Key Facts: Vivo’s upcoming X300 Pro is poised to be a mobile imaging powerhouse, featuring a custom MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chipset with Vivo’s new V3+ imaging co-processor, a cutting-edge Zeiss-powered triple camera system (including a 50 MP Sony LYT-828 main sensor and a 200 MP periscope telephoto lens), and unprecedented 4K 120 fps video recording with 10-bit Log and Dolby Vision HDR support notebookcheck.net innogyan.in. The device offers a large 6.78-inch 2K AMOLED display (flat design) with 120 Hz adaptive refresh, is fueled by a massive battery (around 6,500 mAh with 90 W fast charging), and runs the latest Android 16 (OriginOS 6). Vivo is heavily teasing this flagship’s cinematic videography features – including the world’s first 4K/60 fps portrait video mode and 4K/120 fps slow-motion capture – aiming to outclass rivals like Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Xiaomi’s Ultra series in the mobile photography & videography arms race notebookcheck.net innogyan.in.
Vivo X300 Pro at a Glance: Specifications
To understand the X300 Pro’s capabilities, here’s an overview of its key specifications and features:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Chipset & Performance | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 (5G flagship SoC) – debuting on the X300 series, with an ISP V3+ chip for advanced imaging gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. In early benchmarks it tops 4 million AnTuTu points, rivaling the fastest Snapdragon chips gizmochina.com. |
| Memory & Storage | Up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB internal storage (UFS 4.0), ensuring smooth multitasking and ample space gizmochina.com. |
| Display | 6.78‑inch flat AMOLED, 2K resolution (≈1440p) at 1–120 Hz LTPO adaptive refresh for fluid visuals heyupnow.com gizmochina.com. Ultra-high 1440 Hz PWM dimming reduces flicker for comfortable viewing. The X300 Pro’s screen has ultra-thin bezels and polished curved corners for ergonomics gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. |
| Battery & Charging | Approximately 6,500 mAh battery, providing all-day (potentially multi-day) use gizmochina.com. Supports 90 W wired fast charging (full charge in ~30 minutes expected) and 50 W wireless charging gizmochina.com. (Early rumors suggested up to 120 W charging, but certification data indicates 90 W) notebookcheck.net. |
| Main Camera | 50 MP Sony LYT-828 primary sensor (1/1.28-inch) with large pixels and f/1.57 aperture notebookcheck.net gizmochina.com. Features gimbal-grade stabilization (CIPA 5.5-stop OIS) for ultra-steady shots gizmochina.com and Zeiss T✻ lens coating for reduced flare notebookcheck.net. This new LYTIA sensor (successor to the LYT-818 in the X200 Pro) is tuned for high dynamic range and low noise, capturing “significantly more dynamic” photos than its predecessor notebookcheck.net. |
| Periscope Telephoto | 200 MP periscope telephoto lens (Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor) with OIS gizmochina.com and Zeiss APO optics. Believed to offer a long optical zoom (approx. 5×) while maintaining extreme detail – Vivo even demonstrated that you can zoom deep into a 200MP telephoto shot with minimal loss of clarity notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net. A special “telephoto macro” mode lets this lens focus up close for detailed macro shots using the zoom optics gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 50 MP ultra-wide shooter (rumored Samsung JN1/JN5 sensor) for expansive shots gizmochina.com. Expected to include autofocus for macro capability and carry Zeiss T✻ anti-reflective coating like the other lenses, ensuring consistent color and clarity across focal lengths. |
| Front Camera | 50 MP front-facing camera with a wide 92° field of view notebookcheck.net. Features autofocus for sharp selfies and vlog videos, and a larger sensor than previous generations, making the X300 series well-suited for high-quality self-portraits and video calls notebookcheck.net gizmochina.com. |
| Videography Capabilities | 4K @ 60 fps Portrait Video – a world-first smartphone feature enabling cinematic background blur and portrait effects in 4K resolution notebookcheck.net. 4K @ 120 fps Slow-Motion – ultra-high-frame-rate video at full 4K for detailed slow-motion playback notebookcheck.net. Supports 10-bit Log recording and Dolby Vision HDR even at 4K/120 fps, giving pro-level dynamic range and color grading flexibility on a phone notebookcheck.net innogyan.in. Advanced EIS+OIS stabilization and focus tracking are built-in for smooth, sharp footage notebookcheck.net innogyan.in. (See detailed section on camera features below.) |
