Vivo X300 / X300 Pro launch with 200MP telephoto & extender lens | Gadget Bears
Vivo X300 / X300 Pro Launch: The 200MP Telephoto Revolution
Vivo has officially launched the highly anticipated **X300** and **X300 Pro** in China, cementing its status as the leader in computational and long-range mobile photography. Moving beyond simple megapixel counts, the new X-series integrates cutting-edge camera hardware, including a massive **200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor** dedicated to the Pro model's telephoto unit, and backs it with the raw processing power of the new **MediaTek Dimensity 9500** chipset and proprietary V3+ imaging chips. This dual-flagship approach introduces two distinct devices: the X300 Pro, a no-compromise camera beast with a massive battery, and the standard X300, a compact flagship that doesn't skimp on photographic capability. But the true headline feature is the compatibility of both models with the optional **Zeiss 2.35x teleconverter lens**, allowing photographers to achieve staggering zoom levels rivaling professional DSLR setups. The X300 series is not just an iterative upgrade; it is a full-scale commitment to dominating the high-end mobile imaging space.
The Vivo X300 Pro features a massive circular camera island, centered around the 200MP telephoto unit and its custom Zeiss optics.
Key Specifications at a Glance: Vivo X300 Pro vs. X300
While both models share the flagship Dimensity 9500 processor, their camera and form factor strategies differ significantly, offering consumers a choice between an ultimate camera experience and a compact powerhouse.
| Processor / Imaging | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 + Vivo V3+ Chip |
|---|---|
| X300 Pro Display | 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED (1-120Hz, 4500 nits Peak) |
| X300 Pro Telephoto | **200MP** Samsung HPB Periscope (3.7x Optical Zoom, OIS) |
| X300 Main Camera | **200MP** Samsung HPB Sensor (OIS, f/1.68 aperture) |
| Battery & Charging (Pro) | 6,510mAh (90W Wired + 40W Wireless FlashCharge) |
| Durability | IP68 & IP69 Water/Dust Resistance |
The 200MP Telephoto Revolution: Unprecedented Zoom Detail
The camera system on the Vivo X300 Pro is where the innovation truly lies. Vivo has completely redefined the telephoto lens by implementing a groundbreaking **200MP Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor** specifically for its 3.7x optical periscope module (85mm equivalent focal length). This is a monumental shift. Historically, telephoto lenses have used smaller, lower-resolution sensors to save space, compromising image quality at a distance. The X300 Pro flips this paradigm entirely.
The 200MP resolution, combined with its relatively large 1/1.4-inch sensor size and **Zeiss APO certification**, delivers a level of detail previously unthinkable in a smartphone. APO (Apochromatic) certification is critical, signifying that the lens elements (often flouride glass) are engineered to virtually eliminate chromatic aberration (color fringing), ensuring subjects remain crisp and color-accurate, even at the edge of the zoom range.
Computational Zoom and Cropping Power: The real-world benefit of a 200MP telephoto extends far beyond the native 3.7x magnification. With such vast resolution, Vivo can employ in-sensor cropping and pixel-binning techniques to achieve astonishing hybrid zoom levels (up to 10x or even 20x) while retaining image quality equivalent to or better than rivals' native optical zoom. When shooting at 3.7x, the image is so dense with data that users can crop in significantly during post-processing without losing fine texture. This flexibility effectively makes the 200MP telephoto the most versatile lens in the entire mobile camera system. The module is further enhanced by **Gimbal-Grade Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)**, with an angle upgraded to ±1.5°, ensuring that handshake is neutralized, a critical requirement when shooting highly magnified subjects.
Meanwhile, the base X300 follows a different, but equally compelling, strategy. It places the same powerful **200MP Samsung HPB sensor** as its **main wide-angle camera**, prioritizing ultra-high resolution and cropping power for everyday shots, making it arguably the most powerful "compact" camera flagship currently available.
Beyond the Sensor: The Zeiss Telephoto Extender Lens
While the internal camera hardware sets a new benchmark, Vivo introduces an optional accessory that pushes the limits of mobile photography even further: the **Zeiss 2.35x Telephoto Extender** kit. This is not a simple snap-on novelty; it is a high-quality optical accessory designed specifically to complement the X300 series' telephoto lens.
The extender attaches via a dedicated Photography Kit case and works with both the X300 and X300 Pro. Its purpose is to physically magnify the image before it hits the sensor, maintaining the optical integrity of the image while increasing the effective focal length. When combined with the X300 Pro's native 85mm equivalent telephoto lens, the 2.35x extender boosts the effective focal length to a staggering **200mm equivalent**. This provides users with true, lossless, high-magnification optical zoom, transforming the phone into a serious tool for wildlife, sports, and distant landscape photography. Vivo has even shared sample images demonstrating its reach at 200mm, 400mm, and an incredible 800mm equivalent with hybrid zoom engaged.
The integration is deep: the phone's camera software automatically recognizes the extender and activates specialized shooting modes tailored for its use, including dedicated **snapshot and portrait modes**. This system provides a genuine modular camera experience, differentiating the X300 series from any competitor. This focus on long-range stability is crucial, as the extreme magnification from the extender would otherwise render handheld shooting impossible due to micro-movements. The high CIPA rating (5.5 for the Pro, 4.5 for the X300) indicates that the in-body stabilization system works robustly even when external optics are attached. The presence of the extender ensures that the X300 series stands alone in the market for users who need true professional reach in a portable package.
Performance, AI, and Dual-Chip Integration
To handle the immense data load generated by a 200MP sensor, 8K video recording, and advanced computational photography, Vivo has adopted a robust "Dual-Chip Integration" architecture. At the heart of the system is the **MediaTek Dimensity 9500** System-on-Chip (SoC). This latest flagship processor delivers a massive performance boost, with AnTuTu benchmark scores reportedly exceeding 4.1 million points, positioning the X300 series among the fastest Android phones of 2025. This power is essential for smooth gameplay, efficient multitasking, and, crucially, lightning-fast image processing.
