vivo X300 Extremely evaluate: Expensive digital camera telephone colossus

It’s taken a couple of years, however vivo has after all introduced its Extremely telephone line to international markets with the X300 Extremely.

Those Extremely telephones have briefly established themselves as one of the highest digital camera telephones on the planet, whilst additionally bringing attention-grabbing inventions, however the ultimate two generations — either one of which I in reality favored — have been most effective to be had in China.

Now that the vivo X300 Extremely has long gone international, does it select up the place its predecessors left off?

The primary reason why to shop for vivo’s Extremely telephones within the first position is the digital camera revel in. So, what’s it love to in reality use the X300 Extremely’s cameras? I’m nonetheless now not keen on the default brilliant colour profile, because it has a tendency to crank up the saturation and dynamic vary. Then again, the original/herbal profile does an incredible task of decreasing the saturation whilst protecting some distinction within the scene. Symbol output stays sharp, however the telephone doesn’t appear to move overboard as steadily as earlier units.

I’m additionally satisfied to peer customized colour profiles this 12 months. Merely make a choice a base colour profile, then modify 12 settings (e.g., publicity, saturation, highlights, shadows, grain, sharpness) to create your personal recipe. And you’ll be able to proportion your customized symbol profile on-line by the use of QR or textual content code. Good stuff. I don’t precisely have nice style, however I favored pairing my grain-focused customized profile with the 400mm add-on lens (extra on that later).

The vivo X300 Extremely doesn’t disappoint relating to exact digital camera {hardware}, both. Essentially the most notable improve this technology is a 200MP Sony LYT-901 primary digital camera (1/1.12-inch), which is the biggest 200MP sensor to be had for smartphones. Just like the X200 Extremely, this primary digital camera has a 35mm focal duration, this means that it’s successfully taking pictures at 1.5x in comparison to standard Android digital camera telephones. I discovered that the digital camera typically delivered very good symbol high quality with a lot of element, whilst vivo has noise relief right down to a science in this lens. I additionally recognize the 35mm focal duration because it lets in for higher framing and extra pleasing portraits than conventional 24mm cameras.

Shifting to the telephoto digital camera, vivo is sticking with what’s basically the similar 200MP 85mm periscope digital camera that debuted on 2024’s X100 Extremely. Then again, the company says it’s the use of an ISOCELL HPO sensor and helps 60fps auto-tracking in snapshot mode. I’m nonetheless a sucker for this telephoto digital camera, despite the fact that. There’s a wholesome point of resolvable element, pleasantly shallow intensity of subject, and typically speedy autofocus. Just like earlier fashions, the 200MP tele digital camera nonetheless delivers good-quality 10x pictures in maximum scenarios. Pictures stay vibrant in low-light scenarios, even if there generally is a noticeable drop intimately. In announcing so, I used to be infrequently stunned via the extent of retained element in those situations. And sure, you’ll be able to nonetheless take macro pictures by the use of this periscope shooter.

In fact, in case you in reality need to take zoom to the following point, the aforementioned add-on ~17x lens is the actual deal. Take a look at my ideas on that right here.

Shifting to the ultrawide digital camera, vivo hasn’t modified a lot in this entrance. You’ve nonetheless were given a LYT-818 digital camera sensor, an f/2.0 aperture, and a 114-degree field-of-view. That’s now not a foul factor, because the sensor is in reality greater than the principle digital camera on telephones just like the OnePlus 15 and Galaxy S26. Then again, that is the weakest digital camera of the trio in terms of stills.

The most important factor I’ve with the ultrawide digital camera is the most obvious distortion, even with distortion correction enabled. You’ll additionally understand extra noise than the principle digital camera, in particular in combined lighting fixtures. However, I discovered that ultrawide pictures have been impressively vibrant and had colours that have been in line with the primary shooter. I additionally discovered that I may take ultrawide astro pictures that weren’t whole rubbish (see the primary symbol underneath). I just like the 28mm pictures from this digital camera too, even if there’s an important gulf intimately between the 28mm and 35mm snaps.

Each the primary and telephoto cameras additionally fortify full-resolution 200MP pictures. Snaps at this decision have been just a little of a waste of time at the first 200MP telephones because of splotchiness and blown highlights, however issues have steadily stepped forward through the years. Thankfully, the X300 Extremely continues this upward pattern, and it’s price switching to full-resolution taking pictures in ideally suited stipulations. I used to be inspired with the somewhat small distinction in publicity and dynamic vary between the 2 taking pictures modes, despite the fact that those variations are sometimes glaring (e.g., extra distinction within the full-resolution snap). There also are occasions when the additional element isn’t definitely worth the record measurement, and occasions when the full-resolution snap has blown highlights and fringing. However, cropping generally is a transformative affair because the gallery underneath displays.

vivo additionally gives a 25MP taking pictures mode throughout all rear cameras this time, mirroring Apple, Samsung, and OPPO. It is a at hand compromise between record measurement and symbol high quality, if you’ll be able to’t come to a decision between the 50MP/200MP or 12.5MP modes. Not like the OPPO To find X9 sequence, the 25MP mode isn’t enabled via default. However, you’ll be able to use it in the usual photograph mode as much as 230mm, in addition to within the Panorama and Evening Mode.

