Here’s the upgrade to my favorite phone camera of last year

Source: The Verge

Overview

Vivo rarely has a presence at MWC, but this year it bucked that trend in a big way, revealing its next flagship phone, the X300 Ultra, alongside an upgraded telephoto extender lens and a professional camera cage. The handset isn’t ready for launch yet, and many specifications remain undisclosed, but Vivo has confirmed that the X300 Ultra will be the first Ultra model sold outside China.

The only concrete detail confirmed so far is that the X300 Ultra will feature a 200‑megapixel telephoto camera—the same resolution as last year’s X200 Ultra. We’re still waiting to learn what other upgrades Vivo has planned for the successor to my favorite phone camera of last year.

Telephoto Extender Gen2 Ultra

The 200‑megapixel sensor will be fully utilized by the new Telephoto Extender Gen2 Ultra, an optional lens that attaches to the phone’s rear. Telephoto extenders have become popular since Vivo introduced one with the X200 Ultra, and they are also supported on the X300 and X300 Pro (The Verge coverage). Competitors such as Oppo and Honor have released copycat versions.

Vivo is raising the stakes by increasing the focal length from a 200 mm equivalent to 400 mm, co‑engineered with long‑term camera partner Zeiss.

Redesigned Camera Grip

The new camera grip case is bulkier than the first‑gen extender but retains a similar aesthetic. It adds several buttons and controls, and notably removes the cut‑out for the touch‑sensitive shutter button that was present on the X200 Ultra, indicating that the button has been eliminated from the phone itself (confirmed during an in‑person MWC session).

Pro‑Grade Camera Cage

In addition to the extender, Vivo is introducing a “pro‑grade” camera cage, developed in collaboration with phone‑photography accessory maker SmallRig. According to Vivo’s press release, the cage includes:

• An array of cold‑shoe mounts and quick‑release ports
• Physical buttons for shutter and zoom controls
• A dedicated cooling fan for intensive video shooting

These features signal Vivo’s intent to position the X300 Ultra as not just a photography tool for enthusiasts, but a productivity platform for professional photographers and videographers.

Photo: Allison Johnson / The Verge

Availability

While previous Vivo Ultra phones were exclusive to China, the X300 Ultra is promised for global markets later this year. The exact scope of the release remains uncertain—U.S. availability is unlikely, and Vivo’s inconsistent history with European launches adds further doubt.