Tech

Vivo X300 Ultra launches globally with 200MP cameras and 350x telephoto lens kit

The Chinese manufacturer expands its Ultra-series beyond domestic markets, offering a 200MP main sensor, a detachable teleconverter for extreme zoom, and Zeiss optics.

5 min
Vivo X300 Ultra launches globally with 200MP cameras and 350x telephoto lens kit
The Chinese manufacturer expands its Ultra-series beyond domestic markets, offering a 200MP main sensor, a detachable teCredit · GSMArena.com

Key facts

  • Vivo X300 Ultra features a 200MP main camera (f/1.9, 35mm) and a 200MP telephoto (f/2.7, 85mm, 3.7x optical zoom).
  • The optional G2 Ultra Lens enables zoom from 400mm (17x) to 8100mm (350x).
  • Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and a dedicated imaging chip.
  • 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and 4500 nits peak brightness.
  • 6,600mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging.
  • IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance; ultrasonic fingerprint sensor.
  • Available in Singapore with 1TB storage option; global variant has same battery capacity as Chinese version.

A flagship camera system built for extreme zoom

The Vivo X300 Ultra, unveiled in Singapore as the company’s first Ultra-series phone to launch outside China, is built around a camera system that pushes smartphone photography into new territory. At its core are two 200-megapixel sensors — one for the main wide-angle lens and one for the telephoto — alongside a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera. The main camera uses a 35mm equivalent focal length, an unusual choice for a smartphone, paired with a large 1/1.12-inch sensor and a gimbal stabilisation system. The telephoto lens, with an 85mm equivalent focal length and 3.7x optical zoom, employs a 200-megapixel sensor that promises twice the autofocus speed and improved stabilisation over its predecessor. Vivo has partnered with Zeiss to develop the optics, branding the set as the ZEISS Master Lenses Collection. The collaboration extends to software: the phone can simulate various bokeh effects inspired by classic Zeiss lenses, making it particularly suited for portrait photography. A dedicated colour-sensing camera captures multispectral data to improve colour accuracy, which Vivo says has been benchmarked against professional cameras.

The G2 Ultra Lens: turning a phone into a super-telephoto camera

What truly sets the X300 Ultra apart is the optional Hasselblad Photography Kit, which includes the G2 Ultra Lens — a teleconverter that attaches to the phone’s camera module. With the lens attached, the device no longer resembles a smartphone but rather a high-magnification compact digital camera. The kit enables shooting at focal lengths from 400mm (17x) up to 8100mm (350x), far exceeding the 100x digital zoom achievable with the phone alone. In tests conducted in Hong Kong, a reviewer captured images of Victoria Harbour from the Kowloon side. At 10x zoom (230mm) using just the phone’s built-in telephoto, the exhibition venue in Wan Chai appeared sharp. At 100x (2412mm) handheld, image quality remained acceptable for viewing on a smartphone screen, though moving people showed slight blur — a limitation the reviewer attributed to AI processing being better suited to static subjects. With the G2 Ultra Lens attached at 140x (3200mm), the same scene was captured more clearly than at 100x without the lens, demonstrating the advantage of combining optical telephoto with digital zoom.

Flagship hardware and global availability

Beyond its camera prowess, the X300 Ultra is a premium flagship in every respect. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, built on a 3nm process, and features an additional imaging chip dedicated to photo and video processing. A vapour chamber cooling system helps maintain performance during demanding tasks like high-resolution video recording. The device offers up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage and 16GB of RAM. The 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display supports a 144Hz refresh rate, 2K resolution (1440x3168 pixels), and a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. It covers 1 billion colours and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HDR Vivid. The battery capacity is 6,600mAh, with 100W wired charging and 40W wireless charging. Temperature management features are integrated to ensure safe charging and sustained performance. Durability is rated IP68 and IP69, meaning the phone is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in water up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes, as well as high-pressure water jets.

Video capabilities and the Photographer Kit

The X300 Ultra supports 10-bit HDR video recording at up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second. Both Log and Dolby Vision formats are available, giving videographers flexibility in post-production. The optional Photographer Kit, sold separately, includes two teleconverters offering focal lengths of 200mm and 400mm, a grip with physical controls, adapter rings, and mounting options. These accessories are designed to appeal to serious photography enthusiasts who want a more traditional camera experience from their smartphone. The kit’s teleconverters maintain autofocus tracking performance and enable high-resolution output across multiple zoom levels. Vivo has positioned the X300 Ultra as a tool for both photographers and videographers, with the camera system and accessories aiming to bridge the gap between smartphone convenience and dedicated camera capability.

Market context and competitive landscape

The global launch of the X300 Ultra marks a significant step for Vivo, which previously limited its Ultra-series to the Chinese market. The expansion reflects a broader trend among Chinese smartphone makers — such as Xiaomi and Oppo — pushing premium flagship devices into international markets. Vivo’s decision to offer the same battery capacity in the European variant as in the Chinese model suggests a commitment to consistency across regions. The X300 Ultra enters a crowded field of high-end camera phones, competing with devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. However, its combination of two 200-megapixel sensors, a dedicated imaging chip, and an optional teleconverter lens that enables 350x zoom sets it apart. The partnership with Zeiss and the inclusion of AI-based image stabilisation that works even with the attached lens give it a unique selling point for photography enthusiasts.

Outlook: a niche device with broad ambitions

The Vivo X300 Ultra is unlikely to appeal to the average smartphone buyer, but for those who prioritise camera performance above all else, it offers capabilities that rival dedicated cameras. The optional teleconverter kit, while adding cost and bulk, transforms the phone into a super-telephoto device that can capture distant subjects with surprising clarity. The question remains whether the market for such a specialised tool is large enough to justify Vivo’s global push. As AI-driven image processing continues to improve, the line between smartphone and camera blurs further. The X300 Ultra, with its 200-megapixel sensors, Zeiss optics, and extreme zoom options, represents the cutting edge of that convergence. Whether it becomes a benchmark for future flagships or a niche experiment will depend on how well it sells outside China — and whether competitors follow Vivo’s lead into the realm of detachable teleconverters.

The bottom line

  • Vivo X300 Ultra is the first Ultra-series phone to launch globally, with identical battery capacity across markets.
  • Dual 200MP cameras (main and telephoto) plus a 50MP ultra-wide, developed with Zeiss, deliver professional-grade imaging.
  • Optional G2 Ultra Lens enables zoom from 400mm to 8100mm, with AI stabilisation allowing handheld use at extreme magnifications.
  • Powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 6,600mAh battery, 100W charging, and IP68/IP69 durability.
  • The Photographer Kit adds teleconverters, a grip, and physical controls, targeting serious photography enthusiasts.
  • Global launch signals Chinese premium smartphone makers’ increasing push into international markets.
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