Any other new addition this time is Digital camera Assistant, which appears like a take at the Pixel’s Digital camera Trainer. Then again, that is a lot other. The Pixel’s mode actively guides you with taking pictures perspective ideas and AI-generated symbol examples. Digital camera Assistant, alternatively, is extra like an automated scene reputation mode that sometimes activates you to make use of particular lenses and modes (e.g., telephoto digital camera or macro mode). Digital camera Assistant presentations the known scene/matter on the peak of the viewfinder, and tapping this segment will divulge the carried out changes. It additionally doesn’t appear to be vivo’s mode acknowledges many scenes and topics within the first position. At the upside, Digital camera Assistant works while you’re offline too.

vivo has located the X300 Extremely as a video seize gadget, so it’s no marvel to peer new options like APV codec fortify, more than one audio seize profiles (in conjunction with customized audio profiles), and a redesigned professional video mode. That is along with returning choices like multi-focal 4K/120fps Log video, 4K/60fps portrait video, 4K/60fps seize throughout all 3 rear cameras, and ultra-steady video at 2.8K/60fps. I’m additionally satisfied to peer that the telephone helps video seize with choice colour profiles at 4K/60ps, which is a welcome improve over the X300 Professional’s 1080p/30fps limitation. Moreover, a up to date replace revived the Horizon Lock stabilization function.

As with ultimate 12 months’s Extremely telephone, the X300 Extremely defaults to video seize by the use of the ultrawide digital camera. I discovered that recorded movies typically seemed sharp whilst turning in colourful colours that weren’t overly saturated. Video additionally stayed most commonly judder-free whilst panning, however I did understand occasional micro-stutter. The telephone switches to the 35mm digital camera for low-light video recording, even if you’ll be able to disable this feature in case you in reality need to. Take a look at a daylight hours pattern clip underneath.

Two different new options we see this time are the Movie Glance and Movie Taste taking pictures modes. The previous captures 16:9 video at 60fps whilst emphasizing cyan and orange colours. The latter shoots video in a 2.4:1 facet ratio at 4K/24fps, making for a extra cinematic glance on paper. I relatively just like the Movie Taste mode, even if I may do with out the watermark. Take a look at a video pattern underneath.

In some other neat contact, the telephone helps audio seize by the use of wi-fi microphones. vivo says supported manufacturers come with DJI and MOMA. Taken in combination, it’s transparent that the X300 Extremely is some of the flexible smartphone for video seize. Now, about providing dual-camera recording out of doors of level mode.

Oh yeah, this can be a telephone, proper? Thankfully, the vivo X300 Extremely typically delivers at the non-camera stuff as neatly. Then again, one of the most greatest issues of the {hardware} is the design. The rear digital camera bump is terribly thick, even if in comparison to the vivo X300 Professional. In reality, I will in reality hang the telephone via the bump. Critically. It’s a disgrace, as the remainder of the telephone is most effective quite thicker than the Galaxy S26 Extremely. And I say all this as any person who owned the Nokia Lumia 1020 again within the day. It’s now not a dealbreaker for me, however I will see it being a no-go for others.

It additionally doesn’t assist that the telephone is relatively heavy. At 232 or 237 grams (relying at the variant), it’s considerably heavier than the Galaxy S26 Extremely (214 grams) or even the Galaxy Z Fold 7 (215 grams). That is much less of a topic than the large digital camera plateau, but it surely’s nonetheless one thing I realized upon unboxing the software.

The vivo X300 Extremely is powered via the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, in conjunction with 12GB to 16GB of RAM. Then again, it seems like Europe is most effective getting a 16GB/1TB type. The Geekbench 6 CPU check unearths that vivo’s telephone handily beats the MediaTek-powered OPPO To find X9 Professional whilst staying in the similar ballpark because the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely. GPU rigidity assessments inform a unique tale, despite the fact that. The telephone has combined steadiness (~54% to ~60%) and height temperatures of round 50 levels Celsius. That’s extraordinarily sizzling for an Android telephone and considerably warmer than the S26 Extremely, let by myself the extra conservative To find X9 Professional. The check additionally unearths a ton of peaks and valleys in comparison to Samsung’s handset, suggesting janky efficiency right through lengthy gaming periods.

