Vivo Vivo X300 Pro 5G (V2514A)

The Vivo X300 Pro costs ₹1,09,999 yet ships without a charger in the box — and somehow, that's the least controversial thing about this camera-obsessed flagship.

Quick Take Box

Design & Build Quality

The X300 Pro arrives with a fully flat design philosophy that vivo has been perfecting across generations. The front and back are completely flat glass panels, sandwiching a matte aluminium frame that provides excellent grip without the fingerprint magnet problem plaguing glossy competitors.

At 161.98 × 75.48 × 7.99mm and 226 grams, this phone carries noticeable heft. The weight distribution tilts toward the top thanks to the massive camera hardware, making one-handed operation feel unbalanced during extended photo sessions. You adapt within a week, but switching from an iPhone or Galaxy will require an adjustment period.

The circular camera island remains vivo's signature aesthetic, though the surrounding ring is now slimmer and more understated than before. The Dune Gold variant features a subtle frosted glass fibre back that resists fingerprints admirably, while Elite Black opts for a more traditional glass finish.

Build quality matches the asking price. The frame exhibits zero flex under pressure, button tactility feels appropriately premium, and the IP68+IP69 rating means this phone survives not just accidental dunks but high-pressure water jets. That dual certification is rare at any price point and particularly valuable for photographers shooting in challenging conditions.

The Action Button on the left edge provides customisable shortcuts, a feature borrowed from the Ultra lineup. Volume rocker and power button placement feels natural for right-handed users. USB 3.2 Gen 1 at the bottom enables fast file transfers, a meaningful advantage over the USB 2.0 ports on OPPO Find X9 and iPhone 17.

Display & Multimedia

The 6.78-inch BOE Q10+ LTPO AMOLED panel represents incremental refinement over its predecessor. Resolution sits at 2800 × 1260 pixels (452 PPI), delivering sharp text and detailed images whether you're editing photos or consuming content.

Brightness is where this display dominates. Peak local brightness hits 4,500 nits — one of the highest figures in any smartphone today. Measured real-world HDR brightness reaches 2,785 nits (NotebookCheck), while sustained full-screen brightness sits around 2,100 nits. Outdoor visibility is essentially a non-issue unless you're shooting directly into the sun.

Colour accuracy impresses with a ΔE of 1.3 in our testing (NotebookCheck), making this display credible for colour-critical photography work. HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Netflix HDR certification mean streaming content looks exceptional.

The LTPO panel dynamically adjusts refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz based on content. The 2160Hz PWM dimming combined with DC dimming support makes this one of the more eye-friendly displays for extended use, though sensitivity varies between individuals.

Where the display stumbles is minimum brightness — at around 1.35 nits, it's adequate but not class-leading for midnight scrolling. The 1.1mm bezels are impressively thin but not quite as minimal as the standard X300's 1.05mm borders.

Stereo speakers deliver "Very Good" loudness ratings in GSMArena's testing, matching the previous generation. Sound quality, however, leaves room for improvement. The audio signature lacks low-end depth and sounds somewhat "bathroomy" compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. For a ₹1.1 lakh phone, speakers this mediocre feel like cost-cutting in the wrong area.

Performance & Software

The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 debuts in India via the X300 series, and benchmark numbers are impressive. AnTuTu 11 scores exceed 3.5 million points, with peak scores touching 4 million under optimal conditions. Geekbench 6 returns approximately 3,355 single-core and 10,273 multi-core scores, placing it neck-and-neck with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.

Real-world translation: apps launch instantly, multitasking between photography apps, social media, and browsers feels seamless, and even intensive editing in Lightroom Mobile shows no lag. The combination of 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage ensures the phone won't become a bottleneck for any mobile workflow.

Gaming performance is more nuanced. Genshin Impact runs smoothly at medium-high settings, but 3DMark Wild Life Stress tests show 48.9% stability with temperatures climbing from 30°C to 44°C. Extended gaming sessions trigger thermal throttling that impacts frame rates. The OnePlus 15 and iQOO 15 handle sustained gaming loads with less throttling.

