General I have an X90 Pro+ in the UK - AMA

[P6P]

I think everyone here praising the X90 Pro+ should look at what happened to X80 Pro users - 0 month into the life cycle - still no stable Android 13, some broken phones and many having massive battery problems:

Android 13 global beta starting...

Well just got this:

forum.xda-developers.com

Now this doesn't seem smooth sailing. Then remember you can only send back the phone to China by post... Clearly for anyone who has thouse troubles - that's horrible.

With Tradingshenzhen it won't be a problem at all. I have send them 2 phones back already. Their customer support is awesome.

 

[Haskren]

I think everyone here praising the X90 Pro+ should look at what happened to X80 Pro users - 0 month into the life cycle - still no stable Android 13, some broken phones and many having massive battery problems:

Android 13 global beta starting...

Well just got this:

forum.xda-developers.com

Now this doesn't seem smooth sailing. Then remember you can only send back the phone to China by post... Clearly for anyone who has thouse troubles - that's horrible.

and the X80 pro was a global release...hmmm...So X80 users aren't able to use the phone properly?

With Tradingshenzhen it won't be a problem at all. I have send them 2 phones back already. Their customer support is awesome.

I was thinking of ordering from Giztop as they more or less guarantee no customs. Is Tradingshenzhen generally the preferred supplier?

 

[P6P]

and the X80 pro was a global release...hmmm...So X80 users aren't able to use the phone properly?

I was thinking of ordering from Giztop as they more or less guarantee no customs. Is Tradingshenzhen generally the preferred supplier?

Dunno but i can definitely recommend Tradingshenzhen. I have ordered there more than 10 times.

 

[extremecarver]

With Tradingshenzhen it won't be a problem at all. I have send them 2 phones back already. Their customer support is awesome.

Well for how many months will they cover it? 6? 12? The warranty in China is only 12 months (while Samsung/google/Apple give 24 in Europe on most devices I think).
By the time Android 14 arrives the X90 Pro+ will be 10-11 months old...

Reading the update stories of older Vivo phones is really bad. Why should it change exactly with the X90 Pro+ (and yes of course people with problems will be more likely to post - but the amount of people posting good experiences is quite short on the older Vivo phones).

And yeah the X80 Pro funtouch is under the newer Vivo update policy, yet no stable Android 13 yet... I wonder if Vivo thinks trial and beta updates are enough to satisfy their warranty?

 

[P6P]

Well for how many months will they cover it? 6? 12? The warranty in China is only 12 months (while Samsung/google/Apple give 24 in Europe on most devices I think).
By the time Android 14 arrives the X90 Pro+ will be 10-11 months old...

Reading the update stories of older Vivo phones is really bad. Why should it change exactly with the X90 Pro+ (and yes of course people with problems will be more likely to post - but the amount of people posting good experiences is quite short on the older Vivo phones).

And yeah the X80 Pro funtouch is under the newer Vivo update policy, yet no stable Android 13 yet... I wonder if Vivo thinks trial and beta updates are enough to satisfy their warranty?

Standard 12 months. Let's wait and see what's happening with the vivo. Maybe they'll be better this time who knows. Personally I don't care about the security patch until everything works great.

 

[extremecarver]

Standard 12 months. Let's wait and see what's happening with the vivo. Maybe they'll be better this time who knows. Personally I don't care about the security patch until everything works great.

Just read through Vivo phones here and update problems - be it X50 to X80 series - it doesn't seem to be great at all. If it were it would be the first time ever...
Basically you buy the x90 Pro+ but not knowing if it still will be a usable phone in 1 year and after. For that the price is crazy. Oneplus problems seem little in comparison. But yeah it looks like chinese models are a bit better than Funtouch when it comes to stability on updates...

 

[PILLS2389]

@extremecarver why did you buy this phone?

Also, @P6P, do you think of returning the X90 Pro+?
Mine, looks brand new, but don't know what phone I would get in return, also don't have my old one, I gave it to my mom.

