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Vivo X51 5G review - The king of digital photography

Emanuele Iafulla

February 9 2023

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After testing the goodness of the vivo brand with its TWS Neo headphones, we had the honor and pleasure of putting our hand on a strong piece of the line up of the first 3 smartphones officially launched here in Italy by the Asian brand, namely the vivo X51 5G, which represents the philosophy that has always made the brand great in the mother country, namely the art of innovation.

The company was in fact one of the first to offer the fingerprint reader under the display on the market, produce a smartphone with a pop-up camera but also the first completely borderless smartphone and also with vivo X51 5G, the OEM hit the mark , making it unique thanks to the integration of a camera gimbal. But let's not get lost in chat and let's start with the complete review of this technological gem.

The first impact is from the WOW effect right from the sales package, characterized by a predominant blue / gray color that returns plays of light based on how it is struck by the light. Inside, housed in different compartments, treated as if it were a jewelry package we find:

• I live X51 5G;
• Wall charger with European socket of the FlashCarge 2.0 type with max 11V-3A / 33W outpot;
• USB-Type-C cable for charging and data transfer;
• Type-C / AUX adapter for wired headphones;
• Wired in-ear earphones;
• Replacement silicone ear plugs;
• Pin for removing the SIM tray;
• Manuals (present the Italian language);
• Transparent silicone protection cover.

SAR VALUES

• 1,205 W / kg (body)
• 1,239 W (kg (head)

From the first meeting with the smartphone, we can appreciate the goodness and attention to detail that the company places in the production of its terminals, although vivo X51 5G is nothing new in terms of design. However, we have a decidedly elegant look thanks to a back cover covered with an opaque glass (Alpha Gray color) which, moreover, does not retain fingerprints and dirt, or at least does it much less than the traditional glass of other devices. Specifically, the company relies on a Schott Xensation UP glass, a German brand poco known but that has been accompanying the brand's devices for some time. I can't tell you if it is better or not than a classic Corning Gorilla Glass, but overall this proved to be resistant to bumps and scratches that could result from not exactly careful use.

Very beautiful are the glossy metal inserts on the upper profile where we find the 5G and PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY writings that immediately identify the essence of the smartphone, as well as find the secondary microphone for the reduction of hiss on call. Conversely, on the same type of insert we find the main microphone, the USB Type-C 2.0 input with OTG support, mono-type system speaker and the SIM tray, able to accommodate 2 SIMs in nano format, but without the possibility of using a micro SD. vivo X51 5G is not waterproof but we can still appreciate the “rubber” inserts that protect the SIM tray inside, as if to suggest a sort of water proof resistance.

The thin side profiles are made of shiny metal, returning only the presence of the power button and volume rocker on the right, while the left profile is clean and free of elements.

Returning to the rear, the beauty of the bump camera is of certain importance, a double thickness solution, which integrates the quad camera and the LDAF sensor, for laser-type focusing, while on the right of the photographic sector we find the presence of the flash LED and color temperature sensor. Practically hidden, we also have the presence of two additional microphones which, in addition to perfecting the audio in call, will perform the function of Audio ZOOM during video recording, i.e. zooming on the framed subject will also amplify the sound captured by the camera.

As you may have guessed from the contents of the sales package, we do not find AUX input for earphones as there is no traditional fingerprint reader, as it has been integrated under the screen, with a decidedly excellent and quick release. The best I have tried so far, however, through software we can also go to customize the animation of the appearance of the footprint and the release itself.

Before moving on to anything else, let's immediately address the issue related to the audio performance, or the speaker which I repeat is only mono type. A discrepancy compared to all the features that bring the device closer to the top of the range of the moment. In any case, the listening volume is quite high, without distorting, but the bass was subdued, but nothing dramatic, considering that vivo X51 5G relies on an independent AK4377A audio chip, which offers very high quality audio. Promoted the speaker also in hands-free mode.

Another valuable element of this smartphone is represented by the display, a 6,56-inch AMOLED panel that offers Full HD + resolution (2376 x 1080 pixels), with form factor in 19,8: 9 and refresh rate at 90 Hz, with the possibility to choose whether to keep them always active, set the value to a traditional 60 Hz or rely on the intelligent mode that adapts the value based on the content reproduced on the screen, thus also saving battery.

We have support for HDR10 and HDR10 + content, Widevine level 1 certification, thus being able to enjoy streaming content in HD on platforms such as Netflix but also Amazon Prime Video, while the peak brightness reaches 1000 nits (1300 nits in SDR). All this translates into excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, deep blacks and excellent color rendering, in all conditions. But if you are an image perfectionist, you can always calibrate colors and white point via software.

Before delving into the performance of the device, I want to give you the values ​​related to dimensions, equal to 158,46 × 72,80 × 8,04 mm for a weight of 181,5 grams, which in fact do not offer a typical smartphone ergonomics compact, but which still allow use even by a single hand, for example for unlocking with the fingerprint reader or if necessary you can always contact the selfie camera positioned in the only disturbing element of the display, or the punch hole ( 3,96 mm hole), translated on the upper left edge.

Wow effect of the display, also guaranteed by frames really reduced to the bone in which the company has been able to insert a large headset and sensor capsule, as well as the 3D curvature of the edges, which in any case do not sin from involuntary touches and that do not suffer not even chromatic aberrations at certain angles. The reduced thickness still allowed the insertion of a 4315 mAh battery that supports the 33W vivo FlashCarge fast charging, giving a full 30% energy in 57 minutes.