| Imaging Software | Co-engineered with Zeiss: Zeiss color science and portrait styles (e.g. “Cool Gel” and “Negative” cinematic filters for portraits) are integrated innogyan.in. Vivo V3+ ISP enables real-time processing like facial detail enhancement, depth-based subject segmentation, and Hybrid Frame HDR up to 100 dB dynamic range (for challenging lighting) gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. A dedicated “Stage Mode” helps capture concerts or performances with consistent exposure and color across changing lighting innogyan.in. The camera app also provides pro controls and even supports the ACES color workflow for Log video, with live LUT previews (so creators can monitor a graded image while recording flat Log footage) innogyan.in. |
| Build & Design | Premium build with metal frame (rumored aerospace-grade titanium alloy for strength) and glass/vegan leather back. Vivo has confirmed the Pro model uses a flat display (unlike past curved designs) with very slim bezels and a refined ergonomic shape gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. Despite the large battery and screen, it’s said to be lighter and slimmer than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, thanks to design optimizations gizmochina.com. The camera module continues Vivo’s signature circular lens cluster co-branded with Zeiss. |
| OS & Features | Android 16 with OriginOS 6 (in China) gizmochina.com gizmochina.com; likely a global variant with Funtouch OS later. Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader for fast unlocking gizmochina.com. Full suite of connectivity: dual 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, etc., plus Beidou satellite messaging support in some versions for off-grid communication gizmochina.com. Stereo speakers, NFC, and an IP68 water resistance rating (expected, based on flagship norms) round out the package. |
Table: Key specifications of the Vivo X300 Pro (based on official teasers and leaks).
Camera Hardware: Zeiss-Co Engineered System Pushing Boundaries
The Vivo X300 Pro’s camera setup represents a bold fusion of high-end hardware and optical engineering. At its heart is a 50 MP Sony LYT-828 main sensor, a large 1/1.28″ imager paired with a bright f/1.57 aperture lens notebookcheck.net. Though slightly smaller in size than the 1″ sensors seen in some competitors, this custom LYTIA sensor is tuned for superior dynamic range and low-light performance notebookcheck.net. Vivo claims it’s the direct successor to the LYT-818 used in the X200 Pro, offering “significantly more dynamic shots” with richer detail in highlights and shadows notebookcheck.net. The lens uses Zeiss T✻ anti-reflective coating to minimize flares and ghosting, and it’s stabilized with a gimbal-grade OIS module rated to 5.5 stops (CIPA) of shake reduction gizmochina.com. This means the X300 Pro can capture sharp, blur-free images even in very low light or while on the move.
Alongside the main camera, Vivo has outfitted the X300 Pro with an extraordinary periscope telephoto camera. Unusually, this telephoto uses a massive 200 MP sensor (Samsung’s ISOCELL HPB) – a resolution far beyond typical zoom lenses gizmochina.com. This sensor is likely leveraged to perform both optical and lossless digital zoom (by cropping into the 200MP frame) for maximum versatility. The periscope optics (arranged sideways inside the phone) are co-developed with Zeiss and use an APO (apochromatic) design, which reduces chromatic aberration for cleaner long-distance shots notebookcheck.net gizmochina.com. While Vivo hasn’t officially stated the exact optical zoom level, it’s expected to be around 5× optical zoom (given the periscope design), covering far-field photography like wildlife or sports. Impressively, this telephoto also supports an innovative “telephoto macro” mode – meaning it can focus at close range to capture tiny subjects with a flattering telephoto perspective gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. In demonstrations, Vivo showed that a 200 MP telephoto shot from the X300 Pro can be zoomed into dramatically with minimal loss of detail notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net, showcasing the benefit of such a high-resolution lens for both distant and macro photography.
The third lens in the triad is expected to be a 50 MP ultra-wide camera (likely using Samsung’s JN1 or JN5 sensor) gizmochina.com. This will let users capture expansive landscapes or tight interior shots, and if equipped with autofocus (as rumors suggest), it could double as a super macro shooter for extreme close-ups. With ~115° field of view and Zeiss tuning, the ultra-wide should maintain consistency in color and quality with the other cameras. All three rear lenses are expected to benefit from Zeiss’s imaging expertise – from T✻ coatings to color calibration and the beloved Zeiss portrait bokeh styles (simulating effects of Zeiss lenses). In fact, Vivo has included two new creative color modes for portraiture – “Cool Gel” and “Negative” – which are tailored for vloggers and offer stylized cinematic looks right out of camera innogyan.in.
