Vivo X200 FE Review: Come for Compact Design Stay for Camera

Is the era of bulky smartphones finally ending? Prepare for the triumphant return of compact flagships in 2025! Several brands are joining the revolution, but Vivo is already leading the charge. Their latest marvel, the Vivo X200 FE, shrinks flagship power into a pocket-friendly design. Landing in India, the X200 FE starts at just Rs. 54,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. Crave even more power? The maxed-out 16GB RAM + 512GB configuration is available for Rs. 59,999. Get ready to experience flagship performance, redefined.

Remember the days when phones comfortably slipped into your pocket, yet packed a punch? This new release aims to resurrect that magic. Boasting a sleek, pocket-friendly design, a vibrant display that pops, and optics blessed by Zeiss, it’s a serious contender for anyone yearning for compact power. Plus, the battery keeps going. But is nostalgia enough? I got my hands on this device – let’s dive into what makes it tick, and whether it’s the compact comeback we’ve been waiting for.

Vivo X200 FE Design: Compact and Premium

• Dimensions – 150.83 x 71.76 x 7.99mm
• Weight – 186g
• Colours – Luxe Grey, Frost Blue and Amber Yellow

For years, I’ve waged a personal war against smartphone giants clinging to oversized screens. The X200 FE offers a truce, a glimmer of hope for us die-hard devotees of pocket-friendly power. I’ll always champion the compact form – comfort and convenience trump sprawling displays every single time.

The smartphone is available in three colour options: Amber Yellow, Frost Blue, and Luxe Grey.

The X200 FE? It slots right in, feeling almost custom-made for your palm. Forget bulky bricks; this phone champions a compact design, its flat metal frame kissing your fingertips with subtly curved edges. Luxe Grey whispers sophistication, Frost Blue hints at icy coolness, but Amber Yellow? That’s the shade that landed on my desk a bold statement of premium individuality that turns heads and sparks conversation.

The phone’s rear commands attention with its striking vertical camera island, a sophisticated stage for its dual sensors. A lone, third lens nestles intimately beside the module, an unexpected touch of asymmetry that elevates the design. More than just visually appealing, the back panel offers a truly luxurious, velvety tactile experience. This captivating texture is achieved through the use of metallic sand AG technology. And of course, the iconic Zeiss branding graces the camera island, a subtle nod to the phone’s imaging prowess.

The phone’s 6.31-inch display stretches nearly edge-to-edge, a canvas unmarred by bulky bezels. The fingerprint sensor sits at the bottom, a placement that’salmostperfect. My thumb instinctively yearned for it a fraction higher, but the phone’s surprisingly compact form factor prevents it from feeling awkward. However, be warned: the volume rocker lives on the phone’s upper reaches. Reaching it requires a deliberate stretch, a minor inconvenience that could have been avoided with a slightly more ergonomic placement.

The phone comes with IP68 and IP69 rating, which makes it a durable smartphone.

Forget fragile. This phone laughs in the face of the elements. Boasting a battle-ready IP68 and IP69 rating, fortified Gorilla Glass, and SGS Triple Protection certification, it’s built to endure. The manufacturer even dares to claim it can weather a 12-hour downpour. Sadly, Delhi’s relentless sunshine denied us the pleasure of putting that claim to the ultimate test.

Flipping the phone reveals a hidden talent: an IR blaster nestled between the camera lenses, transforming your X200 FE into a universal remote for all those “dumb” appliances. Crank up the volume and prepare for immersive sound, as the earpiece cleverly doubles as a second speaker, delivering true stereo audio. Beyond the bells and whistles, the X200 FE boasts a reassuringly solid build and a refreshingly straightforward design – it simplyfeelsright in your hand.

Vivo X200 FE Display: Vibrant and Colourful

• Display – 6.31-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display
• Refresh Rate – 120Hz adaptive screen refresh rate
• Other Features – 2160Hz PWM Dimming, HDR10+, 460ppi, 5,000nits peak brightness

Prepare to be dazzled. The Vivo X200 FE doesn’t just show you visuals; it explodes them onto a stunning 6.31-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED canvas. We’re talking a razor-sharp 1216×2640 resolution, a vibrant 10-bit color palette, and a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. But hold on, because this screen cranks all the way up to a retina-searing 5,000 nits of peak brightness. Forget specs; the real magic lies in Vivo’s masterful calibration, elevating this display far beyond the ordinary.