 

[P6P]

Just read through Vivo phones here and update problems - be it X50 to X80 series - it doesn't seem to be great at all. If it were it would be the first time ever...
Basically you buy the x90 Pro+ but not knowing if it still will be a usable phone in 1 year and after. For that the price is crazy. Oneplus problems seem little in comparison. But yeah it looks like chinese models are a bit better than Funtouch when it comes to stability on updates...

Sure it will be useable after one year don't be so pessimistic.

 

[P6P]

@extremecarver why did you buy this phone?

Also, @P6P, do you think of returning the X90 Pro+?
Mine, looks brand new, but don't know what phone I would get in return, also don't have my old one, I gave it to my mom.

Nope I won't return my x90 pro+. I'll keep it until there is another phone which is worth it.

 

[Thanos88]

Vivo only promised this for the international models - there is no promise at all inside China. The Pro+ is a China only model (though as I said the distributor in Taiwan for example is trying to get the Pro+ too - but so far Vivo denied it). The track record on X50 series and before is pretty horrible - they seem to be out of updates already.
Also people complaining their Vivo Flagships got more buggy rather than less buggy a year in - as soon as Vivo has another flagship the quality of the updates got worse.

Samsung is also like google very quick - and you get January patch in January not in Februar even on older phones as long as they are in the 1 month schedule. And yeah they area actually monthly - Vivo seems unable to do monthly updates at latest a year into the lifecycle or as right now.

In the past it was much harder for manufacturers to keep their phones up to date. Right now it should not be hard at all to push monthly security updates - Android is well modular and google worked hard to make that much easier. Otherwise Samsung could not pull this off either with their big range of phones. Even their midrangers get great update support. The 3 year old A51 is already on Android 13 (albeit with December patch now not January patch). But I think it's now on the 3 months promise not monthly promise. Even their 4 year old A50 got the January patch staring 19. January (and that one is on quarterly security update schedule only now). With Vivo phones from that time they won't run a single banking app anymore.
Samsung even put quite a lot of phones that didn't have a longer promise on a bi-annual security update schedule after their promised quarterly updates were over. And usually they get the Janauary patch mid January to beginning of February. It's very rare they would get it end of February (if so then usually it coincided with a major Android update).

Well you might aswel go get yourself a Samsung. I have an Asus Rog phone 6, it's still on December patch but everything still works perfectly. Infact, I've had phones in the past with 3 4 5 month old security patches, but Banking apps still worked fine. Infact all apps still worked fine.

I'm happy with the camera, the screen, the fluidity & the battery life. Only minor thing for me is the notifications.

But yeah, not every manufacturer releases security patches the same month.

 

[extremecarver]

@extremecarver why did you buy this phone?

Because i was stupid enough not to do enough research into older Vivo phones before buying it. Many people said it's better than the Xiaomi 13 Pro, I got it quite cheaply (880€) and I really wanted a new phone as my P30 Pro battery lately degraded a lot (2.7 years old). I had planned to wait for S23 - battery life is very important to me - and I thought okay it's a big price difference (especially in Taiwan) vs S23U and likely hardware just as good and software should be usable.

Actually I ordered X90 but recevied X90 Pro+ - then asked the seller if I just pay up (X90 was 600€) instead of returning. First I thought it's just the wrong box. Plus I had overlooked the X90 doesn't support band 20 so for the 2-3 months every year I spend in Austria it would be troublesome while the X90 Pro+ does (again bad research). And yeah in december the reviews were all glowing - but yeah none of them used the phone outside of testing it seems. Especially here the XDA review makes you believe it's really a super great phone.
I hated my P30 Pro for software update schedules and missing out on all the new Android 11 and 12 features (when I bought it - it was scheduled for updates till Android 12) but then places mentioning Vivo promises 3/4 years of updates didnt mention it does not apply to China version - nor that it arrives half a year later or whatever. I didn't upgrade before because I wanted to wait for SD8Gen2 or Mediatek 9x00 on a great phone with good software. Everyone mentioned how stable Origin OS is - yes it is - but they didn't mention all the things that do not work - nor the notifications problem. I don't mind debloating kinda have to do that anyhow on every phone - but yeah never imagined phones exists without working notifications.

