Vivo X300 Ultra Review: Exceptional Camera, but Prohibitive Price
Vivo X300 Ultra
The Vivo X300 Ultra is a flagship built around a precise idea: to carry the optical flexibility of a real camera in your pocket. It achieves this with three large sensors, certified Zeiss optics, and a kit of accessories that transforms the smartphone into a modular photographic system.
Technical Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, an octa-core solution with two prime Oryon v3 cores at 4.6 GHz and six performance cores at 3.6 GHz, paired with the Adreno 840 GPU.
- RAM: Only available with 16 GB LPDDR5X and 1 TB UFS 4.1 storage in Italy, though other markets offer various configurations that could democratize access in our country.
- Display: 6.82-inch LTPO OLED panel with 3168 x 1440 pixel resolution (510 PPI), 19.8:9 aspect ratio, refresh rate variable from 1 Hz to 144 Hz, and proprietary Armor Glass protection. Peak brightness reaches 4,500 nits, with a screen-to-body ratio of 90.3%.
- Camera: The rear camera system features three modules: 200 MP Sony LYT-901 main sensor (1/1.12-inch format, equivalent to 35 mm), 50 MP Sony LYT-818 ultrawide sensor (1/1.28-inch format, dual-pixel autofocus, OIS), and 200 MP ISOCELL HP0 periscope telephoto lens with 3.7x optical zoom (equivalent to 85 mm), OIS, and PDAF. The front camera is 50 MP.
- Battery: 6,600 mAh supporting 100 W wired FlashCharge and 40 W wireless charging. The operating system is OriginOS based on Android 16, with guarantees for five years of updates and seven years of security patches.
Design
Vivo X300 Ultra is not a lightweight, nor does it try to be one, with physical dimensions of 163 x 76.8 x 8.2 mm and a weight of 232 grams. The camera module is large and protrudes significantly, giving it a distinct presence. The overall construction, made with satin aluminum and Armor Glass, feels solid, albeit slightly unbalanced towards the camera module in hand.
The smartphone is aimed at users seeking an extreme device, with color options that have nearly identical shapes and proportions. The rear camera module is particularly eye-catching due to its considerable protrusion compared to the body of the phone.
Software, Hardware, and Performance
OriginOS, Vivo’s proprietary operating system based on Android 16, shows progress compared to previous versions. It allows extensive customization of lock screens, homescreens, and icons, resembling some solutions present in OPPO's ColorOS, though with fewer pre-installed icon packs. Performance is excellent, especially with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 being among the fastest processors available.
Display
The 6.82-inch LTPO OLED display is one of the X300 Ultra's strengths, alongside the camera system. It automatically adjusts the refresh rate between 1 and 144 Hz based on the displayed content. With a peak brightness of 3,236 nits, it competes well within the high-end smartphone panel market.
Autonomy
The 6,600 mAh battery easily lasts more than a day under normal conditions, with tests showing 740 minutes of usage time. Charging is remarkably fast, bringing the battery to 50% in just over 20 minutes.
Camera
The camera setup focuses on delivering high quality across all modules, constructed with Zeiss certification. In most scenarios, it rivals some of the best smartphone cameras available.
Price
In Italy, the list price is €1999 for the only configuration with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage. This positions the X300 Ultra at the top of the flagship segment, alongside models from Samsung and Apple.
Final Thoughts
The Vivo X300 Ultra is one of the most ambitious photographic devices released in 2026, offering high-quality photography capabilities in a portable format. However, its considerable price and some weaknesses in color fidelity and thermal management may deter average consumers.
- Weaknesses: Below-par color fidelity for a flagship, insufficient thermal management under load, high idle consumption, and mediocre speakers compared to the competition.
For mobile photographers or videographers, the X300 Ultra offers something unmatched at this price point, while others may find more balanced alternatives.