Reviews

Huawei Mate X2 review: Better and refined

Third time’s the charm!

Published

August 7, 2021

The year was 2019 when the war on folding phones began. It was Huawei versus Samsung and in February of that year, I was in Barcelona, Spain to see them both.

Samsung had just announced Galaxy Fold a week prior and at the Mobile World Congress (MWC), it was displayed behind a glass box. Right out of the gate, Huawei seemed to be more confident allowing a select few journalists some hands-on time with the Mate X.

What made the rivalry exciting was their differing approaches. Samsung’s phone folded inwards, while Huawei’s phone folds outwards. And only time would tell which form factor was the better design choice.

Fast forward to 2021 and it looks like the debate is settled. On its third iteration, Huawei’s Mate X2 folds outward like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold2 but offers a bigger screen and a different hinge mechanism. But which phone is better?

New look

So let’s get right to it. What I like most about the new Mate X2 is that when folded shut, its width is about the size of your typical smartphone.

Meaning, just like last year’s Mate XS, even if you didn’t open it up it’s just as functional as any Android phone of your choosing albeit thicker this time around. A result of this inward folding design.

I didn’t mind the heft or the thickness as much. But mileage may vary depending on what you’re used to.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, you’re getting more screen real estate on the outside. And maybe, more importantly, an aspect ratio that’s friendly to more apps.

The exterior screen measures 6.4 inches and is an OLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. When it comes to folding phones, my stance is that the experience closed should be as good as the experience opened.

So when it comes to the outer screen — I like the Mate X2 better. While larger than its first iteration, most apps feel squished on the front screen of the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Screen

When you open up the phone, the second display awaits — a foldable OLED panel that measures 8 inches diagonally, also with a 90Hz refresh rate.

One can say the experience is the same when shooting between screens because the refresh rate is similar. But on paper, the Galaxy Z Fold2 has that super-smooth 120Hz panel.

Crease

Huawei says there is a “magnetically-controlled nanolayer” that reduces reflection. And while we’re comparing, the Mate X2’s display is slightly larger and there’s no pole hole for a selfie camera — meaning the experience is uninterrupted.

But also if you prefer to take video calls this way, you’re out of luck. Because of its new hinge design, too, the crease is less pronounced versus the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Hinge

Despite not having an inside selfie camera and a faster display, I prefer the Mate X2’s display better. Thanks to the way the phone is designed.

When opened, the phone’s shape resembles a wedge. It’s thicker on one side, and this is supposed to be where you hold on to. By doing so, it shifts the center of gravity so much so that the phone feels lighter because the side that’s unsupported isn’t as heavy.

I also have a feeling that this new hinge design is sturdier since it puts less tension on the foldable display when folded. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Form factor

With a completely new form factor, Huawei had to rebuild the hinge design on the Mate X2 from scratch. Huawei claims the gears that make up the hinge of the X2 have a tensile strength that’s tougher than the world’s safest car.

While they now both fold the same way, the hinge design is different from the Galaxy Z Fold2. When you fold a Mate X2 shut, its display forms a teardrop shape and tucks away into this cavity — similar to what Motorola does on the razr.

It seems to be more gentle on the display versus a hard fold and is one of the reasons the crease isn’t as pronounced. It’s also one of the reasons why there is hardly any gap when closed.

Here, compare that to the Galaxy Z Fold2. Depending on how you see it, one possible con of this new design is that the display won’t stay put when you prop it up in tent mode. So, nope. You can’t use it as a mini laptop.

Selfie

Upfront, the Mate X2 has a capsule-sized double punch hole for its 16-megapixel selfie camera and depth sensor. Selfies taken with this front camera look good and the depth sensor does a good job at producing good cutouts.

As with most Huawei phones, your skin comes out looking softer which I think — while not 100 percent au naturelle — makes one look better. You can also dial it up with skin beautification mode.

