bystanders in tourist photos is challenging. vivo's AI Removal performs consistently, even with large areas, without looking awkward.

(Image source: Leikeji Illustration / AI Removal)

While AI Removal's results aren't perfect, I'm satisfied with its performance, especially with large areas.

AI Document helps refine articles, continue writing, simplify content, or adjust tone for different platforms. Similar to Apple's AI but earlier and more tailored to Chinese contexts.

(Image source: Leikeji Illustration)

Performance Improvements Needed; Charging Speed Could Be Faster

Finally, let's discuss the X100 Ultra's performance.

Equipped with the familiar flagship trio—Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, UFS 4.0, and LPDDR5X—the X100 Ultra runs smoothly with OriginOS 4, free from lag or stutter.

(Image source: Leikeji Illustration)

As mentioned in the design section, the X100 Ultra's protruding camera module hinders comfortable horizontal grip, especially during gaming, increasing the risk of smudging the lens. Thus, it's not ideal for prolonged gaming sessions.

Moreover, the X100 Ultra heats up quickly during gaming. While the temperature remains manageable, it's not as cool as other performance flagships. Playing Naraka: Bladepoint Mobile often triggers high-load warnings. Similarly, extended photo and video capture sessions cause faster battery drain due to increased heat.

(Image source: Leitech Photography)

Based on my personal usage habits, I've also compiled a battery life test table for the X100 Ultra, for reference only:

(Image source: Created by Leitech)

When it comes to battery life, we must mention the X100 Ultra's battery solution: 5500mAh + 80W wired fast charging + 30W wireless fast charging. To be honest, I don't have a high demand for hundred-watt fast charging, but the X100 Ultra's large battery capacity means that in today's mainstream flagship phones, if it doesn't reach 100W, the charging speed isn't particularly fast.

(Image source: Leitech Graphics)

The X100 Ultra also has fewer charging protocols compared to the X100 Pro, especially with PPS only supporting up to 44W and the 20V VFCP being removed, both of which were standard on the X100 Pro. I hope that vivo maintains a consistent charging protocol in the X200 series as much as possible, as this is an area where they have received excellent reviews, and it's a traditional strength they should not abandon.

Regarding other details, like the X100 Ultra's vibration motor, although it uses a 9595 X-axis solution, the overall tuning is quite tight, providing good haptic feedback. However, OriginOS 4 has very few designed interactions that utilize vibration, and even some focal length changes in the camera lack vibration feedback. In some scenarios, there's also noticeable latency. I hope future system updates can adjust the vibration feedback.

Overall, as an "image destroyer," the X100 Ultra provides a decent user experience, with some features deeply appealing to users, such as AI removal and atomic notifications. However, in terms of details, OriginOS 4 still has many imperfections and lacks attention to detail, and there is room for improvement in performance optimization. Yet, the X200 series is already on the horizon. How much time does this late "destroyer" have left?

Summary: A phone built with the mindset of a camera

During the three months of using the X100 Ultra, I traveled to many cities with it and captured numerous memorable photos. Every time I flip through these photos, I marvel: "Can this really be a beautiful shot taken by me?" Even my friends ask which camera took the photos I post on social media.

(Image source: Leitech Photography / Vivid Mode)

This led me to reflect that instead of discussing whether the X100 Ultra is a success as a phone, it's more accurate to say that this is vivo's first time prioritizing imaging to such an extent that the X100 Ultra has effectively become a competent mirrorless camera, rather than just a powerful flagship phone.

So, the question arises: Is the X100 Ultra worth buying?

Before considering whether to purchase the X100 Ultra, I believe it's essential to clarify your needs.

Highly Suitable: If you have a high demand for photography but are unfamiliar with professional photo editing tools, the X100 Ultra is an excellent choice.

May Not Be Suitable: If you need to consider all aspects of a flagship phone, including performance, design, feel, battery life, and imaging, there are other excellent options besides the X100 Ultra.

(Image source: Leitech Photography)

You Might Want to Wait: If you're a X90 Pro+ user, considering the current timing, you might want to hold off for the X200 series. Rumors suggest that the X200 Pro will also feature this 200MP telephoto lens, and by then, vivo might have a more mature tuning solution, providing an even better experience.

Regardless, I don't regret purchasing the X100 Ultra at launch. The emotional value it brings me far exceeds its material worth, especially considering it's an outstanding mobile photography tool. It's well worth the price. Of course, I'm also eagerly anticipating what imaging solution vivo will bring to the X200 series to surpass the "destroyer".

Source: Leitech