Worth noting for Indian buyers — worth noting for Indian shoppers — the Vivo X300 FE (review) was introduced with much fanfare at an event in Delhi on May 6th, and it stands out for several reasons. Positioned as a successor to the sub-Rs 60,000 compact offering, the Vivo X200 FE (review), the X300 FE sits in the sub-premium-tier space. That said, it’s priced higher than the premium-tier Vivo X300 (review). Our comparison shows that while the X300 FE holds an edge in areas like battery life, the vanilla X300 remains the more well-rounded and performance-focused device, while also being more competitively priced. That said, that pricing advantage may not last for long.

Vivo hasn’t made anything official yet, but the signs are hard to ignore: the Vivo X300 could soon be discontinued or see a notable price hike. Here’s the reasoning behind the claim.

Vivo X300 price needs correction for the X300 FE to work

Vivo X300 could be discontinued altogether

vivo X300 Images

vivo X300 FE Images

Smartphone | Starting Price
Vivo X300 | Rs 75,999
Vivo X300 FE | Rs 79,999
Vivo X300 Pro | Rs 1,09,999
Vivo X300 Ultra | Rs 1,59,999

The Vivo X300 Pro and X300 Ultra sit neatly in the hierarchy. That said, the pricing of the Vivo X300 FE places it in an awkward spot between the standard X300 and the Pro models. Much of this comes down to the specifications on offer.

The Vivo X300 is a proper premium-tier, packing top-tier internals like the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 SoC and a versatile 200MP + 50MP + 50MP triple rear camera setup. The only real area where it trails the FE is battery capacity; the X300’s 6,040mAh unit is slightly smaller than the FE’s 6,500mAh cell. Vivo X300 FE Vivo X300

That said, that alone doesn’t quite justify the X300 FE’s higher price over the X300. This device boasts several sub-premium-tier specifications, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, a 50MP primary camera, and a fairly basic 8MP ultra-wide lens. It also misses out on consistent 4K video recording across all cameras, something the standard X300 handles better. And historically, Vivo’s FE (Fashion Edition) lineup has been positioned as a sub-premium-tier series, which makes the FE’s pricing here feel somewhat out of step with what it actually offers.

Why is the Vivo X300 FE expensive?

One of the key factors behind the Vivo X300 FE’s steep pricing is the ongoing memory shortage, largely fuelled by surging demand from AI-focused companies (we’ve covered this in detail in our explainer). The resulting supply crunch has driven up component costs, pushing OEMs to launch new smartphones at higher prices, typically in the 20–25 percent range, and, in some cases, even revise pricing for models already on the market (as highlighted in our recent roundup of price hikes across smartphones). Vivo X300 FE with its Telephoto Extender Lens

The current asking price of the Vivo X300 FE makes it more expensive than its predecessor, the Vivo X200 FE, which was introduced starting at Rs 54,999. Moreover, a look at the latest FE’s pricing across variants reveals that the Vivo X300, in its 16GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration, is actually more affordable.

Variant | Vivo X300 FE | Vivo X300
12GB + 256GB | Rs 79,999 | Rs 75,999
12GB + 512GB | Rs 89,999 | Rs 81,999
16GB + 512GB | NA | Rs 84,999

Given the current scenario, the Vivo X300 could be due for a price hike in the near future. Otherwise, the X300 FE may struggle to find shoppers at its current pricing. As things stand, the Vivo X300 feels like the more compelling option across the board. The compact form factor, once a key USP of the FE lineup, is no longer exclusive. The Vivo X300 is just as compact and lightweight, featuring a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display and weighing around 190 grams. It also supports a telephoto extender kit, offering up to 2.35x optical zoom that translates to a 200mm equivalent focal length, further strengthening its appeal. Vivo X300

That 460mAh deficiency in the X300’s battery only results in about 30 minutes less runtime in our PCMark battery test and roughly 2 percent higher drain during gaming compared to the X300 FE. during everyday terms, that difference isn’t significant enough to be a deal-breaker for anyone considering the Vivo X300 over its sub-premium-tier sibling.

If Vivo chooses not to increase the X300’s price, it may discontinue the model or quietly keep it out of stock, something that already seems to be happening with its Flipkart listing. The e-commerce platform currently shows limited availability, with the base variant not deliverable in many locations at the time of writing. This typically points to constrained backend supply, likely driven by component shortages or shifting production priorities. If Vivo chooses not to increase the X300’s price, it may discontinue the model or quietly keep it out of stock.

All of this remains conjecture based on current trends, so it’s best taken with a grain of salt until there’s official confirmation. Given that the X300 is a premium-tier launched less than six months ago, a full discontinuation seems unlikely in the immediate term. A price hike, That said, could be on the cards. If you’re considering buying This product, now might be a good time to do so. We’ve reached out to The company for clarity and will update this story once we hear back.