Vivo X300 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which ultra-flagship phone is worth buying?

Vivo has recently unveiled its latest flagship smartphone, the Vivo X300 Ultra, in India on May 6, 2026. This device boasts remarkable camera features and robust performance, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor. Priced at Rs 1,59,999, it competes directly with Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max. But how does it measure up against one of the most popular flagship models on the market? ### Pricing Breakdown The Vivo X300 Ultra is priced at Rs 1,59,999 for the 16GB + 512GB model, and it also offers an optional Vivo Zeiss Telephoto Extender kit for an additional Rs 27,999. In contrast, the iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at Rs 1,49,900 for the 256GB variant and can go up to Rs 1,89,900 for the 1TB version. ### Design and Display Features The design of the Vivo X300 Ultra is both simple and striking, featuring a prominent circular camera module on the rear. It has a thickness of 8.2mm and weighs 237 grams, with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max showcases a refined design with a newly expanded camera module, maintaining its sleek glass and aluminum finish. It measures 8.75mm in thickness and is slightly lighter at 233 grams. On the display front, the Vivo X300 Ultra sports a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with an impressive 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 1,800 nits. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, on the other hand, features a 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an astonishing 3,000 nits of peak brightness. ### Camera Capabilities The Vivo X300 Ultra positions itself as a photography powerhouse with its triple rear camera setup, which includes a 200MP main camera with gimbal stabilization, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. With ZEISS integration, it aims to deliver a professional photography experience. Conversely, the iPhone 17 Pro Max also excels in photography, featuring a triple camera system with a 48MP Pro Fusion camera across all lenses. It boasts a significantly larger sensor than its predecessor, providing enhanced focal length and up to 8x optical-quality zoom. ### Performance and Battery Life Under the hood, the Vivo X300 Ultra is equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. In comparison, the iPhone 17 Pro Max runs on Apple's A19 Pro chip, also known for its exceptional performance. Battery-wise, the Vivo X300 Ultra packs a robust 6,600 mAh battery with 100W wired and 40W wireless charging capabilities. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max features a 5,088 mAh battery supporting 40W fast charging. ### Conclusion As consumers weigh their options in the ultra-flagship segment, both the Vivo X300 Ultra and the iPhone 17 Pro Max present compelling features. Each phone offers unique strengths in design, camera technology, and performance, inviting users to choose the device that best fits their needs.