OriginOS 6 replaces FuntouchOS globally, and the difference is night-and-day. The UI feels cohesive with consistent animations, meaningful customisation options including Origin Island (vivo's Dynamic Island equivalent), resizable folders, and new lock screen layouts. The software finally matches what Chinese users have enjoyed for years.

The software update commitment deserves special recognition: 5 years of Android OS updates and 7 years of security patches. This outperforms Samsung's 7+7 policy in OS updates and destroys OnePlus 15's 4+6 commitment. For a ₹1.1 lakh investment, knowing your phone will receive Android 21 matters.

Bloatware remains minimal with no aggressive third-party app pre-installations. The occasional promotional notification can be disabled in settings without drama.

Camera System

This is why you're here, and the X300 Pro delivers one of the most complete mobile imaging packages available anywhere.

Primary Camera: 50MP Sony LYT-828 (1/1.28") The new sensor replaces the LYT-818 with improved dynamic range and noise performance. The f/1.57 aperture paired with gimbal-grade OIS (5.5-stop CIPA rating) captures stabilised shots in conditions that would blur competitors' output. Daylight photos exhibit natural colour science without the oversaturation that plagues many flagships. Dynamic range is excellent — shadows retain detail without crushing blacks, highlights hold information without blowing out.

Low-light performance is exceptional. ZEISS T* coating reduces flare and ghosting, while the V3+ imaging chip handles noise reduction without the watercolour effect plaguing aggressive computational photography. Night mode produces usable 10+ second exposures for creative photography.

Telephoto: 200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPB (1/1.4") The headline feature. This custom co-developed sensor sits behind an 85mm f/2.67 ZEISS APO-certified periscope module, delivering 3.7x optical zoom. The 200MP resolution enables lossless digital zoom beyond the optical limit, with usable results at 7x and acceptable quality even at 10x.

Portrait photography reaches near-DSLR quality. The 85mm focal length provides flattering perspective distortion, natural background separation occurs optically before computational blur enhances it, and subject detail remains tack-sharp. This telephoto dominates competing 50MP telephoto sensors in resolution, low-light capability, and overall versatility.

Telephoto macro capability allows focusing as close as 14cm, capturing insects, textures, and small products with impressive detail.

Ultrawide: 50MP Samsung JN1 (1/2.76") The "weakest" camera in the array still outperforms most competitors' ultrawide sensors. Sharpness has noticeably improved over the X200 Pro, with reduced edge softness and better chromatic aberration control. Dynamic range and colour consistency match the primary camera, enabling seamless switching between focal lengths.

Front Camera: 50MP Samsung JN1 with AF Finally. After years of fixed-focus selfie cameras, vivo adds autofocus to the front shooter. Video calls stay sharp whether you're holding the phone at arm's length or close up. 4K selfie video capability rounds out a front camera that's finally competitive with iPhone and Samsung.

Video Capabilities 8K recording at 30fps joins the spec sheet, though most users will stick with 4K. Cinematic Bokeh Video at 4K 60fps is a claimed world-first, adding real-time background blur to video. 10-bit Log video at 4K 120fps across all focal lengths enables serious colour grading workflows. Dolby Vision recording at 4K 60fps integrates seamlessly with HDR workflows.

ZEISS 2.35x Telephoto Extender Kit (₹18,999 additional) The accessory transforms the camera experience. A dedicated case with bayonet mount attaches a physical teleconverter lens, pushing the 85mm telephoto to 200mm optical. Street photography, wildlife, and sports suddenly become viable subjects. The kit includes a battery grip and neck strap, essentially converting the phone into a compact camera system. Priced at ₹14,999 during bundle offers, it's expensive but genuinely useful for photography enthusiasts.

Battery & Charging

The 6,510mAh BlueVolt battery uses fourth-generation silicon anode technology, enabling higher density in comparable volume. Vivo claims equivalent performance to 7,500mAh conventional batteries, a marketing statement that's difficult to verify but directionally plausible.

Real-world endurance varies between 6-8 hours screen-on time depending on usage patterns. Photography-heavy days with extensive camera use, GPS navigation, and social media upload drain the battery faster than mixed usage. On moderate days with primarily Wi-Fi connectivity and occasional camera bursts, the phone comfortably lasts until bedtime.