Camera

One of the reasons why the Mate X2 is thicker on one side is because of its camera system. It has a total of four cameras on its back: a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 16-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and two telephoto cameras — one with 3x optical zoom, the other with 10x optical zoom. The 10x telephoto lens uses periscope technology, which takes up a lot of space.

Let’s see how these cameras perform on their own and versus some of the Mate X2’s competitors.

Took these photos on a cloudy day by the Flatiron District — the iconic building is still under construction but it’s still a good spot for this comparison. While the photos are similar, the Mate X2 didn’t do as good a job as bringing out the highlights.

Notice how the tree by the colorful Eataly container cafe is almost black.

It’s the same when you zoom out. Notice the ultra-wide-angle camera on the X2 also isn’t as wide as the iPhone 12 Pro Max or the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Taking that 1x camera indoors first at a cafe where there’s enough natural life. I found the X2 continues to punch up the contrast and saturation. Notice the pain au chocolat looks more natural on the Galaxy Z Fold2 and the iPhone.

Indoors with only artificial light — the X2 had trouble focusing on these peaches. I took three shots and they all came out slightly blurred.

I wonder if it has to do with focus distance. Because in this close-up shot of an orchid outdoors, the X2 also struggled to keep focus. Notice how sharp the stamens of the orchid are on the shots of the Galaxy Z Fold2 and the iPhone.

I also did this HDR test with a backlit subject — these trees. Notice how the iPhone in particular but also to some extent, the Galaxy Z Fold2 was able to bring out the details in the grass and the trees despite the conditions.

Of course, where the Mate X2 shines is zoom. Its 3x optical zoom lens gets further than the iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Galaxy Z Fold2. And it also has a 10X periscope lens for getting even closer.

Like on the previous model, you can still use the second screen on the Mate X2 so others can see themselves while you’re composing the shot. You just have to shoot with it unfolder or in tablet mode.

These were the photos I took of Chay — as she was able to see herself on the front screen, she adjusts her poses to her liking.

Is the Mate X2 your GadgetMatch?

That depends on what you’re after.

The Huawei Mate X2 is currently only available in China starting at CNY 17,499 (around USD 2699). You can get it in four colors: white, black, pink, and blue — each with matching themes so the insides look just like the outside.

At their current price, foldables in general are not for the average person. This phone is for Huawei fans with deep pockets, and techies who need to live on the bleeding edge of technology.

From an engineering standpoint, I believe the design of the Mate X2 feels like a refinement of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold2. Albeit a bit iterative — from its improved hinge mechanism to the size of the phone when folded.

That said, we can’t still get Google Services on the Mate X2 so that limits its usefulness. So if you’re looking for a foldable phone for everyday use, the Galaxy Z Fold2 makes more sense.

Related Topics:featured Huawei Huawei Mate X2

Reviews

TECNO Slim review: Smexy, Antifragile Slab

Being super slim doesn’t mean it’s super fragile

Published

October 8, 2025

Vincenz

It seems like phone brands are unstoppable at this point.

Everybody’s eyes are focused on the latest iPhone Air — and it’s just one among the many super slim smartphones we should expect in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Although Samsung first teased and introduced the Galaxy S25 Edge as 2025’s first super slim smartphone ready for the masses, TECNO isn’t far off from the spotlight.

Just like the Korean electronics giant, the Chinese uprising brand also showed off their sexy slim slab (dubbed as the “SPARK Slim”) during this year’s MWC. Unlike Samsung’s take though, TECNO was just a concept — or so we thought.

Six months in, a consumer-ready product goes straight to my hands.

Here’s what it feels like using the TECNO Slim for more than a month after unboxing it over 13,000 ft.

EASY unboxing

ICYMI, here’s my bare minimum unboxing above the clouds.

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>
As seen above, you get the usual charger and cable combo plus phone case out of the box.

However, the TECNO Slim has a bundled screen protector that the CAMON 40 phones lack.

