Vivo X300 Pro 5G Review: The New King of Portrait Photography or Just Another Flagship?

A definitive deep-dive into the Elite Black 16GB/512GB unit, analyzing the Zeiss optics, Dimensity 9500 performance, and whether the ₹1.1 Lakh price tag is justified for the Indian consumer.

The Vivo X300 Pro 5G is not merely a smartphone; it is a dedicated camera system attached to a high-performance computer. At a price point exceeding ₹1,00,000, it competes directly with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro. For the Indian market, where “value” is driven by feature density, the X300 Pro makes a compelling case through its massive 6,500mAh silicon-carbon battery and industry-leading telephoto macro capabilities. However, the software experience remains its Achilles’ heel.

Design and Display: The “Elite Black” Aesthetic

The Elite Black variant uses a fluorite AG glass finish. Unlike glossy backs that attract fingerprints in Indian humidity, this matte finish feels premium and resists smudges.

• Ergonomics: At 226g, this is a heavy device. The circular camera module (The “Solar Halo” design) is enormous, causing the phone to tilt top-heavy. You will need the included case to balance it on a table.
• Visuals: The 6.78-inch Quad-Curved LTPO AMOLED panel pushes 6000 nits of peak brightness. In direct Indian sunlight (approx. 100,000 lux), readability is flawless. The 120Hz refresh rate is adaptive, dropping to 1Hz to save power.

Deep Tech Insight: The display uses 2160Hz High-Frequency PWM dimming, which significantly reduces eye strain during low-light usage, a critical feature for users who consume content late at night.

Performance: The MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Reality

Indian consumers often prefer Snapdragon, but the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 in the X300 Pro proves that bias is outdated.

• Benchmarks: In multi-core processing, the Dimensity 9500 outperforms the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 equivalent in sustained workloads.
• Gaming: Titles like BGMI and Genshin Impact run at a consistent 90FPS/120FPS without throttling.
• Thermal Management: Vivo’s V3+ imaging chip acts as a co-processor, offloading display rendering and image processing. This keeps the device temperature below 42°C even during 4K video recording in Delhi’s 35°C ambient heat.

The Selling Point: ZEISS Camera System

This is why you buy this phone. The collaboration with ZEISS is not just branding; it is deep hardware integration.

1. The 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto

This is the standout feature. Unlike standard periscopes, the APO (Apochromatic) lens corrects color fringing.

• The “Portrait” Look: At 3.7x and 10x hybrid zoom, the background separation looks optical, not digital. It replicates the creamy bokeh of a DSLR 85mm lens.
• Telemacro: You can focus on objects just 15cm away while using Zoom. This is revolutionary for flower, insect, or product photography.

2. The 1-Inch Main Sensor

The primary 50MP sensor (likely the Sony LYT-900 series) captures immense dynamic range. In high-contrast scenes (like a sunset over a building), it preserves shadow details without blowing out the highlights.

3. Video Capabilities

The device supports 4K Cinematic Portrait Video, which automatically shifts focus between subjects. However, the stabilization at 8K recording still trails behind the iPhone.

Battery Life: Silicon-Carbon Revolution

The 6,510mAh battery is a game-changer. By using Silicon-Carbon anode technology, Vivo has packed more capacity into a thinner profile.

• Real World Usage: 1.5 days of heavy usage (5G data, navigation, photography).
• Charging: The 90W FlashCharge fills the tank in roughly 35 minutes.
• Cold Weather Tech: This battery chemistry is resistant to extreme cold, ensuring the phone doesn’t die instantly if you take it on a trip to Ladakh or Kashmir.

The Problem: Funtouch OS 16

Despite the premium hardware, the software experience is a mixed bag for a ₹1 Lakh+ device.

• Bloatware: While reduced, “Hot Apps” and “Hot Games” folders still appear during setup. This is unacceptable at this price tier.
• Updates: Vivo promises 3 major Android updates, but their rollout speed in India often lags behind Samsung and Google.

Financial Analysis: The “No Cost EMI” Trap vs. Value

The costs are approx ₹1,09,999.

• Why the EMI Offers Matter: Banks and Amazon offer 12-month No Cost EMIs, effectively reducing the monthly burden to roughly ₹9,166.
• Exchange Math: Vivo often offers an “exchange bonus” of ₹5,000-₹8,000 on top of the value of your old phone. If you trade in a 2-year-old flagship (e.g., S23 Ultra), you could knock ₹45,000 off the price, bringing the effective cost to roughly ₹65,000.
• Is it worth it? Only if you factor in the exchange bonus. Buying this at full MRP is difficult to justify when the S25 Ultra offers better resale value.

Final Verdict

Buy the Vivo X300 Pro 5G if:

1. You are a Creator: The 4K cinematic video and mic capabilities are studio-grade.
2. You Prioritize Portraits: No other phone currently handles skin tones and bokeh fall-off better than the Zeiss system.
3. Battery Anxiety is Real: The 6,510mAh cell is currently the category leader.

Skip the Vivo X300 Pro 5G if

1. You need a Clean UI: Funtouch OS is feature-rich but lacks the polish of OneUI or iOS.
2. Resale Value Matters: Vivo flagships depreciate faster in the Indian second-hand market than Apple or Samsung devices.
3. Weight is an Issue: It is bulky and heavy in the pocket.

FAQ