vivo X300 Pro Review: A Camera Behemoth with a Baffling Secret
Vivo X300 Pro Review: Is it the new camera king? Explore its 200MP telephoto, Dimensity 9500 power, and Europe’s battery mystery in our honest GadgetWalaReview.
Welcome to GadgetWalaReview, your home for honest gadget insights. Today, we’re diving deep into the vivo X300 Pro, a phone that continues vivo’s legacy of pushing camera boundaries. On paper, it’s a predictable (and welcome) update: a refined design, the latest MediaTek chipset, and tweaks to an already-stellar camera.
But there’s a catch, and it’s a big one.
While most of the world gets a massive 6,510mAh battery, the EU model is curiously limited to just 5,440mAh. It’s a head-scratching decision that casts a shadow on an otherwise brilliant flagship. Is the camera prowess enough to make you forget this battery compromise? Let’s find out.
vivo X300 Pro: Key Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Specification |
| Body | 161.2 x 75.5 x 8.0mm, 226g |
| Glass front (Armor Glass), aluminum alloy frame, glass back | |
| IP68/IP69 dust/water resistant | |
| Display | 6.78″ LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| 1260 x 2800px resolution (452ppi) | |
| 4500 nits (peak brightness), HDR10+, Dolby Vision | |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm) |
| Memory | 256GB/12GB, 512GB/16GB, 1TB/16GB (UFS 4.1) |
| OS | Android 16, OriginOS 6 |
| Rear Camera | Main: 50 MP, f/1.6, 1/1.28″ (LYT-828), OIS |
| Telephoto: 200 MP, f/2.7, 1/1.4″ (HPB), 3.7x optical zoom, OIS | |
| Ultrawide: 50 MP, f/2.0, 119˚ (JN1), AF | |
| Front Camera | 50 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (JN1), AF |
| Video | Rear: 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps |
| Front: 4K@60fps | |
| Battery | 5,440mAh (EU) / 6,510mAh (Rest of World) |
| Charging | 90W wired, 40W wireless, Reverse wired/wireless |
| Connectivity | 5G, eSIM, Wi-Fi 7, BT 5.4, NFC, Infrared |
| Misc | Ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor, Stereo speakers |
Unboxing and Design
The X300 Pro arrives in vivo’s standard premium black box. Inside, you’ll find the phone, a color-matched protective case, and a USB-A-to-C cable. Noticeably absent is a charging brick. While some markets might get early-bird bundles, a 90W FlashCharge adapter is not included by default, so factor that into your purchase.
A Flat-Out Beautiful Design
The vivo X300 Pro is a clear participant in the industry’s move away from curved screens. The device is now entirely flat on the front and back (camera bump aside), making it a dream for anyone who plans to use a glass screen protector.
The build quality is undeniably premium. You get tough “Armor Glass” on the front, a frosted glass back that resists fingerprints, and a flat aluminum frame that provides a secure grip. The iconic circular camera module dominates the back, featuring a proud Zeiss badge in the center.
One of the most impressive (and frankly, overkill) features is the IP68/IP69 rating.1 This means not only can it survive 1.5m of water for 30 minutes (IP68), but it can also withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water jets (IP69).2 Please don’t pressure wash your phone, but it’s nice to know it could (probably) survive.
Display: Blindingly Bright and Buttery Smooth
The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display is, in a word, stunning. It’s largely similar to last year’s panel, and that’s no bad thing. The 1260×2800 resolution is pin-sharp (452ppi), and the 120Hz refresh rate is buttery smooth, with the LTPO tech able to drop as low as 1Hz to save power.3
But the brightness is the real headline. vivo claims a jaw-dropping 4,500 nits of peak brightness. In real-world use, this translates to one of the most vibrant and legible screens on the market, with support for every major HDR standard, including Dolby Vision and Ultra HDR. Watching content or just scrolling through your photos on this display is an absolute treat.
Performance: The Dimensity 9500 Shines (and Throttles)
The X300 Pro is powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 9500, a 3nm beast built on an “All Big Core” 1+3+4 architecture.4 Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and lightning-fast UFS 4.1 storage, this phone flies.
In benchmarks, the X300 Pro is a top-tier performer, even edging out its rivals in GPU-heavy tasks. You will not find this phone lagging, no matter what you throw at it.
However, like most modern flagships with this much power, it can’t sustain that peak performance forever. Under prolonged, heavy load, the phone will throttle its CPU and GPU performance to manage heat.5 While it settles at a level that’s still very fast, it’s a typical trait of high-end chips. For everyday use and even most gaming sessions, you’ll never notice.
Software: OriginOS 6 Goes Global
This is huge news for vivo fans. For years, international users have been given the dated FuntouchOS, while the sleek, modern OriginOS was a China-exclusive. No more.
The vivo X300 Pro ships with OriginOS 6 (on top of Android 16) for all global models.6 This is a massive upgrade. The UI is fluid, with beautiful animations, a modern notification shade, and a redesigned settings menu.
Key features include:
- Origin Island: A dynamic, pill-shaped area around the selfie camera (similar to Apple’s Dynamic Island) that shows contextual info for timers, music, and more.
- Connection Center: A central hub for managing all your connectivity, including an impressive “Link to PC” feature.
- AI Enhancements: While some AI features were missing on our unit, AI-powered photo editing tools and translation features are baked in.
- Long-Term Support: vivo promises 5 major Android OS upgrades and 7 years of security fixes, putting it right up there with Google and Samsung.7
The Camera System: This is Why You’re Here
This is vivo’s home turf, and the X300 Pro does not disappoint. The hardware is a subtle evolution, but the results are fantastic.
