Design and build quality
Vivo’s X300 series feels balanced this year. While the X200 of last year left us wondering why there was a need for a non-Pro at all, the X300 stands on its own as a viable offering. Size is the easiest differentiator between phones, and the 6.31-inch vivo X300 feels like the ideal complement to the 6.78-inch X300 Pro.
Both phones have the same feel in the hand. That’s thanks to the use of what vivo calls a Coral Velvet Glass Technique. It’s one of those things you need to feel for yourself, but we’re here to tell you the glass surface truly feels velvety. The texture of the rear panel is soft and matte and will repel fingerprints with relative ease.
The biggest physical change in the new X300 phones is the subtle curve of the glass panels on both phones. The vivo X200 series has a very steep and noticeable slope to the front and rear glass panels.
This year’s models still have a 3D edge to their glass panels, but it’s a much smaller one. It’s a nice compromise between the extreme glass contour of older phones and the sharp cutoff of modern iPhones and Galaxies.
The other major difference from the X200 series is the frame. It’s a bit wider on the newer models, and it’s matte, just like the rear panel. This also makes it smudge-repellent, which is a nice bonus. The vivo X300 Pro comes in four colors: Black, Brown, Blue, and White.
The controls on the vivo X300 Pro are interesting. The phone lacks a dedicated camera button like the one on the X200 Ultra, and instead features a multi-function button on the upper left side, similar to the iPhone’s Action key. This button is customizable and has a very iPhone-esque settings menu.
Moving to the vivo X300, it’s a proper compact flagship. It feels small and light, but also different from the likes of the Galaxy S25 or iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, because of the slight curve to the panels. The 6.31-inch 1216x2640px 8T LTPO screen is excellent.
The vivo X300 lacks the custom button of the Pro, which is a shame. Vivo clearly has the tools to implement it, and it just feels like needless segregation.
At least you get a bit more choice of colors with the X300. There’s Black, Blue, Purple, Pink, which has an interesting peach hue, and Red.