In the Philippines, we’ve been trained to treat a stable internet connection like a miracle.

We pay our bills on time, hoping the “fiber-fast” gods smile upon us so we can work and study, or even stay connected from the comfort of our homes.

But as I found out in the past two weeks after I came from vacation, Converge ICT Solutions doesn’t see you as a loyal customer with a guaranteed service.

To them, you might just be a “slot” in a box; one that can be unplugged the moment it’s convenient for the system.

On May 1, at 11:30 AM, my internet just… died. There were no outage. Just that dreaded blinking red LOS (Loss of Signal) light.

We’ve all been there, right? You restart the modem, you wait, you use your mobile data, and you hope it’s just a temporary glitch. I didn’t know then that I hadn’t just lost my connection. I had been replaced.

Port-snatchers in the telephone room

The next morning, a repair crew showed up at my condominium. After checking the lines inside my unit, we went out to the hallway to check the telephone room where the NAP box is located.

This is the central hub for our floor, and I’ve been plugged into it for over a year now. I was there first. But when the technicians opened that box, they told me something so ridiculous I thought it was a prank.

My fiber line had been pulled out of its assigned slot. In its place, a newer subscriber — someone who had likely just signed up — was plugged in. I dreaded the fact that my connection wasn’t broken. It was manually removed.

It’s like paying for a reserved parking space in your own building for a year, only to come home and find the building manager gave it to a new tenant because they didn’t want to find a new spot.

In the world of Converge, your seniority and your contract mean nothing if there’s a new installation to be finished.

The “QA” trap where logic dies

This is where it gets truly frustrating. A second repair team came by a few days later and confirmed the situation. They saw the problem, and they knew exactly how to fix it by simply swapping the wires back.

They actually tried to help. But then came the “QA” (Quality Assurance) roadblock. The team told me they couldn’t leave me connected because they needed to “investigate” first.

Even though everyone knew my line was removed to make room for someone else, the “process” became more important than the customer.

It was a total circus. The technicians knew what was wrong but weren’t allowed to fix it. Meanwhile, the office claimed they were investigating while I sat in the dark. To top it off, the automated system kept closing my tickets because I wasn’t “responding” to their automated messages, even though the only response I wanted was a working connection.

I wasn’t a resident in their eyes. I was just an inconvenience in their workflow.

Scary reality of the empty slot

After I started talking about this, I realized I wasn’t alone. I heard stories from other people who had their lines “reassigned” or “swapped” just to get a new installation done quickly.

It’s a scary thought: if a NAP box is full, it seems easier for a technician to just unplug an old client to hook up a new one. It makes the company’s “new activations” look great on paper, while those of us who have been paying for years are suddenly erased from the system.

The most frightening part? As I write this, I am still offline. Despite the technicians seeing with their own eyes that my port was taken, the red light is still blinking.

To add insult to injury, the system already closed my ticket through an automated notice, even though the problem is very much unresolved. I am still waiting for “QA” to finish an investigation into a problem that has an obvious physical fix.

Even with continuous attempts to escalate the issue properly, they were still unable to address the issue.

It makes you realize how powerless you are once you’re stuck inside their machine. We’re not really paying for data. We’re paying for a commitment that seems as thin as a fiber wire.

Next time your LOS light starts blinking red, ask yourself: Is my line actually broken, or did they just give my slot to someone else?

The ongoing WIDE foldable rumors have completely hijacked my brain lately. Not in the “this will change smartphones forever” kind of way. We’ve heard that speech enough times already. I think I’m more fascinated by the fact that the industry seems willing to experiment again.

If we’re being honest, slab phones have kind of reached the point where most improvements now feel like somebody adjusting a character creator slider by two percent and calling it a generational leap.

Foldables were supposed to shake things up. And to be fair, they did. I love big foldables. I love working on them. But after using a bunch of them over the years, it also started feeling like we collectively settled into one idea of what a foldable should be. Tall outer screen. Big square-ish inner screen. Make it thinner every year. Repeat.

Which is why these newer WIDE foldable concepts immediately stood out to me.

WIDE foldables

I’ve seen some people react to the recent WIDE foldable rumors with the usual “nobody asked for this” comments. I get it. We’ve all become a little cynical after years of iterative updates and increasingly microscopic improvements.

But as someone who has covered tech for years now, I think that mindset is a little disingenuous. This is what we’re here for. The weird ideas. The risky ones. The “wait… hold on a minute” devices. Not just endlessly refining the safest possible version of a slab phone.

Maybe this sounds dramatic, but I had a similar realization during a leadership meeting recently. We talked about how content sometimes falls into the trap of sticking to what already works. Safe formats, ideas, and execution. Then I realized I do the exact same thing in my own life.

Sometimes I change my phone case or wallpaper just to make a device feel fresh again. Humans naturally seek renewal. We like rediscovering things. That’s partly why these WIDE foldables immediately caught my attention.

