Vivo’s newest flagship smartphones, the X300 and X300 Pro, made their Chinese debut merely a fortnight ago, yet the brand is accelerating its typical rollout schedule by announcing a remarkably swift international expansion. Unlike previous product generations, which often took months to traverse Chinese borders, Vivo is now introducing these high-end devices to global markets with unprecedented speed. As of today, the company has officially confirmed that both models will soon be available for purchase beyond mainland China, including in several key European territories. Alongside this hardware release comes another significant milestone for the brand: the worldwide debut of OriginOS — Vivo’s Android-based user interface that, until now, had been confined exclusively to its domestic audience.

OriginOS first appeared in November 2020 and has gradually evolved through consistent iterations to its current version, 6.0. Despite continuous upgrades in design philosophy and functionality, Vivo had previously shown a curious reluctance to extend the system’s reach to users outside China. For years, international buyers were instead relegated to Vivo’s older user interface, unfortunately branded as Funtouch OS — a name that promised much but seldom delivered. That software, known for its uninspired visual presentation, limited customization options, and an often excessive abundance of pre-installed bloatware, failed to inspire enthusiasm among global consumers. In contrast, OriginOS embodies a far more refined and visually engaging approach, emphasizing fluid navigation, an elegant aesthetic, and thoughtful personalization features that align more closely with premium Android competitors.

The new iteration brings an especially notable array of enhancements. The lockscreen, for instance, now supports sophisticated customization choices, including layered depth effects and practical widgets that grant easy access to essential functions. A visually striking design element, referred to as the “Dynamic Glow,” enhances user interaction with its luminescent effects reminiscent of Liquid Glass, giving the interface an almost tactile sense of fluidity. While not revolutionary, the overall upgrade represents a major step forward in creating a unified and contemporary experience that modern users — long accustomed to polished UI ecosystems from rivals — are likely to appreciate.

As for the X300 and X300 Pro themselves, the devices retain the impressive technical foundation that generated considerable buzz during their initial Chinese reveal. Each model houses a sizable silicon–carbon battery — a technology emphasizing energy density and efficient heat management — although their capacities, at 6,040mAh for the X300 and 6,510mAh for the X300 Pro, place them slightly below the most recent releases from competitors such as Oppo and Xiaomi. Even so, these batteries should deliver excellent endurance in everyday scenarios. The camera systems, however, stand as the true showcase of Vivo’s technological ambition. Both devices feature advanced imaging hardware, with the X300 Pro distinguished by an exceptional 200‑megapixel telephoto sensor designed for unparalleled clarity and depth. Perhaps most impressively, both phones are compatible with the Zeiss-engineered 2.35x telephoto extender, originally introduced with the X200 Ultra earlier this year, underscoring Vivo’s continued collaboration with Zeiss and its ongoing commitment to photographic excellence. With these components, the X300 series easily ranks among the most sophisticated camera phones currently available, promising to satisfy professional photographers and casual enthusiasts alike.

Regarding market availability, Vivo’s European launch plan includes Austria, Spain, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Italy — a diverse selection reflecting the company’s strategic push into regions increasingly open to premium Chinese smartphones. Pricing is positioned firmly within the flagship tier: the X300 begins at €1,049 (approximately $1,200), while the X300 Pro carries a base price of €1,399 (around $1,600). This pricing mirrors Vivo’s confidence in the devices’ capabilities and their perceived parity with dominant players in the global smartphone landscape. Overall, the X300 series signals not only the global maturation of Vivo’s hardware but also the long-anticipated international debut of OriginOS — a combination poised to redefine how the brand is perceived by discerning users worldwide. (Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge)

Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/810314/vivo-x300-launch-finally-brings-originos-to-the-rest-of-the-world