How does the self proclaimed “2014 Flagship Killer”, aka the OnePlus One compare when put up against the Vivo Xshot in a camera shoot out? Lets see.
The Vivo Xshot and the OnePlus One are two of the flagship phones that many of us want to get our hands on. The OnePlus One is desirable as it gets amazing hardware at a crazy low price, and the Vivo Xshot because it gets equally amazing hardware, a smaller design and class leading front and rear cameras!
If you were to look at the specs the Vivo Xshot and the OnePlus One are almost equal in terms of most of their hardware (Snapdragon 801, 3GB RAM, 1080 display etc), but in usage, especially the camera, they are worlds apart.
Vivo Xshot Vs. OnePlus One camera hardware
OnePlus One – camera specifications
Let’s start with the OnePlus One and for this test I used the global version of the OnePlus One which we bought with an invite through the official OnePlus store. So this is the phone international users will be getting if they get an invite, and these are the types of photos you can hope to take.
Camera specs on the OnePlus One are very impressive, and so they should be as the hardware is the same as the Oppo Find 7. Sony provide the rear sensor on the OnePlus One. It’s the 13 mega-pixel Sony Exmor IMX214 with an F2.0 aperture. Not only is the sensor top-notch but the design uses 6 lenses to avoid distortion.
Vivo Xshot – camera specifications
The Vivo Xshot was designed to be a camera centric device, but looking at the hardware alone we should expect similar performance between the Xshot and the OPO.
Sony again supply the Sony IMX214 sensor for the Vivo Xshot, but this time the phone has optical image stabilisation and also an aperture of f1.8. There is also a dual tone LED flash on the rear, but for this shoot out we are going do without.
Camera shootout: Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One
Some of you might think that comparing the camera centric Vivo Xshot with the OnePlus One is a little unfair, but seeing as they use same sensor and that the OPO is the “2014 Flagship Killer”, with “Never Settle” specs we though readers would be interested to see the results.
How we tested the cameras
To keep things simple we tested both phones at the same time in the same locations. We also used the ‘Normal’ mode on Vivo Xshot and ‘Auto’ mode on the OnePlus One for most conditions, but there are also some HDR images in there too (clearly marked as HDR). We also let the phones find their own focus point and then shot away.
All photos were taken with the flash off so you can get a good idea of how they perform in low light conditions.
So basically imagine you simply took either of these phones out of your pocket and took a picture without going through the settings. These are the images you would capture on the spot.
Below are photos taken directly from each phone. I have not edited them in anyway. See what you think.
Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – Sunny conditions
The Vivo Xshot and OnePlus One both performed very well in bright sunny conditions (as expected). Either phone can produce great quality images, but the Xshot takes the lead as the images it records have better colour reproduction and are sharper than those taken with the OnePlus One. Images on the OPO also tended to look dull even when the sun was turned to ’11’.
Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – During Sunset (some HDR)
Gizchina News of the week
HDR is hit or miss for me. I’ve found some companies do it well and others are terrible. For example ColorOS is awful (in my opinion) for HDR photos. The good news is that the Cyanogenmod team have done better than Oppo and HDR images are good on the OPO. I still prefer HDR from the Vivo’s Funtouch system though, it creates more natural looking photos and faster too. We can also see from these lower light images that the OPO is starting to get a little grainy.
Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – night (no flash)
When the light is almost gone noise creeps in to the images on both phones. The F1.8 aperture on the Vivo Xshot means it sucks up more light and performs better though. Interestingly the night images from the OnePlus One look much better when viewed on a computer than on the phones screen, where they are appear terrible in comparison to the Vivo. In reality the images taken with the OPO are noisier than the Vivo, but they aren’t as bad as I thought they would be once I got them on my computer.
Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One photo samples – Panoramic
The Vivo Xshot is the clear winner here. The Panoramic photo has better colour and is much shaper. The Xshot also allows you to take full 360 photos and there is simply not time taken when saving.
Camera shootout: Vivo Xshot vs OnePlus One – Conclusion
The way we set up the test shows what the phones are capable of when taking photos in their basic settings. Basically these are the worst photos both phones are capable of, and in this case both perform well. But it’s the Vivo Xshot that is our overall champion.