Not because current foldables are bad. Far from it. I love big foldables. I love working on them. But after using a variety of them over the past half decade, it started feeling like the category had settled into one lane. And maybe, just maybe… that lane isn’t the only answer.

We became obsessed with hinges and forgot the experience

A lot of foldable conversations today revolve around hinges, creases, and thinness.

And yes, those are incredible engineering achievements. I’ll never pretend otherwise. Some of these devices are borderline absurd from an engineering standpoint.

But at some point, coverage and marketing around foldables started feeling a little too focused on whether the crease disappeared by 0.3 millimeters or whether the hinge can survive the apocalypse.

That stuff is cool. But none of it matters if the device doesn’t actually feel great to use.

For me, current book-style foldables occasionally feel like the industry asking: “Where else can we take slab phones?”

Instead of asking: “What shape actually makes the most sense for a handheld computer?”

That’s why the potential of WIDE foldables feels so interesting.

And to clarify what I mean here: I’m talking about the form factor that resembles a passport handbook when folded, then opens into a proper rectangular mini-tablet or phablet. Honestly, I think the phablet era might quietly be making a comeback.

The aspect ratio immediately feels more natural to me. Not necessarily revolutionary. Just… coherent.

Maybe we’ve normalized awkward aspect ratios

One thing I’ve always found slightly strange with current foldables is how disconnected the outer and inner screen experiences can feel.

The outer display is usually this tall, narrow portal. Then you unfold it and suddenly you’re looking at a squarer canvas. That works for some things. But not always seamlessly.

Meanwhile, devices like the HUAWEI Pura X Max immediately caught my attention because both displays seem to share a more similar philosophy. Wide rectangles. One smaller. One larger.

Almost like an A5 paper unfolding into A4.

And yes, I know. Saying “paper ratios” in 2026 probably makes me sound like someone who still gets excited about Muji notebooks and mechanical keyboards. Totally not me, but a few people come to mind. I digress.

But think about how we consume media now.

I’m especially excited for this current K-pop comeback season. LE SSERAFIM’s Pureflow Pt. 1. ITZY’s Motto. aespa’s LEMONADE. My algorithm is about to become an absolute disaster.

On a WIDE foldable, going from an MV to member fancams feels significantly more seamless. You simply rotate the device instead of aggressively negotiating with black bars every five seconds.

And if split screen works well enough? Simultaneous bias and bias wrecker fancams. Efficient. Productive, even.

A device like this is also great not only for single person consumption. It also becomes big enough that you can snuggle up and share it with someone you get tactical smooches from.

These feel closer to palm computers than phones

The more I think about WIDE foldables, the more I stop seeing them as phones. Or at least not phones in the traditional sense. They feel closer to modern palm computers.

Maybe this is the part where my inner tech romanticism fully takes over, but when I was younger, I always imagined myself somewhere in a business district handling… well, business… on some sleek handheld device that fit perfectly in my palm.

That fantasy probably came from old depictions of Palm computers, communicators, sci-fi gadgets, and every impossibly cool fictional device that made adulthood look sophisticated.

Now, here we are revisiting those ideas while carrying devices that are exponentially more powerful than the computers that sent people to the moon. And yet we still mostly interact with them through vertical slabs.

That’s why WIDE foldables feel important to me. Not because they’re objectively better, but because they challenge assumptions we’ve normalized for years.

Perhaps that’s really what resonates with me. Not necessarily the promise that this is the “next big thing,” but the fact that it feels like the industry is experimenting again instead of endlessly refining the same shape over and over.

Because if we’re being honest, most foldable conversations lately have devolved into hinges, crease visibility, and how thin manufacturers can make them before someone accidentally folds one with the power of friendship.

Meanwhile I’m over here wondering if we’ve simply gotten too comfortable with vertical slabs.

Maybe WIDE foldables become massive. Perhaps they stay niche. Maybe they become the physical manifestation of “this could’ve been an email.”

I genuinely don’t know.

What I do know is this form factor made my brain light up in a way phones haven’t done in a while.  

And after years of covering increasingly iterative devices, that’s refreshing enough for me.

Any modern smartphone series usually comes with a base, a Pro, and an Ultra model. However, some phone makers introduce a more affordable “Lite” version.

Still with the same intent, others do substitutes using “e”, “s”, a combination of “SE”, or an even rarer “FE” model.

Well, the vivo X300 series is a clear testament to this. Aside from last year’s base and Pro, the Chinese manufacturer has decided to launch two more models on both ends of the spectrum.

The clear headliner is none other than the X300 Ultra. But, the latest vivo X300 FE is meant for users who want that X300-grade cameras minus its soaring pricing. Or is it?

What are the compromises though? Are there even any? Here’s my extensive review.

