Test Vivo X300 Pro: Underwater Photography Review and 2026 Score
Vivo X300 Pro underwater camera review: Features Zeiss T* lens, MotionCam Pro. Compatible with the Divevolk housing. Detailed scores (B1-B7), July 2026 price, and comparison with the X300 Ultra.
Is the Vivo X300 Pro compatible with the Divevolk underwater housing?
Yes. Divevolk officially announced compatibility between the X300 Pro and the SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum in early 2026. The gel touchscreen allows access to all screen functions underwater- including MotionCam Pro and focus peaking.
Can I shoot in RAW format with the Vivo X300 Pro underwater?
Yes, it is possible to capture images in native 14-bit DNG format using the Pro mode of the camera app. On Android GMS devices, MotionCam Pro is available and adds RAW video recording, focus peaking, and full manual control over all settings. The white balance can be locked in Kelvin to stabilize color consistency between shots.
What is the difference between the X300 Pro and the X300 Ultra models for diving?
The X300 Ultra features a larger main sensor (1/1.12 inch compared to 1/1.28 inch), an APV 10-bit video codec, CIPA 7.0 stabilization, and an additional 12-channel spectral sensor. The Pro offers a very similar system at a lower price, typically around €600 to €900 depending on the vendor. For natural light photography without advanced Log video capabilities, the difference is moderate.
Is the Vivo X300 Pro suitable for underwater photography in natural light?
Yes, but with a note about storage. The Sony LYT-828 1/1.28-inch sensor, the Zeiss T* optics, native 14-bit RAW format, and MotionCam Pro make it a serious tool for natural light photography. The only thing to be aware of is that the actual OTG transfer speeds when writing to an external SSD are disappointing (30-40 MB/s), so you need to factor this in for longer dives.
Should an anti-fog treatment be used with this device?
Yes, absolutely. Due to its housing (often made of aluminum) and heat dissipation system using a vapor chamber, the risk of condensation forming in cold water (below 15°C) is significant. Using an anti-fog treatment (such as a silica gel packet or inserts) inside the housing is mandatory before each dive.
How can I quickly transfer my photos and videos from this device?
This device offers excellent connectivity. With a wired connection, the USB 3.2 port allows you to transfer your gigabytes of RAW files or 4K videos to an external SSD or computer in just seconds. For wireless transfers, using ShareMe is ideal for fast and stable connections.
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To learn how to use a smartphone while diving - including pre-dive settings, manual focus adjustments, and RAW workflow in natural light - consider the [AquaExposure underwater photography course](/blog/comparative-underwater-photography-smartphones-2026). For information on previous generations, see our [review of the Vivo X200 Ultra](/blog/vivo-x200-ultra-underwater-photography-test-2025). The review of the X300 Ultra is also available if you are comparing the two models before purchasing.
Ideal for: Underwater photographers shooting in natural light who want a serious Android system without investing in a flagship device costing 2,000 euros. Ideal for dive trips in warm water where value for money is important.
Not ideal for: Divers who plan to transfer data frequently between dives (due to the limited OTG SSD), or those who want the most advanced video codec without compromise (the X300 Ultra has an advantage in this area).
B1 - Optics (20 %)
Score: 4.0 / 5
The X300 Pro features three modules. The main sensor is a Sony LYT-828, 1/1.28 inch and 50 MP, with a 24mm focal length, f/1.57 aperture, and gimbal-type OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). The ultra-wide-angle module uses a Samsung ISOCELL JN1, 1/2.76 inch and 50 MP, with an f/2.0 aperture, macro focusing at 4 cm. The periscope telephoto lens is 85mm and features a 200 MP sensor (Samsung HP9, 1/1.4 inch), f/2.67 aperture, hardware OIS, and autofocus up to 10 cm in certified Zeiss APO tele-macro mode.The anti-reflective T* coating is integrated into all of the modules. A problem with off-axis flare that was documented on the X200 Pro generation has been corrected here thanks to a new optical treatment. Underwater in partial backlighting conditions, this is a directly visible improvement.
The 10 cm close focus distance on the 85 mm telephoto lens opens up an interesting macro space without additional optics- portraits of cleaner shrimp, details of shells, and coral texture at a reasonable distance without disturbing the subject. The wide-angle lens with f/1.57 is one of the brightest apertures available in this price range for Android devices in 2026.
The main sensor remains at 1/1.28 inch, while the X300 Ultra goes up to 1/1.12 inch. This difference matters in deep water or under low natural light conditions. During tropical dives between 5 and 20 meters with good visibility, the difference will be imperceptible.
B2 - RAW and Colorimetry (25%)
Score: 4.3 / 5
Three sub-components are evaluated separately.