When looking at the images above you will have noted that the images from the Vivo Xshot are nearly double the memory of the OnePlus One images. Despite the huge amount of data though, the Xshot can capture and save images considerably faster than the OnePlus One can manage (with the same amount of RAM and processor). Auto focus on the Xshot is also faster and more accurate, plus it is quicker to navigate to the setting you want in the Vivo’s camera app. The CM11S camera app UI means you have to flick through all the filters to get to the one you want.
Part of the fun of using a phone as a camera is the ease and speed of use, and the Vivo Xshot excels here. Obviously it is a camera centric phone so should be better, and it is by many miles.
Taking photos with the OnePlus One isn’t as enjoyable as I hoped it would. Photos are captured slower than the Xshot, the focus is slower and for some reason the images appear extremely noisy on the phone’s screen, to the point that you might simply delete it before viewing on a computer.
I’m happy to have tested the Vivo Xshot alongside the OnePlus One. I now know I made the right decision for my personal phone. Not only do I love the phone, and ROM but the camera is amazing too. If I had chosen the OnePlus One I would feel I had settled for second best.
What do you think of the photo samples from both phones? Let us know in the comments below.
If you are interested to buy any of these phones you can order the Vivo Xshot from TopResellerStore.it, the Global OnePlus One (with invitation) from the OnePlus store, or the Chinese OnePlus One from Lenteen.fr.
Great comparison Andi! Do you have any idea how the front facing cameras perform and which one has the better front fracing camera?
Vivo Xshot again wins this. The Xshot has a much better from camera, better camera app and even a front facting LED flash.
Thank you for comparison, Andi! I am really waiting for the full review of Xshot. Also, it would be nice to see the video samples and your opinion about the quality! Now saving money for this phone, don’t want to settle with the second best. Thanks!
I’lll get video sample uploaded this weeknd 😀
Thanks! And the full review please! (there are literally no decent reviews about this phone anywhere).
Some review bits here – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/forum.php?gid=95
Photos of dark one – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/thread-1491729-1-1.html
The extra Lenses 🙁 – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/thread-1492927-1-1.html
Please(as there is really nowhere in the net and its really a question for many enthusiastic out, to know which one is better: samsung s5 snap800 or vivo xshot 3GB)
Please try to bring 3 photos(day & night/dark) for comparison between these two phones
xie xie ni
Hey, so is the full review coming soon? 😀 I’m getting a new phone and I really want Xshot. However, I cannot buy it without reading a decent review! Thank you!
Thanks!
Are you serious?
the Vivo cost like 300$ more then the OnePlus so for me
the OnePlus is sure a winner here..
True. I look at the sunny photos on 24” display and don’t see much difference. That noise is avid when you crop or on the night shots.
look to the building photos right to the car in the left side.. you will notice much noise on OPO and very little noise on ViVO XShot.. Also colours on vivo xshot are much better than OPO
Regardless of price the whole point of the OnePlus One is that it would be a no compromise phone. Buying the OnePlus would mean not settling. This is not the case.
I’m not saying the OP is bad, it acutally performed really well, it’s just not as good as the Xshot.
The OPO is great phone for the money but it is not a flagship killer. The Vivo Xshot is a better flagship.
The Shot costs more but at least you can actually purchase it. By the time OPO is available to the masses it will no longer be a flagship killer. With each passing day a new and better flagship is coming out.
I was wondering exactly the same thing. 🙂 Great review.
Xshot and OPO have the SAME sensor just OIS being different (so videos no contest).
I was also thinking – how can the OPO be better than the rather good xshot. It seems not.
I would love to know – how to de-clutter the ROM or alternate xshot ROMS. +11 to topresellerstore.it. BTW, I use the phone on my hifi in place of external Sabre ESS 9023 DAC!
ViVo XShot is the clear winner. Nice camera shootout !!!
Cheers for this shoot out Andy. Man this Vivo looks like a seriously sweet phone. I’m extremely tempted. Just seems insanely expensive. How much you pay? Only shop i’ve found selling though was a pre order on Oppo Mart. What’s the rom like on this Andy, smooth? Does it come with 4.4.2 and is it easy to upgrade? Is play store there too? Sorry for all the questions, just curious….
I think this should answer most of your questions 😉 https://www.gizchina.com/2014/06/27/vivo-xshot-review-unboxing/
ahh yeah sweet, saw after I posted. Camera is truly bonkers, the speed of capture i possibly the quickest i’ve seen on an android phone. Do you think Fun OS is better than Color OS, would you say it was smoother? Does it have OTA updates or is it a manual flash job. Any sign of 4.4.2 yet?
