June 11, 2025 – Vivo has consistently pushed the boundaries of smartphone photography, particularly with its X Ultra series. Now, fresh leaks suggest its next flagship, likely dubbed the X200 Ultra or X210 Ultra, might pull off a major coup: integrating a signature camera technology previously exclusive to Sony's own Xperia flagships.
The buzz stems from credible sources on Chinese social media. Respected tipster Digital Chat Station recently shared images and details on Weibo hinting at a groundbreaking periscope telephoto lens design destined for an upcoming Vivo flagship. The most tantalizing claim? This new lens system might finally bring continuous optical zoom to a mainstream smartphone outside the Sony family. Source: Weibo leak
What is Continuous Optical Zoom?
Unlike traditional smartphones that switch between fixed focal lengths (e.g., jumping from 1x to 3x to 10x), continuous optical zoom allows for smooth magnification across a range without digital cropping degrading the image. Sony achieved this in the Xperia 1 series (like the Xperia 1 III and IV) using a unique dual-focal-length periscope mechanism with movable lens elements. This provided a genuine optical zoom range (e.g., 70mm to 135mm equivalent), a feature highly prized by enthusiasts but rarely seen elsewhere.
Vivo's Ambition Meets Sony's Tech?
Vivo's collaboration with Zeiss is well-established, but leveraging Sony's intricate continuous zoom tech would be a significant leap. Integrating such a complex mechanism requires deep optical engineering prowess and likely a very close partnership with Sony's sensor and module division.
The leak aligns intriguingly with Vivo's own recent teasers. Earlier this year, Vivo dropped a bold "Ultra Shot" teaser on its official channels, heavily implying revolutionary camera capabilities were in the pipeline for the next Ultra device. While details were sparse, the emphasis was clearly on zoom and image quality breakthroughs. Source: Vivo Teaser
Why This Matters
If true, this move could be game-changing:
- True Zoom Flexibility: Users could compose shots optically at any focal length within the zoom range (e.g., 85mm, 100mm, 120mm) without quality loss, offering unprecedented creative freedom.
- Vivo's Camera Dominance: Successfully implementing this would solidify Vivo's position at the absolute pinnacle of mobile computational and optical photography.
- Sony's Expanding Influence: It signals Sony's willingness to license its most advanced mobile camera tech beyond its own phones, potentially reshaping the high-end market.
Caveats and Expectations
As always with leaks, caution is warranted. While Digital Chat Station has a solid track record, final specs and features are subject to change until the official launch. Integrating continuous zoom is technically challenging and could impact device thickness or thermal management.
The successor to the X100 Ultra (presumably X200 Ultra or X210 Ultra) is expected in late 2025 or early 2026. If Vivo pulls this off, it won't just be an upgrade; it could redefine what's possible with a smartphone zoom lens, bringing a coveted Sony-exclusive feature to a potentially much wider audience hungry for professional-grade mobile photography tools. The battle for camera supremacy just got even more interesting.
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