Vivo X300 Pro Outperforms Galaxy S25 Ultra in Night Zoom
Vivo has officially launched its new X300 series, showcasing several notable improvements in design and performance. However, the most remarkable feature is the photography capabilities: the Chinese manufacturer introduces a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HPB sensor from Samsung, which is utilized for both the main sensor of the Vivo X300 and the periscopic telephoto lens with 3.7x zoom on the Vivo X300 Pro.
In contrast, Samsung continues to employ a 10-megapixel sensor for its 3x periscopic telephoto lens on the Galaxy S Ultra models, a configuration that has remained unchanged for several generations. Nonetheless, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is still recognized as a premium smartphone known for its photographic excellence.
So, how does this new Vivo X300 Pro measure up against the Korean giant?
10x and 35x Zoom: Vivo Takes the Lead
Leaker Ice Universe shared comparisons taken at 10x and 35x in low light, and the results are surprising. At first glance, the 10x shots appear similar in terms of color accuracy and saturation.
Vivo X300 Pro vs Galaxy S25 Ultra
35x 35x 10x 10x
Samsung: “Our cameras are always one step ahead of our competitors.”🤮 pic.twitter.com/1sU3k2KSbm—PhoneArt (@UniverseIce) October 21, 2025
However, upon closer inspection, the Vivo X300 Pro retains textures and fine details significantly better, while the Galaxy S25 Ultra shows visible digital noise and artifacts. This discrepancy is not merely a sensor issue; software processing and noise management play crucial roles.
In the 35x shots, the gap widens even more. Vivo manages to maintain sharpness and clarity, whereas the S25 Ultra struggles to deliver a clean image.
An “Intelligent” Processing Approach Reaches Its Limits
The periscopic sensor of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is starting to show its age, and the processing algorithms—augmented by AI—appear to hit their limits. In contrast, Vivo is leveraging a modern sensor and a new generation of image processing, with results that speak for themselves.
What’s Next?
Rumors surrounding the Galaxy S26 Ultra suggest there won’t be a revolutionary change in photography; the same sensor is expected to be used with only software-related improvements tied to AI. On the other hand, Vivo is already preparing a Vivo X300 Ultra, which could challenge Samsung in its own territory.
For those wondering, comparisons also show that the standard Vivo X300 competes admirably with the S25 Ultra in daylight, especially in terms of color fidelity and dynamic range.
The Vivo X300 Pro emerges as a reference in mobile zoom technology, capable of surpassing the Galaxy S25 Ultra in various conditions. This poses a significant challenge for Samsung, which will need to do more than rely on AI to regain its competitive edge.
