Vivo X80 Pro review: probably the best Android camera phone of 2022

EXPERIENCE OF USE

Definitely top technical data sheet for this vivo X80 Pro which integrates a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a powerful and reliable SoC, supported by 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM. The classic benchmarks all offered results in line (or better in some cases) with other top of the range based on this processor. But it is certainly in everyday use that I particularly appreciated this smartphone.

The X80 Pro has in fact always proved to be very fluid and responsive in any context of use. Performance, games, multitasking, launching apps and using the camera have never shown uncertainties or drops during intense use and also the temperatures have never been particularly high thanks also to the cooling system with vapor chamber that covers an extended area of ​​the device. As for gaming, on the X80 Pro there is also an X-axis Linear motor, supported by an algorithm developed in vivo, which guarantees a silent but powerful vibration and with a very fast response time.

A “downside” could be the 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage space that cannot be expanded. While this is a sufficient amount for most users, it could be a limitation especially for those who like to take a lot of photos and record videos at high resolutions. The availability in Europe of a version with 512GB would also have been appreciated.

AUTONOMY AND RECHARGE

The battery is 4700mAh with support for 80W FlashCharge fast charging, via the supplied battery charger, and 50W FlashCharge Wireless (in this case it is sold separately). Full recharging takes about 36 minutes. In these days of testing I managed to reach an average of 6/7 hours of active display with GPS navigation, streaming and gaming. A satisfying result.

AUDIO E MULTIMEDIALITA’

The dual stereo speaker, for the first time on a vivo X Series device in Europe, is able to offer excellent audio quality, with a good perception of low tones and high frequencies without distortion. The audio via the ear capsule is also clean and has a fairly high volume. No problems encountered when recording voice messages on the most popular messaging platforms.

TELEPHONE PART AND CONNECTIVITY

The vivo X80 Pro has a removable slot that can accommodate two nano SIMs with intelligent switching based on the state of the network. Unfortunately, eSIM support is missing. Through settings we can choose the default SIM for calls and data connectivity. 5G SA / NSA networks with adaptive power saving are supported which allows you to choose apps for which we want the 5G network to always be used unlike others that will go into 4G when data services are not needed.

In general, the signal reception is always excellent as well as Bluetooth and WiFi. Do not miss the NFC support that allows the use of the smartphone for contactless payments. The operation of GPS, accelerometer and gyroscope is also excellent.

TOP CAMERA

vivo X80 Pro integrates a front camera with 32 MP S5KGD2 Tetrapixel sensor and a rear system consisting of four cameras: the main 50 MP with GNV Ultra-sensing sensor , able to optimize reflections and reduce diffused light thanks to a high transmittance glass lens, and optical image stabilization system (OIS) with Active Centering technology; a 48 MP wide-angle camera with Sony IMX598 sensor and a 114-degree field of view, an 8 MP periscope with SK hynix Hi-847 sensor and a 12 MP telephoto lens with Sony IMX663 sensor and Gimbal stabilization.

On the hardware side, to ensure a high quality rendering , all the lenses of the X80 Pro cameras are equipped with the ZEISS T * coating which improves light transmission and helps reduce reflections such as flare and ghosting. The V1 + imaging chip, an evolution of the V1 launched in September last year, includes among its innovations an AI Video Enhancement system that automatically identifies the correct mode to obtain the highest quality in any light condition.

Also different are the photographic features developed in collaboration with ZEISS, with which vivo entered into a strategic partnership in 2020. Among these, ZEISS Cinematic and ZEISS Cinematic Video Bokeh creates an oval blur in 2.39: 1 cinema format, visually recreating the effect of the lenses anamorphic cinematic. Through settings you can also choose the normal bokeh video effect.

To improve night shots, however, there is the ZEISS Superb Night Camera function . X80 Pro also supports XDR Photo, a feature that improves the photographic rendering of the display and enhances the HDR effect by optimizing lighting, contrasts and tones to better reflect what the human eye sees. Natural Color ZEISS reproduces natural colors and automatically optimizes both exposure and white balance, allowing the image to best recreate what the human eye perceives. The Camera Panning feature,finally, thanks to the vertical tracking technology, it captures the object in real time in a clear way while the algorithm separates it accurately from the background creating a particular motion bokeh effect.

The camera interface, despite being very simple and intuitive, has many additional features. The main modes are arranged in a carousel selector that ends on the right with “other” that contains additional shooting modes including slow-moton, starry sky, super moon, time lapse, documents, long exposure and panorama. There is also a Pro mode that offers maximum freedom in adjusting focus, white balance, shutter speed, ISO and exposure, on all four cameras. RAW format can also be saved in this mode .

BUT HOW DOES IT SHOOT?

Hardware, acronyms and technicalities aside, which could only end up confusing ideas, this vivo X80 Pro has in my opinion one of the best photographic compartments on a smartphone. Apart from my examination, in the next few days we will publish a focus on the photographic sector with particular attention to the so-called “astrophotography” in which X80 Pro has really amazed us (a taste in the next gallery).

As for the photos, those captured via the main sensor offer the best quality ever, both in terms of colors and lighting, especially using HDR to balance the shadow areas in scenes with greater contrasts. Even with the other sensors, however, you always get excellent photos, with a good amount of contrast and lots of detail. ZEISS color mode adds a warmer tone.

Excellent 2x optical zoom offered by the 12 megapixel telephoto lens while the 5x periscope greatly increases the levels of sharpness, sometimes aggressively. Going beyond 5x the quality quickly begins to decline resulting in shots lacking in detail and with many artifacts.

Even in the most difficult lighting conditions, the X80 Pro has always stood up to its best especially when there are some light sources that help add some depth to an image or when we use a tripod. The Samsung GNV sensor, thanks also to the excellent stabilization, allows you to capture blur-free, well exposed and very natural photos. Excellent results also for the portrait mode that manages to better separate the main subject from the background.

Overall, the camera system of this vivo X80 Pro convinced me a lot especially with regard to the classic point and shoot. We take out the smartphone, activate the camera, shoot and in most conditions, even without touching any additional settings or options, we will get a high quality photo.

vivo X80 Pro is capable of recording video with resolution up to 8K , but the best results will be in HD and 4K. The strong point of the videos is definitely the stabilization, always excellent with any lens. For the more creative there are cinematic mode and different LUTs to change colors and atmospheres.

IN CONCLUSION

In conclusion, what struck me about this vivo X80 Pro? Everything and it was difficult to find any aspect to mention in the “cons” while I had to omit something in the “pros” to avoid it becoming a long list. vivo X80 Pro is certainly one of the best Android smartphones currently on the market, especially from a photographic point of view.

The list price could have been a “against” but is still in line with that of its direct competitors. Added value is the exclusive package of services offered by vivo for this device which includes pick-up service , free video assistance and the repair or replacement of the damaged screen in the first 6 months following the purchase.

PHOTOGRAPHIC QUALITY MULTIMEDIA (AUDIO AND DISPLAY) BUILDING QUALITY PERFORMANCE AND AUTONOMY FAST IMPRESSION SENSOR

ERGONOMICS QUALITY PERISCOPIC ZOOM MORE THAN 5x NO eSIM

FINAL VOTE: 9

vivo X80 Pro 5G Smartphone, 12 GB RAM + 256 GB ROM, 50 MP ZEISS, Android 12 Mobile Phone, 6.78 Inch AMOLED Display 4700 mAh Battery, 80 W Dual SIM FlashCharge Mobile Phones

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