Vivo X300 Review: The Compact Flagship That Could Crush the Competition
Vivo has surprisingly made the X300 smaller, but has also given it some solid upgrades like a 200MP main rear camera and the new MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC, making it an appealing option for those who want a compact flagship. But with so many brands jumping into the compact flagship race, how does the X300 fare against the competition?
Published By: Madhav Malhotra | Published: Dec 02, 2025, 01:54 PM (IST) | Edited: Dec 23, 2025, 05:55 PM (IST)
Android flagships have always lacked in terms of performance and cameras when compared to the iPhone. But 2025 is the year we have witnessed the rise of Android flagships that can go toe to toe with the iPhone and even destroy it in some aspects. One of the series that has repeatedly given tough competition to the iPhone in terms of cameras has been the Vivo X series. The ZEISS partnership has really changed the smartphone photography game, as the output of the X series has given tough competition to all the flagships.
With the Vivo X300, the brand continues to excel in its strong areas by giving a major upgrade to its camera hardware. Not just the hardware, but even the processor, display, and battery have received some really nice upgrades. A major step by Vivo with this phone has been reducing the footprint of the device by making it smaller than its predecessor. But can this decision put the device at risk in terms of performance and cooling? Is the new camera sensor optimised well, or is it just a mere hardware upgrade? Read the full review to know the answers.
Vivo X300 Design and Build: If it ain't broke, don't fix it
The Vivo X series is known for its large camera modules, which make the phones stand out from the crowd. The X300 continues this tradition with a circular camera module that houses the triple rear camera setup. The phone looks almost identical to the X200 in terms of rear design, with just a minor change in the placement of the flashlight. Talking more about the design, the back glass has a soft finish, which gives a really premium in-hand feel. The frames are made of aluminum alloy, and the edges are rounded, which makes this compact flagship a really handy phone. Additionally, the phone also comes with IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance making this a super durable device.
Vivo X300 Display: A gorgeous display with a slight upgrade
With the X300, Vivo has made sure that the flagship experience stays intact even with a smaller size. The Vivo X300 sports a 6.31 inch LTPO AMOLED display with a high refresh rate of 120Hz. When compared to the Vivo X200, the X300 is now a more compact device. This not only gives this device a visually different look, but also makes this a more desirable phone for a completely new target audience that wants a powerful yet compact phone.
The display further has 2160Hz PWM which significantly reduces screen flicker and minimizes eye strain. The display is also HDR 10+ certified and the colours look really natural and vibrant. I tried binge watching the latest Stranger Things season 5 and the colours really give a professional and cinematic feel and the skin tones appear to be natural. Even under direct sunlight is visible, thanks to the 4,500 nits of peak brightness. The display also has a baked-in ultrasonic fingerprint reader, which is super reliable and quick. For added durability, the X300 uses a SCHOTT Xensation XT Core glass protection.
Vivo X300 Performance: Elite in its own Dimension
With every year, the performance of flagship phones is breaking all limits. The Vivo X300 is no different and gets the new MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC. It is a powerful flagship processor and also comes very close to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in many aspects.
In Geekbench the Vivo X300 scored 3218 in the single core and a whooping 9450 in the multi core. Just for comparison the OnePlus 15 with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 scored 3433 in the single core and 7240 in the multicore test.
The selfie camera also performs at par and gives some pleasing photos. It is a 50MP lens and the skin colours along with the dynamic range was really impressive. In terms of video, the X300 can shoot up to 4K 120 FPS. In daylight, the videos feel stable and produce some great looking shots.
Vivo X300 Verdict: A Solid Pick
The Vivo X300 is a solid all-round performer and delivers some exceptional photos. It is one of those devices that might get overshadowed by its sibling the Vivo X300 Pro. But, when compared side by side, the ergonomics of this device and the weight distribution really make this a flagship that can give all the other devices a run for their money.
The new upgrades like wireless charging, a 200MP camera, and a faster chipset make this device one of the best value for money flagships right now. The only downside that I personally feel is on the software front. Even after the OriginOS 6 update, the software still feels a lot like FunTouch OS. The new additions surely make the software experience a little more fun but still, the overall look of the icons and UI lacks that premium flagship feel.
Apart from this one issue, this phone really shines in every aspect. The cameras give a solid output, and the performance is way better than what we expect from a compact phone. Overall, if you have a budget of Rs 80,000 and want a flagship that doesn't feel huge in your hand and still brings the best experience, then the Vivo X300 could be your pick.
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