On the front, the X300 Pro has a 50 MP selfie camera that eclipses most rivals in sheer resolution. It boasts a 92° wide-angle field of view to fit more into frame notebookcheck.net, and crucially, it has autofocus – ensuring crisp selfies at varying distances (many phones fix-focus their front cameras). This high-resolution, wide-angle front camera makes the X300 Pro ideal for 4K selfie videos, group selfies, and even vlogging, since it can keep the subject sharp and handle a range of lighting conditions. Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss likely extends here too, promising natural skin tones and refined image processing for the front shooter.
Underpinning all of this hardware is Vivo’s dual imaging chip architecture. The V3+ ISP (Image Signal Processor) works in tandem with the Dimensity 9500 SoC to handle the heavy lifting of image and video processing gizmochina.com. Vivo has years of experience developing custom ISPs, and in this generation they’ve included not just the V3+, but also a secondary “VS1” imaging chip gizmochina.com (the exact function of which hasn’t been fully detailed – it could be for video stabilization or image storage). This dual-chip setup allows advanced real-time computations: for example, real-time AI segmentation in video (to separate subjects from background for portrait video), ultra-fast autofocus across all cameras, and multi-frame HDR merging for every shot. Vivo’s Product Manager Han Boxiao shared that the X300 series uses a new hybrid frame HDR technique reaching up to 100 dB dynamic range – capturing scenes with extreme contrast (like backlit portraits or night cityscapes) with balanced exposure and rich detail in both shadows and highlights gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. In practical terms, 100 dB translates to about 16 stops of dynamic range, approaching what professional cameras can do.
Equally important, Vivo emphasizes that its push to high megapixel counts isn’t just spec-sheet flaunting, but a deliberate strategy refined over four generations of development innogyan.in innogyan.in. The 200 MP sensors used in the X300 series (in the Pro’s telephoto and the standard X300’s main camera) benefit from lessons learned since Vivo’s first 100+MP experiments. Vivo’s engineers claim to have tamed issues like noise, small pixel low-light weaknesses, and overly artificial sharpening that earlier high-megapixel phones suffered innogyan.in innogyan.in. Real-world sample images from the X300 (standard model) demonstrate impressively natural results: “skin tones appear natural with studio-grade depth, while magnified crops reveal individual eyelashes and fibers… avoiding artificial oversharpening by leveraging native resolution for clarity” innogyan.in. In essence, Vivo is combining huge resolution with optical and computational finesse – large aperture lenses, advanced stabilization, multi-frame processing – to ensure those megapixels translate into real image quality improvements. This holistic approach is what Vivo hopes will set the X300 Pro apart in the current camera phone landscape.
Cinematic Video: 4K 120 fps and Beyond, a New Benchmark
If still photography is one pillar of the X300 Pro, videography is the other where Vivo is breaking new ground. Most flagship phones in 2023 could record at 4K 60 fps and perhaps 120 fps at lower resolutions – but the Vivo X300 Pro takes it to a new level with its ability to capture 4K video at 120 frames per second. This high frame rate at ultra-high resolution means you can slow footage down 4× and still have crisp 4K detail, enabling stunning slow-motion scenes without sacrificing quality innogyan.in. Vivo calls this “cinematic slow motion” and emphasizes that each frame carries full resolution and sharpness with no interpolation innogyan.in. For action shots, sports, or any fast motion, this is a game-changer – imagine silky-smooth 120 fps video of a skateboard trick or a water splash, then turning it into a dramatic 30 fps slow-mo clip in post while retaining 4K clarity.
What’s even more impressive, the X300 Pro doesn’t dumb these modes down in terms of color or dynamic range. Vivo’s team managed to enable 10-bit Log encoding and Dolby Vision HDR even at the 4K/120 fps setting notebookcheck.net. This is unprecedented on a phone – even professional mirrorless cameras struggle to combine high frame rates with HDR Log recording due to the massive data rates required. In the X300 Pro, you can shoot in a Log profile (10-bit) which captures a flat, low-contrast image preserving maximum dynamic range and color information (ideal for color grading in editing) notebookcheck.net. Creators will appreciate that Vivo supports industry-standard ACES workflow and provides a real-time Rec.709 preview on screen even as you record Log footage innogyan.in. This means you see a normal-looking image while filming (so you can judge exposure and color), but the file recorded is Log, ready for professional post-processing. Additionally, enabling Dolby Vision HDR at 4K/120 fps means the X300 Pro can capture ultra-smooth video with an extended tonal range – highlights and shadows are preserved for a vivid HDR result on compatible displays innogyan.in. Footage shot in this mode will have that “pop” and depth when viewed on an HDR screen, with bright highlights and deep blacks beyond standard video’s capabilities.
