Xiaomi 17 Ultra vs Vivo X300 Pro: Which Flagship Rules 2025?

Xiaomi has recently made public that the Ultra 17 is their new highest-end smartphone, particularly standing out due to its cutting-edge Leica camera system. With this introduction, the brand continues to attract consumers in the premium smartphone sector, relying on the positive image their Ultra models have created for them.

At the same time, Vivo's contribution to the camera segment has been through the integration of Zeiss optics in their flagship smartphones. The Vivo X300 Pro is not given the "Ultra" title, but it still competes very closely in the high-performance tier and, therefore, a direct comparison between the two devices is relevant for the enthusiasts and buyers.

The base model of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, 12GB RAM + 512GB storage, is priced at CNY 6,999 (around Rs 89,400), whereas the 16GB + 1TB variant, the most premium one, is priced at CNY 8,499 (about Rs 1.06 lakh). The Vivo X300 Pro is released with a single 16GB + 512GB option in India and priced at Rs 1,09,999.

The 17 Ultra features a flat-panel design that resembles Xiaomi 15 Ultra. It has a circular camera at the back with three lenses while the Xiaomi and Leica logos are in a subtle manner on the phone. The weight of the phone is 224 grams and its thickness is 8.29mm with the highest level of water and dust resistance rated at IP66, IP68, and IP69.

Vivo X300 Pro, too, presents a flat screen and round camera placement. Larger battery-wise, the device is symmetrically weighted and gets IP68 and IP69 ratings for waterproofness and dustproofness.

There is a slight difference in the display specs between the two. Xiaomi 17 Ultra's screen is 6.9 inches in size with a resolution of 1.5K, it is an LTPO AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 120Hz and protected by Dragon Crystal glass. Vivo X300 Pro has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and armor glass for protection.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra, at its core, was designed to have the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset and up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage as companions. With the HyperOS 3 software running, which is a version of Android 16, the device is right to expect a number of software upgrades throughout its lifespan.

The Vivo X300 Pro chose the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip for its technical features, along with 16GB RAM and 1TB as the reflected mass storage. It is powered by OriginOS 6, which is still new in China, and the company has a five-year period of OS updates for the device.

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra takes where it left off with the Leica partnership and offers a triple-camera setup with the following features: a 50MP with a 1-inch sensor and OIS as the main one, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and a 200MP periscope telephoto with continuous zoom. A 50MP front-facing camera is responsible for selfies and video calls.

X300 Pro from Vivo uses the same technique and is equipped with a triple-lens arrangement that comprises a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 200MP periscope telephoto lens with OIS, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. Both handsets want to provide flagship-level photography experiences, but the debate about Leica vs Zeiss optics persists.