Expert reviews suggest the Vivo X300 FE delivers flagship performance but faces heating issues during heavy gaming.
The 50MP Zeiss main camera is outstanding, yet early testing reveals the 8MP ultrawide struggles in low light.
Despite packing a massive 6500mAh battery, the device still includes some unremovable bloatware within OriginOS 6.
Vivo X300 FE has earned a big place in the list of compact flagship phones of 2026. This time Vivo has brought big power in a small body – 6.31-inch screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, Zeiss camera and 6500mAh battery. The price starts at ₹79,999. For those who like small phones but want flagship performance, it may seem very attractive. But before buying, it is very important to know three important things. So let’s know the design of the phone, starting from the camera, battery, software – everything.
Design and Build Quality
Vivo X300 FE is a very compact and premium-feeling phone. The dimensions are only 150.83 x 71.76 x 7.99 mm and it weighs 191 grams. As per tech experts, When you hold it in your hand, it does not feel like a flagship-level phone – it is very pocket-friendly. The matte finish glass back makes it less prone to fingerprints and gives a premium look.
The color options are beautiful – Lilac Purple, Noir Black, Urban Olive. There is an IP68 + IP69 rating, so it is more protected from water and dust. This time the design is slimmer and stronger than the previous X200 FE.
Display
The device has a 6.31-inch 1.5K LTPO AMOLED display. You will get to see the resolution 1216 x 2640 pixels, 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, 5000 nits peak brightness and 2160 Hz PWM dimming features. Separately, HDR10+ and Netflix HDR support have been provided.
Because of peak brightness the outdoor visibility is very good. Colors are vibrant and eye comfort reduces eye strain during long-time use. The screen looks absolutely immersive for its compact size – very comfortable while watching videos, gaming or scrolling. This time the display is brighter and smoother than the previous model.
Processor and Performance
The processor is Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 (3nm), 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage (256/512 GB) are provided. The AnTuTu score is around 3 million. It is very smooth in daily tasks, multitasking and light-medium gaming. But due to the compact body, there is a little heating and throttling may occur in long-time gaming. Even after buying a phone for so much money, it cannot be used as a pure gaming phone – this is a big flaw.
Here, Vivo has given a 4005 mm² VC liquid cooling system (Vapor Chamber + Graphite Sheet) for the first time in a compact phone. As a result, the phone stays cool in normal use and the thermal performance is very good. However, the heating issue still persists in heavy loads.
Software Experience
You will get to experience OriginOS 6 based on Android 16 out of the box. The interface is clean and fluid, with lots of AI features. Vivo has now claimed 5 years of OS updates and 7 years of security updates – this is a great feature. But for a phone of this price, there is still some bloatware (such as Browser, vAppStore) that sends notifications. The most problematic thing is that some apps cannot be uninstalled – this is a big minus.
Camera
The biggest highlight of the X300 FE is the Zeiss co-engineered triple rear camera system. Although the phone has been launched camera-specific, you will find many extra premium features here.
- 50 MP main sensor (Sony IMX921, f/1.6, OIS) – Excellent detail in daylight, natural colors and great dynamic range.
- 50 MP 3x telephoto (Sony IMX882, OIS) – Very strong in portraits and mid-range zoom.
- 8 MP ultrawide – Works well in normal light, but has been seen to struggle in blue light or low-light.
50 MP Zeiss camera lens on the front – Selfies give sharp and natural skin tones. The main and telephoto cameras are great in daylight – natural colors, great detail and the portrait mode is very strong. The Zeiss multifocal portrait (23mm to 100mm) works very well. Video can be recorded up to 8K@30fps and 4K@120fps.
But the 8 MP ultrawide camera is weak. It works fine in normal light, but in blue light or low-light, noise increases and detail decreases. This is a big compromise in this price range. There are many filters, AI styles and animation modes in the app. The main and telephoto are very attractive for camera lovers, but you may be disappointed with the ultrawide.
Special feature: Vivo has supported the ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 (200mm optical lens kit) in this phone. This accessory kit has to be purchased separately (extra accessory – Approx ₹15,999) and can be attached to the phone’s telephoto lens. This increases the zoom power many times – professional-level details are available in concerts, stage shots or distant images. This is a unique advantage in a compact phone.
Battery and Charging
A compact phone like this has a 6500mAh silicon-carbon technology battery. Even heavy usage lasts for about a day. There is 90W wired charging (charger is in the box) and 40W wireless charging support. According to Test, it takes 40-45 minutes to fully charge. Such a large battery is really good for a compact phone.
Other Features
There is a stereo speaker setup that supports Dolby Atmos. The sound quality is good, loud and provides good bass, so there is a premium experience while watching videos or listening to music. Vivo has used an X-axis linear motor for haptics. Due to the compact body, the motor is small, so the amplitude of the vibration is limited. As a result, the haptic feedback is decent and crisp – giving a good feel when typing, scrolling or getting notifications. But if you expect powerful or deep vibrations like on a big phone, you will be disappointed.
Other special features are also worth noting. There is an IR blaster that works as a universal remote. eSIM + dual nano SIM support, in-display optical fingerprint sensor which is very fast and accurate. There is a bypass charging mode so that the heating is reduced even when charging while gaming. There is also AI-based smart scene recognition and auto editing feature. Connectivity – 5G, Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C support.
Vivo X300 FE vs Vivo X200 FE
| Features | Vivo X300 FE | Vivo X200 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 | MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ |
| Battery | 6500mAh + 90W + 40W wireless | 6500mAh + 90W |
| Camera | 50MP + 50MP 3x + 8MP UW | Similar but older tuning |
| Display | 6.31″ 1.5K 120Hz LTPO | 6.31″ 1.5K 120Hz LTPO |
| Software | Android 16 + OriginOS 6 | Android 15 |
| Price (Launch) | ₹79,999 | ~₹55,000-60,000 |
Real Upgrade or Downgrade?
The big upgrades on the X300 FE are the processor, battery, and charging. But for a compact body, you’ll find three hidden flaws: heating, bloatware, and an 8 MP ultrawide camera.
Price and Final Verdict
The Vivo X300 FE starts at ₹79,999 (12+256 GB)[Buy Now on Amazon]. It’s a good choice for those who want a small phone, are looking for a great camera (main+telephoto) and a long battery. But for those who are pure gaming or want to avoid bloatware, they should look at other options in this price range.
Keep in mind three hidden flaws:
- Heating and throttling for a compact body – not a pure gaming phone for this price.
- There is some bloatware even at a premium price.
- The 8 MP ultrawide camera is noisy in low-light.
Overall, it’s a strong compact phone, but not for everyone. You should consider what your priorities are.
Disclaimer: This review is a combination of professional test reports, user experience and my experience with previous Vivo devices.