CRAZY slim

At just 5.93mm, the TECNO Slim (specifically the SPARK Slim) is currently the world’s slimmest curved smartphone. There’s also the India-exclusive POVA Slim 5G which is a bit thicker at 5.95mm.

If we make the title less specific, the slimmest smartphone crown still goes to Apple’s iPhone Air (5.64mm) followed by the Galaxy S25 Edge (5.8mm).

But, compared to more conventional smartphones, that crazy thinness is as clear as day and night. More so when you pit it against the brand’s PHANTOM V Fold2 and CAMON 40 Premier handsets.

Putting it in my pockets is no different. It felt so light, sometimes I wonder if it’s really there — or if it already got lost somewhere down the road.

And now that we’re on the topic of pockets, I have to admit, I dropped this phone numerous times.

Full disclosure: I ain’t JerryRigEverything as I never intend to drop review devices I handle. However, the TECNO Slim is just so damn slender, it won’t stop slipping away.

Its back isn’t made from anything grand. I do commend how premium-looking the build quality is, despite the choice of materials.

That said, it’s not TECNO just boasting about its military-grade tests. Out in the real world, the review unit I have barely had some scuffs and scratches despite those unwanted drops.

Even if it’s not the most premium-made smartphone out there, the TECNO Slim is durable enough that it can withstand impacts against hard tiles and even concrete floors.

It’s also a relief that it still has an IP64 rating — which helps in keeping out dust and some water splashes in case you’re stuck in such scenarios.

And even without applying its bundled tempered glass out of the box, the front part of the TECNO Slim is surprisingly still scratch-free despite only having a mid Corning Gorilla Glass 7i.

But hey, that’s better than having no protection at all 👀

HOT audiovisuals

Having an impossibly thin and light form factor also means I get to hold the phone for sustained periods.

Ever since I got this phone, I can’t let go of it especially when consuming content.

There are numerous time I got tired of holding the main smartphone I’m using (*coughs* the vivo X200 Pro). That’s when I swiftly switch to the TECNO Slim.

From that moment, I can already tell how immaculate it was to have a super lightweight phone — especially one-handed.

TECNO didn’t spare its display though. That 6.78-inch display features an 3D AMOLED panel with a buttery smooth 144Hz refresh rate.

Display resolution wasn’t left behind as well at 1.5K (precisely 2720 x 1224).

An optical under-display fingerprint scanner was equipped as well.

The iPhone Air must be kicking the air right now as a budget smartphone like this features a stereo speaker.

Although in most occasions, you have to amp up the volume between 80 to 100 percent just so you can have a fully-immersive experience.

Overall, the sound isn’t too shabby. Just enough for your multimedia needs.

I’m glad it supports both Dolby Atmos and LDAC just so I can take great advantage of Apple’s Music high-fidelity formats.

SMART for the most part

This is where things get glaringly different.

Unlike its iPhone and Galaxy counterparts, an entry-level SoC is baked into TECNO Slim’s system to (obviously) cut costs.

To be specific, it runs MediaTek’s Helio G200 chipset. It’s relatively new as the previous CAMON 40 4G as well as the SPARK 40 Pro and Pro+ all run Helio G100.

And let me tell you, I immediately felt the performance improvements on basic tasks and multitasking.

The Helio G99 and G100 phones I’ve reviewed are testaments to how laggy they are once you fire up the devices.

But, if you’re considering this for gaming, you might want to save up some more money for a midrange Dimensity chipset found on the POVA and 5G CAMON line.

I’m not saying it cannot run the games you want to play.

You just have to consider its graphic settings limitations — especially on the more demanding ones.

My prime example would be Racing Master. Higher-end chipsets can fully display all the intricate details of the car.

Helio G200, on the other hand, is limited to just the lowest graphic setting just so it can run the game.

That means blotchy cars and race tracks that somewhat felt like you’re playing it in a SEGA arcade machine.

BTW, the TECNO Slim runs HiOS 15 based on Android 15.

