Explore Weekly Tech Deals: vivo X300 Ultra Launch, Discounted iPhones and More

The vivo X300 Ultra has officially launched in Europe, with the first units expected to ship in about a week. This smartphone is anticipated to be one of the best camera phones of the year, and we're currently testing a review unit that shows great promise.

Equipped with a powerful 200MP (1/1.12”) main camera featuring a 35mm ZEISS lens, a second 200MP sensor (1/1.4”) in the 3.7x/85mm periscope, a 50MP ultra-wide (116°), and a 50MP selfie camera, the Ultra impresses with its photographic capabilities. The device sports a large 6.82” 1440p+ LTPO display, a robust 6,400mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging support, and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

The €2,000 price tag may seem steep, but it reflects the cutting-edge technology. Amazon offers two bundles priced at €2,400 each. One includes a telephoto extender kit with a 400mm add-on lens and the vivo Imaging Grip, while the other contains only the telephoto extender kit. The vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender kit is priced at €600, but you can receive a 50% discount when purchased with the X300 Ultra, bringing the combined cost to €2,300—€100 cheaper than Bundle 2.

While the Ultra stands out, many users may prefer the vivo X300 Pro, which features a capable 50MP (1/1.28”) main camera and a 200MP (1/1.4”) 3.7x/85mm periscope camera. Though it utilizes a Dimensity 9500 chipset instead of a Snapdragon, it remains a top-performing option. Notably, the EU version's battery is downsized to 5,440mAh, less than the global model's 6,510mAh. Overall, with a solid voucher, the Pro model is nearly half the price of the Ultra.

Additionally, a vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender kit (with a 200mm lens) is available for the X300 Pro as well, but its full price of €400 may not be advisable until a discount arises.

The vivo X300 also offers substantial value, showcasing a robust voucher and ranking as one of the best 6.3” smartphones currently available. Utilizing the same Dimensity 9500 chip as the Pro, it features a nearly identical battery with 5,360mAh (the global X300 offers a 6,040mAh battery). Although the camera setup differs, it includes a 200MP (1/1.4”) main, a 50MP (1/1.95”) 3x/70mm periscope, a 50MP ultra-wide, and a 50MP selfie camera.

In contrast, Samsung's S+ series is struggling, with the Galaxy S26+ now priced under €1,000 for the 512GB variant. However, the limited upgrades compared to the S25+ and its Exynos 2600 chipset render it a challenging offering.

The lack of a Privacy Display in the S26+ prompts comparison with the Galaxy S25 Ultra, which is similarly priced and generally regarded as the superior device.

That said, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers tangible improvements over the S25 Ultra for just €150 more when considering the 512GB option. However, for those content with 256GB storage, the 2025 Ultra is well worth considering.

In an unusual turn of events, the premium iPhone Air is seeing discounts up to €490, a significant markdown. This phone features a sleek 5.6mm frame and weighs just 165g, boasting iOS, a 6.5” LTPO display, and respectable battery life.

Another phone to consider is the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, which was intended to rival the Air, but ultimately failed, prompting Samsung to cancel the series. With a decent discount available now, it may be viable for those looking for a lighter alternative to heavier S+ models. This phone has a 5.8mm frame and weighs 163g. However, despite having a larger 3,900mAh battery, it falls short in longevity compared to the Air (12:06h vs 12:44h Active Use score).

The Google Pixel 10 series also offers discounts exceeding €300. The Pixel 10 Pro competes directly with the vivo X300, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL takes on the vivo X300 Pro.

The exception in this context is the Google Pixel 10a, which has a modest discount but comes bundled with 3 free months of YouTube Premium and Google One.

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