The premium smartphone segment in India has a new challenger with the arrival of the Vivo X300. It aims to deliver flagship-grade performance in a smaller form factor, and naturally, many buyers will compare it with Apple’s iPhone 17. Although both phones sit in different pricing zones, their overall capabilities make them direct alternatives for anyone shopping close to the ₹75,000–₹85,000 range. To help you understand how they differ, here is a detailed look at their price, build quality, performance, camera hardware, and battery experience.
Price in India
Vivo has introduced the X300 at a starting price of ₹75,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version. Two more variants are available:
– 12GB + 512GB at ₹81,999
– 16GB + 512GB at ₹85,999
The iPhone 17 begins noticeably higher. The 256GB model is priced at ₹82,999, while the 512GB version goes up to ₹1,02,900.
So, even though both phones target premium buyers, Vivo’s pricing is clearly more accessible.
Design and Display
The Vivo X300 maintains a compact footprint while still feeling like a top-end device. It uses an aluminium alloy frame and a glass rear panel, and Vivo has gone for IP68 and IP69 ratings, giving it extra protection against dust and water. The phone is 8mm thick and weighs around 190g, which keeps it comfortable for one-handed use.
Apple’s iPhone 17 also uses a metal frame with a glass back, but the front is reinforced with Ceramic Shield 2, which is designed to handle drops better. It matches Vivo’s 8mm thickness but is lighter at 177g. Apple limits the durability certification to IP68.
For visuals, the X300 includes a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with support for 1-billion colours, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and peak brightness that goes up to 4,500 nits, making it extremely bright outdoors.
The iPhone 17 offers a 6.3-inch Super Retina OLED screen. Apple’s ProMotion technology finally brings adaptive 120Hz to the standard model this year, improving smoothness across the interface.
Both phones deliver premium display performance, though Vivo’s extreme brightness stands out.
Performance and Software
The Vivo X300 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, paired with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The phone runs Android 16 with Vivo’s OriginOS 6 in India. Vivo is promising long-term support with five major Android updates and seven years of security patches, which is unusually generous for an Android device.
The iPhone 17 uses Apple’s A19 chip, and while it includes less RAM at 8GB, Apple’s tight software optimisation keeps performance consistently smooth. The phone arrives with iOS 26, and Apple’s update track record suggests that it should receive at least six more major versions of iOS.
Both devices promise longevity, but the experience will differ depending on whether you prefer Android’s flexibility or Apple’s ecosystem.
Cameras
Vivo’s approach with the X300 heavily emphasises versatility. It includes:
– a 200MP main camera with optical stabilisation
– a 50MP ultrawide lens
– a 50MP periscope telephoto lens for long-range zoom
On the front, Vivo offers a 50MP autofocus selfie camera, making the X300 appealing for photography-focused users.
The iPhone 17 continues with a simpler dual-camera setup, but both sensors are now 48MP—one wide and one ultrawide. On the front, Apple has updated the selfie shooter to 18MP with a revised imaging style.
Vivo clearly offers more hardware variety, while Apple relies on image processing and colour science to deliver consistency.
Also Read: Poco C85 5G India Launch Soon: Specs, Design and Features Revealed
Battery and Charging
Battery life is an area where the two phones differ significantly. The Vivo X300 houses a 6,040mAh battery and supports 90W wired charging along with 40W wireless charging. This combination caters to users who want faster recharging and longer endurance.
The iPhone 17 includes a 3,692mAh battery. It works with PD 3.2 wired charging and 25W MagSafe wireless charging.
Vivo’s advantage in battery size and charging speed is substantial, especially for heavy users.
Final Thoughts
The Vivo X300 and iPhone 17 deliver premium experiences in very different ways. Vivo focuses on camera flexibility, extremely bright displays, a large battery, and aggressive pricing. Apple continues to refine its hardware-software integration, offering a lighter design, powerful chipset, and long-term OS support.
If you prioritise photography options, battery life, or value for money, the Vivo X300 stands out. If you prefer a polished ecosystem with reliable long-term performance, the iPhone 17 remains a strong choice.
