Verdict
The Vivo X90 Pro is designed to be a reliable companion for photography enthusiasts looking to explore the limits of smartphone photography. However, it offers more than just exceptional photo-taking capabilities. With top-tier performance, a sleek design, long-lasting battery life, and a vibrant display, the X90 Pro excels in many areas but truly shines with its photography features.
Cameras
The camera setup on the Vivo X90 Pro is a key highlight, especially with the 1-inch Sony IMX988 primary sensor taking center stage. The camera app is packed with customization options, but for casual users, the focus is on capturing high-quality images with just the press of a button. In this regard, the X90 Pro’s point-and-shoot experience is refined and seamless.
Daylight shots taken with the X90 Pro are rich in color, high in detail, and offer excellent dynamic range. The ZEISS Natural Color mode, which reduces oversaturation, adds a layer of realism to the shots. While the gimbal stabilization seen in previous models is missing, the OIS effectively handles shake.
Autofocus is quick, and manual tracking for moving objects is easy. The new V2 chip improves the image-processing pipeline, offering enhancements like better shadow details and highlights. Automatic HDR works well, activating when needed to elevate a shot.
For more advanced photographers, the camera app offers tools like the Effects Master tab, which allows you to adjust color temperature with a swipe. The 12MP ultra-wide lens supports a Super Macro mode that automatically activates when you get close to a subject. Switching between lenses is smooth, and the ultra-wide lens maintains consistent color with the primary 1-inch camera.
Portrait mode, powered by the 50MP Sony IMX768 depth sensor, delivers excellent background separation and edge detection. Some facial retouching is noticeable, which may appeal to users who want easy-to-share social media content. Additionally, Pro mode and RAW capture options allow for extensive manual control over settings like white balance, exposure, and shutter speed.
Night photography is another strength of the X90 Pro. The V2 chip helps to capture well-exposed and detailed images in low light. The manual exposure slider is effective, and the shutter speed ensures proper color and highlight balance without noise. Night mode enhances computational photography for realistic night shots with shadow detail.
The phone also offers long-exposure, Night Panorama, Astro mode, and Super Moon features. The Sports mode, particularly the Night Sports option, impressed me by capturing clear images of fast-moving objects with ease.
On the video side, the X90 Pro can shoot HDR10+ videos at 1080p, and it supports 4K at 60fps and 8K at 24fps. While ultra stabilization is unavailable in 8K, standard and ultra stabilization modes work well for reducing video shake. The horizontal line mode is useful for stable vertical videos even when the camera is tilted horizontally.
The 32MP front camera, while less prominent than the rear setup, delivers realistic selfies with more natural skin tones. Overall, the X90 Pro’s camera performance is outstanding, making it a top choice for smartphone photography enthusiasts.
Design and Display
Vivo’s attention to detail extends to the phone’s design, with a premium vegan leather back that feels great to the touch. The camera housing is separated by a metallic strip bearing the slogan “Xtreme Imagination.” However, the large camera ring does protrude from the body, leading to some wobble on flat surfaces, though Vivo provides a silicone case to offset this.
The phone has a slim aspect ratio, making it easy to grip. At 214g, the X90 Pro feels solid in hand, with a thickness of 9.34mm due to the camera hump. The Legendary Black color adds a sense of elegance to the design. It also comes with IP68 water and dust resistance, a must for premium flagships.
The 6.78-inch AMOLED display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, a resolution of 2,800 x 1,260, and HDR10+ certification. While it’s not quite QHD+, the display offers excellent quality, brightness (up to 1,500 nits), and contrast, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. Streaming on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video is enhanced by the screen’s vibrant colors and sharp visuals.
Performance and Software
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 SoC, the Vivo X90 Pro delivers flagship-level performance, rivaling the best Android phones. Benchmark tests such as Geekbench and Antutu confirm its ability to handle intensive tasks smoothly. The phone also manages heat effectively with a 4,002mm² vapor chamber, ensuring it performs well during demanding gaming sessions.
The device comes with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, ensuring quick app loading and smooth multitasking. The stereo speakers provide good audio clarity, and the in-display fingerprint sensor works well, although occasional re-authentication is needed.
FunTouchOS 13, based on Android 13, is Vivo’s custom UI. It offers a smooth and functional interface with useful features like Color Theming, metadata removal for privacy, and the iManager app for phone cooling. Bloatware is present but minimized compared to previous versions.
Battery Life
With a 4,870mAh battery, the Vivo X90 Pro easily lasts through a full day of moderate use, providing around seven hours of screen-on time. Even with heavy camera usage or 5G, the battery holds up well. The phone supports 120W fast charging, fully charging in under 30 minutes, making it convenient for quick top-ups.
Final Verdict
The Vivo X90 Pro is an extraordinary camera phone that also delivers a premium smartphone experience in design, performance, display, and battery life. Priced at Rs 84,999 (approximately $1,020), it may be a high-end investment, but for those passionate about photography, it’s a device that pushes the boundaries of what a smartphone can achieve.
Conclusion
The Vivo X90 Pro is a compelling choice for photography enthusiasts looking for a premium smartphone that excels in image quality. With its advanced camera system, stunning design, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery, it delivers an all-around flagship experience. Though it comes with a premium price tag of Rs 84,999 (around $1,020), the combination of cutting-edge features and top-tier optical capabilities makes it a worthy investment for those who prioritize mobile photography without sacrificing overall performance.