 

[P6P]

Because i was stupid enough not to do enough research into older Vivo phones before buying it. Many people said it's better than the Xiaomi 13 Pro, I got it quite cheaply (880€) and I really wanted a new phone as my P30 Pro battery lately degraded a lot (2.7 years old). I had planned to wait for S23 - battery life is very important to me - and I thought okay it's a big price difference (especially in Taiwan) vs S23U and likely hardware just as good and software should be usable.

Actually I ordered X90 but recevied X90 Pro+ - then asked the seller if I just pay up (X90 was 600€) instead of returning. First I thought it's just the wrong box. Plus I had overlooked the X90 doesn't support band 20 so for the 2-3 months every year I spend in Austria it would be troublesome while the X90 Pro+ does (again bad research). And yeah in december the reviews were all glowing - but yeah none of them used the phone outside of testing it seems. Especially here the XDA review makes you believe it's really a super great phone.
I hated my P30 Pro for software update schedules and missing out on all the new Android 11 and 12 features (when I bought it - it was scheduled for updates till Android 12) but then places mentioning Vivo promises 3/4 years of updates didnt mention it does not apply to China version - nor that it arrives half a year later or whatever. I didn't upgrade before because I wanted to wait for SD8Gen2 or Mediatek 9x00 on a great phone with good software. Everyone mentioned how stable Origin OS is - yes it is - but they didn't mention all the things that do not work - nor the notifications problem. I don't mind debloating kinda have to do that anyhow on every phone - but yeah never imagined phones exists without working notifications.

The x90 pro+ is a super great phone.

From a telegram group i have read that origin os gets more and faster updates than fun touch os. Sure you won't get such a great support pixels have for example but so far I don't miss my pixel 7 Pro at all.

Origin OS is smooth and stable yes and its not bad. I have also got 4 updates now since almost 1,5 months. That's not bad and also with security patch i would say all other brand are late with it except Samsung and google. Origin OS is just "chinese" and most people are not used to it. Also i have mentioned that several times, my notifications are working perfectly with all my apps. I'm also not sure what you mean with "all the things that do not work". It's a Chinese phone and isn't made for the west region so what do people expect? Missing Google is nothing to cry about that's normal with all China phones. People should be happy there is at least a way to get Playstore or other google apps working. It's not self evident at all check Huawei for example. Missing Google is the only reason I haven't bought any Huawei the last time.
It should be mandatory to read and do some research before you import a "unknown" chinese device.

I would like to say the vivo is a fantastic phone which isn't made for our region. Either you like it how it works here or you don't.

Be aware I'm not a vivo fanboy at all. I would use everything when it's good except apple.

 

[Haskren]

The x90 pro+ is a super great phone.

From a telegram group i have read that origin os gets more and faster updates than fun touch os. Sure you won't get such a great support pixels have for example but so far I don't miss my pixel 7 Pro at all.

Origin OS is smooth and stable yes and its not bad. I have also got 4 updates now since almost 1,5 months. That's not bad and also with security patch i would say all other brand are late with it except Samsung and google. Origin OS is just "chinese" and most people are not used to it. Also i have mentioned that several times, my notifications are working perfectly with all my apps. I'm also not sure what you mean with "all the things that do not work". It's a Chinese phone and isn't made for the west region so what do people expect? Missing Google is nothing to cry about that's normal with all China phones. People should be happy there is at least a way to get Playstore or other google apps working. It's not self evident at all check Huawei for example. Missing Google is the only reason I haven't bought any Huawei the last time.
It should be mandatory to read and do some research before you import a "unknown" chinese device.

I would like to say the vivo is a fantastic phone which isn't made for our region. Either you like it how it works here or you don't.

Be aware I'm not a vivo fanboy at all. I would use everything when it's good except apple.