Another headline feature is “Cinematic Portrait Video” at 4K/60 fps notebookcheck.net. Vivo claims the X300 series is the first to offer 4K resolution portrait-mode video, where the phone uses its depth mapping and AI to blur the background artistically behind your subject (akin to portrait mode in photos, but applied to video). At 60 fps and 4K, this mode is essentially bringing high-end movie-like bokeh to your video calls or vlogs, in real time. Vivo’s custom V3+ imaging chip is doing heavy lifting here: it performs real-time facial and object segmentation, keeping the subject sharp while applying a pleasing blur to the background innogyan.in. It even refines facial details so that the subject remains clear and well-exposed as the scene changes innogyan.in. This could be fantastic for creators who want a cinematic look – for instance, recording a talking-head video with a creamy background or focusing on a person in a busy environment. Vivo has included at least two dedicated portrait video styles (the aforementioned Cool Gel and Negative modes) which likely tune the color palette and depth of field to mimic specific film aesthetics innogyan.in.
Of course, capturing great video isn’t just about resolution and frame rate – stability and focus are critical. The X300 Pro addresses this with its enhanced stabilization system. Both the main and telephoto cameras have optical stabilization (OIS), and Vivo says they achieve CIPA 5.5-stop stabilization on those lenses, which is top-tier in phones innogyan.in. On top of that, improved EIS (electronic image stabilization) further smooths out walking or panning motions innogyan.in. The combination is akin to having a mini steady-cam or gimbal – hand-held footage should come out very steady even at 4K. Autofocus also gets an upgrade: Vivo mentions markedly faster and more accurate autofocus and zoom transitions on the X300 Pro innogyan.in. This means when you tap to focus or move between subjects, the camera locks on quickly without the hunting or delays that sometimes mar mobile videos. It’s especially important for 4K120, where each frame is super sharp – any focus error would be obvious. Vivo even updated a feature called Stage Mode for concert and stage recording innogyan.in. Stage Mode likely optimizes exposure when you’re filming performers under spotlights or in varying lighting, so the subject isn’t too dark or overexposed against tricky backgrounds. This kind of software tweak shows Vivo’s attention to real-world videography scenarios.
Collectively, these video capabilities aim to make the X300 Pro not just good at video, but a leader that “competes not only with rival flagships but increasingly with dedicated cameras.” innogyan.in. It’s telling that even Oppo (Vivo’s BBK sibling) has been teasing major video upgrades in its upcoming Find X9 series to rival the iPhone notebookcheck.net – there’s a trend in 2025 of Chinese manufacturers targeting Apple’s dominance in video. Vivo, for its part, has gone all-in on the creator-centric features: 4K120, Log, HDR, portrait modes, pro stabilization – these are the kind of specs you’d expect on a serious camera, not a phone. If these work as advertised, the X300 Pro could be a dream device for videographers and content creators who want to travel light.
How the X300 Pro Stacks Up Against Other Flagships
With such ambitious specs, Vivo is explicitly positioning the X300 Pro against the best phones from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and others. Vivo’s Han Boxiao has boldly claimed that the X300 Pro will outperform rivals like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra in video performance, while “directly challenging Apple” on its home turf of cinematography notebookcheck.net. Those are fighting words – so how does the X300 Pro compare to today’s flagship titans in the camera department?
- Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) – Apple’s top model introduced a 5× (120 mm) periscope tele lens and excels in video with very consistent output. It can shoot ProRes Log video too – but only up to 4K at 60 fps, and slow-motion tops out at 4K@60 or 1080p@240. By contrast, the Vivo X300 Pro’s ability to do 4K@120 Log and Dolby Vision gives it an edge in sheer video flexibility notebookcheck.net. The iPhone’s 48 MP main sensor (1/1.35″) is smaller and lower resolution than Vivo’s 50 MP 1/1.28″, though Apple’s color science and HDR processing are superb. Apple doesn’t chase high megapixels; its telephoto is only 12 MP, whereas Vivo’s is a whopping 200 MP – meaning the X300 Pro could capture far more detail in zoom shots. Where the iPhone shines is software synergy and ease of use – Apple’s video is “it just works.” Vivo is aiming to match that reliability while offering more pro features (manual controls, LUT preview, etc.) that the iPhone lacks. Both companies use their own image chips (Apple’s Photonic Engine vs Vivo’s V3+), and interestingly, both introduced Log video and support for external color workflows – indicating a converging focus on professional creators. In still photography, the iPhone 15 Pro Max produces excellent results but hasn’t pushed hardware boundaries (no 100+ MP sensors, no 10× zoom). The X300 Pro, with Zeiss cooperation, is pushing hardware and matching Apple on advanced software – a combination that could indeed challenge Apple’s long-held video crown if executed well.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (early 2024) – Although not released at the time of writing, the S24 Ultra is expected to iterate on the S23 Ultra’s system: likely a 200 MP main camera (Samsung’s own HP2 sensor) and multiple tele lenses (perhaps 3× and 10× optical) with around 10 MP resolution each, plus a 12 MP ultrawide. Samsung’s strength is in versatility: the S-series Ultra offers a zoom range up to 10× optical (and up to 100× digital) and usually excellent stabilization and night mode. However, Samsung has historically been conservative with video frame rates – typically 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps max, and slow-mo 1080p at 240 fps (or a gimmicky 960 fps at lower res). The X300 Pro’s dual 4K120fps (standard and slow-mo) at two focal lengths is something Samsung hasn’t offered x.com. Also, Samsung doesn’t provide a Log profile or Dolby Vision; their approach to HDR video (HDR10+) is more limited. On hardware, Vivo’s choice of a 200 MP periscope tele is radical – Samsung stuck with 10 MP for its periscope to keep pixel size large for low light. It will be interesting to see which approach yields better results: Samsung’s larger pixels vs Vivo’s sheer resolution. Samsung’s main 200 MP sensor is slightly bigger (1/1.3″) than Vivo’s 50 MP 1/1.28″, but Vivo’s sensor might have other advantages (like that 22 nm process tech and HDR mode). In terms of battery and charging, Vivo also pulls ahead (6500 mAh + 90W vs Samsung’s typical ~5000 mAh + 45W). Overall, Vivo seems to be taking a more specialized camera-centric approach, possibly at the expense of some extreme zoom range (if X300 Pro maxes at ~5× optical, Samsung offers 10×). But Vivo’s aim is to deliver higher quality across its zoom range, not just high numbers. If Han’s claims hold, the X300 Pro could produce better video than the Galaxy S24/S25 Ultra, especially in challenging scenarios or when post-processing is needed.
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra / 15 Ultra – Xiaomi’s Ultra flagships (the last was the 13 Ultra in 2023) have been known for pushing the envelope with imaging hardware. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra featured a 1-inch 50 MP main sensor (the Sony IMX989) and a unique quad camera setup (with two tele lenses for 3.2× and 5× zoom, all sensors 50 MP co-engineered with Leica). Xiaomi’s strength is that huge main sensor and Leica’s color tuning, producing gorgeous stills, especially in low light, with a more “DSLR-like” depth of field. The upcoming Xiaomi 14/15 Ultra is rumored to continue with a big 1″ sensor and possibly introduce a high-res telephoto (some rumors even mention a 200 MP periscope for Xiaomi as well) reddit.com. Vivo’s approach with the X300 Pro actually parallels Xiaomi’s in some ways: both are using multi-50MP+ sensors and partnering with renowned lens makers (Zeiss vs Leica) to fine-tune results. Where Vivo seems to be pulling ahead is in video: Xiaomi’s Ultra phones have generally decent video but haven’t introduced features like Log recording or 4K120 – they focus more on still photography prowess. For instance, Xiaomi’s 13 Ultra maxed out at 8K/24 and 4K/60 video, and while it produced nice footage, it lacked the advanced modes and color profiling that Vivo is offering. Vivo also benefits from the dedicated ISP, whereas Xiaomi relies on Qualcomm’s ISP plus Leica’s image processing tweaks. In summary, Vivo X300 Pro vs Xiaomi Ultra is a battle of titans in mobile imaging – Xiaomi might hold an edge in pure sensor size (if using 1″) and perhaps in some Leica-inspired photo styles, but Vivo is aiming to surpass in versatility and pro video. Notably, Vivo’s exec explicitly said X300 Pro beats the (upcoming) Xiaomi 15 Ultra in video performance notebookcheck.net. Time and testing will tell, but Vivo certainly isn’t shy about the comparison.
Beyond these, other competitors in 2025’s camera phone arena include Google’s Pixel series (known for computational photography, though Google hasn’t pushed hardware as far), Oppo Find X9 Pro (expected to share similar advances given BBK group collaboration), and Sony’s Xperia 1 V/2 (which target imaging enthusiasts but with a very different approach, e.g., manual controls and even a 1″ sensor in the Xperia Pro-I). Each has its niche: Pixel for point-and-shoot AI prowess, Sony for authentic camera-like experience, etc. Vivo’s goal with the X300 Pro is to cover all bases: top-tier hardware and top-tier computational features.