FE = ✨ Fab Edition ✨

When Samsung launched the first “FE” phone, they thought of resurrecting the quite explosive Galaxy Note7 (literally and figuratively). All for the sole fulfillment of their fandom who’ve been clamoring against its sudden discontinuation right after the fueling fiasco.

The “Fan Edition” was then born.

However, my understanding with vivo’s X300 “FE” isn’t intended solely for fans. It’s rather an embodiment of full-on fanciness. Thus, that FE meant ✨ Fab Edition ✨ in my vocab.

If we’re talking about how it stands out from the rest of the X300 family, size isn’t just about it.

The dimensions of the X300 FE are teeny tiny close to the vanilla vivo X300. However, if you’re not a fan of its massive circular hump, X300 FE’s singular camera bar is the way to go.

Honestly, I truly appreciate how vivo decided to use an aluminum enclosure rather than slapping a piece of glass wholly. That single move will make you think it’s another Pixel phone by Google.

Also, notice that ZEISS branding sitting beside the elongated flash unit? That’s the best way to tell that it’s the X300 FE, not the S50 Pro mini exclusive to China.

It’s these small design details that make me appreciate the beauty of a smartphone as a whole.

Speaking of, the X300 FE I rock is in this fabulous Glow White shade with subtle wave-like patterns when hit by faint light. Honestly, I love this texture for added elegance.

If that’s not your cup of (milk) tea, there are three more options to choose from: Cool/Noir Black, Urban Olive (or Green), and Mist/Lilac Purple — all without that added pattern.

When held, the phone is premium to the touch. Its aluminum side trims also feel solid with buttons that are tactile and not too clunky.

Time will only tell how long it remains unscathed against pointy objects in your pockets.

And, before I forget, it’s rated to withstand extremities with its dual IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance rating.

#NowPlaying: Perfect Crown 👑

Finally flipping onto its front, the vivo X300 FE instantly reminds me of IU in Disney+’s Perfect Crown. Much like her petite yet powerful aura, the X300 FE shares the same feat — both in display size and quality.

For one, this ZEISS Master Color Display makes me truly enjoy all the heartwarming moments of Seong Hui-ju (or Sung Hee-joo) and the perfectly charming Grand Prince I-An (as starred by Byeon Woo-seok).

Blacks are as deep as the back stories and familial sentiments of both protagonists. More so, display nits go as high as 5000 nits — just like the sparkling eyes of I-An when he’s dazzled by Hui-ju’s beauty.

Colors ultimately pop too, like their lovey-dovey moments in between.

However, unlike the families of both sides trying to go overboard, this LTPO AMOLED display begs to differ as it displays the most accurate color representation possible. DCI-P3 Wide Color Gamut, 1.07 Billion Colors and HDR+ support, you get the idea.

Visuals are also as sharp as Hui-ju herself: a pixel density of 460 ppi and display resolution of 1.5K.

Also thinking about Prince I-An’s protection to Hui-ju against all odds, the X300 FE also wants to protect your eyes: 2160Hz PWM Dimming, Night Eye Care Mode, even SGS Low Blue Light Certification.

These are something most brands have often overlook in display tech, especially for those who have sensitive visuals.

Specs sounding too familiar? Well, the base X300 has the same powerful display. So yes, the quality has never been compromised to begin with.

The only thing that nitpickers will notice is the slightly thicker bottom chin of the X300 FE that the regular X300 doesn’t have. But I digress.

It’s also worth noting that the X300 FE finally adopts a speedy and ever-reliable ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Last year’s X200 FE relied on a slower optical fingerprint sensor. This is more than just a welcome change considering that vivo pioneered this fingerprint tech eight years ago.

On queue: LE SSERAFIM 🥳 + Xdinary Heroes 🚀

With LE SSERAFIM’s latest pre-release track “CELEBRATION,” it enticed me to test out how powerful the speakers of the vivo X300 FE really are.

Aside from all the member’s deep and soulful vocals, I was able to hear the hidden synths, thumps, and oomphs that are barely recognizable in other phones.

Moreover, I felt the depth of its stereo speakers when I played Xdinary Heroes‘ latest comeback track titled “VOYAGER” as well as the full “DEAD AND” album.

DAY6’s 후배 / hoobae (or junior) is as powerful as the speakers are.

From the beats and strums of the drums and guitars, all the way to the powerful voices of the members, it’s honestly surprising to hear that the X300 FE isn’t an actual embodiment of its small form factor.

Tiny in size never meant tinny in sound performance.

If I’m being bold enough, it’s as loud and powerful as what I had and heard with its bigger brother, the X300 Pro.

Dedicated pro-former 🎮

The vivo X300 FE is the only phone in the family that does not run a “top-tier” chipset.

