Design & Build Quality

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: With its sleek 7.9mm thickness and weight of 193g, the Find X8 Ultra strikes a balance between form and function. The aluminum alloy body with Gorilla Glass 7i provides durability while maintaining a premium look. Its IP68 rating ensures it is both dustproof and waterproof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Vivo X200 Ultra: A slightly bulkier device at 8.0mm and 197g, it features a glass body that is also protected by Gorilla Glass, offering good resistance to scratches and drops. The X200 Ultra shares the IP68 rating, making it equally resistant to dust and water. Both phones use high-end materials, though the Vivo feels a bit more substantial.

Verdict: Both devices offer premium designs, but the Oppo has a slight edge with a more compact form factor and similar build quality.

Display

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: It sports a 6.59-inch AMOLED display with an impressive 1256 x 2760 pixel resolution, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast ratios. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making it great for high-quality video streaming. It also features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness.

Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo features a slightly larger 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels, also supporting HDR10+ but without Dolby Vision. Its 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth interaction, though the absence of Dolby Vision means it may not offer the same cinematic experience as the Find X8 Ultra.

Verdict: The Oppo Find X8 Ultra edges out slightly in display quality with Dolby Vision support, ideal for media consumption. The Vivo X200 Ultra, while excellent, lacks this feature.

Performance

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, it offers an octa-core CPU with a 3nm architecture. Coupled with 12GB RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, the Find X8 Ultra provides fast and smooth performance for everyday tasks and intensive applications.

Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra is equally equipped with the Dimensity 9400 chipset and offers the same RAM and storage configurations. Both phones are highly efficient in handling multitasking and heavy apps. However, Vivo’s optimizations in the OriginOS contribute to smooth performance, with slightly better thermal management reported.

Verdict: Both phones are very similar in performance, offering top-tier processing power. The Vivo may have a slight advantage in thermal efficiency due to its software optimizations.

Software & OS

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Runs on ColorOS 15, which offers a refined, feature-rich interface with customization options. It comes with extensive privacy controls, performance optimizations, and a user-friendly experience.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Utilizes OriginOS 15, which has a similar feature set but with a more pronounced focus on efficiency, streamlined multitasking, and system fluidity. Both OS versions are based on Android 15, providing users with a clean, modern experience.

Verdict: Both operating systems are excellent, with ColorOS offering more customization options, while OriginOS is lauded for its efficiency and smoothness.

RAM Management and Virtual RAM

Effective RAM management ensures smoother multitasking.

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers 12GB/16GB of physical RAM with an option for up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Provides similar physical RAM configurations but supports up to 12GB virtual RAM, allowing greater flexibility for resource-intensive applications.

Verdict: Vivo provides slightly more headroom for heavy multitasking with additional virtual RAM.

Camera Systems

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP primary wide-angle lens (f/1.8), a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens (f/2.6). It offers superb photo and video quality with features like Dolby Vision support for videos.

Vivo X200 Ultra: The Vivo X200 Ultra also boasts a triple 50MP camera array, including similar wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, but with slightly different apertures (f/1.57 for the wide lens). It supports advanced Zeiss optics for superior image processing, particularly in low light.

Verdict: Both cameras are top-tier, with the Vivo offering slightly better low-light performance and optical processing, while Oppo’s Dolby Vision support offers a richer video experience.

Battery Life & Charging

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Comes with a 5630mAh battery, offering decent endurance. It supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging but lacks wireless charging.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Features a larger 5800mAh battery, providing a bit more longevity. It supports 90W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, plus reverse wireless charging for added convenience.

Verdict: The Vivo X200 Ultra offers better overall battery performance, with faster wired and wireless charging options, as well as reverse charging.

Connectivity

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB Type-C 3.0, ensuring high-speed connectivity and future-proof networking.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.4, but with a USB Type-C 3.0 port. Both devices offer the latest in connectivity.

Verdict: Both phones excel in connectivity, offering similar features and future-proof technologies.

Speakers & Audio

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Features stereo speakers with enhanced Dolby Atmos support for an immersive audio experience.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Also equipped with stereo speakers, offering a comparable audio experience, though it lacks Dolby Atmos.