The LTPO OLED display dynamically adjusts its refresh rate from a battery-sipping 1Hz to a silky-smooth 120Hz. Choose between the intelligent Auto Switch, the responsive High (120Hz), or the power-saving Standard (up to 60Hz) mode. Experience seamless fluidity whether you’re effortlessly browsing the web or immersed in high-frame-rate cinematic visuals.

The Vivo X200 FE features a compact 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display.

The Vivo X200 FE’s display explodes with color. Thanks to its OLED panel, visuals are razor-sharp and intensely vibrant. Choose your viewing experience: Standard, Professional (my personal favorite for its realistic tones), or Bright for maximum punch. Watching “Our Planet” on Netflix became a breathtaking journey; the dynamic range was stunning, and the colors practically leaped off the screen. Blacks are deep and inky, banishing light bleed and grey scale even in the darkest scenes. Plus, HDR10+ certification unlocks a world of HDR content on YouTube and Netflix, bringing unparalleled visual fidelity to your fingertips.

Blazing bright, the display peaks at an eye-searing 5,000 nits – banishing screen glare whether you’re bathed in sunlight or sipping lattes indoors. Crisp text remains effortlessly legible under any condition. For the twilight hours, a 2160Hz PWM dimming system reduces flicker, further customizable to an astonishing 4320Hz via developer options. And with SGS Low Blue Light certification, marathon viewing sessions become a pleasure, not a strain.

Vivo X200 FE Software: Reduced Bloat

• Software – FuntouchOS 15
• Version – Android 15
• Updates Promised – 4 Years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches

“Step into the future with the Vivo X200 FE, powered by the intuitive FuntouchOS 15 layered over the cutting-edge Android 15. But that’s not all – experience long-term peace of mind with Vivo’s commitment to four years of OS upgrades and a fortress-like five years of security patches. Your X200 FE is not just a phone; it’s an investment.”

FuntouchOS: Incremental Evolution, Not Revolution. While the latest version boasts a familiar interface, prepare for a déjà vu experience. Bloatware persists, though thankfully, it’s been trimmed slightly compared to previous models. Brace yourself for Vivo’s in-house app suite – an alternative App Store, Browser, Contacts, and more. iManager, the ever-vigilant app scanner, remains, occasionally testing your patience. On a brighter note, the reduction of third-party bloatware is a step in the right direction.

The company promises four years of security updates and five years of security patches for this smartphone.

Beyond the basics, the user interface hides a few clever tricks. The split-screen and pop-up window functionality feels intuitive, finally making true multitasking on a phone a reality. But the real magic lies in the AI enhancements. Google’s Circle to Search and the Gemini AI assistant are present and accounted for, putting powerful tools right at your fingertips. Plus, the integrated Google Lens-powered screen translation is a game-changer – instantly understand content in any language without jumping through hoops.

Beyond live call translations and AI-powered summaries, transcripts, and captions, the real fun begins with the camera. The FourSeasons Portrait mode is neat, but AI Magic Move – letting you reposition subjects within a photo – is genuinely impressive. The AI Reflection Erase tool is equally captivating, making unwanted reflections vanish with a tap. Add in the AI Image Expander, AI Erase, and AI Photo Enhance, and you’ve got a playground of creative possibilities. I found myself particularly drawn to the Magic Move and Reflection Erase features; they’re just plain cool.

Imagine leaving your bulky keycard at home. This phone’s clever NFC tech digitally clones your access cards, granting you entry with a tap. As long as it’s NFC-based, kiss those fumbling keychains goodbye!

Vivo X200 FE Performance: Gets the Job Done

• Processor – MediaTek Dimensity 9300+
• Memory – Up to 16GB LPDDR5X
• Storage – Up to 512GB UFS 3.1

Beneath the Vivo X200 FE’s sleek exterior lies the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ – a powerhouse that laughs in the face of demanding apps and resource-intensive games. Paired with a staggering 16GB of RAM and a cavernous 512GB of storage, this phone isn’t just keeping up; it’s leaving the competition in the dust. Don’t let the “last-year” tag fool you – the Dimensity 9300+ is a seasoned veteran ready to conquer any challenge you throw its way.