Early impressions from tech analysts suggest Vivo may indeed have a winner. NotebookCheck noted that “both Oppo and Vivo are gunning for Apple” in the video space this year notebookcheck.net, and Vivo’s strategy of combining high-spec sensors with unique video capabilities could give it an edge. The in-house V3+ chip is a differentiator that few competitors have – Apple has its own silicon, Google has its Tensor, but among Android OEMs Vivo (and maybe Xiaomi’s Surge co-processor) stand out in customizing the imaging pipeline. If the X300 Pro lives up to the hype, we could see it dethrone some of the usual champions in DXOMark rankings or real-world blind camera tests, especially in video and night photography. Reviewers will no doubt pit it against the iPhone 15/16 Pro Max and Galaxy Ultra in detailed comparisons. Vivo is clearly confident: calling its device “the new king of phone cameras” is a bold marketing stance, but not without merit given the specs.
Expert Commentary and Industry Outlook
Enthusiasm in the tech community is running high for the Vivo X300 Pro’s camera potential. Vivo’s product manager Han Boxiao has been actively teasing the device on social media since early September 2025, sharing sample images and technical details to build hype notebookcheck.net. His bold claims – like outperforming the best from Xiaomi, Samsung, and challenging Apple – underscore Vivo’s determination to be seen as the leader in smartphone imaging notebookcheck.net. Industry experts note that Vivo (along with other Chinese brands) has narrowed the traditional gap that Apple and Samsung held in video quality. “Vivo is clearly positioning itself at the forefront of mobile videography,” as one report concluded, pointing to the X300 Pro’s combination of 4K120 Log video and advanced stabilization as evidence innogyan.in.
Reviewers who have followed Vivo’s X-series evolution observe a pattern of innovation: Vivo was among the first to put a gimbal in a phone (X50 series), among the first with a 1″ sensor (X90 Pro+), and now the first with 4K portrait video and 4K120 Log. Tech journalists at NotebookCheck also remarked that this arms race in phone videography is a direct response to Apple’s advancements – with Oppo and Vivo eager to “surpass iPhones” in features that content creators care about notebookcheck.net. By integrating Dolby Vision HDR recording (a feature iPhones introduced in 2020) and going beyond it with higher frame rates, Vivo is effectively saying: why choose a phone like the iPhone 15 Pro Max for videography, when we offer more?
Camera enthusiasts are particularly intrigued by the X300 Pro’s unusual dual high-megapixel strategy (50 MP + 200 MP + 50 MP). On paper, it promises both incredible detail (for cropping and zoom) and excellent low-light performance (with pixel-binning and large sensor size). As one discussion noted, it’s an approach that could yield the best of both worlds – the 200 MP telephoto can act as multiple focal lengths in one (by cropping to simulate intermediate zoom steps), while the 50 MP main sensor keeps dynamic range high and noise low notebookcheck.net. However, some experts caution that execution is key: high resolution sensors require extremely fast processing to handle burst shooting and multi-frame noise reduction. This is where that new Dimensity 9500 and V3+ ISP will need to prove themselves. MediaTek’s flagship chip is making its debut here, and while early benchmarks are strong, real-world image processing speed (like how quickly the phone can snap HDR shots or process 4K120 video without overheating) will be something reviewers test.
There’s also excitement around the creator-centric software features. The inclusion of Log video and ACES color support on a smartphone is something usually discussed in pro video circles, not mobile – it indicates Vivo is targeting YouTubers, filmmakers, and artists who want a capable “B camera” in their pocket. We might see comparisons of X300 Pro footage graded alongside footage from mirrorless cameras, to truly judge if the phone can hold its own in semi-pro workflows. As one analyst quipped, modern phones like the X300 Pro are “narrowing the gap between consumer devices and professional imaging tools,” essentially becoming all-in-one creative platforms innogyan.in. This sentiment captures the broader industry trajectory: every year, the best smartphones get closer to being legitimate gear for professional content creation.
Release Timeline and Availability
Vivo is expected to officially unveil the X300 series in October 2025, with rumors pointing to an event on October 13, 2025 gizmochina.com gizmochina.com. The launch will likely take place in China first. Indeed, Chinese certification (3C) filings already listed the X300 Pro (model V2502A) in early September, confirming its 90W charger and indicating an imminent release notebookcheck.net. Following the chipset announcements in late September (MediaTek Dimensity 9500, which the X300 uses, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen3/“Elite 2” for others), a wave of flagship launches from Vivo, Oppo, OnePlus, Xiaomi, etc., is expected in October notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net.
