Vivo X300 Ultra targets the most demanding photographers. It has a phenomenal camera setup and shoots phenomenal video

The vivo brand has built a solid position in the Czech Republic over the past two years – whether through aggressive marketing or models like the X100 Pro or X200 Pro, which have found loyal fans here. What was missing until now, however, was the top-tier Ultra version – which remained exclusive to the Chinese market. This year, that changes for the first time. The vivo X300 Ultra model debuted in China today, and the manufacturer simultaneously confirmed its journey to Europe – including the Czech Republic, where it is launching its own e-shop at shop.vivo.com/cz for this purpose. This is a phone that wants to convince photographers to leave their DSLR at home.

Three Lenses, No Compromises (at least on paper)

At the core of the X300 Ultra is a trio of fixed focal lengths developed in collaboration with ZEISS. Instead of one main sensor and two supplementary cameras, you have three equivalent cameras covering focal lengths of 14 mm (ultrawide-angle), 35 mm (reportage/documentary), and 85 mm (portrait telephoto lens). For photographers, this is a combination they know from classic lens kits – landscape, street, portrait, without swapping glass.

The main 35mm camera uses a new Sony LYTIA 901 sensor with a size of 1/1.12″ – this is an almost one-inch chip and one of the largest ever in a phone. The resolution is 200 Mpx and stabilization reaches the level of CIPA 6.5. On the 85mm telephoto lens, you’ll also find a 200Mpx sensor (Samsung ISOCELL HP0, 1/1.4″) with gimbal stabilization rated at CIPA 7.0 and autofocus tracking at 60 frames per second. The ultrawide-angle lens retains the proven 50Mpx Sony LYTIA 818 (1/1.28″) from last year’s X200 Ultra.

400mm Teleconverter: When you want to photograph eagles from your balcony

Two optional teleconverters are a separate chapter. The smaller Lipstick 200 extends the reach to an equivalent of 200 mm (8.7× magnification), while the new Cannon 400 pushes the boundary to 400 mm, which is approximately 17.4× optical zoom at full 200 Mpx resolution. The manufacturer claims that cropping can achieve an equivalent of 1,600 mm. This is territory where lenses costing tens of thousands of crowns, attached to a DSLR body, typically operate.

The teleconverter attaches magnetically to the phone via a special adapter and, according to vivo, meets the ZEISS APO standard for minimal chromatic aberration.

Video that targets filmmakers

Photographic ambitions are one thing, but the X300 Ultra also aims to impress videographers. All rear cameras support 4K recording at 120 fps in 10-bit Log format, which is standard in professional post-production. Furthermore, the log is compatible with the ACES workflow – meaning footage from the phone should seamlessly integrate with material from cinema cameras during color grading.

The phone also supports the APV codec (like the Galaxy S26 Ultra), importing custom 3D LUT tables with real-time preview during shooting, and a new Pro Video mode with an interface inspired by professional cameras. Audio is handled by a system of four microphones with six presets for various shooting environments.

For those who are truly serious, vivo, in collaboration with SmallRig, offers a professional video cage (Pro Video Rig Kit) with cold shoe mounts, physical controls for shutter and zoom, and a built-in fan for cooling during extended shooting. In Europe, it should be sold separately for approximately 415 € (approx. 10,400 CZK).

Nothing is missing under the hood

The X300 Ultra is powered by the currently most powerful Android chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with Oryon V3 Phoenix cores. The battery has a capacity of 6,600 mAh (the variant with satellite connectivity even 7,000 mAh), and vivo confirmed that the European version will retain the same capacity – unlike the X300 Pro, where Europe received a smaller battery. Charging handles 100 W wired and 40 W wirelessly; you can get from zero to a hundred wired in less than 40 minutes.

The display is a 6.82″ flat LTPO AMOLED with 2K resolution (3,168 × 1,440 pixels), a 144 Hz refresh rate, and a peak local brightness of 4,500 nits. Armor Glass protection is complemented by IP68 and IP69 certifications. The fingerprint reader is ultrasonic and works even with wet fingers. Configurations include 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, 16/512 GB, and 16 GB/1 TB, the system runs on Android 15 with the OriginOS 6 overlay, and the manufacturer promises 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security patches.

Design inspired by classic cameras

In terms of design, vivo is not afraid to admit where it draws inspiration from. The metal camera module with a ribbed chassis design and engraved markings on the side of the lens evokes classic analog cameras. The phone is available in two finishes: Volcano Black with a uniform fiberglass design and a weight of just 232 grams, and Steppe Green inspired by undeveloped film strips with a contrasting two-tone finish and a thickness of only 8.49 mm.

What it will cost and where to buy it

In China, the X300 Ultra starts at a price of 6,999 yuan (approximately 22,000 CZK) for the basic 12/256 GB configuration. However, the European reality will be different. From screenshots of the official European e-shop for Austria, Germany, and Hungary, a price of 1,999 € for the top 16 GB/1 TB variant was leaked – roughly 50,000 CZK converted.

In the Czech Republic, the phone will be sold with the so-called Photographer Kit, which in one package includes the 400mm ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra teleconverter, Grip Kit handle, Tripod Color Ring, and a 100W charger. The first customers who register on the Czech e-shop from March 30 to April 15 will also receive a voucher for the Cinematic Video Kit video cage and a Photokit Leather Bag case – accessories worth 12,500 CZK for free. Sales are expected to start on April 16.

vivo also offers above-standard warranty conditions for the Czech market: a three-year warranty on the phone, a five-year warranty on the battery, and one year of display protection.

Ambitions are huge, but so are the questions

On paper, the vivo X300 Ultra is one of the most ambitious camera phones ever to arrive on the European market. It will primarily compete with the Xiaomi 17 Ultra (from 35,999 CZK) with its mechanical telephoto lens and LOFIC one-inch sensor, and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (from 35,699 CZK) with an improved 200Mpx sensor and f/1.4 aperture. The upcoming OPPO Find X9 Ultra with native 10× optical zoom then adds another dimension to the game.

Questions primarily hang over the price – if the amount around 50,000 for the top variant is confirmed, it will be the most expensive phone of Chinese production on the Czech market. While vivo has significantly strengthened its position here in recent years, its service infrastructure is still not on par with Samsung or Xiaomi. And as is often the case with press releases – there is usually a vast difference between specifications on paper and the real quality of photos in poor lighting in the hand of a shaky reviewer. We will have to wait for the review for that.

Are you interested in the vivo X300 Ultra? Would you give it a chance instead of established brands?

Source: vivo (press release)