The phone zips through daily tasks like a caffeinated cheetah. Apps spring to life the instant you tap them, and the system hums along smoothly even when you’re throwing everything at it. Think seamless Instagram Reels marathons, or breezing through online articles while your music blasts no lag, no stutters, just pure, unadulterated speed.

Crank up the graphics! This phone devours demanding games like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile without breaking a sweat. We’re talking a silky-smooth 90fps in BGMI, even during marathon sessions. No frustrating frame drops, no infuriating stutters – just pure, unadulterated gaming bliss. The responsive touch adds another layer of precision. And the best part? The advanced vapor chamber cooling keeps things icy cool, preventing overheating and ensuring peak performance.

Vivo X200 FE Cameras: Impressive

• Rear – 50-megapixel primary sensor with f/1.88 aperture + 50-megapixel telephoto sensor + 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens
• Front – 50-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture

Compact phones often force you to make a tough choice: pocket-friendly size or a decent camera. Slimming down usually means sacrificing impressive camera sensors. But the Vivo X200 FE throws that compromise out the window. Its cameras aren’t just good; they’re a headlining act.

The Vivo X200 FE packs a triple-camera setup, despite offering a compact form factor.

The X200 FE series inherits the exceptional main camera of the standard X200, but diverges in its telephoto approach. Instead of the conventional periscope lens, it employs an M-style prism. This design choice results in a slightly reduced zoom range compared to the X200, presenting a unique trade-off for photography enthusiasts.

Vivo X200 FE daylight camera samples taken from the primary sensor. (Tap to Expand)

The Vivo X200 FE doesn’t just take pictures; it paints them. Its 50MP main lens is a daylight virtuoso, snapping images so crisp and alive, they practically leap off the screen. Dynamic range is expertly balanced, and colors, though kissed with saturation, pack a delightful punch without straying into the artificial. Zoom in dare to! and you’ll find detail meticulously rendered, noise banished like a bad dream. This camera’s got game.

Vivo X200 FE daylight camera samples taken from the telephoto sensor. (Tap to Expand)

But let’s be honest, the telephoto lens steals the spotlight. I found myself utterly captivated, snapping away at everything and everyone. The results? Stunning. Colors popped with vibrant authenticity, and every shot boasted impressive clarity. Even pushing the zoom to 6x or 10x, the images held their own, clinging to detail and color fidelity, though understandably, a touch of sharpness did give way.

Vivo X200 FE portaits clicked using the telephoto lens.

Portraits truly shine, thanks to the phone’s ZEISS-inspired bokeh magic. Choose from legendary lens emulations like Biotar’s swirl, Sonnar’s smoothness, or Distagon’s sharpness, instantly transforming your shots. Expect stunning subject isolation against beautifully blurred backgrounds, all while preserving remarkably natural and lifelike colors.

Vivo X200 FE daylight camera samples taken with the wide-angle sensor. (Tap to Expand)

The wide-angle lens, sadly, underperforms. While it combats barrel distortion adequately, images lack sharpness, and colors appear washed out. It’s the dullest tool in an otherwise vibrant kit.

Vivo X200 FE low-light camera samples taken with the primary sensor. (Tap to Expand)

When twilight descends, the Vivo X200 FE truly shines. Its primary sensor unveils a world of detail, even as the light fades. Images boast balanced exposure, rich tonal contrast, and remarkably natural colors. Low-light photography is no longer a compromise, but a canvas for vibrant, detailed memories.

Vivo X200 FE low-light camera samples taken with the telephoto lens. (Tap to expand)

Even as the light faded, the telephoto lens continued to impress, pulling in detail with surprising clarity. Shadows danced playfully across the frame, yet the sensor captured a remarkable range of tones, painting a picture of balanced, vibrant color.

Vivo X200 FE low-light camera samples taken with the wide-angle lens. (Tap to Expand)

The ultra-wide lens, however, stumbled in the shadows. Images lacked crispness, although the dynamic range offered a saving grace.

