Lucknow: For years, Android flagships struggled to match the iPhone in areas like performance consistency, camera reliability, and long-term refinement. But 2025 has been a turning point. Android brands are no longer playing catch-up — they are confidently competing, and in some cases, setting new benchmarks. Vivo has been one of the strongest challengers, especially in smartphone photography, and the Vivo X300 continues that legacy with confidence.
The X300 marks a strategic shift for Vivo. Instead of chasing bigger screens and heavier builds, the brand has chosen to go compact — without compromising on power. With a 200MP camera, MediaTek’s new Dimensity 9500 chipset, and a surprisingly large battery, the Vivo X300 aims to be a true compact flagship rather than a watered-down premium phone.
Design and Build: Familiar, Refined, and Comfortable
Vivo hasn’t reinvented the wheel when it comes to design — and that works in its favour. The circular camera module remains the centrepiece, instantly identifying the phone as part of the X-series. Subtle refinements, like a repositioned flash and smoother curves, give the phone a more polished appearance.
The matte glass back feels soft and premium, resisting fingerprints while offering a confident grip. Aluminium alloy frames and rounded edges make the phone extremely comfortable to hold, especially for users who find modern flagships too bulky. Despite its compact footprint, the X300 doesn’t cut corners on durability, offering both IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.
Display: Small but Spectacular
The Vivo X300 features a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. While smaller than many flagships, it delivers a top-tier viewing experience. Colours are vibrant yet natural, contrast is excellent, and HDR10+ support makes streaming content look cinematic.
The display also includes 2160Hz PWM dimming, which significantly reduces eye strain during extended use. Outdoor visibility is strong, thanks to a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. An ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner adds to the premium experience, working quickly and reliably. Protection is handled by SCHOTT Xensation XT Core glass, ensuring everyday durability.
Performance: Compact Phone, Flagship Muscle
Powering the Vivo X300 is MediaTek’s Dimensity 9500 processor, one of the most capable chips of 2025. On paper and in real-world use, it delivers flagship-level performance that rivals Qualcomm’s best.
Daily tasks feel effortless — whether it’s switching between apps, browsing, or media consumption. Gaming performance is equally impressive for a phone of this size. Titles like BGMI, Genshin Impact, and Wuthering Waves run smoothly with stable frame rates. While the device does warm up slightly during extended gaming sessions, it never becomes uncomfortable, which is impressive for a compact flagship.
Software: Feature-Rich, Still Finding Its Identity
The Vivo X300 runs OriginOS 6, which brings smoother animations, refreshed lock-screen customisation, and new features like interactive widgets and drag-and-store tools. AI-powered additions such as photo retouching, captions, and smart search enhance usability.
That said, the software still carries visual elements reminiscent of FunTouch OS. While functionality is strong, the overall design language could benefit from a more premium and cohesive aesthetic to truly match the hardware’s flagship status.
Battery and Charging: Surprisingly Powerful
One of the biggest surprises of the Vivo X300 is its 6,040mAh battery — the largest ever seen in a compact flagship. Thanks to silicon-carbon battery technology, Vivo has managed to pack serious capacity into a small body.
Battery life is excellent, easily lasting a full day and more with heavy use. Moderate users can stretch it close to two days. Charging is equally impressive, with 90W wired charging and the addition of 40W wireless charging, making the X300 both powerful and convenient.
Cameras: Where the X300 Truly Shines
The highlight of the Vivo X300 is its camera system. The 200MP primary sensor delivers sharp, detailed images with excellent dynamic range. Colours remain close to natural, especially when using Vivo’s ZEISS colour mode, which excels in portrait photography and skin tone accuracy.
The 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom stands out, capturing crisp images even in low light. The 50MP ultrawide camera maintains consistent colour science, though low-light performance is slightly weaker than the main sensor.
Selfies from the 50MP front camera are detailed and well-balanced. Video performance is also strong, with support for up to 4K at 120fps, producing stable and sharp footage in good lighting conditions.
Verdict: A Compact Flagship Done Right
The Vivo X300 proves that smaller phones don’t have to make big compromises. It delivers outstanding camera performance, strong battery life, flagship-grade power, and excellent ergonomics in a compact form factor.
While the software experience could feel more premium visually, everything else — from hardware to photography — hits the mark. For buyers with a budget around ₹80,000 who want a powerful flagship that’s easy to handle, the Vivo X300 is one of the most compelling choices available today.