Great comparison Andi! Do you have any idea how the front facing cameras perform and which one has the better front fracing camera?
Vivo Xshot again wins this. The Xshot has a much better from camera, better camera app and even a front facting LED flash.
Thank you for comparison, Andi! I am really waiting for the full review of Xshot. Also, it would be nice to see the video samples and your opinion about the quality! Now saving money for this phone, don’t want to settle with the second best. Thanks!
I’lll get video sample uploaded this weeknd 😀
Thanks! And the full review please! (there are literally no decent reviews about this phone anywhere).
Thanks!
Some review bits here – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/forum.php?gid=95
Photos of dark one – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/thread-1491729-1-1.html
The extra Lenses 🙁 – http://bbs.vivo.com.cn/thread-1492927-1-1.html
Please(as there is really nowhere in the net and its really a question for many enthusiastic out, to know which one is better: samsung s5 snap800 or vivo xshot 3GB)
Please try to bring 3 photos(day & night/dark) for comparison between these two phones
xie xie ni
Hey, so is the full review coming soon? 😀 I’m getting a new phone and I really want Xshot. However, I cannot buy it without reading a decent review! Thank you!
Are you serious?
the Vivo cost like 300$ more then the OnePlus so for me
the OnePlus is sure a winner here..
True. I look at the sunny photos on 24” display and don’t see much difference. That noise is avid when you crop or on the night shots.
Regardless of price the whole point of the OnePlus One is that it would be a no compromise phone. Buying the OnePlus would mean not settling. This is not the case.
I’m not saying the OP is bad, it acutally performed really well, it’s just not as good as the Xshot.
The OPO is great phone for the money but it is not a flagship killer. The Vivo Xshot is a better flagship.
look to the building photos right to the car in the left side.. you will notice much noise on OPO and very little noise on ViVO XShot.. Also colours on vivo xshot are much better than OPO
The Shot costs more but at least you can actually purchase it. By the time OPO is available to the masses it will no longer be a flagship killer. With each passing day a new and better flagship is coming out.
Does leteen.fr have a physical store in France?
My brother will travel there next month! And there is no way buying OPO online.
I have a “family” which lives in france. But i dont want to bother them
What is easiest way to buy an OPO in france for a tourist like my brother?
If there is a french guy who can instruct me on this problem, i would be really appreciate
I wonder why they chose to omit Optical Image Stabilisation from the design of the 1+1, when OIS is clearly available and well-implemented with the same sensor on other phones??
I was wondering exactly the same thing. 🙂 Great review.
Xshot and OPO have the SAME sensor just OIS being different (so videos no contest).
I was also thinking – how can the OPO be better than the rather good xshot. It seems not.
I would love to know – how to de-clutter the ROM or alternate xshot ROMS. +11 to topresellerstore.it. BTW, I use the phone on my hifi in place of external Sabre ESS 9023 DAC!
ViVo XShot is the clear winner. Nice camera shootout !!!
Cheers for this shoot out Andy. Man this Vivo looks like a seriously sweet phone. I’m extremely tempted. Just seems insanely expensive. How much you pay? Only shop i’ve found selling though was a pre order on Oppo Mart. What’s the rom like on this Andy, smooth? Does it come with 4.4.2 and is it easy to upgrade? Is play store there too? Sorry for all the questions, just curious….
I think this should answer most of your questions 😉 http://www.gizchina.com/2014/06/27/vivo-xshot-review-unboxing/
ahh yeah sweet, saw after I posted. Camera is truly bonkers, the speed of capture i possibly the quickest i’ve seen on an android phone. Do you think Fun OS is better than Color OS, would you say it was smoother? Does it have OTA updates or is it a manual flash job. Any sign of 4.4.2 yet?
Does leteen.fr have a physical store in France?
My brother will travel there next month! And there is no way buying OPO online.
I have a “family” which lives in france. But i dont want to bother them
What is easiest way to buy an OPO in france for a tourist like my brother?
If there is a french guy who can instruct me on this problem, i would be really appreciate
I wonder why they chose to omit Optical Image Stabilisation from the design of the 1+1, when OIS is clearly available and well-implemented with the same sensor on other phones??
I was thinking the exact same thing re: opo vs xshot cameras. I thought the cyanogen might help but Now I know the xshot wins, thanks.
I was thinking the exact same thing re: opo vs xshot cameras. I thought the cyanogen might help but Now I know the xshot wins, thanks.