That means you get the goodness of both TECNO AI as well as Google’s Gemini and Circle To Search.

Great for endurance streak

Having a Helio chipset isn’t a total downgrade. In my experience, it helps preserve the battery of the TECNO Slim.

Without considering heavy gaming, its 5160mAh battery can last for prolonged use.

When used moderately, it holds up before the day ends with around 10 percent to spare.

But, for the lightweight tasks and background idle, it’s able to hold on for days before actually dying.

And, with TECNO Slim’s bundled 45W charger out of the box, you get these results:

From 0%	START TIME: 9:24PM
3 minutes	5%
5 minutes	9%
10 minutes	18%
15 minutes	25%
20 minutes	33%
30 minutes	45%
45 minutes	71%
50 minutes	80%
1 hour	94%
1 hour 5 minutes	99%
*100%*	1 hour, 6 minutes END TIME: 10:30PM

UNFORGIVEN drawbacks

A first-generation product is never flawless, and the TECNO Slim isn’t any different.

With chipset talk already mentioned a while ago, you’d know by now how the SPARK Slim model I have does not have 5G support.

Sure, there’s the 5G-capable POVA Slim variant but, I’m betting it will be hog more battery with its more data-demanding chipset.

However, for most users (at least where I live), 4G data speeds are still quite acceptable — especially in areas where there’s no 5G coverage yet.

For me though, the lack of ultra-wide lens is its biggest drawback.

Don’t be fooled by its dual circular cutout as it only possesses a single 50MP main shooter.

I wouldn’t dive deeper onto it as I already made a separate camera walkthrough during my Shanghai trip way back in August.

There were times when I wanted to get a bigger picture of the scenery I wanted to take. But, the lack of ultra-wide lens power hindered me from doing so.

Backing out and just taking a far-away 1x shot neither works as I’m stopped by the obstacles behind me.

Safe to say, the TECNO Slim can take decent shots for everyday use. That’s either 1x or even through 2x in-sensor zoom.

And, you have to be very still for those blurry-free mementos. Not unless it’s the type of ~𝓪𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓬~ you wanted to share.

Baymax-coded

While most phone brands have been struggling to bring out catchier designs on the drawing table, TECNO Slim begs to differ.

Most will just say this is a gimmick. Personally, I find this “gimmick” a part of its overall unique aesthetic that makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

With its “Mood Light” feature, those Baymax-like rear camera cutout serves as a light alert.

Be that for your upcoming notifications, playing music, or a continuous show-off just so people can see you got a quirky phone with you.

The only thing I wish it could do is to be a ring light for softer light fills when trying to take rear-cam selfies.

But, then again, how can you take Gen-Z selfies without an ultra-wide camera at its back?

Is the TECNO Slim Your BudgetMatch?

You’d be hard pressed to know that the TECNO (SPARK) Slim is only priced at PhP 9,499. If you do the math, that price tag is just below the US$ 200 / EUR 150 / GBP 130 / SG$ 230 mark.

It’s crystal clear that TECNO wanted budget-conscious consumers to have a taste of what smartphones in the future will look like.

It’s an easy Swipe Right if you wanted to taste it without slashing holes in your pockets — literally and figuratively.

The Helio G200 is surprisingly snappy compared to past generations. Moreover, it has a superb display and audio paired with crazily impossible thinness, unparalleled durability, and more than sufficient endurance.

It’s just the matter if you can bear with its compromises: the absence of 5G alongside the lack of ultra-wide shooter at its back.

For some, we can live by it. At the end of the day, that irresistible price mostly goes to admiring TECNO’s engineering masterpiece over rocking the “superior” hardware for an entry-level class device.

While flagships pack all the punch, it’s still an understatement how being able to hold slim and lightweight phones are as heavenly as it looks.

With my flagship daily drivers that are obviously heavier, being able to experience the TECNO Slim is a breath of fresh air.

