vivo x100 ultra review: Unboxing, Features, and Verdict

The Vivo X100 Ultra is a powerhouse of a smartphone, packed with impressive features that make it a top contender in the market. It's available in two colors: Cosmic Black and Starlight Black.

One of the standout features of the X100 Ultra is its large 6.56-inch AMOLED display, which offers a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures seamless scrolling and gaming performance.

The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which provides lightning-fast performance and efficient battery life. You can expect to get around 12 hours of talk time on a single charge.

The Vivo X100 Ultra also boasts an impressive 50MP primary camera, along with a 48MP telephoto lens and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, making it ideal for capturing stunning photos and videos.

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The Vivo X100 Ultra's design is quite premium, with a titanium color variant that has an AG glass back material and nice silver trims. It's a bit thicker and heavier than its Pro counterpart.

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The device comes in three colors: white, dark grey, or titanium, and the titanium color variant has an AG glass back material. However, the side frames are still made from aluminium.

The fingerprint sensor is now ultrasonic, which means it's more accurate, a lot faster, and requires just a tap to get into the action. This is an upgrade over the optical fingerprint sensor found in the Pro model.

The display is a curved 6.78-inch E7 AMOLED screen with a QHD resolution that boasts 517 pixels per inch. It can display over a billion colors and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and Widevine L1 content.

The display still uses LTPO technology for a 1Hz to 120Hz screen refresh rate, and has the same 300Hz touch sampling rate as well as 1440Hz PWM dimming.

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The Vivo X100 Ultra is a premium device with a sleek design. It comes in three colours: white, dark grey, and titanium, which I have, and it looks extremely premium with nice silver trims all around.

The titanium colour variant has an AG glass back material, but don't be fooled, the side frames are still made from aluminium. This gives it a slightly different feel from the Pro counterpart.

It's quite a bit thicker and heavier than its Pro counterpart, measuring 9.23 mm and weighing 229 grams. The extra weight is noticeable, but it's a trade-off for the upgraded features.

The device now offers IP68 and IP69 certification, making it more waterproof than its Pro counterpart. This means it can withstand close-range high-pressure water jets, in addition to being submerged at 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.

The fingerprint sensor is now ultrasonic, making it more accurate and a lot faster to use. You just need to tap it to get into action.

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The display on the X100 Ultra is certainly an upgrade, but it's not without its drawbacks. It's a curved 6.78-inch E7 AMOLED screen with a QHD resolution that boasts 517 pixels per inch.

This display can display over a billion colors and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and Widevine L1 content. The 10-bit panel is a significant improvement over the X100 Pro's display.

It still uses LTPO technology for a 1Hz to 120Hz screen refresh rate, which is a nice feature for gaming and smooth scrolling. The 300Hz touch sampling rate is also a plus, but it's the same as the X90 Pro Plus.

The peak brightness of 3,000 nits is impressive, almost double that of the X90 Pro Plus. However, the PWM dimming has been reduced from 2160Hz on the Pro version to 1440Hz, which might be a drawback for some users.

The viewing angles have also gotten worse on the X100 Ultra, which is a shame considering the display's other features.

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The ultra-wide camera is the most common of the three, and while the hardware has been upgraded, the improvement in image quality isn't very significant.

You'll notice a subtle difference when looking at the sample photos, but it's not a drastic change.

There are only three colorways for the Ultra version, all of which are more subdued than the Pro version.

The Titanium color, in particular, features a metallic glass back that looks sleek and is my favorite of the three options.

The Vivo X100 Ultra's camera is a significant upgrade over its predecessors. The selfie camera now features a 24 mm focal length, making selfies look a lot better.

This new camera uses a Samsung-made 1/2.76” size 50-megapixel ISOCELL JN1 sensor with an aperture of f/2.45 and autofocus. It's a game-changer for selfie enthusiasts.

Selfie photos at night look particularly great, with minimal noise grain and superb lighting. The flash does a nice job of eliminating shadows on the face and providing a more natural skin tone.

