Vivo’s latest flagship smartphones, the X90 and X90 Pro, share many similarities and are marketed as camera-centric flagships, thanks to high-end camera sensors, a custom V2 chip, and a collaboration with Zeiss. These phones belong to different classes due to the significant price difference. And, as we’ve already established, the Vivo X90 Pro is one of the best camera phones of 2023.
Despite having an identical display and processor, the X90, priced at Rs 59,999, is significantly less expensive than the X90 Pro, with a price difference of nearly Rs 25,000, with camera hardware and design becoming the only primary difference. I started testing the Vivo X90 to see what differentiates it from the X90 Pro and whether it is worth spending more money to get the best that Vivo has to offer. For more than three weeks, I used the Vivo X90 as my primary smartphone, and this is my detailed review of the device.
Specifications Table
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9200 MT6985 |
| No of cores | 8 (octa core) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| RAM Type | LPDDR5 |
| Height-Width | 6.46in-2.93in |
| Weight | 200 grams |
| Colours | Asteroid Black, Breeze Blue |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels |
| Display Type | AMOLED, Curved Display, HDR 10+, Schott Xensation Glass |
| Colour Reproduction | 16M Colours |
| TouchScreen | Yes, Capacitive, Multi-Touch |
| Rear camera setup | Quad |
| Rear Camera | 50MP(Primary), 12MP(Secondary), 12MP(Tertiary) |
| Front camera | 32 MP Resolution |
| Flash | Dual Colour LED Rear flash |
| Video Resolution | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps |
| Camera Features | Auto FlashAuto FocusFace detectionTouch to focus |
| Battery Type and capacity | Li-polymer, 4810 mAh |
| Fast Charging | Yes, Flash, 120W |
| Internal memory type | 256 GB, UFS 4.0 |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
| Custom UI | Funtouch OS |
| SIM Configuration | Dual SIM |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth v5.3 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| Fingerprint sensor | Yes, On-screen |
| Face Unlock | Yes |
| Other Sensor | Light SensorProximity SensorAccelerometerCompassGyroscope |
Design
The Vivo X90 has a metal frame and a curved glass sandwich design. The device has an IP64 rating, making it water and dust resistant. The optical in-display fingerprint sensor is both fast and accurate. It also comes with a scratch-resistant screen protector already installed. Despite having a larger 6.78-inch curved 120Hz OLED screen than the X90 Pro, the Vivo X90 is lighter and thinner. Furthermore, the camera island on the X90 is not as large as the one on the X90 Pro. While it may not feel as premium as the X90 Pro with a leather finish, the X90 Pro is undoubtedly attractive. Overall, the Vivo X90 is competitive with other Android phones in this price range.
Camera
The Vivo X90 includes a proper triple camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor, 12 MP ultra-wide angle lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens, as well as the goodness of Zeiss T* lens coating, which reduces glare and improves picture quality, and all three primary cameras can shoot up to 4K resolution. There is also a 32 MP selfie camera that can only record 1080p video.
The Vivo X90 produces excellent images in almost any lighting condition. In fact, most images are nearly as good as the X90 Pro’s. It has the same fast shutter speed, and the night mode works flawlessly. After comparing the camera samples, I concluded that the X90’s camera performance is nearly on par with the X90 Pro, despite having a slightly smaller sensor. However, in some difficult situations, such as extreme low light conditions, the X90 Pro has an advantage.
A fantastic gaming phone
The Vivo X90 uses Mediatek Dimensity 9200 processor which has up to 12 GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device easily exceeds one million points on AnTuTu, and it can handle anything you throw at it when it comes to gaming. With continued gaming, the phone does get a little hot, but it cools down quickly and has no effect on gaming performance.
On the Vivo X90, I played a variety of games, including COD: Mobile, Pure Sniper, Sniper Strike, and Cricket League, and the overall experience was positive. Overall, the Vivo X90 is as powerful as its more expensive sibling, and its performance is comparable to that of any flagship phone in this price range.
Battery Life and Connectivity
The connectivity and battery life are comparable to the Vivo X90 Pro. While there is no eSIM support, the device does have dual nano SIM card slots, 5G network support, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity standards, as does the more expensive variant. In terms of battery life, the 4810mAh battery easily lasted an entire day, and the 120W fast charging will be useful for quick power up. Again, wireless and reverse wireless charging are not supported.
Verdict
The device has a fantastic display, a lightning-quick processor, and an equally impressive camera array. The Vivo X90 does not skimp on any of the core flagship features for a phone in this price range. However, it lacks a few desirable features such as wireless charging, eSIM support, and improved ingress protection. While the best from Vivo still costs much more, the Vivo X90 delivers a great value proposition and is almost as good as the best from Vivo at the asking price.
In the same price range, the OnePlus 11 and iQOO 11 prioritise performance, whereas the Vivo X90 appears to be a more polished device with great cameras and a colour-accurate Zeiss-tuned display. Furthermore, it delivers on performance, making it one of the best Android phones under Rs 60,000.
Since it is thinner and lighter than the X90 Pro, the Vivo X90 is also much easier to handle without experiencing hand fatigue. Overall, for the price, the Vivo X90 is one of the best camera phones I’ve tested this year, and for those looking for a camera-centric flagship under Rs 60,000, this is a good device to consider.
