vivo unveiled its latest flagship device, vivo X50 Pro 5G earlier this month and what caught my eye about this device is the Gimbal Camera System. As an avid fan of gimbal technology, I knew that I had to wrap my hands around the vivo X50 Pro 5G and test it out myself. Thankfully, vivo hooked me up with a set and bestowed me the chance to share my thoughts with you.

I’ll be breaking my thoughts about the vivo X50 Pro 5G into two separate articles. The first is the first impression of the device. The second will be my full review and to address the frequently asked questions about the device.

So let’s begin.

Content summary:

• What’s in the vivo X50 Pro 5G box?
• Front-facing camera
• Main rear camera
• Colour
• Conclusion

---

What’s in the vivo X50 Pro 5G box?

Unboxing is a sacred ritual of most reviewers. For them, it is the ASMR kick of ripping the plastic packaging off the box and the smell of the new device. For me, it is the feeling of Christmas morning where you are eager to see for yourself what is in the box.

In the box, aside from the device (duh), you will find:

• a translucent soft cover, which is always appreciated, to protect your new vivo X50 Pro before you get something of your choice;
• a SIM card injector wrapped together with a Quick Start Guide, and a small booklet on the important information and warranty card;
• a charging brick (adaptor) and a USB-C cable; and
• a set of earbuds and an adaptor.

Frankly, I’m glad to see the earbuds because I know they will prove useful for me when I have my never-ending daily Zoom meetings. I’m sure many of you working peeps will understand the pain. Ha!

Picking up the vivo X50 Pro 5G, I can feel that it’s slightly heavier than my iPhone XS (please don’t shame me). But of course, it is understandable as there are a tonne more tech in the device than my two-year old device.

Front-facing camera

Up front, the device has a 32MP hole punch camera with an aperture of f/2.45 embedded in its 6.56-inch curved screen. Curved screen or infinity display, whatever you want to call it, is not my thing as I tend to accidentally pull down the notification, interrupting my video-watching experience.

Flipping it to the right, you will find the volume rocker and the power button. There are no physical buttons on the left so if you are used to devices with buttons on both sides, it will take some time to adjust.

Main rear camera

Around the back, you will see the gorgeous and protruding vivo X50 Pro 5G’s AI Quad camera setup. Sitting in the camera chamber includes:

• a 48MP main camera with an aperture of f/1.6;
• a 13MP camera with an aperture of f/2.46; x
• an 8MP camera with an aperture of f/2.2; and
• an 8MP camera with an aperture of f3.4.

So, where’s the much raved about Gimbal Camera System? It lies within the 48MP main camera. According to vivo, their Gimbal Camera System can achieve a maximisation angle of 300 per cent of Optical Image Stabilisation. For that, I shall find out in my review soon.

Colour

Moving on, the colour of the vivo X50 Pro 5G that I have in hand is in Alpha Grey. Well, that’s the only variant right now so there are no other choices. Bold but good decision. The Alpha Grey is gorgeous. Wait. Think I said that about the camera chamber. Let me try again.

The Alpha Grey is a mesmerising colour. When light hits on the surface, it has a pearly reflection, which is both elegant and charismatic. Good one, vivo!

Last but not least, at the bottom of the device, you will find a single mono- speaker, the USB port & headset port and a SIM card tray with a dual-nano SIM slot. I have to say, I’m a little worried about the speaker though. I mean for a flagship device, it would have been better if they added another one somewhere. I’ll be sure to test it out intensively in the coming week.

Conclusion of the first impression

The vivo X50 Pro 5G is sturdy and well built. Every part of it screams class and premium. The cameras, especially the Gimbal Camera System, excite me a lot and I can’t wait to share my thoughts about them once I’ve tried them out.

There are a couple of downsides for me at this juncture, which is the curved screen but hopefully, this time around it will convince me otherwise. Another is the single mono-speaker, which makes me wonder how it will fare on this flagship device.

I guess we will find out in the coming week. Stay tuned!

If you can’t wait for my review, I get it. You can head down to the major telcos i.e. M1, StarHub and Singtel and authorised retailers to have a feel of it.

The vivo X50 Pro 5G retails at S$1,099 without contract.