Vivo X100 Pro underwater photography test: our rating for 2026.

--- # Live Review of the Vivo X100 Pro for Underwater Photography: Our Score in 2026

The Vivo X100 Pro isn't a name you often hear in French-speaking diving clubs. It doesn't have the recognition of an iPhone or a Samsung, and yet, on paper, it's one of the most ambitious Android phones released in recent years when it comes to photography.

One-inch main sensor, optics signed by Zeiss, native RAW format on all three lenses, silicon-carbon battery. Many promises. The question one asks before investing in a less well-known device is: do these impressive specifications on paper hold up in real-world conditions, in natural light, away from testing labs?

Overall AquaExposure score: 3.7/5

This device is designed for: divers who want a very good sensor and native RAW capabilities without having to go through an iPhone, and who are willing to accept slightly less responsive autofocus in dark water.

This device is not ideal for: those who prioritize close-up macro photography, or those who primarily dive in cold water without taking precautions regarding the housing.

Score: 3.4/5

The Vivo X100 Pro features a one-inch Sony IMX989 main sensor with an f/1.75 aperture, paired with Zeiss optics and T* anti-reflective coating. This is one of the largest sensors available on a smartphone to date, offering the usual advantages of large sensors underwater: more light captured, less digital noise at the end of the day or in deep water.

The Zeiss APO periscope telephoto lens (equivalent to 100mm, 4.3x) is the real highlight of this camera. Thanks to its floating lens element, it can focus as close as 18 centimeters, which opens up possibilities for macro photography at a distance on subjects that you don't want to disturb, such as a scorpionfish or an eel, for example.

For more details:

Main sensor: Sony IMX989, 50 MP, 1 inch, f/1.75, 23 mm equivalent, optical stabilization Telephoto lens: Zeiss APO periscope, 50 MP, 1/2", f/2.5, 100 mm (4.3x optical zoom), OIS, macro focus at 18 cm Ultra-wide angle lens: 50 MP, 1/2.76", f/2.0, 15 mm Zeiss T* coating: anti-reflective coating that limits flare and ghosting when sunlight filters through the surface.

Native maximum ISO, RAW burst shooting speed, and shutter lag are not precisely documented by Vivo for this model. A conservative score has been applied to these criteria.

The real limitation remains the classic macro mode with a close focusing distance. Neither the main sensor nor the ultra-wide angle lens can focus closer than 15-18 centimeters. For miniature subjects that you want to photograph from just a few centimeters away, this isn't the most suitable device.

Score: 4.3/5

This is where the Vivo X100 Pro truly stands out. The camera app's Pro mode provides access to native RAW files on all three lenses, with complete manual settings (shutter speed, ISO, white balance) available for both photos and videos. Few manufacturers offer this level of control directly within their native app, without requiring a third-party application.

Zeiss's colorimetry, with its own certified color processing, provides a natural rendering that requires less correction in post-production than most purely proprietary image signal processors (ISPs).

For further information:

RAW: native, DNG, available on all three sensors in Pro mode. Manual White Balance (WB): available in photo and video modes, adjustable within the native app. Maximum Video Resolution: 8K at 30 frames per second, 4K up to 60 frames per second. Compatible Third-Party App: MotionCam Pro (Android, available via Google Play on the international version of the X100 Pro). Color Science: Zeiss certified partnership, documented T* processing.

The presence of RAW bit depth and a dedicated Log video profile are not definitively confirmed in the publicly available documentation. This should be verified on a case-by-case basis depending on the regional firmware version.

To understand why this RAW flexibility is important in underwater photography, the article RAW vs JPEG: why it changes everything underwater explains the principle.

Score: 4.0/5

The Vivo X100 Pro is available with up to 512 GB of internal storage, without an external slot. The USB-C connector operates at USB 3.2 Gen 1 speeds, with measured transfer rates around 270 MB/s in practice. This is significantly faster than smartphones still limited to USB 2.0, but it doesn't reach the speeds of a USB 3.2 Gen 2 or Thunderbolt connection.

For a day of diving that involves a lot of RAW footage and 4K video, transferring the data to an external SSD between dives is still reasonable.

For more details:

Connector: USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, approximately 270 MB/s measured in real-world usage, compatible with OTG. Internal storage: up to 512 GB, no microSD card slot. Quick calculation: a day of 3 dives in RAW format plus 4K clips represents 25 to 40 GB depending on the trigger frequency. The USB 3.2 transfer rate allows you to offload this data in minutes to an external SSD.

Score: 2.5/5

The Vivo X100 Pro combines an aluminum frame with a glass back. This is a mid-range profile: less conductive than an all-aluminum chassis, but not as insulating as a polycarbonate or leather back. In cold water, the risk of condensation inside the casing remains real, although it is less pronounced than on some all-metal flagship phones.

The internal cooling system relies on a vapor chamber, primarily designed to handle the 100W fast charging and peak performance of the Dimensity 9300 chipset. This chamber accelerates heat dissipation throughout the entire chassis, which is beneficial even without liquid cooling.

[WARNING] Silica gel: recommended. The aluminum frame and internal vapor chamber warrant the use of a silica gel packet inside the housing before each dive in temperate or cold water, with a few minutes of acclimatization in the shade before submersion.