- Vivo V3+ Imaging Chip: This proprietary chip is the backbone of the X300's camera intelligence. It handles the vast amount of sensor data, applying noise reduction, color mapping (using the Zeiss Natural Color Management system), and real-time processing to video streams.
- Vivo VS1 Chip (Pro Exclusive): The Pro model benefits from an additional VS1 chip, likely dedicated to pre-processing and optimizing the video pipeline. This dual-chip approach allows the phone to execute complex tasks like real-time background blur in 4K/60fps video (Cinematic Bokeh Video) and manage the heavy computations required for 10-bit Log video recording at 4K/120fps.
- Software Ecosystem: Both phones premiere **OriginOS 6.0** based on **Android 16**. Vivo promises a revamped, fluid user experience that, surprisingly, includes integrated support for the Apple ecosystem, aiming for seamless cross-device compatibility—a clear nod to global market trends.
Beyond processing speed, the combination of the Dimensity 9500's NPU (Neural Processing Unit) and Vivo's V-series chips enables advanced **AI-powered autofocus and motion tracking**. Vivo claims motion tracking stability is up by over 200% compared to previous generations, allowing the 200MP telephoto to capture sharp, millisecond-level shots of fast-moving action, making the Pro model a compelling option for concert-goers or sports photographers. This deep integration of custom silicon and powerful SoC is what truly elevates the X300 series above standard flagship specifications.
Design, Display, and Endurance: Compact Power and Huge Batteries
The X300 series is defined by its strategic design choices, offering two distinct form factors to address different user needs.
- Vivo X300 Pro: As the full-fledged flagship, the Pro model features a large **6.78-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display**. Built with the latest BOE Q10+ material, the panel boasts stunning color accuracy (meeting the Zeiss Master Color Display standard), a variable refresh rate (1-120Hz) for battery efficiency, and an industry-leading local peak brightness of up to **4,500 nits**. It also incorporates eye-comfort features like full-brightness DC dimming and 2160Hz PWM dimming. Despite housing a colossal **6,510mAh BlueVolt battery**, the Pro maintains a manageable 7.99mm thickness and an IP68 & IP69 rating for superior durability against dust and water.
- Vivo X300 (The Compact Powerhouse): The standard X300 is designed for users craving flagship specs in a more pocketable format. It shrinks the display to a compact **6.31 inches**, complete with ultra-narrow 1.05mm bezels. This smaller profile makes it a genuine contender in the niche compact flagship market, even while retaining a substantial **6,040mAh BlueVolt battery** and the same Dimensity 9500 processor.
- Charging Technology: Both phones feature the new **90W wired FlashCharge** alongside **40W wireless charging**, ensuring that these massive batteries can be topped up quickly. Endurance is clearly a priority, addressing one of the most common complaints in high-performance photography phones. Other premium features include stereo speakers, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, and the latest **Wi-Fi 7** and **Bluetooth 5.4** connectivity.
The combination of a top-tier LTPO display, massive battery capacities, and powerful charging technology demonstrates that Vivo is pairing its groundbreaking camera technology with a chassis capable of supporting all-day professional use.
Pros and Cons (Based on Launch Specs and Expectations)
👍 Potential Strengths
- Unmatched Telephoto Detail: The 200MP telephoto sensor is a world-first, providing superior cropping and image quality at a distance.
- Optical Versatility: Zeiss 2.35x Teleconverter accessory offers true, long-range optical zoom up to 200mm equivalent.
- Flagship Performance: Dimensity 9500 SoC combined with dual V3+/VS1 imaging chips ensures zero lag.
- Exceptional Endurance: 6,510mAh (Pro) and 6,040mAh (X300) batteries are among the largest in the flagship class.
- Compact Option: The 6.31-inch X300 offers top-tier specs in a rarity: a smaller form factor.
👎 Potential Weaknesses
- Global Availability/Price: Initial launch is China-centric, with global rollout details TBD and import prices commanding a premium.
- Software Learning Curve: OriginOS 6 (based on Android 16) can be complex for users outside of China, despite new features.
- Accessory Cost: The Zeiss Teleconverter kit, essential for maximum zoom, is an optional, added expense.
- Pro Bulk: The X300 Pro (226g) is heavy, especially when paired with the photography kit.
Vivo X300 Series Launch Pricing (China & Estimated Global)
*Prices converted from initial China launch rates. Global pricing will vary based on taxes, duties, and local configurations.
Final Verdict: The Telephoto Champion of 2025
Gadget Bears' Outlook
The Vivo X300 Pro is shaping up to be the definitive mobile photography leader of 2025, particularly in the realm of long-range imaging. By committing a 200MP sensor solely to the telephoto unit—a hardware investment no other major brand has matched—Vivo has created a camera system with unparalleled zoom detail and cropping flexibility. The integration of the Zeiss APO certification and the optional 2.35x Teleconverter truly pushes the X300 Pro beyond the "smartphone camera" label, turning it into a specialized photographic instrument.
Backed by the raw speed of the Dimensity 9500 and enhanced by the dual V3+/VS1 imaging chips, this phone eliminates the traditional compromise between battery life (thanks to the 6,510mAh capacity) and high-performance optics.
Who should buy this? The X300 Pro is essential for **serious photographers and prosumers** who prioritize zoom performance, low-light video, and the sheer capability of a dedicated camera module. The standard X300 offers a compelling alternative for those who want a compact flagship without sacrificing flagship power. If Vivo can execute a prompt and competitive global launch, the X300 series will set a new, extremely high bar for flagship smartphone cameras.

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