The camera also supports 4K 60fps selfie video, which is a nice bonus. However, cinematic portrait video is still limited to 1080p resolution when using the selfie camera.

The vivo X100 Ultra's battery has a significant boost, with a capacity of 5,500 mAh. This is thanks to the second-generation silicon carbon battery.

The charging speeds have taken a hit, though, with a maximum of 80W wired and 30W wireless charging.

A new 3D Vapor chamber cooling system keeps things cool while charging, with dual layer Cooling and Rapid freezing mechanisms.

The weight of the phone is slightly increased, but it's still manageable.

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The vivo X100 Ultra's hardware is certainly impressive, with up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage and up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM.

This combination, paired with the 4nm run Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU, allows the phone to achieve the highest AnTuTu score ever seen in a smartphone.

The phone's performance is good, but not particularly special, as it's in line with what we'd expect from a photography flagship phone.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 CPU can easily play demanding games like Genshin Impact at 120 FPS, but the X100 Ultra is limited to 60 FPS on maxed out settings.

At Zoom, the 200MP camera delivers a massive 16 times more pixels than the S24, resulting in incredibly detailed images and a more immersive experience.

The S24, on the other hand, is optimized for low-light conditions, producing better results in environments with limited lighting.

The 200MP camera excels in bright lighting conditions, capturing more vibrant colors and textures.

In contrast, the S24's smaller sensor size can lead to a slight decrease in image quality in well-lit environments.

The 200MP camera's increased resolution also allows for more flexible cropping and zooming without sacrificing image quality.

This can be particularly useful for applications where precise control over the frame is crucial.

The Vivo X100 Ultra's performance is impressive, but not groundbreaking. Its AnTuTu score is the highest I've seen from a smartphone.

The phone's single-core performance outdoes the Dimensity 9300 chip, but its multi-core performance lags slightly behind.

Playing Genshin Impact on maxed-out settings, the phone maintained an average of 60 FPS without any frame stutters or overheating, thanks to its new cooling system.

However, the phone's performance in Genshin Impact could be improved, as it's capable of running at 120 FPS, but it only averages 60 FPS.

On the other hand, playing Call of Duty mobile, the phone reached 120 FPS without any frame limitations and barely any frame drops.

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The X100 Ultra has three color modes: Vivid, Textured, and ZEISS Natural. Each mode is designed for a specific use scenario.

Vivid mode is great for recording daily life, like taking photos of food and portraits. It's perfect for capturing bright and vivid colors.

Textured mode is ideal for creating your own photography or shooting neon lights at night. It produces a more natural look compared to Vivid's HDR effect.

ZEISS Natural mode is a safe bet when the other two modes don't work well, and it often takes decent photos with ease. It has a more balanced contrast and white balance compared to Vivid and Textured modes.

The Vivo X100 Ultra's connectivity options are truly impressive. It features Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an IR blaster for a wide range of uses.

You'll also get a 25-antenna signal amplification system for 5.5G in China or 5G around the world, ensuring a strong and reliable connection. This is a game-changer for anyone who needs to stay connected on the go.

One of the standout features is the long range Wi-Fi 7 mode, which allows for stable connections up to 150 meters.

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The Vivo X100 Ultra's connectivity options are truly impressive. It features Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an IR blaster, making it a great choice for those who want a reliable and versatile device.

The phone also boasts a 25-antenna signal amplification system, which enhances 5G connectivity around the world, and satellite connectivity in China. This means users can enjoy faster data speeds and stay connected even in areas with weak signals.

One of the standout features of the Vivo X100 Ultra's connectivity is its long-range Wi-Fi 7 mode, which allows for stable connections up to 150 meters. This is perfect for those who want to stream content or work remotely without any interruptions.

The phone also comes with a USB 3.2 type-C port, making it easy to transfer files and charge the device quickly.

The X100 Ultra's 200MP camera is a game-changer, offering full-resolution shots at 3.7x zoom, which you can crop after the fact for plenty of detail.

You can take 200MP snaps and forego hybrid zoom, but be aware that these photos can be noisier than the full 200MP shots on occasion.

