Vivo X200 FE review: Small size, big surprise

VIVO X200 FE 3

Not every phone needs to fold, flip or put on a light show to get noticed. Some phones simply get the basics right and quietly grow on you. The Vivo X200 FE belongs to that rare category. While others chase trends with oversized frames and flashy gimmicks that feel exciting for all of five minutes, this one sticks to what actually matters. It focuses on comfort, clean design and features that make daily life just a little easier.

There is something satisfying about picking up a phone that feels just right in your hand. For years, brands pushed the idea that bigger was automatically better. But you can sense that mindset fading. Compact phones still exist, but mostly in Apple’s world. Remember the ‘mini’ iPhones? Sadly, those are gone too. In the Android space, the X200 FE feels like a breath of fresh air. It slips into pockets without a fight, feels sturdy with its metal frame, and manages to look modern without being loud.

Of course, looks are only one part of the equation. I spent the last week using the X200 FE through long workdays, late-night scrolling and even a quick escape to Udaipur. I realised this phone holds a few surprises. Some small, some significant  and none of them were what I expected.

The X200 FE does not try too hard, and that is exactly its appeal. It belongs to a dying breed of compact flagship devices. In a world where most premium smartphones push upwards of 6.7 inches, the X200 FE’s 6.31-inch flat screen felt refreshingly easy to manage. The design language is clean, almost minimalist, but rich in detail.

VIVO X200 FE 3

The Luxe Grey variant I reviewed looks the most premium amongst the lot, you do get a pale yellow and a light blue colour variant too. The metallic sand AG finish gives it a soft, matte texture that repels fingerprints and offers a grippy, satisfying feel in hand. The squircle camera module, with its dual-layer aerospace-grade aluminium accents, introduces just enough flair without being gaudy. This is a phone that looks expensive without screaming for attention. I found myself comfortably using it one-handed while walking around the office, and it slipped effortlessly into small pockets.

The phone’s IP68 and IP69 ratings mean you do not have to tiptoe around water or dust. It survived a few accidental splashes near my kitchen sink and the dust-laden streets of Delhi without drama. Vivo also claims military-grade drop resistance, and while I thankfully avoided testing that rigorously, the solid aluminium frame left me assured about its durability.

Despite the compact footprint, the X200 FE is not making compromises on display quality. The 1.5K resolution OLED panel packs in a staggering 5000 nits of peak brightness, and in practical use, this translated to crystal-clear visibility under harsh sunlight. During my Udaipur trip, when I was walking through the sunlit courtyards of the City Palace, I could easily glance at directions without cupping the screen or squinting.

What stood out even more was the eye comfort. The 2160Hz PWM dimming meant that extended night-time scrolling sessions did not leave my eyes strained. Text was crisp, colours were natural without appearing oversaturated, and the ultra-narrow bezels made content feel immersive despite the smaller screen size. Watching HDR content on Netflix, especially under controlled indoor lighting, was a visual treat with punchy contrast and vivid dynamic range.

In day-to-day use, the flat display was easier to handle than curved options, particularly for reading PDFs, editing documents, and casual video editing, which I had to do on the go. My only gripe is that the refresh rate is capped at 120Hz, for its price, a 144Hz refresh rate would have felt nicer.

Vivo has opted for the Dimensity 9300+ chipset with an all big-core CPU architecture, and this decision shows in daily performance.The phone simply glides through tasks. App transitions are fluid, multitasking is seamless, and I did not experience a single stutter during the week.

Gaming performance was solid. While I am not a hardcore gamer, I pushed it through multiple sessions of Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile on high settings. Frame rates remained stable, thermals well-managed, and the phone never crossed the threshold of uncomfortable heat, thanks to the 3800mm² vapour chamber cooling system. Even with extended gaming sessions, the phone stayed relatively cool, and battery drain was impressively controlled.

VIVO X200 FE 3

Another subtle highlight was network reliability. The redesigned 360-degree antenna system ensured consistently strong 5G and Wi-Fi connectivity, even in places where my primary phone, the iPhone 16, has struggled.

