You’re at a concert, the lights dim, and your favorite band takes the stage. You reach for your camera to capture the moment, but then you realize—you don’t need it. Your smartphone, the one already in your pocket, is ready to snap photos or record video that could rival a dedicated camera. That’s the promise of Vivo’s newly unveiled X200 Ultra, a smartphone that’s gunning to replace your DSLR or mirrorless rig with a triple-camera system and an optional Photographer Kit that pushes its capabilities even further. Launched in China with a starting price of 6,499 yuan (roughly $890), this device is making waves for its ambitious photography chops. But can it really convince you to leave your camera at home?

Vivo isn’t holding back with the X200 Ultra. Powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it’s got the muscle to handle everything from gaming to video editing. You can choose up to 16GB of RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage—enough to store thousands of high-res photos or hours of 4K video. The phone sports a 6.82-inch OLED display that’s vibrant and sharp, with an under-display fingerprint sensor for quick unlocks. It’s also built to last, with dust and water resistance, and comes in sleek silver, red, or black finishes.

Charging is another highlight. The X200 Ultra supports 90W wired charging via USB-C, which can juice up its 6,000mAh battery in a flash. If you prefer wireless, it handles up to 40W with a compatible charger. Vivo claims the battery will “last all day,” but specifics are scarce, and heavy camera use could put that to the test. For now, this phone is exclusive to China, with no word on a global release, which might disappoint photography enthusiasts elsewhere.

Image: Vivo

What sets the X200 Ultra apart is its camera array, designed to make shutterbugs rethink their gear. The back of the phone houses three cameras, each with impressive specs:

• 50MP wide-angle camera: Equipped with a 1/1.28-inch Sony sensor, a 14mm f/2.0 lens, and optical image stabilization (OIS), this camera is built for expansive landscapes or group shots.
• 50MP portrait camera: Also using a 1/1.28-inch Sony sensor with OIS, this one pairs with a 35mm f/1.69 lens, perfect for creamy bokeh and shallow depth-of-field portraits.
• 200MP telephoto camera: This beast features a 1/1.4-inch Samsung HP9 sensor, an 85mm f/2.27 lens with OIS, and macro capabilities for close-up details. It’s the zoom star of the trio.

Image: Vivo

On the front, a 50MP selfie camera ensures your self-portraits are just as crisp. All three rear cameras can shoot 10-bit 4K video at 60 fps, with slow-motion options up to 4K at 120 fps. Vivo’s thrown in two custom chips to sweeten the deal: the VS1 for pre-processing RAW sensor data and the V3+ for post-processing tasks like color correction and filters. Think of it as having a mini photo studio in your phone.

Taking a page from Apple’s playbook, Vivo added an enhanced shutter button that doubles as a control for adjusting exposure or zoom with a swipe. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that makes shooting feel more intuitive, especially for those used to dedicated camera controls.

For those who want to push the X200 Ultra’s photography game even further, Vivo offers the Photographer Kit, available for 2,598 yuan (about $356) or bundled with the top-tier 16GB/1TB model for 9,699 yuan (around $1,329). This kit is where things get really interesting.

Image: Vivo

The kit includes a grip that transforms the phone into something closer to a traditional camera. It features a dedicated video record button, a customizable settings dial, and a zoom control, making it easier to shoot one-handed or fine-tune your shots. The grip also packs an extra 2,300mAh battery to extend the phone’s already beefy 6,000mAh capacity, which is a godsend for long shoots. A shoulder strap adds portability, though Vivo hasn’t shared how much weight the kit adds to the 232-gram phone. Hopefully, it doesn’t turn your sleek smartphone into a brick.

The kit’s crown jewel is a Zeiss 2.35x telephoto converter lens that attaches via adapters, boosting the 200MP camera’s zoom from 3.7x to an impressive 8.7x. That’s enough to get you closer to distant subjects, like wildlife or sports action, without losing detail. Zeiss’s involvement is a big deal—their lenses are renowned for sharpness and clarity, and Vivo’s partnership with them ensures optical quality that punches above the smartphone class.

The X200 Ultra’s camera system is a leap forward, but can it truly replace a dedicated camera? Let’s break it down. Compared to a DSLR or mirrorless camera, the X200 Ultra’s sensors are smaller—1/1.28-inch and 1/1.4-inch versus the APS-C or full-frame sensors in pro gear. That means it’ll struggle in low-light conditions where larger sensors shine. Professionals and serious amateurs will notice the difference in dynamic range and noise performance.

That said, the X200 Ultra’s 200MP telephoto camera is a standout. Most smartphones, like the iPhone 16 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, top out at 50MP for their telephoto lenses. Vivo’s high-res sensor, combined with the Zeiss telephoto converter, gives it an edge for zooming in without sacrificing detail. The ability to shoot 4K/120fps slow-motion video is also a boon for videographers, matching or exceeding what many mid-range cameras offer.

The Photographer Kit’s grip and controls are a smart move, addressing a common complaint about smartphone photography: ergonomics. Holding a flat glass slab for extended shoots isn’t fun, and the kit makes the X200 Ultra feel more like a point-and-shoot. But Vivo’s lens lineup feels limited. The single 2.35x telephoto converter is great, but where’s the ultra-wide or macro lens? Companies like Moment offer a broader range of smartphone lenses, and Vivo could learn from them to give photographers more creative freedom.

Vivo’s X200 Ultra is part of a broader trend. Smartphone makers are increasingly targeting photography enthusiasts, with devices like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Oppo Find X7 Ultra also boasting advanced camera systems. Vivo’s edge lies in its Zeiss partnership and the Photographer Kit’s thoughtful design, but it’s not perfect. The lack of a global release is a bummer, and battery life remains a question mark—especially with power-hungry features like 4K video recording.

For casual users, the X200 Ultra is overkill. Its base cameras are more than enough for Instagram-worthy shots or family videos. But for hobbyists or semi-pros, it’s a compelling option. You might not ditch your Sony Alpha or Canon EOS entirely, but for travel or spontaneous shoots, the X200 Ultra could be all you need.

The Vivo X200 Ultra is a bold swing at making smartphones the ultimate all-in-one device. Its triple-camera system, boosted by custom chips and Zeiss optics, delivers photos and videos that rival standalone cameras in many scenarios. The Photographer Kit’s grip and telephoto lens push it closer to pro territory, though a wider lens selection would seal the deal. At $890 to $1,096 (plus $356 for the kit), it’s not cheap, but it’s a fraction of the cost of a high-end camera and lens setup.

Will it replace your camera? For most people, it’s close enough to make you think twice about lugging around extra gear. But until Vivo expands its lens offerings and proves its low-light prowess, dedicated cameras will still have a place. For now, the X200 Ultra is a glimpse of a future where your phone might just be the only camera you need.