Verdict: Oppo’s Dolby Atmos support gives it a slight edge in sound quality.

Security & Biometrics

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Offers an in-display fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Similarly equipped with an in-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition.

Verdict: Both offer comparable security features, with in-display fingerprint sensors being a standard for both.

Price & Value

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Priced around €550-560, offering a premium experience with Dolby Vision and excellent camera features.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Priced similarly, but with the added benefit of reverse wireless charging and slightly better camera optics, providing excellent value.

Verdict: Both phones provide excellent value at their price points, with the Vivo slightly edging out in battery and camera features.

Final Verdict

Oppo Find X8 Ultra: Best for users prioritizing display quality, video features, and overall design.

Vivo X200 Ultra: Best for users who value better battery life, reverse wireless charging, and superior camera performance.

Xiaomi released the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro models in October 2024. Although they share a core identity, these devices are distinctly tailored to suit different types of users. Below, we dive into the specifications, features, and unique selling points that set these two flagship devices apart.

Design and Build Quality

Aesthetic and Durability Differentiation

Xiaomi 15: With Gorilla Glass protection on both the front and back, the Xiaomi 15 embraces a classic, durable design enhanced by an aluminum frame. The flat-edged display is minimalistic, creating a more subtle profile that appeals to users who prefer a compact and lightweight feel at 189 grams.

Xiaomi 15 Pro: The Pro model elevates the experience with a premium Dragon Crystal Glass front, ceramic back, and an aluminum frame, delivering a luxurious finish. The curved 6.73-inch display adds a high-end touch, while the ceramic back enhances durability. Weighing in at 213 grams, it is slightly heavier than the Xiaomi 15, a trade-off for those prioritizing a more robust, refined design. Both models are IP68 rated, though the Pro’s materials offer enhanced scratch resistance and aesthetic longevity.

Verdict: If durability and premium materials matter, the Xiaomi 15 Pro’s ceramic and crystal glass build are the superior choice.

Display Technology

Standard vs. Pro-Level Experience

Xiaomi 15: The Xiaomi 15 features a 6.36-inch AMOLED flat display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), peaking at an impressive 2500 nits. It delivers a fluid 120Hz refresh rate with HDR10+ support, making it ideal for immersive viewing without consuming as much power.

Xiaomi 15 Pro: The Pro model takes it up a notch with a larger 6.73-inch LTPO AMOLED display, featuring a sharper QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3200 pixels) and adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz. Dolby Vision support and peak brightness at 3200 nits elevate the Pro’s display, particularly in outdoor settings and HDR media.

Verdict: The Xiaomi 15 Pro offers a more dynamic, detailed viewing experience. For users focused on media consumption, HDR quality, or enhanced brightness, the Pro’s display is superior.

Camera System

Tailored for Photographers and Casual Users

Both models offer versatile camera setups, but the Pro version is engineered for users looking for high-end photography capabilities.

Xiaomi 15: The rear camera system includes a 50 MP main sensor with OIS, a 50 MP telephoto lens (2x optical zoom), and a 50 MP ultrawide lens with a 115° field of view. The Xiaomi 15’s setup is highly capable, delivering clear, balanced shots across different lighting environments.

Xiaomi 15 Pro: The Pro model builds on this with a 50 MP main sensor featuring a faster f/1.4 aperture and Leica Summilux lenses for increased light capture. It’s paired with a 50 MP periscope telephoto lens (5x optical zoom) and a 50 MP ultra-wide lens. Enhanced features like phase-detection autofocus, 8K video recording, and greater low-light performance make the Pro ideal for users seeking DSLR-like quality.

Verdict: The Xiaomi 15 Pro’s advanced camera hardware and additional features make it the clear winner for photography enthusiasts.

Performance and Processing Power

Speed Meets Efficiency

Both models are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, but the Pro includes enhanced cooling for demanding tasks.

Processor: Both the Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 15 Pro share the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, built on a 4nm process that provides fast, efficient performance for multitasking, gaming, and media.

Cooling System: The Xiaomi 15 Pro, however, includes advanced cooling mechanisms to support prolonged usage without thermal throttling, making it more suitable for intensive applications or extended gaming sessions.

