Vivo X300 Review: The Compact Flagship Experience

With most brands chasing bigger displays and larger batteries, compact flagship phones are becoming rare in India. However, Vivo has a slightly different story to tell with phones like the Vivo X200 FE, and now the current Vivo X300 is still featuring a compact form factor.

Powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9500, featuring a premium camera setup, strong battery life, and a compact form factor, the Vivo X300 promises flagship performance in a smaller body. But do all these claims hold up in real-world usage?

After using the phone for more than two weeks, here’s our detailed Vivo X300 review.

Also See: OnePlus 15 Review: Missing That “Flagship” Spark

Vivo X300: Specs That Matter

Display6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED, 10-bit, HDR10+, 4500 nits
ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9500
Rear Cameras200 MP (Primary) + 50 MP (Ultra-wide) + 50 MP (3X Telephoto)
Front Camera50 MP
Battery6040 mAh
Charging90W wired, 45W wireless
OSAndroid 16 with Origin OS
ProtectionIP68 & IP69 rating
Fingerprint SensorUltrasonic (in-display)

Design

The Vivo X300 immediately stands out because of its compact and premium design. The glass back and front, combined with aluminum edges and rounded corners, make it very comfortable to use with one hand. The phone is clearly designed for users who prefer compact devices.

Vivo X300 Review Design

There is no curved display here, which is a big plus. The flat display adds to the clean and premium feel, and well, it’s also easier to maintain. At the same time, the circular camera module looks stylish, and surprisingly, it doesn’t protrude much. And if you ask me, compared to phones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, the Vivo X300 feels better balanced.

Another big plus point is the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which works reliably even with wet hands. You also get IP68 & IP69 water and dust resistance, which is excellent for a compact flagship phone.

Also See: Moto Edge 60 Fusion Review: The Best Budget Smartphone in India?

Display

Moving on to the display, the Vivo X300 features a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display, which might feel small if you’re used to 6.7-inch screens. However, I can assure you when I say that the quality of the panel is top-notch.

Vivo X300 Review Display

With 4500 nits peak brightness, the outdoor visibility is excellent. We took it out under harsh sunlight, and we could see the content of the screen with no issues. At the same time, the HDR10+ support makes it great for binge-watching content across different platforms.

The best part is that the bezels are thin, and the overall viewing experience feels premium. In short, if you like compact phones, the display will not disappoint.

Audio

The Vivo X300 packs stereo speakers. However, due to the compact size, the sound output isn’t as powerful as some of the larger flagships in the same price segment or lower. On the bright side, the audio is clear, but the loudness and depth are slightly limited.

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This is one compromise that you’ll have to accept if you want a smaller phone.

Performance

Now, coming to performance, the phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, and overall performance is good. The new GPU delivers smooth visuals and good gaming performance.

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With that being said, because the phone is compact, it also likely has a smaller vapor chamber. During long gaming sessions (we played close to 40 minutes to over an hour), we noticed some heating and throttling issues. At the same time, the small screen makes games like PUBG feel slightly cramped.

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Although the Vivo X300 is not a gaming focused phone but for casual to moderate gaming, it performs well. Everyday tasks, 4K video playback, and general usage are handled without any issues.

Camera

The camera is perhaps one of the strongest suits of the Vivo X300, and the company has clearly not compromised. The 200 MP primary camera delivers excellent detail and natural colors, especially in daylight. Portraits look sharp, skin tones are well balanced, and there is no aggressive over-processing.

It comes with a 50 MP 3X telephoto lens, which is a highlight. Zoom shots look crisp and natural, also the portraits taken using the telephoto lens are impressive. The ultra wide camera also performs well with consistent color accuracy.

Vivo X300 Review Camera Performance1
Vivo X300 Review Camera Performance2
Vivo X300 Review Camera Performance3
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In low light, the camera maintains good detail with minimal noise, which is a huge plus. Night photos look natural, without excessive brightening, and their dynamic range is well controlled. Plus, scenes retain a realistic night time feel which gives a natural look.

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For videos, the Vivo X300 supports up to 4K at 120 FPS. While the phone does get slightly warm during extended 4K recording, the performance is reliable. Lens switching is smooth with minimal color shifting. Overall, video quality is almost on par with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.

Software

The phone runs on Android 16 with Origin OS, and the UI offers plenty of features and customization options. There is some bloatware present, but that said, this is nothing unexpected.

Vivo has added many useful features, which we’ll cover in a separate, detailed software-focused article.

Battery & Charging

Despite its compact size, the Vivo X300 packs a 6040 mAh battery, which is impressive. During my time with it, the phone could easily see me through a full day. And with lighter use, it stretched to a day and a half.

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At the same time, charging is fast with 90W wired charging and 45W wireless charging, including pass-through charging support. In short, battery performance is one of the strongest points of this phone.

Pricing

The Vivo X300 is positioned as a premium flagship. The Pro variant goes close to INR 1 lakh, but the base variant, with discounts, comes down to just under INR 70,000.

There is also an optional Zoom kit available, which we haven’t reviewed yet, but some of the early impressions from other reviews look promising.

Conclusion

So this concludes our Vivo X300 review. In short, it is a compact flagship smartphone that delivers great cameras, a premium display, strong battery life, and a reliable performance.

If you want a huge display, loud speakers, or plan to game for hours, this phone may not be for you. But if you prefer a one handed, compact premium smartphone, then Vivo X300 is one of the best options available right now.

Pros
  • Compact and premium design
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Bright & high-quality AMOLED display
  • Strong battery life with fast charging
  • IP68 & IP69 rating
Cons
  • Stereo speakers could be louder
  • Not ideal for long gaming sessions
  • Negative
  • The compact screen may feel small for gamers

With this phone, Vivo has once again proven that compact phones don’t have to compromise on flagship features.

Ashish Mundhra

Ashish brings more than 15 years of hands-on experience across Android, Windows, iOS, and Linux. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Lifehacker, and other top technology publications. Known for testing quirky, niche, and emerging gadgets, he helps readers cut through the hype and spend wisely. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering and has previously served as a Team Lead at IBM.

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