60 Days with Vivo X200 FE 5G-The Phone You Desire

Vivo launched the Vivo X200 FE back in July, and I received the review unit shortly after. I started testing it as soon as it arrived. The X200 FE is a compact device that fits comfortably in the hand, making it easy to use. After spending around 60 days with the phone, I’m ready to share my detailed impressions. I’ll skip the unboxing and “what’s in the box” part since it has already been two months.

Note:
To be very clear, this is an unbiased review. If you happen to disagree with my findings, you’re welcome to share your perspective. Also, the brand has not paid me to write this, so you’ll find both the good and the not-so-good aspects discussed openly. This article is touched by ChatGPT for better understanding while the experience is real.

The X200 FE features an AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 5000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under harsh daylight conditions. During daily use, the screen performs consistently well, with only occasional scenarios where readability becomes slightly challenging. The panel produces natural and vibrant colors, though the saturation levels can at times appear a bit exaggerated. Nonetheless, the display remains sharp, responsive, and reliable, delivering an overall solid viewing experience.

The software experience on the X200 FE, powered by Funtouch OS 15, is impressively smooth and responsive. Animations feel fluid, and app launch and closing times are snappy, with the 1.0x animation speed running seamlessly. This fluidity could be partly attributed to the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant used for testing, and users with lower RAM configurations may notice some differences in performance.

The device is currently running on the September security patch, which not only enhances overall system speed but also brings notable optimizations. One key improvement is better thermal management—temperatures remain well under control compared to the August patch, which tended to run warmer. This update has clearly helped optimize heat dissipation, contributing to a more stable user experience.

Moving to the back, the X200 FE features a glass panel that feels significantly more premium and practical compared to the plastic backs seen on earlier models. It resists fingerprints well and offers a sturdy build. In my usage, the glass has proven to be durable, even surviving a few accidental drops without visible damage.

Vivo also includes a leather-finish protective case in the box, which is lightweight, easy to attach or remove, and adds an extra layer of protection. The only drawback is the slightly protruding camera module, which causes the phone to wobble when placed on a flat surface. This design also makes the lenses more prone to scratches or minor scuffs over time, making it highly advisable to use the bundled case for long-term protection.

The telephoto lens on the back is also quite noticeable by touch, unlike the flashlight module, which blends seamlessly with the back panel. When running a finger across the surface, the rings around the telephoto lens can be distinctly felt, suggesting that this design choice was intentional by the brand to highlight the lens.

Now, moving to the performance, I tested the X200 FE across several major benchmarking applications to gauge its capabilities. The device was put through Antutu, Geekbench, Disk Speed, CPU Throttling, Burnout, and AI Benchmark to get a comprehensive picture of its performance. For context, the X200 FE is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, which is designed to deliver flagship-level efficiency and power.

In its segment, the X200 FE positions itself as one of the most powerful devices, even outperforming competitors like the iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra in certain aspects.

In terms of performance, the Vivo X200 FE powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ delivers flagship-grade results across multiple benchmarks. On the AI Benchmark, the device achieved an impressive score of 9378, rated as “Fantastic,” with near-perfect FP16 accuracy, highlighting its strength in AI-driven tasks such as image recognition and voice processing.

Thermal performance remained well-controlled during stress testing, with temperatures stabilizing around 41°C. However, the CPU did experience around 30% performance throttling under prolonged heavy loads, a common trait in high-performance chipsets designed to balance efficiency and thermal management.

In CPU-specific tests, the cores maintained stable speeds between 1837 MHz and 2162 MHz, with overall slowdown recorded at around 88–90% during extended runs. Despite this, the device consistently demonstrated smooth and reliable performance in real-world scenarios.

Overall, the X200 FE combines powerful AI processing, efficient thermal control, and strong multitasking capabilities, making it well-suited for both everyday use and demanding workloads, though heavy gaming sessions may see some throttling over time.

The X200 FE is equipped with a versatile triple rear camera setup, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX921 primary sensor (1/1.56″, OIS, VCS), an 8MP ultra-wide camera (1/4″, 120° field of view, fixed focus), and a 50MP Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto lens (1/1.95″, OIS, 3x optical zoom).

Sample:

I have nothing negative to say about the camera—it does its job perfectly. The ZEISS-powered camera on the Vivo V series is designed specifically for photography, so it’s hard to find any fault in it. The colors are natural and true to life, capturing ambient tones accurately. Even in darker shots, the colors remain precise, and the details are rendered beautifully.

Considering all its features—including a bright AMOLED display, robust build, versatile camera system, and top-tier performance—the Vivo X200 FE offers excellent value for its price of around ₹55,000. For users looking for a compact, powerful, and photography-focused flagship, this device is definitely worth considering.