Vivo X200 FE Review: A Feature‑Rich Small Flagship

I’ve been carrying the Vivo X200 FE for a fortnight now. Let me just get this out there: it’s a serious nod toward what Vivo does best—camera excellence—wrapped in a more pocket‑friendly form. But (and here’s the catch), it doesn’t fully match the Pro or Ultra models. And honestly? I’m still deciding whether that’s acceptable given its price tag.

First Impressions & Design

When I unboxed the X200 FE, the vibe was immediately different from the larger X200 models. It’s flat—front and back—with squared rails. No quad‑curve extravagance here. It reminded me more of current iPhones or Galaxy flagships. That’s not a bad thing. Actually, it feels reassuringly familiar, like sticking with a classic recipe but with some new spices.

In hand? It’s light—just 186 g. Noticeably less than the 230 g of the X200 Pro I’ve also been using. I find myself grabbing it more often because it slips into my pocket and doesn’t make me wince when I sit down. And the size means I can easily reach the top of the screen with one thumb—really convenient for scrolling or snapping a quick shot.

The colour choices lean pastel: pale blue, pink, yellow—and a sober black. I’ve got the Blue model and its silver siderails look sleek—though perhaps they feel a bit bland in low light. Ultimately, the look is clean, modern… but isn’t exactly daring.

They ship it with a matching TPU case and a factory screen protector. Maybe trivial for some, but I appreciated that. Vivo screens scratches easily, I’ve learned—so leaving that protector on feels wise. And having a case that doesn’t clash with the phone’s colour? Thoughtful.

Bonus: it’s IP68 and IP69 rated. Whether you drop it in a puddle or accidentally spray it in the shower, the Vivo X200 FE emerges unscathed. That certification adds tangible confidence.

Screen & Hardware Feel

Display-wise, it’s a 6.31‑inch 120 Hz LTPO AMOLED at 1216×2640. Crisp, bright, yes—and refreshes fluidly. But I don’t think Vivo is breaking new ground here. It’s premium, sure—but not that vivid or punchy. Good thing is, it’s easy on the eyes and fast in everyday use.

Handling is intuitive. No awkward edges. The flat chassis means you get a more comfortable grip. It’s not slippery, and although I sometimes prefer curved edges for gliding finger swipes, this feels stable. All in all: it doesn’t feel like a scaled‑down flagship—it feels flagship‑well, apart from a few caveats we’ll get to.

Camera Hardware & Daily Use

Here’s where expectations meet reality.

Main camera & Telephoto

The 50 MP main camera is a solid performer. Auto‑focus is fast. Detail level is high—even in dim indoor lighting, where it held its own. I enjoyed a few spontaneous portrait snaps of friends, and honestly, they looked almost Pro‑level. The colours are vivid but not oversaturated, contrast kept in check—Zeiss modes like Natural Colour shine here. Vivo’s Vintage profile is still a fun option when I just want mood.

The 50 MP telephoto (70 mm equivalent) is sharp and useful around 3× zoom. You start to see noise in very low light, but up to 10× digital zoom—good usable shots. I tried pushing to 20× and then 100×: the AI cleanup helps somewhat, but at 100× it’s more novelty than quality. Still, it’s nice that taller zoom ranges are available.

Ultra‑wide?

The 8 MP ultrawide is—not great. It just can’t keep up. The sensor is small, detail drops off quickly. Low‑light shots are muddy and soft. No autofocus means you can’t get close enough for small scenes. I was really surprised—because even Vivo’s mid‑range V‑series often uses 50 MP ultrawide sensors. Why downgrade here? Maybe to cut cost—but it doesn’t feel premium.

If you rarely use ultrawide, maybe you won’t care. But if group scenes or architecture shots matter, this feels like a glaring weakness in an otherwise competent camera kit.

Selfie & Video Features

Front‑facing: 50 MP with autofocus. Finally. Selfie cameras on Vivo flagships have disappointed in the past, but this one—especially with autofocus—makes group selfies and vlogs more manageable. Wider field lets you squeeze people in without contorting your arm. Video is sharp, 4K60 recording is supported—and stabilization works pleasantly well. Audio is generally fine, though wind noise can intrude outdoors.

No LOG video recording, sadly—Pro users might gripe. You do get RAW capture and full Pro controls, which for many will suffice.

Vivo’s little extras, like Aur a Light flash ring, AI‑powered editing tools (Image Expander, Reflection Eraser, Photo Enhancer), and even that quirky Four Seasons Portrait mode—say, turning a park shot into autumn leaves or winter snow—are amusing and sometimes useful. Slightly gimmicky? Maybe. But I actually found myself playing with them more than once at social gatherings.

Performance & Software Experience

Under the hood: MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ with 12 or 16 GB RAM. Storage is 256 or 512 GB. I tested the 12GB/512GB version. Speed is snappy. Apps open fast. Games run smoothly. You don’t feel lag—even during multitasking or heavier apps.

Realistically, it doesn’t match Snapdragon 8 Elite in benchmarks. But in daily use? I think you’d be hard‑pressed to notice. For most users, performance feels flagship‑ready.

Software: Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15. It’s a smooth, customizable skin. Animations are quick. No major glitches. Yes, there’s some pre‑installed apps, but nothing severe. Google services are intact—Wallet, Android Auto, Circle to Search, Gemini assistant—all present. I hadn’t realized how much I missed those after living with Chinese‑market ROMs.

Vivo adds modest AI features, focused on imaging rather than system AI. That aligns with what I want: not gimmicky assistants, but photo‑editing boosts. I liked the Gallery tools for spot fixes and enhancements; subtle, effective.

Battery & Charging

With a giant 6,500 mAh battery on most models (5300 mAh in Germany/Hungary), this should be a beast. It felt like it would last two days easily. But surprise—on heavy‑use days, I often needed a top‑up before bedtime. That’s more in line with a 5000 mAh cell.

Maybe it’s the early firmware. On the X200 Pro, Vivo improved battery life after a couple updates. I suspect the same could happen here. But right now? Slightly disappointing.

Charging, though, is fantastic: 90 W wired charging included in the box. From zero to 50 percent in around 20 minutes. That’s reassuring. Wireless charging? Absent. A missed opportunity, especially at this price point.

Verdict

Right: verdict time. I genuinely enjoy living with the Vivo X200 FE. It brings much of the imaging magic of its bigger siblings into a comfortable, well‑built, compact frame. Day‑to‑day, it’s fast, pleasant, and rarely bothers me.

But there are some flaws:

• Weak ultrawide camera—hard to excuse at this price.
• No wireless charging or LOG video—odd omissions on something pitched as flagship.

Still—if you value compactness, powerful primary and telephoto cameras, and solid performance, this might be exactly what you want. But at around €849 in Europe, you’re paying for that image processing pedigree. If ultrawide matters or you want full flagship bells and whistles, maybe look elsewhere.

Vivo X200 FE Quick Ratings Recap

Final Thoughts

Sometimes you sacrifice one thing to gain another. The Vivo X200 FE gives you camera clarity and compactness—but at the cost of a weaker ultrawide and missing some flagship conveniences. I’m still debating whether that trade‑off is worth it. Some days I think, yes, I’d choose a lighter phone that snaps great portraits. Other days, I wonder if I should’ve held out for the Pro or Ultra—or even another brand.

But there’s no doubt: Vivo’s camera tuning still impresses. And if you don’t mind skipping ultrawide or wireless charging, this phone delivers more than many similarly sized alternatives. It’s not perfect—but right now, for me, it’s a solid compact flagship choice with character—and occasionally, a few quirks I kind of appreciate.