Thankfully, the telephone flew via multitasking, launching apps, and scrolling the internet. I did in finding that snapping a gradual circulate of images leads to symbol optimization taking some time within the gallery, however that’s not anything new for Android digital camera telephones. I additionally discovered that the telephone appeared to seize full-resolution 200MP pictures slightly quicker than the X300 Professional, however the Professional software turns out to optimize them slightly quicker. You win some, you lose some. Gaming is some other nice exercise, and I used to be ready to play GRID Legends and Struggle Thunder Cell with clean efficiency. Fortunately, the telephone by no means were given greater than simply heat.

One of the crucial disappointing issues in regards to the X300 Professional was once the hobbled battery capability in Europe and a couple of different international markets. Fortunately, the X300 Extremely comes with a 6,600mAh battery in Europe too. I’m satisfied to file that I’m most effective in reality charging each different day with conventional utilization (WhatsApp, Reddit, sometimes the use of the digital camera app). I typically noticed seven to 8 hours of screen-on time with this utilization. That’s improbable information in case you have been cast off via the X300 Professional or upset with the S26 Extremely’s battery capability.

vivo additionally gives 100W stressed charging and 40W wi-fi top-ups. The telephone takes simply over an hour to rate by the use of my 65W USB-PPS charger, which isn’t superb however is first rate for the battery measurement. Don’t be expecting a bundled charger in Europe, however I’m satisfied to peer that the Chinese language type comes with a USB-C charging adapter in a position to 100W USB PPS speeds.

The X300 Extremely additionally ships with OriginOS 6 in each China and international variants. I’m the use of the Chinese language type, and I assumed the tool nonetheless seemed too similar to iOS for my liking. My colleague Paul Jones is the use of the worldwide type and disagrees, announcing ColorOS and Magic OS seemed extra like Liquid Glass clones than vivo’s pores and skin.

Fortunately, the tool maintains options like the joys Turn Playing cards wallpaper function, per-app quantity controls, and movement activates for movement illness. I additionally recognize the brand new app-specific brightness possibility. Then again, even Paul lamented the lack to edit and rearrange fast settings whilst additionally expressing unhappiness within the widget measurement choices. Moreover, he felt that Samsung One UI and OPPO’s ColorOS have been more straightforward to make use of. The producer additionally guarantees 5 main OS upgrades and 7 years of safety patches. This isn’t the very best replace coverage, but it surely’s nonetheless superb in 2026.

Different options price understanding come with a vibrant, sharp 144Hz OLED display (3,168 x 1,440, 1,800 nits of worldwide brightness), a quick and correct ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, IP68 and IP69 rankings, USB 3.2 knowledge switch speeds, and an IR blaster.

The X300 Extremely simply ranks among the finest digital camera telephones, because it packs some digital camera {hardware} that you just received’t in finding on different units. It additionally marks a large step ahead for video seize on Android, because of options like APV codec fortify, a variety of video seize choices, and total nice video high quality. Toss within the nice battery lifestyles, brisk charging speeds, spectacular real-world efficiency, and top rate extras, and this whole package deal is tricky to forget about.

The telephone doesn’t come and not using a value, despite the fact that. Moderately actually. The X300 Extremely is most effective to be had as a 1TB type in some markets, and this variant will set you again a groovy €1,999 (~$2,345) in Europe. That’s a ton of money, even in comparison to rival Extremely flagships. The addition of a double-stuff digital camera bump, a heavy design, and disappointing sustained efficiency don’t assist issues, both. However, this may well be the telephone to get in case you’re a smartphone digital camera fanatic or looking forward to a telephone with improbable video features. The telephone isn’t to be had in america, however importers will probably be glad to realize it helps the N71 community band utilized by T-Cell.

On the lookout for an alternative choice to the X300 Extremely? The Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely ($1299.99 at Samsung) may well be the most suitable option for most of the people. That’s in large part because of its horsepower, nice cameras (together with nice video seize), slick tool, and raft of native AI options. It doesn’t harm that it’s considerably less expensive than vivo’s handset whilst being to be had in additional markets. Then again, the X300 Extremely gives a far larger battery, quicker charging, awesome digital camera {hardware}, and extra tough video seize features.

I’d additionally suggest the OPPO To find X9 Extremely ($38999 at Amazon) as a significant choice. It options the similar spectacular chipset, a fair greater battery, and a state-of-the-art digital camera machine punctuated via a 10x 50MP digital camera. It does fail to see APV fortify, however bounces again with 8K/30fps Log video. In the meantime, the vivo X300 Professional ($1099 at Amazon) is price a glance if you wish to have a vivo flagship at a lower cost. It nonetheless brings a formidable processor and in a similar way improbable digital camera zoom, whilst being to be had in a couple of extra markets. Simply remember that the Eu fashions have a way smaller battery.