Verdict: Performance-wise, both phones offer top-tier responsiveness, but the Pro is a better option for heavy users who prioritize sustained performance.

Battery and Charging Capabilities

Power for Prolonged Usage

Battery capacity and charging speeds slightly differ, but both models are designed to keep users powered throughout the day.

Xiaomi 15: Equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, the Xiaomi 15 supports 67W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. It offers excellent battery life for day-to-day activities.

Xiaomi 15 Pro: The Pro model includes a larger 6100 mAh battery, along with faster 90W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, plus 10W reverse wireless charging. This added capacity and charging speed make it ideal for users needing longer battery life without frequent recharges.

Verdict: The Pro model’s larger battery and faster charging options make it more convenient for power users.

Audio and Connectivity

Enhanced Media and Connectivity for All

Both models come with stereo speakers and support for high-resolution audio, although the Xiaomi 15 Pro benefits from Snapdragon Sound for enhanced audio fidelity.

Connectivity: Both models support 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, ensuring fast, versatile connectivity.

Verdict: For audiophiles, the Xiaomi 15 Pro provides a slightly enhanced listening experience with Snapdragon Sound.

Conclusion: Xiaomi 15 or Xiaomi 15 Pro?

The Xiaomi 15 is an excellent choice for users who want a flagship experience without the extras, offering powerful performance, a vibrant display, and capable cameras in a sleek, lightweight design. However, if you prioritize photography, display quality, and extended battery life with premium materials, the Xiaomi 15 Pro is worth the investment.

Despite their distinct external appearances, the Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 share significant similarities internally. Priced at $399, the Series 9 and the more robust Ultra 2 at $799 both utilize the S9 chip, providing features such as Double Tap, on-device Siri, and fast performance. However, the Ultra 2, with its larger 49mm size, titanium case, and included LTE connectivity, distinguishes itself with a higher price point.

The $399 Series 9 adds complexity to the decision-making process. Initially, you must choose between a 41mm or 45mm size, followed by selecting an aluminum or stainless steel case and deciding on the inclusion of LTE. Notably, the 45mm Series 9 in stainless steel is priced at $749, placing it in direct competition with the Ultra 2.

The pricing aspect may not be as straightforward as initially perceived.

Differences in Screen Size

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 boasts a larger and brighter screen compared to the Series 9. Despite the Ultra 2’s 49mm case being bigger than the 45mm Series 9, the screen itself is slightly larger, allowing for more content display particularly useful for applications such as Maps.

To easily observe the size distinction, one can maximize the text size on both watches. This becomes evident as part of the text is truncated on the Series 9 in contrast to the Ultra 2.

The most significant contrast in day-to-day use lies in screen brightness. The Ultra 2 surpasses the Series 9 with a brightness of 3,000 nits compared to 2,000. While the Series 9 remains visible both indoors and outdoors, the extra brightness on the Ultra 2 enhances readability, particularly during workouts in bright sunlight.

This heightened brightness also proves advantageous for the flashlight feature. By turning the digital crown on the Ultra 2, you can maximize the screen brightness when using the flashlight, which proves helpful in dark situations.

Wrists Size

The Apple Watch Series 9 could be a preferable choice for those with smaller wrists. The Ultra 2, being a sizable watch with a bulkier digital crown and a flat display, notably stands out more than the Series 9.

The Ultra 2’s larger size may pose challenges for those with even smaller wrists than mine(150 mm). Opting for the Series 9 could be a preference in such cases, offering a choice of a smaller case size. Additionally, I observed that the Series 9 provides greater comfort for sleep tracking.

Despite its larger size, the Ultra 2 is designed to be a more rugged watch than the Series 9. Its titanium case, slightly elevated for added protection, enhances durability for the sapphire crystal display. The Series 9 display, on the other hand, comes with Ion-X glass for the aluminum case and sapphire crystal for the stainless steel case.

Both watches are IP6X dust-resistant and water-resistant, but the Ultra 2 excels with a depth rating of 100m compared to Series 9’s 50m. Moreover, it features an exclusive Depth app and supports the Oceanic Plus app, transforming the watch into a dive computer.