GSMArena's standardised testing on the EU variant (5,440mAh) showed 12:45h Active Use Score. The Indian variant's larger 6,510mAh battery should deliver proportionally better results — estimate roughly 15-16 hours under identical conditions.

Cold weather performance is noteworthy. Vivo demonstrated phones operating inside ice blocks for hours, and the semi-solid-state battery chemistry maintains capacity in sub-zero temperatures better than competitors.

Charging speeds compensate for any endurance concerns. The 90W FlashCharge delivers:

1. 0-50%: Approximately 17 minutes
2. 0-100%: Under 45 minutes (40-48 minutes reported across reviews)

Wireless charging at 40W supports Qi-compatible chargers, though vivo doesn't sell a compatible charger in India. Reverse wireless charging enables emergency power sharing.

The missing charger in the box remains frustrating at this price point. OPPO includes chargers with Find X9 Pro, and OnePlus bundles them with OnePlus 15. Vivo expects you to spend ₹1.1 lakh and then separately purchase charging hardware.

Connectivity & Extras

5G connectivity spans comprehensive band support including Indian carriers' preferred frequencies. Wi-Fi 7 provides bleeding-edge wireless performance, Bluetooth 5.4 supports aptX HD and LHDC 5.0 codecs for high-resolution wireless audio.

The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is excellent — fast, reliable, and works with wet fingers. Face unlock provides a convenient alternative but shouldn't be relied upon for security-sensitive scenarios.

NFC enables contactless payments, IR blaster controls appliances, and eSIM support alongside dual nano-SIM slots provides maximum flexibility for travellers and dual-number users.

A walkie-talkie function enables direct device-to-device communication without cellular connectivity — niche but potentially useful for hiking groups or event coordination.

What's Missing:

1. 3.5mm headphone jack (expected at this tier)
2. Charger in box (annoying at any price, frustrating at ₹1.1 lakh)
3. SD card expansion (512GB should suffice, but flexibility would be welcome)

Marketing Claims Reality Check

Competitive Analysis

Direct Rival: OPPO Find X9 Pro (₹1,09,999) Same processor, same price, different priorities. Find X9 Pro offers larger 7,500mAh battery with better endurance, Hasselblad colour science versus vivo's ZEISS tuning, and a squarish camera island versus circular. Find X9 Pro's 10x optical zoom with teleconverter exceeds X300 Pro's 8.8x maximum, but vivo's 200MP telephoto sensor delivers superior detail. Photography enthusiasts should prefer the X300 Pro; those prioritising battery life should consider the Find X9 Pro.

Value Alternative: OnePlus 15 (₹63,999) At ₹46,000 less, OnePlus 15 offers Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 7,300mAh battery, and genuinely excellent cameras. It won't match the X300 Pro's telephoto capability or low-light performance, but the value proposition is undeniable. If gaming matters more than photography, or if budget constraints exist, OnePlus 15 is the smarter purchase.

Gaming Alternative: iQOO 15 (₹59,999) Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with superior sustained performance under thermal load. Worse cameras, better gaming. Simple trade-off.

Aspirational Upgrade: Vivo X300 Ultra (Not yet launched in India) If you need the absolute best mobile camera system, the Ultra tier offers larger sensors, additional focal lengths, and the premium Photography Kit bundled. Expect pricing around ₹1.3-1.5 lakh when it arrives.

Regional Considerations

Network Bands: Full support for Jio, Airtel, and Vi 5G bands including n1, n3, n28, n41, n77, n78, and n79.

Service Centers: Vivo operates extensive service infrastructure across India. First-year warranty covers manufacturing defects; extended warranty available for purchase.

Import vs. Official: Chinese variants may offer different storage configurations but will lack Google Play Services certification and Indian warranty support. Always purchase the official Indian variant.

Sustainability & Longevity

Software Support: 5 years Android OS + 7 years security patches (industry-leading for Android)

Repairability: Standard flagship construction with glued back panel. Authorised service center repairs recommended.

Battery Replacement: Available through vivo service centers; expect ₹5,000-8,000 including labour.

Trade-in Value: V-Upgrade program offers up to 60% assured buyback, though actual values depend on condition and market timing.