For the China market, the X300 Pro (and its sibling X300) will likely go on sale by late October 2025, just in time for the holiday season. Vivo’s pattern in past years (with X-series launches) is to then follow with a global launch a few months later. According to NotebookCheck, the X300 Pro “is not expected to launch in Europe until 2026, or by the end of 2025 at the earliest.” notebookcheck.net In practical terms, that means international markets – including Europe and possibly select regions like India – might see the X300 series in Q1 2026. Vivo often uses different software (Funtouch OS) and slightly different naming for global versions, but it’s likely the X300 Pro will retain its name and specs if it goes global. One wrinkle is that sometimes Vivo’s absolute top model (like a “Pro+” or “Ultra”) stays China-only. However, this time the Pro is the flagship (there is talk of an X300 Ultra, but it might launch later or in limited quantities) notebookcheck.net. If the X300 Pro is the main star, Vivo has more incentive to release it widely.
Market availability beyond China will depend on region. Vivo has strong presence in parts of Asia (India, Southeast Asia) and has entered Europe in recent years (selling models like the X80 Pro, X90 Pro in some countries). Given the significant advancements here, they may want to showcase the X300 Pro globally to boost their premium brand image. We might see an announcement at a global tech expo or a separate event in early 2026 for Europe.
Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but based on past X-series pricing and the premium tech on board, expect the X300 Pro to be in ultra-flagship territory – likely around ¥6999–7999 in China (roughly $1000–1200 USD). If a global launch happens, European pricing could easily be 1200€ or more, given import costs and VAT. Vivo will be positioning it against the likes of iPhone Pro Max and Galaxy Ultra, so a four-figure price is probable. The standard X300 (with slightly lower specs like the 200 MP main sensor and smaller battery) will come in at a lower tier, perhaps around $800–900.
One interesting aspect is regional features: the X300 Pro is said to have a variant with Beidou satellite messaging gizmochina.com, which is likely only for China (similar to how Huawei and others offer satellite SMS in China using Beidou, whereas global models might use different satellite services or none at all). This mirrors Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, and shows Vivo is keeping up with broader smartphone trends in safety and connectivity.
Smartphone Imaging Trends 2025: Where Vivo Leads and Others Follow
The Vivo X300 Pro arrives at a time when the smartphone imaging race is more intense than ever. In 2025, we’re seeing multiple converging trends in mobile photography/videography, and the X300 Pro embodies many of them:
- Pro-Grade Video on Phones: There’s a clear industry push to make phones viable tools for filmmakers and videographers. Apple spearheaded this with Dolby Vision video and ProRes on iPhones; Google added powerful video stabilization and HDR processing in Pixels; now Vivo (and Oppo, etc.) are upping the ante with features like Log profiles, high-frame-rate 4K, and even dual focal length slow-motion (the X300 Pro can do slow-mo in both standard and telephoto views) x.com. The gap between a phone and a dedicated mirrorless camera is closing for casual and even semi-pro video work. We anticipate other manufacturers will follow suit – perhaps Samsung enabling 4K120 in future Galaxy phones, or Xiaomi partnering with Leica to bring LUTs and Log to their camera app. Vivo’s early move into this space gives it a spotlight among creators.
- Giant Sensors & High Megapixels: The past few years saw the rise of 1-inch type sensors in phones (Xiaomi, Sony, Sharp) and ultra-high resolutions (108 MP, 200 MP by Samsung). Vivo’s X300 series shows a hybrid approach: instead of one gigantic 1″ sensor, they use very large but slightly smaller sensors (1/1.28″ and 1/1.4″) with high MP counts (50 and 200). This might be a strategic balance between image quality and form factor – 1″ sensors require big lenses and thick phone bodies. Vivo managed to pack a 200 MP sensor in a periscope lens, which is a remarkable engineering feat itself. The “fourth-generation 200MP philosophy” Vivo talks about innogyan.in suggests that just as others are starting to use 200 MP (Samsung in S23 Ultra, etc.), Vivo has already iterated and improved on it multiple times. We can expect high-res sensors to become standard in flagships – even Google’s Pixel 8 went to 50 MP, Samsung’s sticking to 200 MP, Apple rumored to go higher MP in future – but what matters is how that data is used. Vivo’s approach of combining resolution with optical innovation (like special lens coatings, customized sensor designs, etc.) could set a template for others.
