The Vivo X80, launched in India in 2022, is a compelling contender in the sub-Rs. 60,000 price segment. It boasts powerful hardware, including the debut of the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, a 4nm chip that promises performance on par with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. While the X80 lacks a periscopic telephoto camera found in its Pro counterpart, it brings other tempting features like Vivo’s new V1+ imaging processor, purportedly the largest single-chamber vapor cooling system in India, and an official IP53 rating – a rare feat in this price bracket. Let’s delve deeper into what makes the Vivo X80 unique and explore its potential to become a true all-rounder.
A Familiar Yet Refined Design
Visually, the Vivo X80 bears striking resemblance to its sibling, the Vivo X80 Pro, and last year’s X70 Pro+. The only visual differentiator is the absence of the periscopic camera on the X80. Everything else, from the port placement to the speaker grills, remains identical. Vivo has embraced an aluminum alloy frame sandwiched between two sheets of glass, with curved sides for a premium, ergonomic feel. The rear panel features fluorite AG glass, providing a matte finish that effectively resists fingerprints. The Urban Blue color variant, which we reviewed, offers a refreshing and eye-catching aesthetic. The overall design and build quality feel very luxurious, and despite its weight of 206g, it remains comfortable to hold.
A Vibrant Display With Some Trade-offs
The Vivo X80 features a 6.78-inch E5 AMOLED display, but unlike the X80 Pro, it lacks LTPO technology. This trade-off results in a standard 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. During initial testing with games like Call of Duty: Mobile, the display showcased smooth gameplay without noticeable hiccups. However, further testing is crucial to assess the sustained performance of the Dimensity 9000 SoC. The display is shielded by Schott’s Xensation Up glass, which, unfortunately, proved to be a magnet for fingerprints during our initial usage. A pleasant surprise is the inclusion of dual stereo speakers, a feature absent in the X70 Pro.
Camera Prowess With a Notable Omission
In a move that sets the X80 apart, Vivo has introduced Sony’s IMX866 sensor, a new 50-megapixel powerhouse with an RGBW pixel arrangement and optical image stabilization (OIS). Vivo emphasizes this sensor’s enhanced light sensitivity, promising superior low-light photography and videography – claims we will rigorously test. The X80 also includes a 12-megapixel portrait camera and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, though neither of these feature OIS.
The X80 inherits the Zeiss-branded video Styles feature popularized on the X80 Pro. The "Cinematic" video style, allowing for video capture in a 2.39:1 cinematic aspect ratio with oval light flares, is a captivating addition. Additionally, the "Camera Panning" style for photos introduces motion blur to the background of subjects, whether stationary or moving.
Selfies are handled by a 32-megapixel camera, with Vivo bringing the Cinematic Style feature to photo mode, enabling wider aspect ratio captures and software-driven background flares.
Early impressions suggest the cameras are incredibly capable, delivering excellent detail and dynamic range. However, the absence of a telephoto camera for portrait photography was a significant miss. While digital zoom offers an option for closer shots, it inevitably compromises detail.
Performance and Battery Life: Early Insights
The Vivo X80’s pièce de résistance is the inclusion of the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 SoC, a powerful 4nm processor that promises to deliver flagship-level performance, rivaling the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. It’s coupled with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
Vivo has integrated its V1+ imaging processor into the X80 for accelerated computationally intensive tasks such as processing Night mode photos and frame interpolation during game play.
Vivo also proudly touts the X80’s single-chamber vapor cooling system, claiming it’s the largest of any smartphone in India. This technology promises a top-tier gaming experience and we will thoroughly evaluate its effectiveness in our full review. Initial observations suggest the cooling system might be contributing, as the camera app didn’t generate overheating warnings during video recording, despite the phone getting warm.
The X80’s 4,500mAh battery is powered by an 80W fast charger included in the box, enabling rapid charging. However, the absence of wireless charging is a significant oversight, especially considering competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G and the Apple iPhone SE (2022) offer this feature at a lower price point.
Software and Updates: An Encouraging Step
The Vivo X80 runs Funtouch OS 12, based on Android 12. The software performed well during our initial testing. However, we noted the presence of several pre-installed third-party apps.
A significant positive is Vivo’s commitment to providing three generations of Android OS updates and three years of security updates – a welcome move for users looking for long-term software support.
The Big Picture: A Comprehensive Evaluation
The Vivo X80 is more than just a camera-centric phone. It possesses the hardware to excel in gaming, and it represents a significant upgrade over the X70 Pro, offering a more powerful processor, stereo speakers, and an IP rating. The phone’s pricing is undeniably attractive, making it a strong contender alongside the Realme GT 2 Pro and Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
We will conduct comprehensive testing of the X80’s cameras, battery life, and overall gaming performance in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for our full review, coming soon to Gadgets 360, for a definitive assessment of this promising smartphone.
