The Vivo X300 and Vivo X300 Pro are finally here, and if you are planning to pick up a premium flagship this year, these two are definitely phones worth paying attention to. The series officially launches on December 2, but we got early access to both models to take a closer look at what Vivo is doing in this new generation.
The X-series has built its entire identity around photography. Last year’s X200 Pro set a remarkably high bar for imaging, so the big question this year is simple. How is Vivo evolving the formula with the X300 lineup, and can these phones push things forward once again? There is plenty happening across both models, so let’s break it all down.
Vivo X300 Pro & X300 Hands-on: Design
At first glance, both the X300 and X300 Pro feel familiar in the best possible way. You get the huge circular camera module on the back, a premium finish, and the same high-end design language Vivo has refined over the last few generations. But once you look closer, you start noticing subtle but meaningful updates that make the X300 series feel more modern and polished.
The most obvious change is the flatness of the design. Both the front and back panels are noticeably flatter than before, creating a cleaner aesthetic and a more contemporary flagship feel. The phones are slimmer as well, which improves the in-hand comfort considerably. This small shift alone gives the series a more refined identity that separates it from the slightly more curved approach of the X200 lineup.
Size is the big differentiator between the two phones. The X300 Pro sits in the same zone as most full-size flagship devices, but Vivo has shaped it well enough to remain comfortable to use. The regular X300 is where things get interesting. It is noticeably smaller, and anyone who prefers compact phones will immediately feel the difference. It almost feels like a successor to the Vivo X200 FE, but with a far more premium finish and a much larger camera module.
When you place the X300 and X200 FE side by side, you can clearly see how Vivo has refined the compact flagship formula. The X300 is slightly thinner, has nearly the same footprint as the previous compact model, and steps into a more premium tier with cleaner glass, a flatter design, and more metallic accents. The X200 FE felt modest and balanced, while the X300 feels more grown-up.
A new addition on the X300 Pro is the multi-function button on the side. It behaves exactly like the Action Button on the iPhone. You can assign it to shortcuts, and it is genuinely useful for quick tasks like triggering the camera or enabling specific modes. For people who love customisation, this button adds a surprising layer of convenience.
Build quality on both phones is exactly what you expect from a premium flagship. The frames are metal, the bodies feel solid, and the moment you pick either phone up you get that satisfying sense of density and craftsmanship. The edges are rounded enough to avoid digging into your palm and the overall grip is very comfortable. Both the X300 and X300 Pro use 3D curved glass on the back that blends seamlessly into the camera housing.
The Phantom Black variants we tested come with a matte, frosted back that not only looks elegant but also avoids fingerprint smudges. The camera housing is a big deal visually. The X300 Pro has a noticeably thicker module because of the more complex optical elements inside. It also gets a ribbed metal ring around the lens array which does not serve a functional purpose but definitely adds a more distinct, premium look.
Vivo X300 Pro & X300 Hands-on: Cameras
Now let’s talk about the main reason people buy Vivo’s X-series. The cameras are where these phones truly try to stand out, and the X300 series continues to rely heavily on Vivo’s long-running partnership with Zeiss.
The more premium X300 Pro brings some seriously stacked hardware. It features a 200MP APO telephoto lens with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP main camera with gimbal-grade stabilisation. The setup is versatile and powerful, and the samples we shot show clear improvements in detail, stability, and colour accuracy. You can check out the samples and let us know what you think in the comments.
The X300 Pro can shoot up to 8K at 30 frames per second with surprisingly stable footage even when shot handheld. It also offers Dolby Vision colour recording at 4K 60, something creators who upload to social platforms will really appreciate. On the front, you get a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus, delivering crisp detail and excellent skin tones.
The regular X300 takes a slightly different route. Its main highlight is the 200MP primary sensor with OIS, paired with a 50MP ultra-wide and a 50MP telephoto. The hardware is simpler compared to the Pro, but the early samples look promising. Vivo’s processing and Zeiss tuning play a big role in ensuring consistency across both models.
For video, the X300 tops out at 4K 120 frames per second with reliable stabilisation. The front camera is the same 50MP autofocus unit found on the Pro model, so selfie performance remains nearly identical on both phones.
We will have a complete camera verdict in the full review once we test the devices across more lighting conditions and scenarios, but early impressions are definitely strong.
Vivo X300 Pro & X300 Hands-on: Hardware and Software
Under the hood, both phones run on a special variant of the Dimensity 9500 that features a new imaging NPU defined specifically by Vivo. This results in a significant performance jump. GPU performance is up by 33 percent, single-core CPU performance rises by 32 percent, and NPU performance gets a massive 111 percent uplift.
The chipset is built on TSMC’s third-generation 3 nm process, which naturally results in top-tier efficiency. But the real gains show up in imaging. Both the X300 and X300 Pro use Vivo’s V3+ Imaging chip to enhance photo and video quality. The X300 Pro takes things further by using the Pro Imaging Chip VS1 alongside the V3+ chip. Think of it as an extra layer of processing sauce that refines details, reduces noise, and improves dynamic range.
On the software side, Vivo has moved on from Funtouch OS and introduced OriginOS 6. The UI is cleaner, faster, and more fluid. You get translucent panels, layered shadows, and smoother animations. There are new engines for performance optimisation, visual responsiveness, and a wide range of lock screen customisations.
There is still a lot left to test, including benchmarks, gaming performance, thermal behaviour, and battery endurance. The deeper analysis will be available soon.
