Vivo X200 Ultra: Upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra rival to arrive with a smaller main camera than its predecessor

Vivo launched the X100 Ultra earlier in the year as a camera-focused rival to other "Ultra" models like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Ultra. Fondly referred to as "Thanos" by Chinese netizens for its impressive hardware, the X100 Ultra debuted with a type 1-inch main camera, but it now appears Vivo is set to take a step back in that department.

As shared by leaker Kartikey Singh, a successor to the Vivo X100 Ultra is already in the works, but looks geared to ditch the type 1-inch main camera. Supposedly, the 1-inch camera is set to be replaced by a smaller 1/1.3-inch 50 MP sensor that performs even better.

It's unknown why Vivo would choose to take such a step backward, especially considering sensor size remains one of the more important factors in camera performance. An obvious guess would be cost-cutting, of course, as both the Dimensity 9400 and Snapdragon 8 Elite already cost significantly more than their predecessors. Interestingly, though, Chinese sources claim the main camera will feature a "physical focal length far more than one inch".

In addition to the new main camera, the Vivo X200 Ultra will come equipped with a 1/1.4-inch 200 MP telephoto sensor—presumably the same one on the X100 Ultra—beneath an 85 mm equivalent lens. The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is also rumored to feature an identical zoom camera. On a positive note, however, the ultra-wide angle camera on the X200 Ultra is slated to get an upgrade to a 50 MP 1/1.3-inch sensor.