That's the general feedback I got from the many reviews I have watched. I had my P30 pro for 4.5 years and never had any concerns about the camera or lack of security updates. I guess some users are just more demanding than others - I am a basic user who is looking for the best possible camera.
If there is no global release confirmed on Friday (that's when the "vivo series" launch internationally), I will order from China, debloat, and hopefully be happy

 

[extremecarver]

Look I partly live in China (before covid) and am permanent resident of Taiwan. I speak fluent Chinese, watch movies mainly in Chinese but don't read/write well. That China argument is lame because I see what people on bilibili complain about. The full battery management is rubbish, no way around it. This has been so since origin OS 1. Oppo is much better so there is hope. Hope they ditch origin OS and exchange it with color OS plus a Vivo skin.

Yeah I'm used to google services and would like a working google assistant - working means including continued conversation. Google live translate would be great but I know only Pixel can give that , not even Samsung and battery life is more important to me, so Samsung node SOC are ruled out so far.

I didn't know google backup doesn't work which besides assistant is a major point for me. Also Google find my phone maybe is limited (don't wanna permanently lock my phone to test this, but likely won't work).

Yes I imorted it because vivo pricing in Taiwan is insane. Therefore virtually no one buys them.

And while the camera is great for great photos, it's simply worse than the absolute top phones on snapshots (not gonna repeat myself here).

Add on top the really lousy track record when it comes to updates on older phones (not only when they arrive, but also that they get buggy as soon as the next generation flagship is out) and I really regret buying this phone and not just having waited for S23U. The problem is S23U will cost 40.000 ntd in Taiwan while the X90 pro cost me 29.000. I didn't wanna wait till I get to Europe in summer and wanted a new phone soon. S22U and Pixel 7 pro both were 28.000ntd more or less here with 256GB... Plus seeing those early reviews with crazy recommendations I fell for buying/keeping this device. Well I bought from a place with no return policy (only if dead on arrival). It's even harder for me to understand why you would lay North if 1000 Euro/USD for this phone.

I'm also using one Chinese apps that misses notifications, I'm not mentioning them here because no one will know it.

 

[P6P]

Look I partly live in China (before covid) and am permanent resident of Taiwan. I speak fluent Chinese, watch movies mainly in Chinese but don't read/write well. That China argument is lame because I see what people on bilibili complain about. The full battery management is rubbish, no way around it. This has been so since origin OS 1. Oppo is much better so there is hope. Hope they ditch origin OS and exchange it with color OS plus a Vivo skin.

Yeah I'm used to google services and would like a working google assistant - working means including continued conversation. Google live translate would be great but I know only Pixel can give that , not even Samsung and battery life is more important to me, so Samsung node SOC are ruled out so far.

I didn't know google backup doesn't work which besides assistant is a major point for me. Also Google find my phone maybe is limited (don't wanna permanently lock my phone to test this, but likely won't work).

Yes I imorted it because vivo pricing in Taiwan is insane. Therefore virtually no one buys them.

And while the camera is great for great photos, it's simply worse than the absolute top phones on snapshots (not gonna repeat myself here).

Add on top the really lousy track record when it comes to updates on older phones (not only when they arrive, but also that they get buggy as soon as the next generation flagship is out) and I really regret buying this phone and not just having waited for S23U. The problem is S23U will cost 40.000 ntd in Taiwan while the X90 pro cost me 29.000. I didn't wanna wait till I get to Europe in summer and wanted a new phone soon. S22U and Pixel 7 pro both were 28.000ntd more or less here with 256GB... Plus seeing those early reviews with crazy recommendations I fell for buying/keeping this device. Well I bought from a place with no return policy (only if dead on arrival). It's even harder for me to understand why you would lay North if 1000 Euro/USD for this phone.

I'm also using one Chinese apps that misses notifications, I'm not mentioning them here because no one will know it.

About battery i want to add it's the best i have ever had with any flagship. 10h SOT easy peasy while standby drain is just damn awesome. So not sure you call the management rubbish. From all of your comments I can see only people on bilibili have problems and only chinese apps have those notification issues. No offends but i literally disagree with everything you wrote up there.

