Vivo X300 Ultra at bargain prices: How does the top-of-the-line smartphone differ from the imported model?
For our review of the new Vivo flagship, we received two model variants: the global and the Chinese model. While the Vivo X300 Ultra in the Chinese model is now available for under €1.000, those interested in the top-of-the-line smartphone in Europe often still pay the RRP of around €2,000, such as at Amazon.de. Even with 16 GB of RAM and 1 TB of storage, the Vivo smartphone is significantly cheaper at our loan provider, Trading Shenzhen, for well under €1,300.
Hence, the main question is: Is the cheaper Chinese import worthwhile, or is it better to opt for the official EU model? We take a closer look at the differences between the model variants. In sum, importing a Vivo phone may be very appealing for some.
Some software limitations
At first glance, importing Vivo's current flagship phone seems to be a no-brainer. The Chinese model is offered in more colors, has more storage options, and, in addition to the lower price, a fast-charging power adapter is included.
However, the Chinese firmware, which is heavily tailored to the Chinese market, presents significant disadvantages for some users. In our tests, some Google services didn't always function as expected. For example, Google Location Services proved problematic when trying to locate a GPS tracker via the "Find My Device" network. The Chinese version also completely lacks Wear OS integration and doesn't offer eSIM support in Europe. The latter can be remedied with an eSIM adapter for the SIM card slot.
On the other hand, there are no compromises when it comes to language support. The X300 Ultra for China also comes with a multi-language ROM, including English. Android Auto has also worked reliably with Vivo phones from China for several years
There are some minor questions regarding updates. While seven years of software support are confirmed for Europe, it remains unclear for the Chinese model whether the advertised five years refer to Android upgrades (as in Europe) or also include security patches.
No drawbacks in terms of hardware
Users shouldn’t expect any hardware limitations in everyday use with the Chinese model. It boasts a comprehensive selection of LTE and 5G bands, ensuring no disadvantage in network coverage in Europe.
However, the limited return and support policies of importers are the only minor disadvantage when importing. Vivo Europe has previously confirmed to us that warranty claims for Vivo smartphones purchased abroad can be processed in Germany, provided the models are officially sold in Europe. Since this is the case with the current flagship model, an imported X300 Ultra does not need to be sent back to China for repair.
Source(s)
Review of the Vivo X300 Ultra
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