If you’re a FEARNOT like I am, you may have noticed how 95 percent of my headings revolve around LE SSERAFIM’s songs.

Going on a full circle moment, the group’s very first intro track “The World Is My Oyster” is very comparable to TECNO themselves. They were able to produce this type of smartphone because they believe they have the utmost ability to act upon on that wish.

Together with the brand’s “Stop At Nothing” ethos, it proves that one cannot stop innovating as long as they keep pushing beyond the limits.

Reviews

The Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro is a midrange wearable in premium packaging

It’s worth the price.

Published

October 8, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

I’m now at an age when it’s harder for me to accept unfamiliar design choices. After years of defining the sound profile I like, I’ve been oddly avoiding the newer form factors for wearable earbuds. The new Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro is my first ever attempt at looking deep into the current crop of unique earbuds, and it might be enough to convince me to explore further.

Open ear with a twist

Personally, I prefer in-ear earbuds or over-ear headphones. Open earbuds are usually a no-go for me because they feel too loose. Traditionally, these earbuds just sit on your ear, so any sudden force can dislodge them.

As the name says, the OpenWear Stereo Pro offer an open-ear format. However, instead of sitting simply on your ear, the earbuds have an arc that hang over your ear. There’s also a counterweight at the other end for added security.

Surprisingly, Xiaomi’s new wearables are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. I wouldn’t say that it feels like you’re wearing nothing at all, though. Upon wearing them for the first time, you can definitely feel something odd. However, these are the closest you can get to a pair of earbuds that can truly make you forget that you were wearing them.

I’ve tried wearing them for an hour, and they felt perfectly fine. These are one of the most comfortable options you can take on a long daily commute.

A compact case

Adding to the design is the slimmer charging case. Instead of the usual pill-shaped form, the OpenWear Stereo Pro has a case shaped like a compact.

It looks much more elegant than the usual. Plus, the shape helps it blend in when it’s in my pocket. Regular, pill-shaped cases often bulge out inside a pocket. With this case, it doesn’t look like I have a lump on my leg.

Fast Pair and a smooth app

As with a lot of earbuds these days, the OpenWear Stereo Pro comes with Android’s Fast Pair. Immediately after you open the case for the first time, the earbuds will prompt users to connect on all nearby devices. Yes, it’s annoying in public with other devices in the vicinity, but it’s really smooth in private.

Plus, Xiaomi has the Xiaomi Earbuds app. Likewise, the earbuds connect seamlessly to the app, allowing for a lot of customization in terms of how you want the sound to come out.

One of the best sound profiles for open ear

As we leave the “OpenWear” portion of the earbuds’ name behind, it’s time to look at the “Stereo Pro” portion.

Compared to other open earbuds I’ve tried, the OpenWear Stereo Pro has one of the best profiles I’ve heard. The soundstage is fairly decent. It’s not mind-blowing, but you can clearly hear the definition.

Usually, I lean towards treble as a preference. These earbuds handle the tinny end of the audio spectrum well. Instruments are well-defined when I listen to heavy metal or electronic.

Mids are likewise great. The vocals in rock songs can rise above the instruments. Podcasts are also well reproduced.

However, the earbuds do falter when it comes to bass. Since the wearable is small, reproducing the bass accurately comes with difficulty. Though the earbuds have range, they lack depth. Unless you love ear-thumping music, the lack of bass shouldn’t be an issue. The sound is still great anyway.

Also of note, the earbuds’ stock profile is terrible. If you simply connect your phone to the earbuds using the usual Bluetooth settings, you won’t maximize the wearable’s capabilities. The default profile out of the box sounds nothing like what Xiaomi should be able to do. You’ll need to take a minute to set it up using the Xiaomi Earbuds app and switch the profile to the superior Harman settings.

All day listening

Xiaomi says that the earbuds can last up to eight hours on a single charge. On a practical note, these are not the earbuds you’d use for eight hours straight, despite how comfortable they are. They’re definitely more suitable for commutes.