- Optical Innovation – Periscope, Variable Aperture, etc.: In pursuit of DSLR-like flexibility, phone makers are exploring new lens tech. Vivo’s use of a periscope telephoto with APO elements is one example of pushing optical quality. We’re also hearing about variable aperture lenses making a comeback – Samsung has been reportedly developing variable aperture camera modules and continuous zoom mechanisms notebookcheck.net. If those pan out, future phones might adjust aperture (for better low-light vs sharpness trade-off) or move lens elements to provide smooth optical zoom from e.g. 3× to 5×. Vivo itself experimented with a small gimbal in earlier models. The X300 Pro doesn’t have a variable aperture (not mentioned, likely a fixed f/1.57 on main), but its large aperture and sensor mean shallow depth of field is already achievable. As we move forward, combining these trends – imagine a 1″ sensor with variable aperture and 8K video at 60 fps on a phone – is not far-fetched. Vivo’s current focus is video and resolution; perhaps others will answer with different innovations like optical zoom improvements.
- Computational Photography & AI: Every flagship now heavily leverages AI for image processing – from night mode stacking to portrait relighting. Vivo’s incorporation of things like AI depth segmentation in video and real-time scene analysis is part of this trend innogyan.in. Google’s Pixels still lead in certain AI tricks (Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur), but the gap is closing in core imaging. In fact, Vivo’s parent BBK (which includes Oppo and OnePlus) often shares R&D in AI algorithms. The result is features like portrait video that actually work in challenging scenarios. We foresee even more AI-driven features like generative enhancement (perhaps phones auto-generating out-of-frame content, or AI upscaling videos). For now, Vivo sticks to practical AI applications – ensuring the person on stage is properly exposed, or the vlog footage has consistent color – which arguably add more real value than gimmicks.
- Collaborations with Camera Brands: Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss is part of a broader trend of smartphone makers teaming up with legacy photography brands for marketing and expertise. We have Xiaomi-Leica, Oppo/OnePlus-Hasselblad, Nokia (historically) with Zeiss, and so on. These partnerships often bring signature color profiles or lens coating technologies to smartphones. In the X300 Pro, Zeiss contributed its T✻ coating and portrait styles, and likely advised on optical design (the “Biotar” style bokeh in older Vivo X phones, for example, came from Zeiss collaboration). The trend suggests that camera tuning – not just raw specs – is key to differentiation. For instance, Vivo’s Zeiss Natural Color mode appeals to those who want less saturated, more lifelike colors innogyan.in, in contrast to say, Samsung’s typically punchier output or Google’s contrasty look. In 2025, having that co-branding is also a prestige factor – it signals that a phone camera is taken seriously enough to be “approved” by Zeiss or Leica. We can expect such partnerships to continue, and possibly deepen (e.g., more co-engineered hardware, not just image processing).
- All-in-One Creativity Devices: Smartphones are increasingly positioning themselves as not just communication devices, but creative studios in your pocket. Vivo’s marketing for X300 series underlines this: you can shoot, edit (with built-in tools or third-party apps leveraging all that 10-bit footage), and share high-quality content straight from the phone. Features like high-speed file transfer (Vivo is adding an AirDrop-like file sharing with PCs gizmochina.com), large storage (1TB for lots of 4K video files), and robust cooling (to handle long recording sessions) all feed into this narrative. In 2025, a content creator could feasibly rely on a device like the X300 Pro to handle an entire project – from filming in Log, editing on CapCut or Adobe Premiere Rush on the phone, to uploading in 4K HDR to YouTube – without needing a laptop or separate camera. This trend of convergence is set to continue, blurring lines between categories of devices.
In summary, the Vivo X300 Pro encapsulates where smartphone imaging is headed: a marriage of extreme hardware (big sensors, fancy lenses, dedicated chips) with sophisticated software (AI algorithms, pro video codecs, creative modes). It arrives amidst fierce competition, but from what has been revealed, it stands a strong chance of claiming the title of the most advanced camera phone of 2025. As Vivo proudly touts, the X300 Pro “cements the brand’s leadership in both video and photography” innogyan.in. If real-world tests back up the claims, this device could indeed mark a significant step toward phones becoming “complete creative platforms, narrowing the gap between consumer devices and professional imaging tools.” innogyan.in
Sources: Vivo/Zeiss official teasers and Weibo posts (via NotebookCheck, GizmoChina) notebookcheck.net notebookcheck.net; innoGyan analysis of X300 Pro video samples innogyan.in innogyan.in; NotebookCheck and GizmoChina reports on X300 series specs and launch plans gizmochina.com gizmochina.com; industry commentary from NotebookCheck and others on the device’s competitive positioning notebookcheck.net innogyan.in. All information is based on early official data and leaks as of September 2025, and will be confirmed once the X300 Pro is fully launched.
