vivo X60 series launched globally: Micro-gimbal cameras, 120Hz OLED, and more

The vivo X60 series launched in China back in December 2020 in the form of the X60 and X60 Pro. We also saw the X60 Pro Plus land in its home market in January, bringing proper flagship-level features to the range. All three phones delivered ZEISS branding as part of vivo’s new partnership with the veteran camera company, as well as Pixel Shift tech for improved color reproduction.

Now, the Chinese manufacturer has launched the X60 series outside China, in the form of all three devices. So what should you expect?

X60 and X60 Pro

The X60 and X60 Pro actually see a major change compared to the Chinese version. They both feature Snapdragon 870 SoCs rather than the new Exynos 1080 chipset seen in the Chinese models. vivo told journalists that it conducted surveys and testing in overseas markets, and found that the Qualcomm chipset was of “greater performance” due to the different network environments and user habits.

The Exynos chipset does however pack a smaller, more power efficient design, newer CPU cores, and the latest Arm Mali GPU. But the Snapdragon 870 is a mild upgrade over the Snapdragon 865 Plus seen last year, so you’re getting great performance either way.

There’s also a notable change between the Chinese and global X60 Pro as the global variant only has one zoom-focused camera in a 13MP 2x telephoto lens. Meanwhile, the Chinese variant packs this camera as well as an 8MP 5x periscope camera. Presumably this is a decision related to profit margins and also helps make the X60 Pro Plus stand out even more.

Otherwise, you can still expect the same experience from the global X60 and X60 Pro as we saw with the Chinese options. That means a curved 6.56-inch OLED panel (FHD+ and 120Hz), and 33W wired charging. The X60 and X60 Pro also pack a 48MP main camera, a 13MP 120 degree ultra-wide camera, and the aforementioned 2x telephoto sensor. A 32MP camera in a center punch-hole handles selfies.

Meanwhile, the standard X60 features the same specs for the most part but delivers a flat screen instead as well as a slightly larger 4,300mAh battery (versus 4,200mAh). The Pro variant also features a slightly wider aperture for the main camera (f/1.48 versus f/1.79).

Perhaps the biggest difference between the two is that it seems like the standard X60 misses out on the Pro model’s micro-gimbal system for the 48MP main camera. So you’ll want to splash out on the Pro for the smoothest video and best low-light snaps. This is a shame as the Chinese X60 offered a micro-gimbal setup too.

vivo X60 Pro Plus: A full-blown flagship

On the hunt for a proper flagship experience? That’s where the X60 Pro Plus comes in, featuring a Snapdragon 888 SoC in lieu of the Snapdragon 870, and 55W wired charging for the 4,200mAh battery. vivo’s top-end model also packs an impressive rear camera setup in theory, delivering a 50MP GN1 main camera with OIS, a 48MP ultra-wide shooter with a micro-gimbal system, and two zoom-focused snappers (8MP 5x periscope, 32MP 2x telephoto).

Our verdict: vivo X60 Pro Plus review — A flagship for camera enthusiasts

The X60 Pro Plus still has plenty in common with its stablemates nonetheless, namely the same 120Hz OLED display, a 32MP selfie camera, FunTouch OS in lieu of the China-only OriginOS, and an in-display fingerprint sensor. vivo’s flagship also stands out due to the vegan leather back, echoing the likes of the OPPO Find X2 Pro.

vivo X60 series pricing and availability

The vivo X60 and X60 Pro will be available in over 20 markets from today, including India, Indonesia, the UAE, and the UK. Expect availability in APAC, Europe, and the Middle East in “the next few months.”

Indian users can expect to pay Rs 37,990 (~$523) for the 8GB/128GB vivo X60 and Rs 41,990 (~$578) for the 12GB/256GB variant. You’ll be paying Rs 49,990 (~$688) for the 12GB/256GB X60 Pro. The X60 and X60 Pro will be available in Shimmer Blue and Midnight Black colorways. There’s no word on pricing for Europe and other markets just yet.

The vivo X60 Pro Plus will “first” be launched in India, and you’ll be paying Rs 69,990 (~$963) for the sole 12GB/256GB model. Expect to find it in Emperor Blue. Pre-booking for all the phones kicks off today in India, with sales from April 2.