Vivo X200 FE selfie camera samples. (Tap to Expand)

The selfie camera: not groundbreaking, but reliably flattering. Expect true-to-life skin tones and subject separation that holds its own against the best.

But the real magic lies in the camera’s playground of creative tools. Dive into Street Photography Mode, where you become the director, orchestrating filters and focal lengths to capture raw, unfiltered moments. Beyond this, swirl stunning ZEISS bokeh into your portraits, paint with a palette of vibrant filters, and let AI be your assistant. Effortlessly banish unwanted reflections, expand the horizons of your images, and magically move subjects with a tap.

The Vivo X200 FE isn’t just taking videos; it’s crafting visual experiences. Capture stunningly smooth footage in up to 4K at 60fps, thanks to the dynamic duo of OIS and EIS. Videos burst with vibrant colors and boast impressive stabilization, ensuring your memories are captured flawlessly. The dynamic range is respectable, handling tricky lighting with ease. But the real kicker? The front camera also shoots in 4K at 60fps – a rare and delightful surprise usually reserved for flagship phones. Selfie videos are equally impressive, delivering a dynamic range that keeps your face looking its best. Prepare to be amazed by the X200 FE’s video prowess.

Vivo X200 FE Battery: Surprisingly Good

• Battery Capacity – 6,500mAh
• Wired Charging – 90W
• Charger – 90W (Included in Box)

The Vivo X200 FE laughs in the face of battery anxiety. Packing a massive 6,500mAh power plant into its surprisingly svelte 188-gram frame, this phone is built for endurance. Vivo’s secret? A next-gen 3rd-generation Silicon Anode battery coupled with a C-FRACK structure. Translation: maximum energy density, unwavering safety, and power that just won’t quit.

The smartphone packs a 6,000mAh battery and offers a 90W fast charging support.

The battery life on this smartphone is a marathon runner, not a sprinter. In the PCMark Work 3.0 battery test, it cruised for an astonishing 19 hours and 3 minutes, placing it among the battery elite. But the real showstopper was our HD video loop test, where it stretched its legs for an incredible 20 hours and 36 minutes. That’s endurance that defies its sleek, compact design.

Juice it up! The Vivo X200 FE delivers a solid day of power even when you’re pushing it hard. Dial back the intensity, and you’re looking at a day and a half. Light users? Prepare for a two-day battery bonanza. And when it’s time to refuel, this phone goes from zero to full in under an hour – we’re talking a speedy 58 minutes.

Vivo X200 FE Verdict

The Vivo X200 FE doesn’t just flirt with the idea of a compact flagship – it dives headfirst into a pool long abandoned by the competition. Forget compromising; this phone proves you can have top-tier performance without needing clown-sized pockets. Wrapped in a beautifully compact design and splashed with eye-catching colors, the X200 FE is a head-turner. And the screen? Prepare for a vibrant explosion of color that practically leaps off the display. But the real kicker? It packs a surprising battery wallop, proving that good things really do come in small packages.

Vivo X200 FE seems to be a good smartphone in this price range, though the competition is quite fierce.

But let’s be honest, the cameras steal the spotlight. Sporting the iconic ZEISS lens, they paint stunning pictures regardless of the light. And the telephoto? Prepare to be amazed. It’s a bokeh masterclass, thanks to those dreamy, signature ZEISS effects. You’ll be addicted.

The Vivo X200 FE isn’t flawless; think pre-installed apps you might not want. The wide-angle lens also struggles a bit, and it’s running on last year’s chip – small blemishes on an otherwise impressive package. But, if you crave a truly pocketable phone and have a budget under Rs 60,000, the X200 FE’s rarity makes it a compelling option.

The Vivo X200 FE enters a brutal arena. To survive, it’ll have to outmuscle titans like the OnePlus 13s (already drawing blood in reviews), the aspirational Apple iPhone 16e (a status symbol in its own right), and the camera king, Google Pixel 9A (whose computational photography is legendary). All three prowl the same price range, claws sharpened with competitive specs and features. Can the X200 FE rise to the challenge?

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