The Vivo X300 Ultra should scare Samsung into changes [Video]

Annoyingly, we don’t get every top-tier Android device in every region, and while there are problems, the Vivo X300 Ultra is a prime example of why Samsung really needs to start upping its game.

Vivo has set out to build the best mobile imaging system possible, then slapped an elite-level Android phone on top. If you have even a passing interest in technology, this could be one of the most interesting devices of the year you maybe hadn’t heard of.

Big boys toys

One thing that struck me right away is how the Vivo X300 Ultra is, well, less concerned with the camera being a, frankly, massive component of the design. It is literally baked into the design, and that I respect. Vivo isn’t trying to do anything groundbreaking; this is an unashamed “camera phone,” and that means a big old bump at the back.

Meanwhile, Samsung continues to use the annoying strip at the back, which, I will say, I don’t mind, but it makes it wobbly face-up on a table, preventing some accessories from connecting correctly – or working at all. It’s quite plain, but in the most Samsung way possible.

You might not want something so “out there,” and that is absolutely fine. The Vivo X300 Ultra does go toe-to-toe with basically any of the best phones on the market, including the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It’s very premium with a superb display, great haptics, and undeniable heft.

There are many reasons you might pick one over the other, but it’s not to be impressed at Vivo’s lack of holding back on the X300 Ultra. There are almost no areas where the company has made a major compromise. Just throw the kitchen sink at this design and hope that it all sticks. In that regard, it feels like a throwback to the early days of Android, when brands just tried things. The difference is, we know what makes a good device now, and they have nailed it.

Samsung continues to pump out beautifully crafted hardware, and it’s impressive how well these two stack up, given the price discrepancies. I’ve read many complaints about the S26 Ultra screen. I must admit I was not able to see these issues before and shortly after launch. I love the display, but yes, it’s not as good as the S25 Ultra. The Vivo X300 Ultra has a very good screen, but even though the Galaxy S26 Ultra isn’t as good here as its predecessor, it still clears it in my opinion.

A camera with a phone attached

Simply put, in my opinion, this is the best camera system I have ever used on a smartphone. It is like carrying a mirrorless camera that can also serve as a B-cam in 90% of video shooting environments. You could easily ditch some rigs for this if you were willing to make some compromises.

That’s before we get into the additional lens kits and rigging options that can be added to increase the capabilities. I haven’t even scratched the surface of the “Photographer Kit,” as I feel this isn’t what the average buyer will ever consider, but it is a big bonus selling point and something that just adds an extra layer of intrigue for mobile photographers.

I think this is more striking as Samsung used to lead or at least try to lead in the mobile camera space. This hasn’t been the case for a number of years, and the differences are so stark that I will be disappointed to go back to the S26 Ultra when the time comes.

The only saving grace is that Vivo has back-loaded the camera system, and this means the selfie camera is merely “okay.” Compared to the best in the business, it’s a major step down, and it’s obvious this was an area of corner-cutting to make everything else work at the back. I can take this downgrade because the X300 Ultra needs to be used as a true camera nerd’s dream phone.

Throw in the Zeiss lens tuning, filter options, and there is a gaping chasm between how good the Vivo X300 Ultra camera is to use versus how limited the – still insanely solid – Galaxy S26 Ultra camera feels. It’s a night-and-day difference, and it proves that Samsung has rested on its laurels for a number of years now.

Stuttering software stack

My biggest gripe with the Vivo X300 Ultra is its software experience. Frankly, Vivo’s Android build is sub-par when compared to what Samsung has been doing with One UI in recent years. Vivo calls its version of Android 16 “OriginOS 6,” and while it is far from the worst offender for making Android feel like an iOS knock-off, it isn’t without fault.

There are lots of features here to delve into. Almost too many in some ways, and the structure is not in keeping with other Android phones. You might head to the Settings app and find that certain common functions are not where you expect them to be. It takes a little while to get around. I often just fall back on using the search option to get to where I need to go.

What’s more, for me, the visual identity is almost non-existent. You’re caught between iOS-lite Liquid Glass and Dynamic Color with little to no Material 3 Expressive. The Quick Settings controls feel like a step back to the Android 11 era, which some might like, but it feels like a throwback that ages the experience.

One UI 8.5 has some irksome elements that skirt the line between iOS homage and too much. That said, it’s just more cohesive, cleaner, and most importantly, operates more smoothly.

This is one of the key areas where Chinese device makers need to start catching up to others in the space, as it hinders otherwise exceptional smartphones by, in most cases, having an experience that feels at odds with the rest of Android. Sure, the picture has brightened in recent years, but it’s a remaining thorn in the side of many OEMs.

Lasting longer with less

One of the few hardware-related areas where Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra manages to hang in with the Vivo X300 Ultra is, somewhat surprisingly, the battery longevity. Despite having a 30% smaller 5,000mAh internal cell against the Vivo’s 6,600mAh battery, I haven’t seen major lifespan gains. I think some of the software enhancements in One UI help achieve similar day-to-day longevity.

Extrapolating this out a little, it doesn’t mean that Samsung has an opportunity with future releases to get a better battery, and that is something that I would love to see. I think Vivo’s 100W wired charging also isn’t a big enough leap over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 65W charging to be a major knock either.

This shows that it’s how you utilize the internals rather than the actual specs, more so than anything else. Something that we can all agree that Samsung is excellent at doing with their devices.

Final thoughts

There are more than a few brands coming out of China that have and will continue to just throw insane things at the wall to try and push boundaries in the mobile space. When you hear people say smartphones are “getting boring” or we “hit a plateau,” this is where we get proven wrong.

The downside is that Samsung pays little attention to what brands like Vivo are doing with their devices. You would think the Korean tech brand would look at what the Galaxy S26 Ultra does and what the Vivo X300 Ultra is capable of and feel ashamed. Instead, they simply stopped competing or trying to push the boundaries in the same way.

When I use the Galaxy S26 Ultra, there is a sense of inadequacy. It is a good product, overshadowed by some other risk takers trying to move the needle at a time when phones have felt the same for a while. It’s just a shame not everyone will have the opportunity to consider the Vivo X300 Ultra – let’s hope that changes in the future.