Hey Andi, how about the battery life? That would have been something nice to mention here as a “camera centric device” also needs a very good performing battery. Maybe this is something you could go into detail in your review, especially since the battery is NOT removable (again!). Cheers!
Full review soon. The battery life is good (not as good as the Xplay 3S) but better since they updated the OS.
Thanks for that. Looking forward to your review. Great website by the way!
I was wondering, have you had any experience with changing a battery on phones where you are not supposed to change the battery? A lot seems to be possible here in China…
I previously looked at the Sony Z series, but turned away from them, since the battery was not removable on their rather expensive devices.
Yep, I have taken phones to the local “Phone City” and they have been able to switch batteries. Price was good too, around 100 Yuan depending on the phone.
Hey Andi, how about the battery life? That would have been something nice to mention here as a “camera centric device” also needs a very good performing battery. Maybe this is something you could go into detail in your review, especially since the battery is NOT removable (again!). Cheers!
Full review soon. The battery life is good (not as good as the Xplay 3S) but better since they updated the OS.
Thanks for that. Looking forward to your review. Great website by the way!
I was wondering, have you had any experience with changing a battery on phones where you are not supposed to change the battery? A lot seems to be possible here in China…
I previously looked at the Sony Z series, but turned away from them, since the battery was not removable on their rather expensive devices.
Yep, I have taken phones to the local “Phone City” and they have been able to switch batteries. Price was good too, around 100 Yuan depending on the phone.
Hello very good comparison Andi. I still waiting for your full review of Vivo Xshot. A question Andi about Vivo, does Xplay 3s use the same camera module as Xshot?
Thank’s
Thanks very much 😀 Yes the sensor and aperture are the same, but the the Xshot is better optimised as a camera centric device and might even have better lenses. The Xplay takes some great photos, but noisy in low light, the Xshot is a better camera phone.
I thought the 3s had imx175, just like iphone 5s and xshot is with imx214
isn’t that the case??
Hello very good comparison Andi. I still waiting for your full review of Vivo Xshot. A question Andi about Vivo, does Xplay 3s use the same camera module as Xshot?
Thank’s
Thanks very much 😀 Yes the sensor and aperture are the same, but the the Xshot is better optimised as a camera centric device and might even have better lenses. The Xplay takes some great photos, but noisy in low light, the Xshot is a better camera phone.
I thought the 3s had imx175, just like iphone 5s and xshot is with imx214
isn’t that the case??
Andy, The comparison between 1+1 & Vivo is not realistic.
You need to setup both phones on tripods next to each other & snap photos within 1 sec. of each other, Otherwise you will always get a bias result.
Andy, The comparison between 1+1 & Vivo is not realistic.
You need to setup both phones on tripods next to each other & snap photos within 1 sec. of each other, Otherwise you will always get a bias result.
Could you maybe do a quick test about audio output quality if you have some nice iems like senheisser ,shure or anything from higher price range of headphones?
Could you maybe do a quick test about audio output quality if you have some nice iems like senheisser ,shure or anything from higher price range of headphones?
Andy as you know vivo xshot concentrate on camera. Just look at the lens.It’s so big and a little ugly. But one plus one is more beautiful and it didn’t sacrifice design for cam quality. Thank you for your comparison.
Andy as you know vivo xshot concentrate on camera. Just look at the lens.It’s so big and a little ugly. But one plus one is more beautiful and it didn’t sacrifice design for cam quality. Thank you for your comparison.
I think many want to see Vivo Xshot and Nubia Z7 camera shoot out too… 🙂
I think many want to see Vivo Xshot and Nubia Z7 camera shoot out too… 🙂
the Vivo phones are like the Mercedes benz of the Chinese phones.
the Vivo phones are like the Mercedes benz of the Chinese phones.
How about another round of shoot out, this time with One+ clear image feature!
How about another round of shoot out, this time with One+ clear image feature!
Hello,
I am actually in China and want to buy the vivo xshot online on the official vivo store. But I am not sure if i the 16 GB Version is a WCDMA Version. Does anyone has some experience with this ?
Hello,
I am actually in China and want to buy the vivo xshot online on the official vivo store. But I am not sure if i the 16 GB Version is a WCDMA Version. Does anyone has some experience with this ?
Just made a full detailed vivo Xshot review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtYISfxCCfM
Just made a full detailed vivo Xshot review: