The Vivo X300 FE has emerged as a new competitor to the iPhone 17e.
This week, while all eyes were on the newly unveiled iPhone 17e, Vivo quietly launched its X300 FE smartphone in Russia, with no event or press conference. The result is a phone that, theoretically, poses an uncomfortable challenge to Apple.
Apple boasts its own A19 chip and the long-awaited addition of MagSafe technology—a feature Android has had for years—but the X300 FE comes with a 5th-generation Snapdragon 8 processor, a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of 1 to 120 Hz, and a 6,500 mAh battery with 90 W fast charging. In contrast, the iPhone 17e has a 4,005mAh battery and 15W wireless charging. The difference in battery life and charging speed is so significant that it hardly warrants further discussion.
The X300 FE's camera system is more ambitious, featuring a 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX921), a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide lens. In contrast, the iPhone 17e has a single 48MP rear camera with 2x digital zoom. Vivo clearly excels in the variety of its imaging capabilities, although the 8MP ultrawide lens will likely become obsolete by 2026. As for longevity, the X300 FE promises Android 16 with five years of OS updates and seven years of security updates, a commitment few competitors in this price range can match.
However, there are some nuances worth mentioning. The X300 FE is essentially a rebranded version of the Vivo S50 Pro Mini for global markets, with the only notable change being the addition of Bluetooth 6.0. It also makes some questionable decisions: a USB 2.0 port is hard to defend in a phone of this price range, and its starting price of around $770 in Russia puts it at a higher price than the iPhone 17e in some markets.
- Technical specifications of the Vivo X300 FE phone:
Display: 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED, FHD+ resolution, adaptive refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 5th Generation (Standard) + Adreno 829
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X Ultra
- Storage capacity: 256GB/512GB UFS 4.1 (no microSD port)
- Rear cameras: 50 MP Sony IMX921 (main) + 50 MP Sony IMX882 with 3x optical zoom + 8 MP ultra-wide
- Front camera: 50 megapixels
- Battery: 6500 mAh Si-C, 90W fast charging, 40W wireless charging
- Operating system: OriginOS 6 based on Android 16, five years of OS updates, and seven years of security updates
Rust resistance: IP68 + IP69
- Connectivity: 5G, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, USB-C (2.0)
- Dimensions: Approximately 159 x 74 mm, thickness approximately 8 mm, weight approximately 191 grams
- Colors: Moon White, Cool Purple, Graffiti Black
- Price: Starting from around 710 euros (12/256 GB in Russia)
But the biggest problem isn't technical; it's logistical. The iPhone 17e is available for pre-order in over 70 countries, with a March 11 release date. The X300 FE, on the other hand, is currently listed only on third-party websites in Russia. Previous certifications in Indonesia and Eurasia point to a global rollout, but Vivo's track record with high-end devices in Europe and America isn't exemplary. The X300 FE also boasts IP68 and IP69 ratings and an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor—a feature Apple doesn't offer on the 17e, which relies on Face ID—but all these advantages are worthless if the phone doesn't reach stores.
If Vivo can secure genuine distribution at a competitive price, it will have a strong chance. Otherwise, it will remain just another great Chinese phone that most people won't be able to afford.