Double-Tap Gesture and Siri

Both the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Series 9 feature the Double Tap gesture and on-device Siri functionality. This gesture, powered by the common S9 chip, operates identically on both watches. When the screen is active, a double tap with your thumb and forefinger allows you to perform tasks without touching the screen. For instance, raising your wrist and double tapping enables you to reply to a message using dictation, followed by another double tap to send.

This feature proves helpful, precise, and functions seamlessly in various Apple applications. It facilitates actions such as answering calls, changing tracks, and managing timers. In third-party apps, it generally executes the default action upon double tap. Personally, I use it to swiftly respond to Slack messages from colleagues when unable to reach my phone or type a response on my computer.

The consistency in functionality arises from both watches running the same chip. On-device Siri is also consistent, eliminating the need to ping the cloud for tasks like starting a workout or setting a timer. Additionally, both watches boast 64GB of internal storage, ideal for storing music or numerous apps on your watch.

Special Features

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers exclusive features, enhancing the shared WatchOS 10 experience and app selection on both watches. Unique watch faces, like Modular Ultra and Wayfinder, provide detailed information and a dark mode that turns either watch face red when the light sensor detects it’s dark outside. The Ultra 2 excels in communication with a three-microphone array and louder dual speakers than the Series 9, as demonstrated in a recorded call audio comparison. Notably, Ultra 2 comes with LTE as standard, allowing standalone use without the phone, while the Series 9 requires a specific LTE version. Both watches feature the second-gen ultrawideband chip for precise iPhone finding and phone pinging from the watch for older iPhone models.

The Ultra 2 distinguishes itself with a notable design feature absent in the Series 9—the Action button. Similar to the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, it allows you to swiftly launch favorite workouts, the flashlight, stopwatch, and other preset tasks.

An intriguing use of the Action button is to initiate a Shortcut, providing a quick access route to favorite features or tasks within an app. Creating a Shortcut is possible using the dedicated app on the iPhone.

While the Series 9 doesn’t have the dedicated Action button, it still supports Shortcuts. You can set a complication on the watch face to launch a Shortcut, but it requires an extra tap on the screen to confirm your intent.

Health Tracking Features

The health tracking features of the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 are remarkably similar. Both include a temperature sensor, blood oxygen sensor, ECG app, and alerts for high and low heart rates, as well as irregular heart rhythms. The heart rate sensor, accurate when compared to a chest strap, is identical on both watches.

Fitness tracking is uniform, with progress monitored through the Apple Watch Activity app. Both watches support Bluetooth accessories, such as power meter pedals, allow the creation of multisport workouts, and provide heart rate zone monitoring.

Standard features on both watches include a compass app, back track, waypoint functionality, car-crash detection, fall detection, and emergency SOS.

Notable differences include the Ultra 2’s 86dB siren for safety and dual-band GPS, utilizing both L1 and L5 bands for increased accuracy in tracking distance and route information, especially in built-up areas. However, the Series 9 still performs admirably for regular outdoor activities like runs in the park or bike rides on trails.

Battery Life

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 stands out with exceptional battery life, surpassing the Series 9 in every usage scenario. Regardless of whether you’re running a marathon or simply using it for timekeeping and notifications, the Ultra 2 outperforms the Series 9.

Officially rated at 36 hours, the Ultra 2’s battery life exceeds Apple’s conservative estimate. In regular use, which includes phone notifications, an always-on display, GPS workouts, and sleep tracking, the Series 9 lasts about a day and a half before needing a charge. In comparison, the Ultra 2 can last closer to three full days with the same usage.

Both watches offer a low power mode to further extend battery life, but actual results may vary based on usage, with resource-intensive tasks like LTE and Bluetooth music streaming affecting battery depletion. Fast wireless charging is supported by both, requiring an 18-watt or higher adapter. The Series 9 charges faster due to its smaller battery capacity.

When comparing the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, which share a similar feature set including Double Tap and on-device Siri, the key distinctions lie in size, price, and battery life. The Series 9, being more affordable and slimmer with two size options, requires more frequent charging. Both are excellent choices for an iPhone-compatible smartwatch, but after a month of use, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 stands out as my preferred option. Its extended battery life eliminates daily charging concerns, and the customizable Action button enhances usability, making it more enjoyable and convenient.