However, if you do need to, the earbuds are durable enough to last a workday of just listening to music. If you limit use to just commutes, a single charge should last you several days.

Now, if you also take into account that the case can hold up to 45 hours of charge, the OpenWear Stereo Pro should last extraordinarily long.

Is the Xiaomi OpenWear Stereo Pro your GadgetMatch?

At PhP 7,699, the OpenWear Stereo Pro places itself firmly as a midrange earbuds option. However, for its audio quality and its elegant design, this feels like a steal.

Personally, there are other (more expensive) options I’d go for, but that’s purely based on subjective opinion because of auditory preferences. However, if you’re in the market for somewhere around this price range, Xiaomi’s latest wearable is a worthy option. For that, it gets a Super Swipe.

Reviews

vivo X200 Pro review: 200+ Days After

6.5 months with vivo’s mighty underrated flagship

Published

October 4, 2025

Vincenz

As I’m starting this in-depth write-up, the vivo X300 Pro is already just around the corner.

There’s even the vivo X200 Ultra for those who want the best-in-class for mobile photography (as well as videography). Not to mention, it has the exclusive photography kit that I wanted badly ever since it was released.

So, where does the vivo X200 Pro sit? And how well did it manage past the usual 2-week review deadline?

Without beating around the bush, here’s my long-term vivo X200 Pro review, 200+ days (or more than 6.5 months) after.

20,000+ snaps

Let’s start with my review with the pièce de résistance of the vivo X200 Pro: its power-packed camera system.

If you’re still unaware, it packs a 200MP f/2.67 ZEISS APO periscope telephoto camera based on a large 1/1.4-inch Samsung ISOCELL HP9 sensor. It’s capable of shooting 3.7x optically zoomed shots.

It’s then paired by a large 1/1.28-inch Sony LYT-818 main sensor along a Samsung JN1-powered 50MP f/2.0 ultra-wide shooter.

But I’m not here to boast solely about hardware. A review shouldn’t be called a review without showing how capable it really is in the real world.

I will avoid doing an in-depth camera walkthrough here as I already did it with the vivo X200 back then (they have the same camera software, just different hardware).

I’ll just let these samples speak for themselves. After all, I’m confident they can all stand out without me saying anything.

📍 Barcelona 🇪🇸

📍Taichung 🇹🇼

Shot by @vincenzlee in PRO Mode

📍Tamsui 🇹🇼

📍Taipei 🇹🇼

📍Singapore 🇸🇬

I’ve also brought it with me to some delectable sights in my home country as well.

📍Far North 🇵🇭

📍Down South 🇵🇭

*All shots were taken straight out of the vivo X200 Pro (mostly in ZEISS Natural color mode) without any additional post-processing nor color-grading.

Hefty ZEISS for Pro-traits

But more than just city sights and nature, it’s a real Pro when it comes to Portraits — especially with ZEISS in the scene.

I’ve used it mainly to keep mementos of my high school friend’s much-awaited wedding ceremony.

Heck, it was even used by my colleague, Rodneil, on two star-studded K-Pop concerts he’s been to during the course of this long-term review.

🥵 LE SSERAFIM ‘EASY CRAZY HOT’ Tour in MNL [250802]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rodneil Quiteles (@rodneil)

💋 KISS of LIFE ‘KISS ROAD’ MNL [250404]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rodneil Quiteles (@rodneil)

My other friend also took it with her during 🐿️ j-hope’s ‘Hope On The Stage’ [250510] stop in Bangkok.

If the abundance of snaps and clips I’ve provided aren’t enough to satisfy you, I honestly don’t know what type of phone will entice you.

20 K-Dramas binged

The vivo X200 Pro packs a large 6.78-inch AMOLED screen. Paired alongside several display standards and certifications, viewing content is undoubtedly pleasurable.

When it’s dark, it can go dimmer than other conventional displays. In return, it doesn’t make my eyes sore whenever I use it during the night.

