Vivo X300 Review: A Premium Contender Without the Pro Badge
"All that glitters is not gold" – this age-old adage often comes to mind when a smartphone without the "Pro" or "Ultra" moniker claims to deliver flagship-level camera performance. The Vivo X300 enters the competitive Indian smartphone market with precisely such ambitions, priced at Rs 75,999 for the base 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. This price bracket is typically dominated by premium devices that promise exceptional cameras and top-tier performance. By positioning the X300 as a performance-focused device with professional-grade cameras yet without the Pro designation, Vivo naturally prompts a critical question: Is this a genuine flagship experience, or merely clever marketing?
Design and Display: Compact Yet Capable
The Vivo X300 adopts a distinctive approach in an era where smartphones increasingly grow taller and wider. With its compact footprint and relatively slim profile, the device feels immediately manageable in hand. Measuring under 8mm in thickness and weighing just below 200 grams, the phone avoids feeling top-heavy despite featuring a prominent camera module on the rear. For users weary of oversized flagships, this form factor is likely to make a positive impression.
The rear panel boasts a soft, matte finish that resists fingerprints and ensures comfort during extended use. The camera island, though substantial, is well-balanced, housing the Zeiss-branded triple-camera setup without compromising ergonomics. Vivo offers the X300 in Elite Black, Mist Blue, and Summit Red color options. The Mist Blue variant reviewed here maintains a restrained aesthetic rather than appearing flashy, and Vivo includes a color-matched case – a thoughtful inclusion still uncommon in this segment.
Build quality is robust, featuring a metal frame and precisely positioned buttons. The phone also meets IP68 and IP69 ratings, aligning with expectations at this price point.
Vivo X300 sports a 6.31-inch 1.5K AMOLED display that strikes a practical balance – sufficiently large for daily tasks and media consumption, yet compact enough for comfortable one-handed operation. The panel supports a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and animations. Brightness levels are adequate for both indoor and outdoor usage, with HDR support available for compatible content. Colors appear well-balanced, and multiple tuning options in the settings allow for personal adjustments. While the display quality is commendable, the smaller screen size means prolonged video sessions may lack the immersive feel of larger flagship devices.
Audio output is handled by a dual-speaker setup, with the bottom speaker primarily driving sound. The audio quality is satisfactory for calls and casual media consumption.
Performance: Smooth and Reliable Everyday Experience
Day-to-day performance on the Vivo X300 is predominantly smooth and predictable, meeting the expectations for a device in this price range. The phone operates on OriginOS based on Android 16, representing a noticeable evolution from Vivo's earlier software approach. Navigation feels more fluid, animations remain consistent, and the interface responds promptly to inputs. Switching between apps, opening menus, and multitasking occurs without visible lag.
Touch response proves reliable whether typing lengthy messages, scrolling through social media feeds, or utilizing gesture navigation. Multitasking is handled efficiently – maintaining multiple apps in the background while alternating between music playback, browsing, and messaging does not slow the device. App reloads are infrequent during normal usage, and system stability persists even during extended sessions.
Gaming performance remains consistent, with popular titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile running smoothly at high settings. Extended gameplay sessions stay playable, and touch sampling feels accurate during fast-paced moments, benefiting competitive play. However, the phone tends to warm up under heavy load. After prolonged gaming, noticeable heat accumulates around the camera module and upper back area. While this does not render the device unusable, thermal management could be improved for sustained intensive use.
For routine tasks such as video streaming, navigation, photography, and casual gaming, the phone rarely feels strained. Heat buildup is generally confined to demanding workloads rather than ordinary usage.
Vivo also commits to long-term software support, promising multiple years of Android updates and security patches. This enhances the phone's appeal for users planning to retain the device beyond a couple of years.
Overall, the Vivo X300 delivers a stable and responsive performance experience, combining smooth software with dependable everyday functionality, though it reveals some limitations under continuous heavy load.
Camera Performance: The Core Strength
If one aspect has defined the Vivo X-series reputation over the years, it is undoubtedly the camera. With the Vivo X300, this focus becomes even more pronounced. The device features a 200MP primary camera, complemented by a 50MP telephoto lens, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP front camera. On paper, this setup appears formidable, and in daily use, it largely fulfills that promise.
In daylight conditions, the main camera proves reliable and consistent. Photos emerge sharp, with commendable detail and balanced colors. Notably, images avoid appearing overly processed. Highlights and shadows are managed effectively, and scenes retain a natural aesthetic rather than being excessively manipulated by software. Whether capturing buildings, streets, or landscapes, users can anticipate clean, usable results with minimal effort.
Low-light performance from the primary camera is equally dependable. Night shots typically exhibit good exposure and controlled noise. Details remain preserved in most scenarios, though in extremely dark environments, the camera may slightly struggle with dynamic range. Nevertheless, for a non-Pro model, this consistency is impressive.
The telephoto camera warrants special attention. In daylight, 3x zoom photos retain detail and appear natural, avoiding the artificial sharpness often associated with digital zoom. Portraits benefit from this lens as well, offering pleasing background separation and depth. In low light, zoomed images lose some fine detail but remain suitable for social media and casual sharing.
The ultra-wide camera demonstrates noticeable improvements. Daylight photos display decent sharpness and controlled edge distortion. Selfies from the front camera are sharp in daylight, featuring natural skin tones and accurate exposure. In low light, some grain appears, yet results remain acceptable for everyday use.
Battery Life: Endurance Meets Fast Charging
Battery performance on the Vivo X300 aligns with contemporary smartphone expectations. The device houses a substantial 6,040mAh battery, larger than typical compact flagship offerings. In everyday usage, this translates to reliable all-day battery life. With routine activities like calls, messaging, social media browsing, navigation, and camera use, the phone comfortably endures a full day on a single charge.
Charging represents another strong suit. Vivo X300 supports 90W wired fast charging, and the 90W charger is included in the box – a welcome addition at this price point. Brief charging sessions suffice to add several hours of usage, offering convenience for users needing a quick top-up before heading out.
Verdict: A Compelling Premium Option
The Vivo X300 presents a compelling blend of camera capability, performance, and battery life that distinguishes it within its price segment. Starting at Rs 75,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model, the phone introduces a camera system that rivals higher-priced flagship devices. In daily operation, the phone's software and hardware collaborate seamlessly. While the smaller screen may feel less immersive than larger panels for some users, it favors ease of handling and portability.
Overall, the Vivo X300 is well-suited for users prioritizing camera performance and battery endurance alongside solid all-round performance. At its current pricing, it delivers an attractive feature set for those seeking more than a basic smartphone experience without venturing into the highest flagship category.
