Vivo is taking smartphone photography to the next level with the upcoming Vivo X200 Ultra, which will feature not just one but two dedicated imaging chips.
A company executive has confirmed that the flagship device, set to launch in April, will include the vivo V3+ and VS1 chips to optimize image processing.
How the dual ISP system works
The vivo V3+ will serve as the primary ISP (Image Signal Processor), handling post-processing tasks such as noise reduction, sharpening, and computational enhancements. Meanwhile, the vivo VS1 will act as a Pre-ISP, taking care of exposure control, focus adjustments, and image stacking before handing over the data to the V3+ for final processing.
While Pre-ISP technology isn’t entirely new—Google, Apple, Samsung, and Qualcomm have implemented similar solutions—the VS1’s approach is unique. The company claims that the ISP algorithm has been trained on tens of thousands of SLR photographs, allowing for more natural lighting, superior dynamic range, and professional-grade portrait photography.
Boosting performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
The Vivo X200 Ultra is expected to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which already includes a built-in ISP. However, the addition of dedicated V3+ and VS1 chips will enable faster sensor readouts, offload some tasks from the SoC, and improve power efficiency. This combination could result in better low-light performance, faster image processing, and DSLR-like quality in portrait shots.
Redesigned triple flash for professional portraits
Alongside the advanced ISP system, the Vivo X200 Ultra will introduce a redesigned triple flash that adjusts lighting based on the focal length mode. According to an official social media post, the flash system will work intelligently with the VS1 chip, providing accurate, subject-focused illumination for professional SLR-tier portrait photography.