On days where the sunlight is harsh, its ability to max out at 4500 nits truly saves the day.

Realistically, I’ve enjoyed using it the best when I need to catch up on the K-Dramas I’ve missed while I’m on the move.

And as coincidental as it looks, I’ve watched exactly 20 titles on this phone’s marvelous display.

As I wanted to stay updated with the latest K-scene, K-Pop music videos weren’t missed as well.

All the visuals they provide are truly a feast for my eyes.

2000+ songs streamed

While I always say I’m not the biggest audiophile, being able to hear and discern the difference between a good and bad sound output is still one of my special skills as a multimedia creative and tech nerd.

The stereo speakers of the vivo X200 Pro aren’t just loud, they’re oozing with power with well-defined highs, mids, and lows altogether.

Audiovisual supremacy reigns in vivo X200 Pro — as any “Pro” flagship Android smartphone should.

And with support for LDAC codec alongside wireless Hi-Res Lossless playback through a proper audio device (like the pro-grade QCY earbuds I have), listening to the latest and greatest songs in my playlist was as good as how it did when being played through loudspeakers.

And here’s some of the tracks I’ve been playing that some of you might want to check out. Of course, those 2000+ songs accounted for also include releases way back in the yesteryears.

20+ hours of playtime

As expected in any flagship device, the vivo X200 Pro runs MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400 SoC based on a 3nm process.

Although the follow-up Dimensity 9500 was already announced the moment I’m writing this, last year’s flagship chipset can still perform more than enough for day-to-day tasks.

Given that multitasking is a breeze as it has 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, it can keep up with hardcore games as well.

Admittedly, I’m not as hardcore as others who play games every single day.

Still, I was able to play the usual graphics-intensive titles I play whenever I have free time — around 20+ hours per two weeks.

Be it the very demanding Zenless Zone Zero…

my current racing fave, Racing Master…

and even as simple as the CoDM (Call of Duty: Mobile)…

all of them were able to run through at least an hour of gameplay without frame drops and excessive heating.

200+ charging cycles in

The vivo X200 Pro managed to take 234 cycles after more than 200 days of use.

Technically, the vivo X200 Pro packs a massive battery inside. But it’s not just by numbers as its lengthy battery life is one of the reasons why I made the vivo X200 Pro my main driver.

Although we’re now getting spoiled by Chinese brands with smartphone batteries already exceeding the 7000mAh mark, the 6000mAh Si/C battery of the X200 Pro is still an incredible feat and an already far reach.

Usage-wise, I would consider myself a borderline moderate to heavy user.

I juggle between using the cameras, listening to music, consuming videos for hours, doom scrolling on social media and obsessing over finishing my game goals for an hour or two.

Whenever I’m outside, the battery drain comes mostly from its 5G data connection (and serves as the Wi-Fi 6 hotspot for all my devices).

If I’m already in a pinch, its bundled vivo 90W FlashCharge adapter saves me from that unwanted battery anxiety.

	*1st Attempt*	*2nd Attempt*
*START TIME (From 0%)*	5:15PM	2:31AM
3 minutes	4%	1%
5 minutes	12%	4%
10 minutes	20%	17%
15 minutes	29%	20%
20 minutes	42%	31%
*30 minutes*	56%	44%
40 minutes	74%	79%
45 minutes	85%	86%
50 minutes	90%	91%
*END TIME*	6:11PM 56 minutes	3:26AM 55 minutes

But, if you don’t want to bring that bulky charger with you, any high-watt USB-C charger should work as the vivo X200 Pro supports USB-C PD (Power Delivery) with PPS (Programmable Power Supply).

It’s often forgotten by many Chinese brands with proprietary fast charging out of the box.