And the autonomy was a welcome surprise, because net of excellent hardware and 90 Hz refresh rate it allowed me to face my day without the fear of running out of water, obtaining average values ​​of about 6 and a half hours of active screen, without ever having to resort to WiFi connectivity, but above all to give a recharge "bottarella". On the other hand, there is no wireless charging system, but personally I have never used it on other smartphones.

vivo X51 5G imposes itself on the market as a top of the range, but under the hood it does not offer high end hardware, but relies on the Qualcomm Snapdragon ™ 765G SoC which is flanked by the Adreno 620 GPU, as well as 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256 GB of internal storage UFS 2.1 not expandable. In terms of connectivity, the smartphone can count on the excellent reception of the dual-band WiFi module (2.4 / 5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.1, GPS with the possibility of hooking up Galileo and NFC satellites with full support for Google Pay. There is no FM radio but this is practically absent on most of the terminals on the market.

Despite the more “narrow” hardware compared to a true top of the range, I can say without being denied that the performance of the vivo X51 5G is astounding. This smartphone is a firecracker in the opening and management of applications in memory as well as allowing excellent and defined performance in gaming, even with the most demanding titles, such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, which start and can be used without any limitation and with more than good framerates.

Let's not forget that the device offers 5G Dual Standby connectivity, obtained with the latest firmware update, even if I personally could not test its goodness, which I think most of you will not be able to do, but I have always surfed in 4G + mode. with very high peak speeds and without ever running into uncertainties or signal freezes.

Accomplice of the extreme fluid and excellent user experience of vivo X51 5G is undoubtedly the software used based on Android 10 with September security patch and customized interface from FunTouch OS in Global version. But to tinker with the interface it almost seems to have to do with an Android Stock system, therefore everything tidy and without too many complications, although there are many customizations that make the user experience premium, in itself fast and efficient.

For example, we find the ultra game mode, enable and program the dark mode as well as benefit from the many graphic customizations for animations such as USB cable insertion, unlocking with fingerprint, light effects for receiving notifications and calls, charging animation and even animation for the eye tracking of the subject framed by the camera.

But the real highlight of vivo X51 5G is undoubtedly represented by the photographic sector embellished with a gimbal camera that relies on the Sony IMX598 sensor. But before talking about it, it is better to take a moment to overview the sensors on the device.

• X51 5G photographic compartment
  • 48 MP main with OIS gimbal image stabilization, IMX598 custom sensor, 7-element lens, f / 1.6;
  • 13 MP used for portraits, 50mm focal length, f / 2.46, EIS and 2x optical zoom;
  • 8 MP ultra wide angle FOV 120 °, also function of macro photo (2,5 cm focus), f / 2.2;
  • 8 MP periscope telephoto lens, 5x optical zoom + 60x digital zoom, f / 3.4 OIS
  • Front camera: 32 MP, f / 2,45

We continue to define the main chamber of the vivo X51 5G as a gimbal, but in reality, inside the mechanism, we do not find any motorized system that returns stabilization, but the lens is mounted on a double sphere suspension that uses an electromagnetic system as well as the mechanical movement to obtain a flexible 3D stabilization, allowing to rotate and compensate angles 300% wider than the OIS stabilizers, i.e. framing movements ranging from -3 ° to + 3 °, when the normal stabilized optics remain stationary at +/- 1 °.

All this translates into a crazy video and photo quality, for example shooting videos in 4K at 60 fps, where EIS type stabilizations are generally disabled and in fact going down to 1080p resolution at 60 fps, where the EIS also intervenes, the result is definitely extraordinary.

But even in night mode you can see the great benefits of the system used by the live smartphone, obtaining decidedly brighter shots, free of digital noise and above all eliminating the micro blur that generally in this shooting mode. We also have the option to shoot in Astrophotography and SuperLuna modes. Accomplice of the excellent performance is also the AI ​​algorithm used by the software which also offers many basic features for pre and post production, such as the many filters, sometimes specific for individual shooting modes. In fact, we find the poses for portraits, the most innovative filters for breathtaking suggestive effects and much more.

The only bug I could detect in the photographic software is when we try to take a photo in night mode with the 2X zoom: in this case the camera after a slow processing of the image crashes, but poco bad because the best shots at night are obtained with the main camera. Overall, the photos are strikingly beautiful in all lighting conditions. Finally we point out that it is possible to switch from one lens to another, for example from standard to ultrawide, in video mode but only at 1080p 30 fps resolution.

PROJECTED IMPACT

At the moment vivo X51 5G is sold exclusively by the electronic distribution chain Euronics at a price of 799 euros, an undoubtedly important figure and not within everyone's reach, thus addressing a few, almost a niche looking for all the efficiency of a professional camera, a bit like it happens for users, who approach Apple's flagships. Sure vivo is a practically unknown brand in our latitudes, but the business card with the X51 5G is certainly impactful, in consideration of the uniqueness and innovation introduced with the gimbal camera. We are in the presence of a prestigious smartphone, but we cannot hide that a cheaper price would have favored the sale as well as the possibility of buying in other stores, including digital ones such as Amazon.

vivo, however, has a wealth of experience gathered in the mother country that will certainly have a positive impact also in Italy and the premises with this X51 5G are truly amazing. Passed with flying colors, we recommend the device, even if perhaps the advice is to wait for a price drop, but in the meantime welcome to live here in Italy.