Design and Display: Built Around the Camera, Not Compromise
The Vivo X300 Ultra wears its priorities on its back: a bold camera module that makes no attempt to hide. At 232–237g with a glass or glass-fiber back and aluminum frame, it’s heavier and a bit top‑heavy compared with many ultra‑flagships, but that’s the price of serious optics. Up front, a 6.82‑inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 144Hz refresh rate, 3168 x 1440 resolution, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision puts it ahead of most rivals for sharpness and smoothness. PWM dimming at 2160Hz should also help with eye comfort for long viewing sessions. Against the Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Galaxy S26 Ultra, Vivo’s screen is the most fluid and immersive, though Samsung still wins outdoors with its anti‑reflective coating and extreme brightness. If your daily experience revolves around viewing and framing photos or video, the X300 Ultra’s display feels purpose‑built for that task.
Vivo X300 Ultra Camera: A New Reference for Smartphone Photography
The Vivo X300 Ultra camera system is unapologetically overbuilt. A 200MP Sony LYTIA 901 main sensor (1/1.12-inch) with f/1.85 lens and gimbal OIS anchors the setup, delivering cleaner low‑light shots and steadier handheld video than most rivals. Unusually, Vivo defaults to a 35mm‑equivalent focal length, closer to classic street photography than the typical 23–28mm smartphone wide. This produces more natural perspective and less edge distortion, ideal for portraits, environmental shots, and documentary work. A 50MP ultra‑wide with OIS and a 200MP periscope telephoto, backed by CIPA‑rated stabilization, extend coverage from expansive landscapes to distant subjects with impressive consistency in color and detail. Paired with deep Zeiss tuning, pro‑grade video options including 8K, 4K 120fps, Dolby Vision, and 10‑bit Log, the Vivo X300 Ultra camera feels more like a hybrid stills–cinema tool than a phone shooter with bonus modes.
Vs Xiaomi 17 Ultra: Optics Versus Value
In a flagship phone comparison with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, the Vivo X300 Ultra clearly leans harder into smartphone photography features. Xiaomi counters with a 50MP 1‑inch‑type main sensor and 200MP continuous optical zoom, but Vivo responds with a higher‑resolution 200MP main camera, gimbal OIS, OIS‑equipped ultra‑wide, and a 200MP periscope system that supports optional ZEISS telephoto extenders for even longer reach. For video creators, Vivo’s 10‑bit Log capture and expanded pro controls make it more versatile than Xiaomi’s otherwise strong 8K and 4K 120fps package. Beyond the camera, Vivo offers a sharper 1440p 144Hz display, slightly larger 6600mAh battery, and faster 100W wired charging. Xiaomi strikes back with faster wireless charging, newer Bluetooth, and a lower price tag around USD 1300 (approx. RM5980) compared with Vivo’s roughly USD 1500 (approx. RM6900). If value is key, Xiaomi wins; if maximizing imaging potential matters more, Vivo justifies its premium.
Vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera Purist or All‑Round Powerhouse?
Set against the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Vivo X300 Ultra looks like a camera specialist facing a productivity champion. Both share the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and up to 16GB RAM with 1TB storage, but their priorities diverge. Vivo brings a 200MP 1‑inch‑class main sensor, 200MP periscope with support for external zoom lenses, and a 50MP OIS ultra‑wide, eclipsing Samsung’s 200MP main plus 50MP 5x telephoto for optical flexibility. Creators will appreciate Vivo’s Dolby Vision, 10‑bit Log video, Hi‑Res audio, and higher‑resolution 50MP autofocus selfie camera. Samsung, however, offers more refined design, Gorilla Armor 2 durability, S Pen, DeX, UWB, longer software support, and a lower price around USD 1300 (approx. RM5980) versus Vivo’s USD 1500 (approx. RM6900). For users who live in productivity apps and ecosystem features, Galaxy S26 Ultra feels more balanced; for pure imaging ambition, Vivo holds the edge.
Is the Vivo X300 Ultra Worth It for Serious Smartphone Photographers?
Viewed purely as a premium phone review, the Vivo X300 Ultra is not the universally best choice; its weight, slightly weaker battery endurance than some ultra‑flagships, lack of a dedicated shutter button, and shallower ecosystem make Apple and Samsung safer everyday options. But that misses its point. This device is built for people who treat the camera as their primary computer: photographers who regularly shoot telephoto, rely on ultra‑wide quality, or create professional‑grade video content on the go. With IP68/IP69 durability, an optional Photography Kit ecosystem, powerful AI tools, and deep software customization, it functions more like a pocketable imaging workstation than a generalist flagship. If you just want a great all‑rounder, rivals offer better value. If smartphone photography features sit at the top of your checklist and you’re willing to pay a premium for that edge, the Vivo X300 Ultra absolutely earns its asking price.