In my case, I used the UGREEN Uno 100W USB-C GaN charger:

	*1st Attempt*	*2nd Attempt*
*START TIME (From 0%)*	12:51AM	3:30PM
3 minutes	1%	1%
5 minutes	6%	5%
10 minutes	11%	11%
15 minutes	17%	18%
20 minutes	23%	26%
*30 minutes*	41%	40%
40 minutes	50%	55%
45 minutes	61%	63%
50 minutes	71%	74%
*1 hour*	80%	84%
1 hour 10 minutes	92%	94%
1 hour 15 minutes	100%	100%
*END TIME*	2:07AM 1 hour 15 minutes	5:16PM 1 hour 19 minutes

If you don’t mind sacrificing the additional charging time, your one-stop USB-C charger should serve its purpose.

20+ drops on the floor

…and the vivo X200 Pro still managed to bear it all.

While it’s kind of misleading that I have the “Titanium Gray” colorway, its frame is actually made from aluminum.

Holding it also felt nice. Its on the taller-yet-not-too-wide side of slabs — a perfect complement for my big hands.

And even if it possesses that gargantuan camera bump, my pointer finger rests well below it.

That said, the same form factor makes it easier to slip from my hand (or even slide off the table) numerous times. Whether it’s my room’s tiles, a wooden vinyl in a hotel, or the concrete flooring outside a mall, it managed to held up very well.

Armor Glass up its front and a glass fiber material on its back? They’ve proven worthy to be durable even after more than six months of daily usage.

I’ve even managed to test out its dual IP68/IP69 rating when I snapped photos of my friends in the sea featured above. The fact that it’s still alive means its water and dust resistance durability was effective — just don’t go overboard it as it’s not covered by the warranty.

Two minor drawbacks

1. Like it’s magnetic 🧲

Even if I’ve said the vivo X200 Pro was able to withstand all those unintended drops, it doesn’t mean its free from attracting dust.

Its fiberglass back has nothing to do with this. Rather, that large circular void at its back is the culprit behind all the dust magnet mess. It even catches some of my cats’ fur.

Fortunately, it’s still shatter-free. On the other hand, it has managed to get some scratches along its glass camera housing as well as some parts of that aluminum frame.

So, either you get a full protective case or just let it be — like me who wants the camera part exposed for everyone’s eyes to see.

2. Funtouch OS isn’t fun at all

While vivo’s Funtouch isn’t the OS I despise the most (that goes to Xiaomi’s HyperOS), I can also say this is not my favorite.

Don’t get me wrong, I love how speedy and snappy the latest version of Funtouch OS is. However, it bums me that Funtouch OS isn’t even on the level of OriginOS found on their China-exclusive phones.

They still haven’t adapted to the separate control center and notifications panel that’s been used by its Chinese counterparts.

Customization options are also lacking compared to Android skins of other brands.

This is where I can truly say Funtouch OS never felt fun at it just felt like it’s an after-thought — instead of actually focusing on making it as smoother, seamless, and more capable as its Chinese cousin.

Is the vivo X200 Pro your GadgetMatch?

During the start of 2025, most reviewers have been hyping either the OnePlus 13 or Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Ultra. I get the sentiment. USA, UK, and some parts of Europe don’t get the vivo X200 Pro at all.

But, if you live in a region where these three exist, the vivo X200 Pro is a no-brainer choice.

It’s both a Swipe Right and a Super Swipe for the overall value it offers — even more than what others have been raving about with its closest contenders.

Not only do you get a fully capable and THE BETTER camera system with a monstrous periscope zoom, you get the best in pretty much all aspects you want in a modern-day smartphone: premium design, durable build quality, captivating display, powerful speakers, snappy performance, consistently speedy charging, and a long-lasting battery.

I said it in the beginning and I’ll say it again, the vivo X300 Pro is coming this October 2025 — and I would be lying if I don’t say I wanted to have it as soon as it gets released.

However, much like how the X200 Pro got announced for international markets several months after China, X300 Pro’s global version isn’t coming any time soon until early 2026. That’s if vivo won’t change its future product roadmap.