The Vivo X300 Pro represents Vivo’s latest attempt to push smartphone photography closer to dedicated camera territory. As the successor to the Vivo X200 Ultra, the X300 Pro introduces a redesigned body, upgraded processing hardware, and an advanced camera system developed in partnership with ZEISS.
At CameraLab, we tested the device across several everyday shooting scenarios — including indoor events, outdoor portraits, and long-range telephoto photography — to see whether the new hardware and software improvements make a meaningful difference.
While smartphones still can’t fully replace professional cameras, the X300 Pro demonstrates how far mobile photography has progressed in recent years.
Design & Build Quality
The first thing you notice when holding the Vivo X300 Pro is its solid, premium feel.
The phone features a matte glass back with subtle metallic accents and flat aluminum sides, a design change compared with the curved edges seen on previous Vivo flagship models. The flat sides make the device feel slightly more modern and provide better grip during one-handed shooting.
The rear camera module is large and circular, housing a multi-camera system that prioritizes photography performance over minimalism.
Camera hardware highlights
- 50 MP main sensor with gimbal-style stabilization
- 200 MP telephoto sensor
- 50 MP ultra-wide camera
- 50 MP front camera
Despite the size of the camera bump, the phone remains relatively balanced in hand. However, the module can make the device slightly top-heavy when shooting horizontally.
For photographers used to large camera lenses, this design trade-off will feel familiar.
Display & Performance
The X300 Pro uses a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with high brightness and strong color contrast. When reviewing photos directly on the device, the screen provides good clarity and saturation — helpful for photographers checking focus and exposure on location.
Powering the phone is the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor paired with up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage.
In daily use, the system feels very responsive. During testing we were able to:
- edit RAW photos
- record long 4K clips
- switch between camera modes quickly
without noticeable lag or overheating.
This level of performance is particularly useful for creators who rely on mobile editing workflows.
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Camera System – Co-Engineered with ZEISS
The highlight of the Vivo X300 Pro is its camera system, developed together with ZEISS, a company well known for its optical engineering.
Main Camera
This main camera performs well in everyday photography. Colors are generally natural, and dynamic range remains stable even in contrasty lighting conditions.
Portrait images show good subject separation, although the AI occasionally smooths textures slightly more than dedicated cameras would.
Telephoto Camera
One of the most ambitious features is the 200 MP telephoto system based on the Samsung ISOCELL HP‑B sensor.
The system supports external accessories such as the ZEISS Telephoto Converter, which significantly extends the effective zoom range.
Under ideal lighting conditions, the phone can capture surprisingly detailed images at extreme focal lengths. However, much of this clarity comes from computational processing rather than pure optical resolution.
For most practical photography, the strongest performance occurs between 200 mm and 800 mm equivalent, where detail remains relatively clean without excessive digital processing.
Real-World Photography Tests
During field testing, the Vivo X300 Pro performed particularly well in several common shooting scenarios.
Indoor Events
In environments such as school performances or concerts, the phone managed to produce reasonably clean images despite low lighting.
Noise reduction works aggressively but effectively, helping maintain usable photos even at higher ISO levels.
Telephoto Shooting
When photographing distant objects — such as signs or architectural details — the telephoto camera provided surprisingly readable results.
Compared to a full-frame camera like the Sony Alpha 7R V, the smartphone relies much more heavily on computational sharpening. The Sony camera retains more natural textures, but the Vivo produces impressive results considering its size.
Portrait Photography
Portrait images benefit from ZEISS color profiles and accurate skin tones. Background blur simulation is convincing, although still not as natural as the optical depth produced by large sensors.
Video Performance
The Vivo X300 Pro supports:
- 8K video at 30 fps
- 4K video up to 120 fps
- Dolby Vision HDR recording
The built-in stabilization system performs well for handheld shooting, producing smooth footage for casual video creation.
For vloggers and content creators, the combination of stabilization, autofocus, and color profiles makes the phone capable of producing professional-looking footage without additional equipment.
However, in very low light, larger camera sensors still maintain better detail and dynamic range.
Where the Vivo X300 Pro Struggles
In real-world use, the camera system is not perfect.
– Skin tones can appear slightly over-smoothed in portrait mode
– Telephoto images at extreme zoom rely heavily on AI sharpening
– In low light, details can look artificial rather than natural
These are trade-offs of computational photography that users should be aware of.
Battery Life & Charging
The phone is equipped with a 6,510 mAh battery, which proved sufficient for a full day of mixed use during testing.
Typical usage included:
- frequent photography
- short video recordings
- social media uploads
- basic editing
The device also supports 100W fast charging, allowing the battery to recharge quickly between shooting sessions.
Thermal management appears improved compared with previous models, which helps maintain stable performance during extended video recording.
One thing I noticed after extended use is that the X300 Pro tends to slightly brighten skin tones, which can look appealing at first but reduces realism in some scenarios – CameraLab
Vivo X300 Pro Photography Kit
To complement the phone’s camera capabilities, Vivo offers a dedicated Photography Kit designed to expand its creative potential.
| Accessory | Description |
|---|---|
| Professional Magnetic Lens Mount | Allows instant lens swaps with Zeiss-certified attachments |
| 60mm Zeiss Telephoto Lens | Ideal for portraits and cinematic compression |
| Ultra-Wide Angle Lens (12mm) | Captures landscapes, architecture, and vlogging scenes |
| Pro Grip Handle | Bluetooth-connected grip with physical shutter and zoom control |
| Magnetic ND Filter Set | Controls exposure in bright light for smooth motion videos |
| Carrying Case | Water-resistant, durable, and travel-ready |
These accessories effectively transform the smartphone into a modular photography tool, giving creators additional flexibility for mobile shooting setups.
>>>See more: Vivo X300 Pro Photography Kit Review: 2.35x ZEISS Telephoto Extender
CameraLab Verdict
The **Vivo X300 Pro is one of the most capable camera-focused smartphones currently available. Its combination of a large telephoto sensor, ZEISS collaboration, and strong computational photography makes it particularly appealing to mobile creators.
However, it’s important to keep expectations realistic. While the phone delivers impressive results for its size, dedicated cameras still offer superior optical performance and natural image rendering.
For photographers who prioritize portability and convenience, the X300 Pro represents a compelling option.
FAQ
Q1: Does the kit come with Zeiss lenses?
Yes. The telephoto and wide-angle lenses are Zeiss-certified with T* coating for minimal flare and excellent sharpness.
Q2: Can the Vivo X300 Pro shoot in RAW?
Absolutely. It supports RAW and DNG 14-bit output for full post-production flexibility.
Q3: Is the photography kit included in all regions?
Availability may vary. Some regions sell the kit as a bundle, while others offer it as an optional add-on.
Q4: How does the Pro Grip connect?
It connects via Bluetooth 5.3, providing a physical shutter button, zoom dial, and customizable shortcut keys.