The full-resolution mode defaults to a still-binned 50MP, which can be a good option for capturing plenty of scope to crop in ideal conditions.

However, the 200MP crop lacks the processing seen in 10x shots, resulting in blown highlights and/or reduced dynamic range in some scenes.

The X100 Ultra also offers a 4K/120fps slow-motion option on both the main and tele cameras, making it a great choice for capturing smooth video.

You can also use the Cinematic Portrait video mode, which is similar to Apple's Cinematic Mode, and Ultra Stabilization video mode, which matches Apple's maximum 2.8K/60fps Action mode.

The vivo X100 Ultra arrives in a flat dark gray squarish box that's typical of vivo's high-end presentation.

Inside, you'll find everything you need to get started, which is convenient.

An 80W adapter is part of the bundle, and it has a USB-A port for charging the phone.

A matching cable is also included, which is a thoughtful touch.

A fairly basic soft silicone case is provided for protection, and it does the job without drawing attention to itself.

The vivo X100 Ultra's camera can be a bit too aggressive with its sharpening and AI processing, leading to overly shiny rain drops on cars and an overly processed number plate on the first car in a shot.

The phone's tendency to overprocess images can result in inconsistent results, which may not be ideal for users who value natural-looking photos.

The vivo X100 Ultra's 200MP 3.7x periscope camera does beat the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra at camera zoom, but it's not a slam-dunk victory.

The phone's larger pixels, however, can be a plus in low-light situations, as seen in the comparison with the S24 Ultra.

The vivo X100 Ultra's 5,500mAh battery with fast wired and wireless charging is a great feature, but it's not the only thing that makes it a flagship Android phone.

This phone has truly impressive performance for both gaming and everyday tasks, making it a solid choice for anyone looking for a reliable device.

The cooling system is also noteworthy, keeping the phone running smoothly even during intense gaming sessions.

With a large silicon carbon battery, you can expect a full day's use without needing to recharge.

The display is pixel-perfect, with vibrant colors that really pop.

The upgraded selfie camera is a highlight, capable of capturing stunning 4K footage.

The back camera setup is nearly unbeatable, making it a professional-grade camera that can also make calls.

The design is stunning, with a solid build and impressive waterproofing that's sure to withstand daily wear and tear.

The X100 Ultra's main camera is a solid performer, but it doesn't bring any groundbreaking improvements over the Pro model.

In terms of image quality, the main camera of the Ultra and the Pro are very similar, with the Ultra's not standing out as significantly better.

The main camera is where the Ultra truly shines when it comes to video recording, thanks to its gimbal-like anti-shake structure that greatly improves stability.

This feature is a big plus, especially when recording at night, and it's a significant advantage over other Android phones.

One notable limitation of the ultra wide-angle camera is that it can't record 4K 120fps video specs, which is a feature available on the other two cameras.

This phone has some truly impressive specs, like its Rock Solid performance for gaming and day-to-day tasks.

The cooling system is also noteworthy, keeping the phone running smoothly even during intense gaming sessions.

A large silicon carbon battery provides all-day battery life, making it perfect for heavy users.

The pixel popping display is a real treat for the eyes, with vibrant colors and crisp text.

The upgraded selfie camera is a game-changer, capable of shooting 4K video.

The back camera setup is almost unrivalled, with features that would make a professional photographer jealous.

However, the phone's software is not quite Global ready, which may limit its appeal for some users.

Additionally, certain features like satellite connectivity are only available in China.

The pricing of the Vivo X100 Ultra is quite competitive, starting at just 6,499 Chinese Yuan.

Unfortunately, this device is a Chinese exclusive, so you won't be able to get it in other markets.

In China, the Vivo X100 Ultra is relatively well priced, especially considering its features and performance.

The vivo X100 Ultra is a powerhouse when it comes to returning to a full charge.

With a large 4500mAh battery, you can expect to get through a full day of use without needing to recharge. This is thanks to vivo's advanced power-saving technology that optimizes battery life.

Recharging the battery is also a breeze, with vivo's 80W fast charging system able to replenish the battery to 100% in just 30 minutes.