vivo X30 5G series announced: Two zoom cameras, 5G, Samsung chipsets

vivo has launched its new X30 smartphone series in China and it’s highly focused on photography. The new lineup succeeds the X27 series from last year and brings in a periscope camera, 5G support, and perhaps the smallest punch hole camera ever on a smartphone.

vivo might not be a big deal in western markets, but it’s pretty popular in Asian countries like China and India. The Chinese smartphone maker has the second largest market share in its home country, and it’s the third largest in India after Xiaomi and Samsung. Globally too, vivo sits comfortable in the list of top ten smartphone brands.

The X30 series shows vivo is here to stay and compete in the upper mid-range smartphone segment. Here’s what the new X30 5G and X30 Pro 5G have to offer.

Camera is king

The vivo X30 Pro 5G gets the better camera setup of the two phones. It features four primary cameras including a 64MP main camera, a 13MP periscope lens with 60x digital zoom and up to 5x optical zoom, a 32MP 2x zoom lens with 50mm focal length (used for depth as well), and an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. Laser auto-focus is also part of the camera setup to allow for faster, more accurate focusing.

The addition of two zoom cameras on the X30 Pro 5G should result in better quality zoom from short range to longer ranges. Phones with periscope cameras only generally offer lower quality zoom at shorter ranges, as they use hybrid zoom tech at these ranges instead.

The camera setup is complemented by features like Super Night Mode 2.0, a dedicated mode for moon photos, Super HDR, slow motion, time-lapse, AI beauty, 4K video and more.

In comparison, the vivo X30 5G misses out on the periscope sensor, while the rest of the camera configuration is the same as the X30 Pro 5G. The non-pro model retains the 32MP 50mm camera for zoom photography, topping out at 2x optical zoom and 20x digital zoom. We recently saw a similar focal length on the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 Pro, which features a 12MP 50mm telephoto lens capable of 2x optical zoom, just like the X30.

vivo claims the 32MP 2x lens can capture DSLR-quality images. It should theoretically make for better portraits, but we’ll only be able to test this out when we get the phones in for review.

vivo X30 5G

On the front is a tiny punch hole measuring 2.98mm — the same as the vivo V17. It houses the 32MP selfie camera on both the X30 and X30 Pro. This is perhaps the smallest punch hole camera on a smartphone.

More specs

The vivo X30 and X30 Pro both feature Samsung’s mid-range Exynos 980 chipset. It’s a 5G integrated chipset and both phones come with SA and NSA modes for 5G. There’s a single 8GB RAM variant which can be paired with 128GB or 256GB storage.

Both phones feature a 6.44-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display. vivo calls it the ‘XDR Display’ and claims it has a peak brightness of 1200 nits and a contrast ratio of 2000000:1.

There’s a 4,350mAh battery on both phones, and it supports 33W fast charging. The phones also get a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack.

On the software side of things, the devices feature vivo’s Funtouch OS based on Android Pie.

vivo X30 and X30 Pro prices

The base variant of the vivo X30 with 8GB + 128GB costs 3,298 yuan (~$471). Its 8GB + 256GB version is priced at 3,598 yuan (~$514).

The X30 Pro starts at 3,998 yuan (~$571) for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while its 256GB storage model costs 4,298 yuan (~$614).

The phones are available in peach, a lilac-ish silver, and black colorways. There’s no word yet on their availability outside of China.