 

[vendetta17]

About battery i want to add it's the best i have ever had with any flagship. 10h SOT easy peasy while standby drain is just damn awesome. So not sure you call the management rubbish. From all of your comments I can see only people on bilibili have problems and only chinese apps have those notification issues. No offends but i literally disagree with everything you wrote up there.

Nobody agrees with him anyway . Literally not a single person on this forum . But guess what ? He is still here writing long posts but basically saying nothing everytime .
I hope he understands that crying on xda everyday wont change anything . Write Vivo support , stop crying here . All the guys here who we own the phone , we love it . Deal with it .

 

[Haskren]

Look I partly live in China (before covid) and am permanent resident of Taiwan. I speak fluent Chinese, watch movies mainly in Chinese but don't read/write well. That China argument is lame because I see what people on bilibili complain about. The full battery management is rubbish, no way around it. This has been so since origin OS 1. Oppo is much better so there is hope. Hope they ditch origin OS and exchange it with color OS plus a Vivo skin.

Yeah I'm used to google services and would like a working google assistant - working means including continued conversation. Google live translate would be great but I know only Pixel can give that , not even Samsung and battery life is more important to me, so Samsung node SOC are ruled out so far.

I didn't know google backup doesn't work which besides assistant is a major point for me. Also Google find my phone maybe is limited (don't wanna permanently lock my phone to test this, but likely won't work).

Yes I imorted it because vivo pricing in Taiwan is insane. Therefore virtually no one buys them.

And while the camera is great for great photos, it's simply worse than the absolute top phones on snapshots (not gonna repeat myself here).

Add on top the really lousy track record when it comes to updates on older phones (not only when they arrive, but also that they get buggy as soon as the next generation flagship is out) and I really regret buying this phone and not just having waited for S23U. The problem is S23U will cost 40.000 ntd in Taiwan while the X90 pro cost me 29.000. I didn't wanna wait till I get to Europe in summer and wanted a new phone soon. S22U and Pixel 7 pro both were 28.000ntd more or less here with 256GB... Plus seeing those early reviews with crazy recommendations I fell for buying/keeping this device. Well I bought from a place with no return policy (only if dead on arrival). It's even harder for me to understand why you would lay North if 1000 Euro/USD for this phone.

I'm also using one Chinese apps that misses notifications, I'm not mentioning them here because no one will know it.

I don't think it's worth waiting for the s23U if you expect the image quality to match the Vivo. Unless there is a game changing jump in sensor from the s22u which was demolished in all tests against the Vivo. Crushed shadow areas and noise seems to be what Samsung goes for and I have no reason to believe the s23U will be any different. Like Apple, they don't even need to try as they will always be a popular choice for the sheep.

 

[Vinzie]

It's a Trial version and disappointing still December security update. Tomorrow it's February so already right now no monthly security updates, looking like this phone will lag behind a lot as it ages

So why are some people getting trial and public beta version and others don't get those updates ? Even if I read here that someone has gotten a trial version, my upgrade menu option does not show any update if I explicitly search for updates/trial update/public beta's etc...

I got word from Vivo support that my issue with unknown number for all incoming calls should be fixed in the next update... so I really like to update...

 

[Thanos88]

So why are some people getting trial and public beta version and others don't get those updates ? Even if I read here that someone has gotten a trial version, my upgrade menu option does not show any update if I explicitly search for updates/trial update/public beta's etc...

I got word from Vivo support that my issue with unknown number for all incoming calls should be fixed in the next update... so I really like to update...

You got word from Vivo? That's interesting. Have you mentioned the notifications issues to them and have they given any word about those? Any other issues you've mentioned to them and they've given word to you? Would be good to know

 

[Vinzie]

You got word from Vivo? That's interesting. Have you mentioned the notifications issues to them and have they given any word about those? Any other issues you've mentioned to them and they've given word to you? Would be good to know

No sorry, I don't want to bother them with multiple issue at once... and since the issue that all incoming calls show 'unknown number' bothers me the most I contacted them for it. I had to record some logs and send it to them.. And after 2,5 weeks or so, they told me my issue should be fixed in the next update... (fingers crossed)... Both on word on fixing any other issues..