vivo X80 5G powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9000 overview: a true-blue flagship with top-notch cameras and blazing-fast performance

Since the launch of vivo Xshot in 2014, vivo’s X series has made a mark in the world of photography-centric smartphones. It took that to the next level with the launch of the vivo X50 series in 2020 when it formed a partnership with Germany-based Zeiss. The latest from the brand’s stables goes several notches above as it not only offers best-in-class imaging capabilities, but also scores high on all the other aspects. And it has managed to do that with flagship MediaTek Dimensity 9000 at the helm of the affairs. Here’s why the vivo X80 deserves your attention.

India’s first smartphone with MediaTek Dimensity 9000

MediaTek’s Dimensity series has broken the performance barrier with every new iteration. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000 is the pinnacle of the chipmaker’s prowess. It was the world’s first chipset based on TSMC’s ultra-efficient 4nm fabrication. Making its functioning more efficient is a tri-cluster architecture that utilises the cores depending upon the task at hand. The Cortex-X2 Ultra-Core is meant for high-end tasks and runs at 3.05GHz, whereas the three Cortex-A710 Super-Cores offer the perfect balance between performance and efficiency and are clocked at 2.85GHz. Lastly, the standard and background tasks rely on four Cortex-A510 Efficiency Cores which are tuned at 1.8GHz.

It’s evident that the processor screams power, and the vivo X80 should be able to effortlessly handle anything you throw at it. For graphics, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset comes with Mali-G710 MC10 GPU, which should ensure a great gaming experience. Gamers would also appreciate the support for MediaTek HyperEngine 5.0, which brings forth features like AI-enhanced Variable rate shading, support for raytracing using Vulkan for Android, more realistic graphics, and more.

The processor is paired with up to 12 gigs of RAM, ensuring that you can open multiple apps and switch between them seamlessly. On the storage side of things, you can get the smartphone with 128GB or 256GB UFS 3.1 storage onboard.

If you’re worried about the device not being able to handle extended gaming sessions because of thermals, then fret not. The vivo X80 comes with a large liquid cooling chamber that has a maximum cooling surface area to keep heating in check.

Camera features that can rival a DSLR

In the imaging department, the biggest highlight of the vivo X80 is the ZEISS co-engineered imaging system. Hardware-wise, the camera module is led by a 50-megapixel Sony IMX866 sensor with f/1.75 aperture, given company by a 12MP f/1.98 ultra-wide angle shooter and a 12MP f/2.0 portrait lens. The camera app is quite versatile and offers modes such as Night, Portrait, Panorama, Slow Motion, Timelapse, Dual-View Video, and several others. The camera Panning feature deserves special mention as it’s able to follow your fast-paced movements to create dynamic sports photos. With regards to the portrait shots, users can choose from various styles inspired by ZEISS lenses like Biotar, Distagon, Planar, and Sonnar to make the subject stand out. The handset also promises crystal clear portraits in low light. There’s AI Group Portrait too that ensures that all the faces are well separated from the background. For extremely dim conditions, the device offers Pure Night View mode to capture bright and sharp shots. 

What gives the device an edge is that it ships with a dedicated image processing unit. The vivo V1+ chip enhances the night photography experience by speeding up the process. There’s also Zeiss T* lens coating that reduces ghosting and lens reflection to offer crisp output.

Along with impressive stills, the vivo X80 also promises serious video functionality. AI Object Autofocus ensures that once the subject is in focus, the camera tracks that even if the subject is continuously moving. With ZEISS Cinematic Video Bokeh, you can get oval bokeh in a 2.39:1 aspect ratio that provides a widescreen cinematic lens effect. The OIS is also powerful as the smartphone comes with 360-degree Horizon Level Stabilisation, which means that the resulting footage will be stable even if the device is rotated.

For selfies, the handset offers a high-res 32MP snapper. The good thing is that just like the rear camera, you can get up to 4k output, which will be handy for vloggers.

A gorgeous display that keeps your eyes glued

After you have captured impressive photos and videos on the vivo X80, you can enjoy them on the large screen of the device itself. The smartphone flaunts a 6.78-inch 3D Curved Display that promises an immersive experience. With its E5 AMOLED panel and HDR 10+ compatibility, you can rest assured that the colours pop out while watching your favourite series or playing games. The FHD+ display also comes with a high screen refresh rate of 120Hz. You won’t find it difficult to use the phone under harsh sunlight as well, thanks to its peak brightness of 1,000 nits.

An attractive design that can turn heads

The 3D curved display not only promises immersive visuals, but also makes the vivo X80 stand out in the sea of similar-looking phones. The curved display meets the glass back which offers a superb grip. The square camera module at the back with a glossy finish gives it a unique design language as well. Furthermore, the aluminum rail on the side gives the device a robust build.

The phone is available in elegant colour options of Cosmic Black or Urban Blue. With IP53 certification, the device is splash-resistant.

Impressive endurance and everything else

With such a loaded package, it’s also critical for the handset to deliver an all-day battery life so you can fully utilise the power. The vivo X80 ensures that with its 4,500mAh cell. Combine that with the extremely efficient MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, and you don’t have to worry about juicing up the phone in the middle of the day. When you do need to charge the vivo X80, it does that in a jiffy with the support for 80W FlashCharge that delivers a 50 percent charge within 11 minutes.

Completing the trifecta of great display and long-lasting battery are dual stereo speakers, making the vivo X80 a perfect multimedia companion.

The vivo X80 offers next-gen connectivity support too. Along with being ready for soon-to-be-launched 5G networks, it also supports Wi-Fi 6 2×2 MIMO and Bluetooth 5.3. The dual-SIM 5G phone supports 3CC Carrier Aggregation promising peak download and upload speeds as well as MediaTek 5G UltraSave 2.0, which optimises the battery usage while using 5G.

The vivo X80 leaves no stones unturned in delivering a fully loaded flagship. Right from its ZEISS-optimised camera system to the top-of-the-line MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, and from a 3D Curved display to a big, fast-charging battery, the device has it all. You can get it for Rs 54,999 for the 8GB + 128 GB version, while the 12GB + 256 GB model costs Rs 59,999. Available to buy on vivo online store and Flipkart, you can also take advantage of pre-booking offers. HDFC cardholders can get an instant discount of Rs 5,000. Buyers can also get no-cost EMI, Complete Mobile Protection and a Free vivo Branded Safety Kit.