Tag: Periscope zoom

  • Oppo Reno 10 Pro+

    The Oppo Reno 10 Pro+ launched in India in July 2023 as the top model in the Reno 10 series, bringing a periscope telephoto camera to the mid-premium segment. Its slim curved design and portrait-focused camera system made it a style and photography pick, competing with the OnePlus 11R, Vivo V27 Pro and Google Pixel 7a.

    The 6.74-inch curved AMOLED display runs at 120Hz with 1240 x 2772 resolution, giving it a premium look. Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, the previous year's flagship chip, delivers strong performance for gaming and multitasking. The thin body and glossy back make it feel elegant. ColorOS 13.1 on Android 13 offered a polished experience with some preinstalled apps.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX890 main camera with OIS, 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto and 8 MP ultrawide make it one of the few phones under 60,000 rupees with true periscope zoom. Portraits were particularly impressive. The 4,700 mAh battery with 100W charging lasts a full day. Against the OnePlus 11R, it offered a far better zoom camera, while the OnePlus had a larger battery and similar performance for less money.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 54,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.74-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1240 x 2772
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX890 main with OIS + 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4700 mAh
    Charging100W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, ColorOS 13.1
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursSilvery Grey, Glossy Purple

    What we like

    • 64 MP periscope telephoto
    • Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
    • 100W fast charging
    • Slim, elegant design

    What could be better

    • Expensive compared with the OnePlus 11R
    • No wireless charging
    • Weak ultrawide camera

    Who should buy it

    Portrait and zoom photography fans who want a slim, premium-looking phone.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • iQOO 12

    iQOO launched the iQOO 12 in India in December 2023, again beating rivals to the newest Qualcomm flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It continued the brand's formula of high performance at a lower price, competing directly with the OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24. The Legend edition's BMW M Motorsport stripes returned.

    The 6.78-inch AMOLED display runs at up to 144Hz with a 1260 x 2800 resolution, slightly lower than the iQOO 11's 2K panel but brighter. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance was excellent, and iQOO's Q1 supercomputing chip helped with gaming frame rates and resolution upscaling. Thermals held up well in long gaming sessions. Funtouch OS 14 included a dedicated game mode and performance controls.

    The camera setup was a big upgrade: a 50 MP main with OIS, a 50 MP ultrawide and a 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto. Zoom photos were impressive for the price. The 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging refills very quickly, though wireless charging is absent. Against the OnePlus 12, it was cheaper and faster to charge, while OnePlus offered wireless charging and a sharper display.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 52,999 (base variant)
    India launchDecember 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, AMOLED, 144Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
    RAM12 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 50 MP ultrawide + 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursLegend, Alpha

    What we like

    • First Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone in India
    • 64 MP periscope telephoto
    • 144Hz bright AMOLED display
    • 120W fast charging

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Lower resolution than the iQOO 11
    • Funtouch OS bloatware

    Who should buy it

    Gamers and enthusiasts who want the latest flagship chip and a zoom camera without overspending.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (December 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo X100 Pro

    The X100 Pro launched in India in January 2024 as Vivo's top camera phone, building on the X90 Pro with a new periscope telephoto and a larger battery. Sold in a single 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage configuration, it went head to head with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro and OnePlus 12 for buyers who wanted the most capable camera possible.

    Its 6.78-inch curved LTPO AMOLED display is bright and smooth at 120Hz. The Dimensity 9300 offered top-tier performance with good efficiency, and Vivo's V3 imaging chip handled computational photography and video. The large camera ring and glass back with an orange-peel finish look striking but add weight. Funtouch OS 14 was capable, though not as clean as Pixel software.

    The 1-inch Sony IMX989 main sensor delivers rich detail and excellent low-light photos, while the 50 MP periscope telephoto with about 4.3x optical zoom became one of the best portrait and zoom cameras of 2024. The 5,400 mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day, with 100W wired and 50W wireless charging. It lacked the S24 Ultra's stylus and seven years of updates, but for pure photography it was a serious rival.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 89,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2024
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, LTPO, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9300
    RAM16 GB
    Storage512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP 1-inch Sony IMX989 main + 50 MP ultrawide + 50 MP periscope telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5400 mAh
    Charging100W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursAsteroid Black

    What we like

    • Outstanding 1-inch main camera
    • Excellent periscope telephoto for portraits
    • Large battery with fast wired and wireless charging
    • Bright LTPO display

    What could be better

    • Heavy and top-heavy camera bump
    • Only one configuration in India
    • Shorter update promise than Samsung

    Who should buy it

    Photographers who want one of the best zoom and low-light cameras of 2024.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo X200

    The Vivo X200 launched in India in December 2024 and stood out for bringing a periscope telephoto camera to a phone priced well below the usual Pro models. It used MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 9400 and a flat-edged design that felt more compact than the curvy X100. Rivals included the OnePlus 13, iQOO 13 and Samsung Galaxy S24.

    The 6.67-inch AMOLED display has slim bezels and a 120Hz refresh rate, making the phone easier to handle than most flagships. Dimensity 9400 performance is excellent in games and multitasking, with efficient thermals. IP68 and IP69 ratings add rare protection against high-pressure water. Funtouch OS 15 on Android 15 brought cleaner design than before, though some preinstalled apps remained.

    The triple 50 MP camera system includes a main sensor, an ultrawide and a 3x periscope telephoto, giving genuinely useful zoom and portrait flexibility. Vivo's tuning produces natural colours and strong low-light results. The 5,800 mAh battery with 90W charging offers excellent endurance, though wireless charging is missing. Compared with the OnePlus 13, it traded wireless charging for a sharper telephoto camera at a lower price.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 65,999 (base variant)
    India launchDecember 2024
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.67-inch, AMOLED, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9400
    RAM12 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 50 MP ultrawide + 50 MP 3x periscope telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5800 mAh
    Charging90W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 15, Funtouch OS 15
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68, IP69
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursCosmos Black, Natural Green

    What we like

    • Periscope telephoto at a lower flagship price
    • Dimensity 9400 performance
    • 5,800 mAh battery
    • IP68 and IP69 protection

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Some bloatware remains
    • Flat design lacks the drama of the Pro

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a compact-feeling flagship with real zoom capability.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (December 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.