Vivo X200 Pro - Chinese or Global Version?

LMarisaEm on 16/04/2025 - 23:21

Has anyone here purchased the chinese version of the Vivo X200 Pro from Aliexpress/Alibaba/etc?

Trying to ascertain whether this significantly cheaper version has any major drawbacks in terms of things like; functionality after the 3G shutdown, Google Play services, B28 access, NFC, etc. I guess I'm mostly just concerned about possible hardware limitations that would restrict the functionality in any way with respect to the global version, which is usually about $400-$500 more expensive.

Have tried researching this a little online myself, but am finding varying answers and little in the way of concrete firsthand experiences from other aussies.
Thanks in advance for your insights!

Mobile Vivo X200 Pro

Comments

  • salin on 16/04/2025 - 23:37
    +1

    I bought the iQoo Z9 Turbo (Chinese version) from AliExpress to use as a spare phone. iQoo is a sub-brand of Vivo.

    No issues with 4G or 5G connectivity. I didn’t flash a global ROM—just set the language to English.

    One thing to note: the system apps, like the calendar, default to Chinese holidays and don’t allow switching to an Australian calendar like Xiaomi.

    I ended up uninstalling most of the native apps and replacing them with Google alternatives.

    Google Play Store and Google Pay both work fine.

    I’ve heard that many Chinese ROMs don’t support Android Auto, but I haven’t tested it personally yet.

    • MarisaEm on 17/04/2025 - 09:52

      Interesting, thanks for sharing your experience. Ah yes, Android Auto was another one I'd seen, but I don't have a car that's modern enough to make use of it :D

  • pc007 on 17/04/2025 - 00:00

    Can't really say about phones but my friend got a projector (Chinese version) and English language was missing from it.
    Only way to use it was using google translate for him. Finally, he is using a fire tv stick with it to have it in English.

  • MarisaEm on 17/04/2025 - 09:53

    Does anyone else have any perspective they can share, especially if they have any direct experience with the Vivo X200 Pro specifically? Thank you!

  • Caped Baldy on 17/04/2025 - 10:42
    +1

    I've got the global version. There's trade offs.

    Global version has android auto which I think was coming to the CN version, google maps location history.

    No issues with NFC or signal - I'm in metro Sydney and have a 4G esim.

    People complain about Funtouch OS but it works fine.

    There have been several discussions threads on reddit.
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Vivo/comments/1hrwqxv/vivo_x200_pro…
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Vivo/comments/1gzxyx5/x200pro_cn_or…
    https://www.reddit.com/r/Vivo/comments/1houye2/what_are_the_…

    Also, the curved glass screen protector is a pain and the camera is pretty great. I'm getting like 1.5 to 2 days of life with over 6 hrs of SOT.

    I was worried about warranty and compared to other phones like the xiaomi 15 pro but when I checked the subreddits people posted issues and annoyances on the xiaomi sub and awesome pictures on the vivo sub.

    • MarisaEm on 17/04/2025 - 14:47

      Thanks so much for all the info! Appreciate it.

      • Caped Baldy on 18/04/2025 - 07:46
        +1

        Let me know if you've got questions.

        Come to think of it, there's a couple minor things about the OS that are slightly annoying. The camera records quick videos with the pictures so my usual gallery app has the pictures and videos so I'm using the stock one which just the one file and it doesn't have the manual rotate screen button like in this gif https://www.droid-life.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/androi…

  • datafellows on 17/04/2025 - 13:36
    +1

    I bought the Chinese version couple of months ago while visiting China, but left it there for my daughter to take photos and she will bring it back with her in 2 weeks.

    I didn't install Google services to it yet, but as far as I read online only things I might be missing is the Google Timeline, NFC pay might or might not work and Google Auto might be working at a later date.

    For my usage getting the way cheaper Chinese version was a no brainer. It is absolutely a beast of a phone, battery lasts nearly 2 days, the camera is just awesome and it comes with dual Sim slots.

    I might however buy the Oppo Find X8 Ultra now as it was just released.

    • MarisaEm on 17/04/2025 - 14:48
      +1

      Thanks heaps! Sounds like I'll have to weigh up the personal value i attribute to things like google maps timeline..

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