The vivo X300 Ultra review arrived earlier than many expected. It was published by the YouTube channel ben’s gadget reviews, and from the very first impressions, it became clear that this is not just another Android flagship. The vivo X300 Ultra launched with a claim to the title of best camera phone of the year, and that claim is well-founded. The hardware specs have already been covered in a separate article, and now it’s important to understand how it performs in real-world shooting conditions, and how the vivo X300 Ultra fundamentally differs from the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which many consider the gold standard of mobile photography.
This is the first review of vivo X300 Ultra. Image: ben’s gadget reviews
Main Camera of vivo X300 Ultra: 35mm Instead of 24mm
The key decision that defines the character of the vivo X300 Ultra camera is the choice of the primary focal length. Apple, like most other smartphone manufacturers, still sticks with 24mm for the main module. vivo chose 35mm, and that produces a fundamentally different image. A more natural perspective, less distortion at the edges, and the background doesn’t recede as aggressively as it does with a wide-angle module.
The field of view of the vivo X300 Ultra’s main camera may seem unusual. Image: ben’s gadget reviews
For portraits, street photography, product shots, and night scenes, 35mm feels more premium and cinematic. That’s why the first sample photos from the vivo X300 Ultra create the impression that they were taken by a person with a camera, not a smartphone. The main module’s sensor is the Sony LYTIA 901, 200 MP, with a 1/1.12-inch matrix. That’s larger than its predecessor and larger than most competitors. The f/1.85 aperture is more than compensated for by the sensor size. Optical stabilization is present on all three main modules. This matters for both photos and video on the vivo X300 Ultra.
vivo X300 Ultra Zoom vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
The vivo X300 Ultra zoom is the second key argument. Apple offered the longest optical zoom in iPhone history with the iPhone 17 Pro Max and is actively promoting it as a revolution. vivo goes further: a dedicated 200-megapixel 85mm telephoto on a Samsung HP0 sensor with a 1/1.4-inch matrix and optical stabilization.
Total dominance of vivo X300 Ultra at zoom. Image: ben’s gadget reviews
But the real ace is the detachable 200mm and 400mm lenses, sold separately or as part of a photography kit. When it comes to magnification and shooting distant objects, vivo X300 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max is no longer an even contest. Apple offers a smartphone with good zoom. vivo offers a system that can be expanded for specific tasks — like lenses for a mirrorless camera. This is a different level of ambition.
Video on vivo X300 Ultra: A Production Tool
Video is becoming vivo’s main argument in the conversation about the best camera phone of the year. The iPhone 17 Pro Max remains a very strong solution for shooting without preparation: predictable processing, clear color, stability. But the X300 Ultra offers something different: Multi-Focal 4K 120 fps, 10-bit Log, ACES compatibility for professional color grading, quad-mic, and wireless microphone support.
vivo X300 Ultra records cinematic-quality video. Image: ben’s gadget reviews
This is no longer a “vibrant image out of the box” — it’s a working tool for those who will edit, color grade, and assemble more complex content. Photos from the vivo X300 Ultra are impressive, but the video capabilities are what truly divide the audience. iPhone owners who shoot in Cinematic Mode and consider it sufficient don’t need the X300 Ultra. Those who want more control do.
Where the vivo X300 Ultra Falls Short of iPhone 17 Pro Max
An honest conversation requires this section. Apple wins where predictability and convenience matter. iPhone processing algorithms have been refined over years — the result is consistent in any conditions without any settings adjustments. vivo offers more tools but demands more involvement. If you just want to pull out your phone and capture a great shot, the iPhone is still more reliable.
The ecosystem also matters. For iPhone, there are professional apps, established integrations, and a clear path from shooting to editing on Mac. The vivo ecosystem is significantly more modest. Furthermore, the vivo X300 Ultra price in Russia is expected to be around 149,990 rubles. That’s comparable to the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and at that price point, the choice largely depends on which ecosystem you’re already in.
vivo X300 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which One to Choose
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the benchmark camera phone for the mainstream user. Predictable, stable, convenient. It always shoots well, effortlessly, without studying settings. The vivo X300 Ultra targets a different audience — those for whom mobile photography is a deliberate creative process. 35mm as the primary focal length, detachable telephoto lenses, 10-bit Log, professional audio — these are details needed by specific people, not everyone.
If you need a smartphone that shoots more boldly, more “camera-like,” and offers more freedom as a tool — the vivo X300 Ultra looks more compelling than the iPhone. That doesn’t mean it’s better for everyone. It means that for a certain audience, it’s better than anything else on the market right now. Among the top camera phones of 2026, the X300 Ultra has earned a place in the very top tier.