B2a - Native RAW: The DNG format is available in Pro Mode within the Vivo camera application (OriginOS or Funtouch depending on the version). The bit depth reaches 14 bits thanks to the Dual Conversion Gain supported by the sensors. No special configuration is required- the RAW format works in the housing from the initial setup. Score: 4.5 / 5.B2b - MotionCam Pro: The X300 Pro runs on Android 16 with full Google Mobile Services (GMS). MotionCam Pro is available on the Google Play Store and works natively with the phone's sensors. The app unlocks RAW video recording, focus peaking (which is not available in the native Vivo app), and an image exposure pipeline that processes each frame individually. For natural light diving, focus peaking makes manual focusing easier in murky water. Score: 4.5 / 5.
B2c - Zeiss Color Science: The partnership with Zeiss on the X300 series is both hardware and color-related. The "Zeiss Natural" and "Vibrant" profiles are available. Support for importing custom 3D LUTs is included. White balance can be locked in Kelvin values in video mode – which is essential to prevent color shifts between underwater shots. A Vivo Log 10-bit profile is available for video recording. Score: 4.0 / 5 (the X300 Ultra adds a 12-channel spectral sensor and the APV codec, hence the difference in this area).
Locking the white balance in Kelvin before diving is a habit to develop on all smartphones. In the typical blue water of the Mediterranean, a value between 5,500 and 6,500 K provides a neutral base that can be adjusted in post-production. The smartphone comparison for underwater photography lists recommended starting values based on conditions.
B3 - Storage (15%)
Score: 3.0 / 5The X300 Pro is available in 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB configurations, with internal UFS 4.1 storage. There is no microSD card slot. The connector is a USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 according to the manufacturer's specifications.
A crucial point that requires explicit warning: several independent users report actual OTG transfer speeds to an external SSD being limited to around 30 to 40 MB/s. This speed is close to that of USB 2.0, despite the advertised standard. For a liveaboard trip or a day with three intensive dives in RAW format, transferring 100 GB to an external SSD could take 40 to 55 minutes instead of the expected 5 to 10 minutes.
The solution is either to opt for the 1 TB internal storage (ideal for avoiding on-site transfers) or to accept that data will be transferred overnight rather than between dives. It is essential to test your actual OTG transfer speeds with your own cable and SSD before traveling.
The score of 3.0 reflects this concrete and documented limitation, not the paper specifications.
B4 - Thermal Performance (15%)
Score: 4.0 / 5
The X300 Pro's chassis uses an aluminum frame with "Armor Glass" reinforced faces. The internal cooling system integrates a large vapor chamber with hydrophilic nanofluid, the effectiveness of which is confirmed by independent stress tests and teardowns for extended use. Both IP68 and IP69 certifications are present.Unlike the X200 Ultra, whose aluminum housing could cause significant condensation in cold water, the X300 Pro benefits from better overall thermal management. No specific reports of critical condensation have been documented to date.
[WARNING] Silica gel packets: mandatory. The aluminum housing remains thermally conductive. Despite the improved overall management compared to the X200 Ultra, condensation in cold water (below 15°C) remains a real risk without silica gel protection. Use fresh packets before each dive and replace them every 3 days.
Tropical overheating: The nanofluid vapor chamber is very efficient. In water at 28°C, software overheating occurs after approximately 25 minutes of continuous shooting - providing a comfortable margin for clips of 3 to 5 minutes with pauses.
In cold water (below 15°C), a fresh silica gel packet in the housing remains recommended before each dive. This is a precaution that applies to all smartphones in a sealed housing, regardless of brand. The guide to waterproof smartphone housings details good maintenance practices.
B5 - Battery (10%)
Score: 4.0 / 5The battery capacity varies depending on the version: 6,510 mAh with silicon-carbon chemistry for the Chinese market, potentially reduced to 5,440 mAh in the global and European versions. The European version is likely to be found in most housings sold in France, Belgium, and Switzerland.
The silicon-carbon (Si-C) chemistry, present in the CN version, inherently offers better resistance to voltage drops in cold temperatures compared to standard Li-Ion batteries. For the EU version with 5,440 mAh, the battery life remains excellent: a full day of three dives shooting RAW photos without recharging is achievable in most situations.
The main advantage of Si-C technology is its performance in cold water. If you purchase directly from China (CN version), you will receive the 6,510 mAh Si-C battery. If you buy from a European retailer, be sure to check the exact version being shipped.
Before each dive session, remember to check your external battery pack. Use our portable battery comparator tool to choose the power bank that is right for your housing and your desired battery life.
B6 - Autofocus (10%)
Score: 3.5 / 5
The autofocus system combines multi-directional PDAF, laser AF assist, and a colorimetric spectrum sensor (flicker sensor). Focus peaking is available via MotionCam Pro (not integrated into the native Vivo app).The key underwater consideration is the Laser AF system. In water with a high concentration of particles (plankton, sediment, harbor water), the laser technology may latch onto suspended particles rather than the intended subject. No dedicated anti-particle mode is documented for this model. Switching to manual focus with focus peaking is the recommended solution in these conditions.
Before each dive, check if the Laser AF can be disabled from the advanced settings of Pro Mode. If not, MotionCam Pro allows you to take complete control of the manual focus. Focus hunting in murky water is the expected behavior with any active autofocus system- anticipation is the only effective response.
B7 - Housing (5%)
Score: 3.0 / 5
There is no dedicated rigid housing specifically for the X300 Pro. Divevolk officially announced compatibility of the SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum housing with the X300 Pro series in early 2026. The gel touchscreen membrane transmits finger conductivity to the capacitive screen, allowing access to 100% of the interface underwater: Pro Mode, MotionCam Pro, focus peaking, RAW. Certified depth is 60 meters.
The score of 3.0 reflects the lack of a dedicated housing, with universal compatibility confirmed via the SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum - a reliable solution but one that should be checked at the time of purchase to confirm that your specific X300 Pro model fits within the housing's dimensions.The advantage of the Divevolk touchscreen over systems with physical buttons is that access to the entire interface remains complete. With a housing using physical buttons, only functions connected by wires are accessible. On the SeaTouch, changing modes, navigating within MotionCam Pro, and manually adjusting exposure between shots – all can be done as if you were on the surface. See our Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus or Platinum comparison to choose the version that best suits your needs.
Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum, officially confirmed compatibility for the X300 Pro series (announcement expected in early 2026). Depth rating of 60 meters, complete touchscreen access. No other certified rigid housings are documented at this time. Verify the exact dimensions of your unit when purchasing – Vivo may adjust thicknesses between production batches.
Post-Dive Workflow
Three 45-minute dives with intensive RAW photography can generate between 60 and 120 GB of data, depending on resolution and frame rate. Plan for a minimum configuration of 512 GB, or 1 TB if you are mixing photo and 4K Log video. For field transfers, anticipate real OTG transfer rates of 30 to 40 MB/s (and not the expected USB 3.2 speeds). A 1 TB SSD and a high-quality USB-C cable remain useful, but plan to transfer data overnight rather than between dives.
Current Prices (July 2026)New: Starting from €841.79 on Idealo.fr (July 2026, source: idealo.fr). Price observed for the 16/512 GB version. Up to €1,179 depending on the color and seller. Fnac offers the Black model and the Gold model in the 16/512 GB configuration. Import offers starting from €713 are reported on Kimovil, but without European warranty.
Used / Refurbished: Starting from €984.73 on Idealo (July 2026, source: idealo.fr). Back Market France offers refurbished units with a 12-month warranty.
Note: The "used" prices close to the new price are explained by the recent launch date of the phone. This difference should widen by the end of the year.
X300 Pro vs X300 Ultra: Is it worth spending more?
The X300 Ultra starts around €1,798 for import models and exceeds €2,000 with European retailers. The price difference compared to the X300 Pro is approximately €600 to €900 depending on the source.
What the X300 Ultra offers specifically for underwater photography: a larger main sensor (1/1.12 inch versus 1/1.28 inch on the Pro), an APV 10-bit video codec, CIPA 7.0 stabilization on the telephoto lens, and a 12-channel spectral sensor to assist with white balance. For natural light photography (RAW format, no advanced Log video), the sensor difference will be most noticeable in deep water (beyond 20 meters) or in low-light conditions.If you regularly use advanced Log video features, the X300 Ultra is worth the extra cost. If you primarily shoot in RAW format and in clear water up to 20 meters, the X300 Pro performs well at a significantly more reasonable price.
Our Verdict
The Vivo X300 Pro scores 3.8 / 5 on our AquaExposure rating scale. This is a solid score for a smartphone that isn't the flagship model in its range.
The Zeiss T* optics with off-axis flare correction, native 14-bit RAW support, full MotionCam Pro compatibility, and well-managed thermal performance make it a coherent tool for underwater photography in natural light. The Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Platinum housing ensures access to all these functions underwater without interface limitations.
The only factor that limits this score is the actual OTG transfer speeds, which are documented around 30 to 40 MB/s despite the advertised USB 3.2 standard. This is a logistical issue, not an optical one - but it's something to consider on a liveaboard or extended dive trip without proactive storage management.
For a scuba diver photographer looking for a serious Android system without reaching the budget of an X300 Ultra, the X300 Pro is a fair option.
