Vivo’s new X60 smartphone lineup features Zeiss-branded camera modules

Earlier this week, OnePlus announced its new OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro smartphones, co-developed with Hasselblad. Huawei has Leica branding on their high-end cameras, as well. Vivo is getting in on the action with its new X60 flagship series, which incorporates a Zeiss-branded camera system.

The Vivo X60 series comprises the X60 Pro Plus, X60 Pro and X60. The Vivo X60 series originally launched in China, but the new models, set for global release, are considerably different. One of the biggest differences is the new partnership Vivo has formed with Zeiss. The new X60 series models include Zeiss’s T* optical coating and a special bokeh simulation based on Zeiss’s Biotar lens design. The T* coating promises improved light transmission, reduced reflections, and minimized ghosting and artifacts. The main camera also includes Zeiss nanocrystalline coating.

The X60 Pro Plus includes Zeiss optics with 14mm, 23mm, 50mm and 125mm equivalent focal lengths. Image credit: Vivo

The X60 Pro Plus includes a four-camera array. The primary camera has a 50MP image sensor with an F1.6 lens. The ultra-wide camera has a 48MP sensor and F2.2 lens, plus Vivo’s gimbal style stabilization. There’s also an 8MP telephoto camera with an F3.4 lens and 5x optical zoom. Finally, a 32MP camera with 2x zoom and F2.08 lens designed for portraits rounds out the quad-camera setup. On the front of the camera is a front-facing camera, which is typically not as interesting as the rear cameras, but in this case, the X60 Pro Plus has a 32MP front-facing camera.

The X60 Pro Plus includes four rear cameras. The main camera has a 50MP Samsung GN1 image sensor. The ultra-wide camera includes micro-gimbal stabilization and uses a 48MP image sensor. Image credit: Vivo

In addition to the Zeiss branding, part of what sets the X60 Pro Plus apart from the competition is its inclusion of micro-gimbal stabilization for the ultra-wide camera. This allows the user to capture shots in much lower light, including at night.

When recording video, the X60 Pro Plus can shoot 8K/30p and 4K/60p video. If you want slow-motion video, it does that too, recording 1080/240p and 720/480p video. There are night video and noise reduction video modes included as well. If you want to use the micro-gimbal for stabilization, recording is capped at 1080/60p. Otherwise, you can use standard stabilization for high-res video. HDR video recording is also available.

The X60 Pro Plus reproduces the bokeh pattern of Zeiss Biotar lenses. Image credit: Vivo

The X60 Pro Plus has more going for it than just cameras when it comes to specs. The device has a 6.56″ OLED display with 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The smartphone includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The phone comes in a single color, blue, and has a vegan leather back.

X60 Pro Plus primary features. Image credit: Vivo

The X60 Pro Plus is launching first in India for Rs. 69,990, which converts to a bit under $1,000 USD. Release information for other markets will be announced later.

Vivo’s X60 Pro and X60 take the camera specs down a notch. The other two devices include three rear cameras, rather than four, and include different cameras altogether. The more affordable smartphones have a 48MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide camera and 13MP 2x telephoto camera, which is used for portraits. The front camera remains the same.

Vivo X60 Pro

Other specs are quite consistent between the X60 series models. All three devices have a 6.56″ Full HD OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the X60’s display is flat, whereas the other models have curved displays. The X60 and X60 Pro use a slightly slower Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor and include 8GB RAM with the smaller-capacity 128GB configuration, but the same 12GB of RAM for the 256GB models.

The X60 starts at Rs. 41,990, which is about $580. The X60 Pro starts at Rs. 49,990, or about $690. All three phones are expected to hit their launch markets on April 2.