Main and Ultrawide Cameras
The main camera uses a new 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-828 sensor.8 It produces classic vivo images: incredibly detailed, with wide dynamic range and colors that pop without looking unnatural. The 2x zoom shots from this sensor are also remarkably clean and detailed.
The 50MP ultrawide camera (using the familiar JN1 sensor) is surprisingly good. Despite unchanged hardware, the new processing delivers noticeably sharper images with excellent color and dynamic range, making it a big step up from last year.
The 200MP Telephoto: The Star of the Show
The 200MP, 3.7x optical telephoto camera is the headline act. This massive 1/1.4″ sensor is a powerhouse.
- Daylight Zoom: At its native 3.7x (85mm) optical zoom, shots are breathtakingly sharp, with great contrast and vibrant colors.
- Digital Zoom: It continues to impress at 7x and even 10x, delivering usable and surprisingly detailed images.
- Close-Ups: This lens is also a macro monster. It can focus from as close as 14cm, allowing you to capture stunning, detailed close-up shots with beautiful natural background blur (bokeh).
A Long-Overdue Selfie Upgrade
Finally! vivo has replaced its old 32MP fixed-focus selfie cam with a new 50MP sensor with autofocus.9 This is a game-changer. Selfies are now consistently sharp, whether you’re at arm’s length or taking a close-up. Skin tones are great, and dynamic range is wide, though the colors are a bit more subdued than the rear cameras.
Video Quality
The X300 Pro is a capable video machine, offering 4K up to 120fps from the main and telephoto lenses, and even 8K@30fps from the main.10 In daylight, the footage is detailed and the stabilization is superb. However, low-light video is a weak point—it’s softer and grainier than we’d like to see at this price, lagging behind the competition.
The Professional Photography Kit (€600 Extra)
For the truly dedicated, vivo offers a Telephoto Extender Kit (a wallet-watering €600).11 This kit includes a custom case, a battery grip (with 2300mAh battery), and the telephoto extender lens itself.
This lens snaps onto the case over the main camera module and gives you a native 200mm equivalent focal length. The results are impressive, delivering sharp, detailed shots that are far superior to the phone’s digital zoom. It’s a specialized, expensive, and bulky tool, but for a niche (like wildlife or sports photography), it’s a fascinating and powerful accessory.
The Battery and Charging Controversy
And now, we come to the most frustrating part of this review.
- The Problem: The vivo X300 Pro is advertised with a 6,510mAh battery.12 However, in the EU, the phone ships with its capacity software-locked to 5,440mAh.
- The Reason: This is likely due to EU shipping regulations (UN 38.3), which classify batteries over a certain watt-hour (Wh) rating as “dangerous goods,” adding cost and complexity to logistics.
- The Result: The EU model (the one tested) has disappointing battery life. With an Active Use Score of 12:45h, it’s a 16% downgrade from last year’s model and trails competitors. You’re carrying the weight of the big battery, but not getting the benefit.
Blazing Fast Charging (with a Catch)
On the bright side, charging is exceptionally fast. The phone supports 90W wired charging, which takes it from 1-100% in just 29 minutes.13 Even better, it achieves this same speed with a standard USB PD charger, so you don’t need vivo’s proprietary brick.
But there’s a catch: vivo is a bit… optimistic with its 100% indicator. When the phone first hits 100%, it’s still drawing a massive 28W from the wall. It takes another 13 minutes of charging after it says 100% for it to be truly full. This is a bit misleading, but the end result is still a very fast-charging phone.
Audio: Loud, but Lacking
The X300 Pro features a standard stereo speaker setup.14 In loudness tests, it scores a “Very Good” rating. However, the quality doesn’t match the volume. The sound is a bit thin and “bathroomy,” lacking the low-end bass and fullness you’d expect from a flagship in this class.
The Verdict: Should You Buy the vivo X300 Pro?
The vivo X300 Pro is a specialized, brilliant, and deeply frustrating smartphone.
It is, without a doubt, one of the most exciting and capable camera systems on the market. The 200MP telephoto is a marvel, the main camera is outstanding, and the selfie cam is finally worthy of the “Pro” name. Add in a gorgeous screen, top-tier performance, and the fantastic new OriginOS 6, and you have a clear winner.
Unless you live in Europe.
The decision to gimp the battery for an entire continent is baffling. It turns a potential battery champion into a “just-okay” device, all while competitors like Oppo are figuring out how to ship massive 7,500mAh batteries in their EU phones.
Pros
- World-class camera system, especially the 200MP telephoto
- Finally, a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus
- Stunningly bright and smooth 120Hz LTPO AMOLED display
- OriginOS 6 is a massive software improvement
- Top-tier performance from the Dimensity 9500
- Extremely fast 90W charging (even with standard PD adapters)
- Premium, flat design with a robust IP68/IP69 rating
Cons
- Crippled 5,440mAh battery capacity in the EU (vs 6,510mAh elsewhere)
- Disappointing battery life as a result
- No charger in the box
- Sub-par speaker quality for a flagship
- Low-light video is not up to flagship standards
- Significant performance throttling under heavy, sustained load
Final Thought: If you are a mobile photography enthusiast living outside the EU, the vivo X300 Pro is one of the most compelling camera phones you can buy. For our readers in Europe, it’s a much harder sell. You’re being asked to pay a premium price for a compromised product, and that’s a hard pill to swallow, no matter how good the photos are.
