The Zoom Battle: Vivo X100 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has finally met its match in telephoto photography, but there's a new phone that outperforms it. Our comparison uncovers everything.
New Android phone surpasses Galaxy S24 Ultra in camera test | ENBLE
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and the Vivo X100 Pro
Are you in the market for a smartphone with an impressive zoom camera? Look no further! In the battle of the telephoto cameras, the Vivo X100 Pro has emerged as a formidable contender to challenge the reigning champion, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. With both phones boasting incredible camera capabilities, it’s time to find out which one truly deserves the title of the ultimate zoom champion.
The Cameras
You might not be familiar with the Vivo X100 Pro, as it’s not officially sold in the U.S. But don’t underestimate its camera prowess. Tucked away in its massive camera module are three impressive 50-megapixel cameras: a 1-inch 50MP main, a 50MP wide-angle, and a 50MP Zeiss APO Floating telephoto camera with a 4.3x optical zoom. Vivo promises high-quality zoom shots from 10x to 100x, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
On the other hand, Samsung’s flagship phone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, showcases a 200MP main camera, a 12MP wide-angle camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with a 5x optical zoom, and a second 10MP telephoto camera with a 3x optical zoom. The hardware lineup is undoubtedly impressive, but the question remains: which phone will deliver the best zoom photography experience?
Main and Wide-Angle Camera Test
Before diving into the telephoto capabilities, let’s take a quick look at how the main and wide-angle cameras of both phones compare. The Vivo X100 Pro, with its vivid color profile, produces striking and eye-catching photos, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra opts for a more natural and balanced look. Although the Vivo X100 Pro’s photo may appear a bit vibrant, it can easily be adjusted with various color profiles. Ultimately, it’s a close call, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra takes the crown with its superior natural look and improved wide-angle performance.
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Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The S24 Ultra’s 3x Zoom Camera is in Trouble
Now, let’s move on to the much-anticipated telephoto capabilities. While the Vivo X100 Pro doesn’t have a direct equivalent to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 3x optical zoom, it offers a 2.2x zoom option. Surprisingly, in side-by-side comparisons, the Vivo X100 Pro manages to retain remarkable detail indoors, outperforming the Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of clarity and sharpness. Outdoors, the S24 Ultra struggles with underexposure and washed-out colors, while the X100 Pro captures vibrant and detailed photos. It seems the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 3x zoom camera is facing some tough competition.
Winner: Vivo X100 Pro
5x Zoom Photos are a Closer Comparison
Moving one step further, let’s examine the performance of both phones at 5x zoom. The Vivo X100 Pro’s 4.3x optical zoom is close enough to the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 5x optical zoom for a direct comparison. The Vivo X100 Pro’s vivid color profile continues to shine, producing electrifying photos that catch the eye. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra captures photos with natural tones but exhibits slightly more detail and control in its wide-angle shots. Ultimately, it’s a draw, as both phones impress with excellent telephoto image quality.
Winner: Draw
What About 10x Zoom? It’s Not Even Close
Let’s push the zoom capabilities further and focus on 10x zoom. Neither phone possesses true optical zoom at this level, relying instead on software enhancements. Surprisingly, the Vivo X100 Pro manages to deliver sharper detail and better exposure, outperforming the Galaxy S24 Ultra in various lighting conditions. Whether capturing images in motion or still subjects, the Vivo X100 Pro consistently impresses, proving itself as a formidable contender.
Winner: Vivo X100 Pro
Vivo Keeps Winning with 30x Zoom Photos
Now, it’s time to explore the territory of 30x zoom. While the 30x zoom mode on both phones relies heavily on digital enhancements, the Vivo X100 Pro once again demonstrates superior handling of images. With less blurring, more accurate colors, and clearer details, the X100 Pro surpasses the Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of image quality. Although neither phone’s photos resemble those taken at lower zoom levels, the X100 Pro offers a less artificial and more usable image.
Winner: Vivo X100 Pro
Just for Fun, a 100x Zoom Test
Moving into gimmick territory, let’s briefly discuss the 100x zoom mode. Although both phones can technically zoom in to this extreme level, the resulting photos are far from desirable. Blurry and unidentifiable, these photos won’t make the cut for your most cherished memories. Therefore, in this case, we have no winner, only two losers.
Winner: No winner, only two losers
There’s a New Zoom Champion
In this thrilling zoom battle, the Vivo X100 Pro emerges as the surprising victor, defeating the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in the 3x, 10x, and 30x zoom categories. Although the Galaxy S24 Ultra still boasts an incredible camera system and has improved upon its predecessor, the Vivo X100 Pro’s stunning performance proves that Samsung has work to do if it wants to reclaim the title of the best telephoto smartphone camera.
What’s even more impressive is that Vivo, part of the same family as Oppo, Realme, and OnePlus, has made significant strides in camera technology through collaborations with Zeiss and its own custom ISP. Unfortunately, Vivo’s limited availability in the U.S. means that obtaining one of their smartphones can be a bit more challenging.
The Vivo X100 Pro (left) and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
In conclusion, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains an exceptional camera phone and an improvement over its predecessor, it falls short of reclaiming its title as the best telephoto smartphone camera from the Vivo X100 Pro. The future holds exciting possibilities, and Samsung will need to step up its game for the S25 Ultra if it aims to regain its crown.
