vivo X300 vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The vivo X300 arrives with Mediatek’s latest Dimensity 9500, aiming to disrupt the flagship space. It directly challenges the OnePlus 12R, a phone that already established itself as a performance-per-dollar champion with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects which phone delivers the best experience for demanding users.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus 12R offers a more balanced package. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides proven performance and excellent thermal management, coupled with incredibly fast 100W charging. While the vivo X300 boasts a brighter display and potentially higher peak performance, the 12R’s established reliability and charging speed give it the edge.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X300 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 132024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 17Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions150.6 x 71.9 x 8 mm (5.93 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - International· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - China· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionReinforced Glass, Mohs level 4Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1216 x 2640 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.31 inches, 98.0 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, HDR Vivid, 4500 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x4.21 GHz C1-Ultra & 3x3.5 GHz C1-Premium & 4x2.7 GHz C1-Pro)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9500 (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUArm G1-UltraAdreno 740
OSAndroid 16, up to 5 major Android upgrades, OriginOS 6Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, LED flash, panorama, HDR, 3D LUT importLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, 4K@120fps HDR4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging90W wired 40W wireless Reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type· Si/C Li-Ion 6040 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5360 mAh (EU markets)Li-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Mist Blue, Summit Red, Iris Purple, Halo PinkIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2515, V2509ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 1100 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery52:15h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass A-
Free fallClass B (180 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

vivo X300

  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility
  • Potentially higher peak performance with Dimensity 9500
  • 40W wireless and reverse wired charging
  • Longer battery endurance (claimed)

  • Unproven chipset – potential for thermal throttling
  • Reliance on Mediatek’s software support

OnePlus 12R

  • Proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Excellent thermal management
  • Incredibly fast 100W wired charging
  • Established brand reputation and software support

  • Dimmer display compared to the vivo X300
  • No wireless charging

Display Comparison

The vivo X300’s display significantly outshines the OnePlus 12R in peak brightness, reaching a measured 1930 nits compared to the 12R’s 1181 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the X300’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced panel generation. We lack information on refresh rates or PWM dimming, but the brightness difference is a clear win for the X300, benefiting users who frequently consume content outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely target the upper-midrange segment. We can assume both will feature multi-camera systems, but the quality will depend on sensor size, lens apertures, and image processing algorithms. The absence of information on sensor sizes prevents a definitive statement, but the OnePlus brand generally prioritizes natural image processing, while vivo often leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The inclusion of a 2MP macro lens on either device is likely a marketing gimmick with limited practical value.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. The vivo X300’s Mediatek Dimensity 9500, built on a 3nm process, theoretically offers greater efficiency and performance than the OnePlus 12R’s 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The Dimensity 9500’s CPU configuration – a 1x4.21 GHz C1-Ultra core, 3x3.5 GHz C1-Premium cores, and 4x2.7 GHz C1-Pro cores – suggests a focus on peak performance, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 offers a more balanced approach. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a proven track record of sustained performance and thermal management, a critical factor for gaming and demanding tasks. The X300’s 3nm node *should* mitigate heat, but real-world testing is needed to confirm.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R boasts a significant advantage in charging speed with its 100W wired charging, capable of a full charge in just 26 minutes. The vivo X300’s 90W wired charging is fast, but slower. The X300 also adds 40W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, features absent on the 12R. However, battery endurance is more complex. The X300 claims a 52:15h endurance score and 17:31h active use, while the 12R achieves 14:32h active use. This suggests the X300’s more efficient chipset and potentially larger battery (size not specified) contribute to longer runtimes, despite the 12R’s faster charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X300 if you prioritize display brightness and are willing to gamble on a newer chipset with potentially higher peak performance. This phone is for early adopters who want the latest tech. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you value a proven track record of performance, efficient power management, and incredibly fast charging. It’s the safer, more refined choice for gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9500 in the vivo X300 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9500’s 3nm process *should* improve thermal efficiency, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a proven track record of sustained performance. Without extensive testing, it’s difficult to say definitively. Monitor temperatures during gaming and consider using performance throttling apps if overheating occurs.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to other fast charging solutions?
100W charging is exceptionally fast, fully charging the OnePlus 12R in approximately 26 minutes. This is significantly faster than most 65W or 80W charging solutions and provides a substantial convenience for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the vivo X300 and OnePlus 12R noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 749 nit difference in peak brightness is quite significant. The vivo X300’s display will be noticeably brighter and more readable in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use. Indoors, the difference will be less pronounced, but still visible.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support any form of video recording stabilization?
While specific details are missing, phones in this price range typically include Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for video recording. The quality of EIS varies, but it will help reduce shakiness in videos. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is less common at this price point.