For more information:

Chassis material: aluminum frame, glass back Cooling system: internal vapor chamber (sized for 100W fast charging and the chipset) Certification: IP68. No documented MIL-STD certification for this model.

The article "Smartphone overheating and condensation underwater: the physics of the waterproof case" details the mechanism and the silica gel protocol.

Score: 4.3/5

The Vivo X100 Pro features a 5400 mAh battery with a silicon-carbon chemistry and a semi-solid electrolyte. Vivo calls this the "Blue Ocean" battery. Specifically, this chemistry stores more energy in the same volume compared to a standard Li-Ion cell, and importantly, it is designed to better withstand low temperatures.

It's a real advantage for diving in cold or temperate waters: a Li-Ion battery can easily lose 20 to 40% of its effective capacity below 5 degrees Celsius, whereas the semi-solid chemistry of the X100 Pro is specifically designed to limit this loss.

For further information:

Capacity: 5400 mAh, Silicon-Carbon chemistry (Vivo "Blue Ocean Battery") Electrolyte: semi-solid, designed to minimize capacity loss in cold temperatures. Fast charging: 100W wired. Precise lifespan cycles are not confirmed in the publicly available documentation for this model. Silicon-Carbon batteries documented in other devices typically exceed 1000 cycles before a 20% loss.

For a day of 3 to 4 dives, this battery lasts without needing an intermediate charge, even in cold water.

Before each diving session, remember to check your external battery. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the right power bank for your dive equipment and desired battery life.

Score: 2.8/5

The Vivo X100 Pro uses phase detection autofocus (PDAF) on its three lenses, with optical stabilization on the main and telephoto lenses. Independent tests (including GSMArena) note that the autofocus is generally reliable, but slightly slower to react than direct competitors, especially in low light conditions.

Underwater, where natural light diminishes rapidly with depth, this is an important point to know before making a purchase. When dealing with moving subjects (e.g., a fish swimming away or a school dispersing), it may sometimes be necessary to allow the camera a fraction of a second longer to focus.

For more information:

Technologies present: PDAF on all three lenses, OIS on the main and telephoto lenses. LiDAR: Absent. Focus Peaking: Not documented in the native app. Field observations (third-party sources): Reliable autofocus in good light, but responsiveness lags behind competitors in low light.

Score: 4.5/5

The camera module of the Vivo X100 Pro is impressive, with its three sensors, one of which is a full-inch sensor. This type of detail often complicates compatibility with universal underwater housings. Divevolk has solved this problem with the SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum, which explicitly lists the Vivo X100 Pro in its list of compatible devices, alongside other flagship phones with large sensors (Xiaomi 14 Ultra, Huawei Pura 70, Oppo Find X7).

The full touch access through the SeaTouch gel membrane remains the same as with other compatible models.

For more information:

Compatible housing: Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum Certified depth: 60 meters Screen access: SeaTouch touch membrane Access to third-party apps: MotionCam Pro and the native camera app are accessible from within the housing.

The article "iPhone + Divevolk: why I replaced my entire setup" provides an overview of how the SeaTouch range works, which is applicable to this Vivo device.

Available enclosures

Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum, compatible with large-format devices including the Vivo X100 Pro. Certified depth of 60 meters, full touch screen access. Available at divevolkdiving.com.

Current prices (July 2026)

New: Starting from approximately €500, depending on the configuration. Source: French price comparison websites, data collected in July 2026. Refurbished from Back Market: Discounts of up to -70% on refurbished models, with regular offers below €300. Source: Back Market France, data collected in July 2026.

Dive Trip Itinerary: A Day of Three Dives

With the Vivo X100 Pro, a day of 3 dives shooting in native RAW format plus some 4K clips represents 25 to 40 GB. The USB 3.2 transfer rate allows for fast transfers to an external SSD between dives, without having to use a computer.

Specific points to consider for this model:

The first thing to know is about the autofocus: it's reliable, but performance drops off slightly when the light is low. The second point is availability: the Vivo X100 Pro was released internationally at the end of 2023, and today it's mostly available used or with limited new stock. Finally, as with most smartphones with a metal frame, caution regarding condensation remains important in cold water environments.

Three point seven out of five. That's a good score, and it rewards a device that we see too little of in French-speaking diving clubs.

The Zeiss one-inch sensor and native RAW format on the three lenses are significant advantages, almost on par with what the best flagship phones on the market offer. The silicon-carbon battery is a real bonus for long days and cold weather. The one thing that makes you hesitate is the autofocus, which is slightly slower than the competition when natural light decreases.

If you're looking for an Android phone that takes good underwater photos without resorting to the usual brands, and you're willing to accept slightly slower autofocus, then the Vivo X100 Pro definitely deserves a spot in the comparison.

Are you hesitant? Use our underwater photography equipment comparison tool to compare this camera with other tested models.

Having the right equipment is not enough. Mastering manual settings, managing natural light effectively, and approaching animals without disturbing them are all skills that must be learned.

The AquaExposure Training is built around underwater photography using natural light, and is compatible with all devices and housings, including the Vivo X100 Pro and the Divevolk SeaTouch.