If there is one area where the X200 FE delivers beyond expectations, it is battery life. Packing a 6500mAh battery into a body this slim is nothing short of engineering wizardry. I consistently got well over a full day of use, even with heavy camera usage, navigation, social media, and content streaming. On regular workdays, with mixed usage, the phone cruised through 36 hours without needing a top-up.

The 90W fast charging system was another pleasant surprise. I could get from zero to about 50 percent in just over 20 minutes. This meant that even during a packed travel day, a quick shower and breakfast break were enough to prep the phone for several hours of continued use.

This is where the Vivo X200 FE sets itself apart. I took the phone to Udaipur, a city rich with colour, architecture, and intricate street scenes, and the camera system became my constant creative companion.

VIVO X200 FE 3

The main 50MP Sony IMX 921 sensor with OIS handled daylight scenes effortlessly. Whether it was the golden domes of Jagmandir or the blue rooftops of old Udaipur, the phone captured them with natural colours and ample detail. Dynamic range was particularly impressive, maintaining detail in both bright skies and shaded alleyways.

Low light performance was equally satisfying. During a boat ride on Lake Pichola at sunset, the X200 FE preserved the soft hues of the horizon without over-brightening the shadows, resulting in balanced, atmospheric shots.

The real revelation was the telephoto lens. The 50MP ZEISS periscope camera provided 3x optical zoom, 6x lossless zoom, and up to 100x digital zoom. Between 3x and 10x, the phone clicks crisp, usable images. Architectural details on distant temples, street art glimpsed from across the road, and even candid portraits from a distance looked fantastic, retaining sharpness and natural colour tones.

Portrait photography was elevated by ZEISS Multifocal Portrait options. The ability to switch between 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and even 100mm focal lengths allowed me to adapt shots based on background clutter and distance. Portrait shots had a cinematic vibe, helped by subtle depth separation and creamy bokeh that felt realistic rather than software-induced. The various ZEISS bokeh effects, especially Biotar and Distagon, added variety without feeling gimmicky.

I also enjoyed experimenting with Street Photography mode, especially in the bustling streets of the city. The zero shutter lag and smart exposure handling captured authentic, spontaneous moments without over-processing. Black and white mode with high dynamic range added an old-world charm to some of my compositions, reminiscent of film photography.

AI photography tools were useful rather than gimmicky. AI Erase worked efficiently in removing unwanted passersby from some frame compositions. Reflection Erase cleaned up photos shot through shop windows. These tools felt practical and saved editing time.

The software experience on the X200 FE is another area where Vivo has matured. Funtouch OS, based on Android 15, felt significantly lighter than previous iterations. Bloatware was minimal, and the inclusion of meaningful features like Smart Call Assistant and DocMaster made productivity on the phone feasible.

The integration of Google’s Gemini AI assistant is nicely done. Circle to Search, real-time on-screen translation, and AI note summarisation were more than just nice-to-haves. During press briefings, I used the Smart Call Assistant to transcribe calls, which worked seamlessly, and the summarisation feature helped organise information quickly.

The stereo speakers on the X200 FE were satisfactory, offering clear highs and reasonable loudness. However, bass reproduction could be better, especially when compared to some competitors in the same segment. Call quality was consistently good, with clear voice pickup even in noisy environments, and the presence of an IR blaster and NFC made everyday usability easier.

The Vivo X200 FE targets a specific user group: those who desire a full-fledged flagship experience but detest the oversized, cumbersome nature of most modern premium smartphones. It delivers a polished, compact package without major compromises.

For travellers, amateur photographers, and professionals who want something reliable yet pocketable, this phone makes an excellent case for itself. It combines understated elegance with genuine camera innovation, solid performance, and stellar battery life.

Is this the one to go for? Absolutely. At Rs 54,999, this smartphone doesn’t need to be a pocket-busting slab to deliver a flagship experience. The X200 FE carves out its own identity, balances refinement, power, and practicality in a way very few phones in 2025 have managed to achieve so far.