The vivo X300 Ultra: Pocket-sized, but it’s giving major pro-grade photos

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Editor’s note: This content is sponsored by vivo and was produced by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the production of this piece.

When was the last time you aimlessly wandered an area with nothing but a camera in tow to capture everything that catches your eye?

I used to have a DSLR, but its heaviness kept me from bringing it around, and I eventually lost my sense of wonder when it came to taking photos. This year, I found my way back with a lighter companion: the vivo X300 Ultra. And it couldn’t get as close to pro gear as this.

Your ultimate photo walk companion

The vivo X300 ultra positions itself as a visual creation beast, featuring a 200 MP 85 mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto, a 200 MP 35 mm ZEISS Documentary camera, and a 50 MP 14 mm ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle lens.

The phone by itself is amazing, but what really sets it apart is that the phone can come with a Photographer Kit, which includes 400 mm and 200 mm equivalent ZEISS Telephoto Extenders and an imaging grip that transforms the phone into a full-on, camera-like device. With a shutter button, exposure control dial, video button, and a zoom lever, among others, the kit feels purposely built for creators.

While the vivo X300 Ultra carries these powerhouse lenses, its Pro Imaging Chip VS1+ and the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 processor work together to optimize visual data from the ZEISS sensors, transforming them into high-quality photos or cinema-grade videos.

Its battery is also designed specifically to support not just the phone’s processor but also your production needs. Packing a 6500 mAh BlueVolt battery, it can handle mixed phone use and shooting with ease. The Imaging Grip also acts as an extra 2,300 mAh power bank. And if you place it on a tripod and plug it in, Bypass Charging powers the system directly to avoid overheating. This allows you to shoot without having to worry about your battery. Plus, with its 100W FlashCharge, you can power up your phone in minutes.

So can the vivo X300 Ultra live up to its promise? We put it to the test on a photo walk – from day to night – to explore its photo capabilities.

UP Diliman in its open spaces and details

I invited my friend, Justine Isidro, to join me for a photo walk around the University of the Philippines Diliman Academic Oval. To compare, he shot with his mirrorless camera while I tested the vivo X300 Ultra.

At first, I felt lost. With the sunken garden stretching wide, students rushing to class, and visitors soaking in the scenery, I didn’t know where to begin. But thankfully, Justine grounded me. He reminded me to notice the beauty in small moments.

Justine and I sat on the ground to focus on the golden hour light and the subjects that passed through.

Below are some of my shots using the phone and some shots from Justine who used a mirrorless camera.

I like taking shots that tell stories, and although we’ve taken photos from the same angles, our photos tell different narratives and look similarly beautiful.

While the UP Sunken Garden area buzzed with movement, we paused to take in its textures and light. We began with wide-angle landscapes both from my vivo X300 Ultra and through Justine’s mirrorless camera.

We walked further to try new angles, which gave me the chance to explore the phone’s zoom capabilities using its 400 mm equivalent telephoto extender.

Despite zooming in, the photos delivered sharp details and contrast. I then decided to max out the zoom.

Here are more shots while I played with the lens extender:

The UP Diliman photo walk ended with us caught in the rain, but the downpour added to the atmosphere with textures glistening, giving a different take on the colors.

vivo X300 Ultra after dark

Instead of taking photos out on the street at night, I decided to test the vivo X300 Ultra in an even more challenging environment. I thought, what if I used this to capture performances where lighting was not just dark but highly varied. The result? An interesting mashup of colors and exhilarating moments captured in stills.

In the photos below is the Backyard Live studio. I worried it would be a struggle to capture its simple yet intimate set. The room was dark and packed, mainly lit by a huge rectangular light in the center.

But the vivo X300 Ultra did not disappoint. During Illest Morena’s set, I captured photos and videos that were surprisingly crisp. My friend Hans Madula, working as a camera operator that night, was amazed that my shots came from a phone.

The imaging grip proved its worth – I didn’t have to tap the screen to shoot, and zooming was a breeze. Even if I’m standing at the back of the crowd, I was able to capture close-ups of band members playing instruments with ease.

Of course, a gig wouldn’t be complete without videos. Its Multi-Focal 4K 120 fps 10-bit Log and Multi-Focal 4K 120 fps Dolby Vision kept my delicate close-ups sharp and the colors consistent, despite all the movement.

Thanks to the telephoto lens, I captured close-ups of the band even if I was standing far behind the back of the crowd.

Pocket-sized, but it’s giving major pro-grade photos

As soon as the gig ended, I stepped out of the venue inspired by the photos I took that night.

Who wouldn’t love vivo X300 Ultra?

It’s a trick question—but the answer depends on your needs. For photographers who live for manual controls and technical precision, a professional camera remains indispensable. But for shooters and early adopters who want to get more out of their smartphones, the vivo X300 Ultra’s Photographer Kit will definitely blow their minds.

Concert-goers will find the lens-extender a reliable ally. For food photography, the phone preserves its true colors while capturing the subject’s fine details and contrast.

What else can’t the vivo X300 Ultra do? After it delivered pro-grade quality photos that looked and felt similar to photos from a mirrorless camera, it also brought back that incomparable joy of pressing the shutter and rekindled my passion for photography.

The vivo X300 Ultra costs P109,999 for the base unit, while the Photographer Kit package is already sold out. Check out via the vivo e-store or the Shopee store, or visit https://www.vivoglobal.ph/phone/vivo-x300-ultra/ for more information. – Rappler.com

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