As a seasoned reviewer, I had never dabbled in the world of Vivo phones before. However, the allure of the Zeiss branding on the X90 series camera compelled me to give the Vivo X90 Pro a whirl. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been using this phone intermittently, and now it’s time to share my thoughts.

The Vivo X90 Pro boasts a distinct visual identity that sets it apart from the crowd. The prominent camera bump ensures that the phone never rests flat on its back, while the faux leather finish back panel with the sleek metal band and shiny blue Zeiss logo catches the eye the moment you lift it up to take a selfie. The curved display seamlessly blends into the metallic edges, providing a comfortable grip. However, it’s worth noting that you may want to invest in a good cover to compensate for the bump on the back. While the phone has a sturdy build, the protruding camera bump tends to be inadvertently touched, prompting the phone to remind you to clean the lens frequently. And if you’re like me and carry two phones, you’ll need to handle them with extra care when stacking them in your jeans pocket.

The 6.7-inch 1260 x 2800 pixels AMOLED screen delivers vibrant and bright visuals, although the wallpapers provided are somewhat dull and fail to make the screen truly pop like some other phones I’ve recently used. That being said, when capturing pictures under the bright Himalayan sky, the display holds its ground, ensuring you don’t miss out on any details. With a 90% screen-to-body ratio, this phone is also great for content consumption.

Moving on to the software experience, as an iOS and pure Android user, I must admit that adapting to Vivo’s FunTouch OS took some time. Everything, from the fonts and text size to the shape of icons, left me feeling underwhelmed and confused. While this doesn’t hinder usability in any way, those accustomed to more streamlined user interfaces may find it a bit challenging to adjust. There are some unnecessary styling choices that make certain aspects harder to comprehend, particularly in the camera app where the zoom toggle fonts are italicized. Given that this is a premium phone, I suspect many users will be tempted to try a cleaner launcher. This is an area where Vivo should focus on improvement.

Despite my initial reservations, I did find some positive aspects in the UI that grew on me over time. For instance, the glowing icon on the lock screen inviting you to use the fingerprint scanner and the extensive list of settings in the control center tray were noteworthy highlights.

When it comes to performance, the Vivo X90 Pro is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9200 processor that handles the demands of the camera, which is slightly out of the ordinary, along with day-to-day tasks. Throughout my usage, I didn’t encounter any heating or stalling issues, even when recording 8K videos in the forests near Sat Tal. Whether it was multi-tab browsing or gaming, the phone held up well without any noticeable strain. The X90 Pro is available in a standard 12GB+256GB version, providing ample storage and memory.

Now, let’s delve into the aspect that captivated my interest the most—the camera. I must admit that the camera alone justifies considering the Vivo X90 Pro for purchase. The device boasts two notable features that set it apart from the competition: a 1-inch sensor and larger pixel size. These specifications enable the camera to capture more light, and when combined with Zeiss optics and software tweaks, the result is one of the most natural cameras available. The photos taken with this camera are crystal clear and possess a natural quality akin to those captured with a DSLR. The colors are not overly vivid, as is often the case with smartphones, allowing for accurate representation even in low-light conditions. This camera excels at capturing every shade of the Himalayas exactly as they are meant to be seen.

During a recent trip to the hills, the Vivo X90 Pro gradually became my primary camera due to its exceptional ability to capture intricate details, particularly with the macro mode. The flora and fauna of Uttarakhand were beautifully preserved throughout the journey. The Pro mode on this camera stands out as one of the best I have experienced on an Android device, offering the right balance of creativity.

I was also highly impressed with the video capabilities of this phone, whether it was day or night. The night videos appear natural, and when zooming in, the camera smoothly adjusts without switching lenses, providing a gimbal-like effect. It does take a few seconds to reach full zoom capacity, but the end result gives your videos a professional touch, akin to those recorded with a dedicated camcorder.

Thanks to the large sensor, this camera delivers remarkable results in low-light conditions. The photos are bright, not due to software enhancements, but because the camera genuinely excels in capturing light. With the long exposure feature, you can push the camera to its limits and explore your creative side. I had high hopes of capturing the stars and the moon in the Kumaon skies, but unfortunately, my trip coincided with a cloudy and rainy weekend.

The front camera also offers some Zeiss presets that produce excellent portraits without overly retouching your face, allowing for a more natural look. However, if you prefer selfie features that enhance your appearance, those options are also available in the camera app.

In terms of charging, the Vivo X90 Pro comes with a 120W charger that can rapidly charge the phone to its maximum capacity within a few minutes. However, it’s worth noting that the charger is relatively large and heavy, which may discourage you from carrying it around all the time. The 4870 mAh battery lasts for a couple of days with good connectivity. One drawback I encountered was that the phone didn’t work well with most of my wireless chargers, despite claiming compatibility.

To determine if the Vivo X90 Pro is the right choice for you, there are a couple of questions you need to answer. First, do you prioritize a phone with exceptional camera capabilities? Second, are you willing to invest in a premium phone from Vivo that is priced similarly to flagship devices from Apple or Samsung? If your answer is yes to both, then this Android option is worth considering as it satisfies all your photography needs. This camera, in particular, shines for creators. Vivo and Zeiss have undeniably succeeded in delivering a winning camera experience with the X90 Pro.