As a matter of fact, it’s one of the fewest smartphones that run Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC. Although this should not to be confused with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, it’s still a very capable and power-packed flagship chip on its own.

And by that, I meant triple A games running as smooth as ever!

My extreme gaming benchmarking usually starts with HoYoverse’s Zenless Zone Zero due to its demanding graphics.

Right off the bat, the game runs in High graphics setting by default while Rendering stays at Medium.

My recent gameplay took me to a 20-minute combination of Combat Mode and extreme story-telling.

Moreover, Racing Master ran at Ultra-High graphics quality, HD resolution, high motion blur, and frame rate set to 60fps.

Surprising (or not) the vivo X300 FE handled all of these with ease, just like any modern flagship would.

This also meant that other less-intensive games such as CoDM (Call of Duty: Mobile), MLBB (Mobile Legends: Bang Bang), or any other similar FPS or MOBA game will run smooth like butter.

The only downside for me who has big hands, gaming here sometimes feel sore. Also, the lack of a bigger VC chamber that contributes to less efficient heat dissipation, resulting to warmer gameplay in the long run.

Speeds were neither compromised. It’s the same UFS 4.1 storage and LPDDR5X Ultra memory. The catch? Slower USB-C 2.0 port over USB-C 3.2 Gen 1.

Beyond gaming, overall UI smoothness is a must.

Thanks to vivo’s streamlined OriginOS 6, animations looked both snappy and fluid whenever opening or switching between apps. Aside from the usual AI shenanigans, there are more things to love such as Private Space, Origin Island, One-Tap Transfer, and more.

Even Office Kit that enables seamless connectivity between your MacBook was not left behind. It’s also reassuring to hear that the X300 FE will receive five (5) years of OS upgrades and seven (7) years of security patches.

Compact champ 🔋

You’ve known by now that the vivo X300 FE is definitely in the “compact” league. You also know how the FE serves as the “twin sister” of the X300.

But, the biggest disparity of the two are none other than their batteries. Although numbers aren’t everything, battery capacities matter a lot.

Despite its petiteness, the vivo X300 FE boasts a whopping 6500mAh battery capacity — similar to the larger X300 Pro. The base X300? Stuck at 6040mAh. Worse? European units are capped at 5360mAh.

Using this phone under my light to moderate usage patterns, the vivo X300 FE can totally last way past midnight.

Using it in heavier scenarios was unavoidable. Gaming for around 1.5 hours deducts battery levels to 25% more or less.

Using its cameras every now and then to take lots of snaps and clips contribute more to that depletion.

Not unless you’re doom-scrolling or binging for more than five hours, an hour of content consumption or social media will not totally diminish that massive tank.

Some personal use-case: I went out to the city around 6AM and used it as my personal hotspot. After that 12-hour mark, there’s still around 31% battery left.

For the same scenario, my vivo X300 Pro dies right around that time. Worse? Lasting only around 7 to 8 hours.

Once empty, the X300 FE supports vivo’s 90W FlashCharge. Unlike European models, Asian variants (like I have) still have bundled charging adapter and cable when you buy one.

 

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In my GadgetMatch Charge Test, it can be juiced up from 0% to 100% in 75 minutes, as long as FlashCharge High Speed is enabled.

	FlashCharge High Speed	FlashCharge Normal
START TIME (From 0%)	7:29PM	2:56PM
3 minutes	1%	1%
5 minutes	4%	4%
10 minutes	12%	7%
15 minutes	17%	13%
20 minutes	32%	20%
30 minutes	44%	33%
45 minutes	66%	53%
1 hour	88%	74%
1 hour 15 minutes	100%	95%
END TIME	8:44PM 1 hour 15 minutes	4:23PM 1 hour 27 minutes

Normal FlashCharge speeds require you around 15 more minutes to completely fill to the very brim.

Like the rest of X300 iterations, the X300 FE also supports 40W wireless FlashCharge that the vivo V70 and V70 Elite do not provide.

Don’t judge the camera by its cutout

Last but definitely not the least, vivo X300 FE’s triple camera system.

Before anything else, here’s how it compares with its closest rivals: the vanilla X300 and the midranger V70.

	vivo X300	vivo X300 FE	vivo V70
Wide	200MP f/1.68 1/1.4” Samsung ISOCELL HPB sensor	50MP f/1.88 1/1.56” Sony IMX921 sensor	50MP f/1.8 1/1.56” Sony LYT-700C sensor
Ultra-Wide	50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor	8MP f/2.2 –	8MP f/2.2 –
Tele- photo	50MP f/2.57 1/1.95” Sony LYT-602 sensor 3x optical zoom	50MP f/2.8 1/1.95” Sony IMX882 sensor 3x optical zoom	50MP f/2.65 1/1.95” Sony IMX882 sensor 3x optical zoom
Selfie	50MP f/2.0 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor	50MP f/2.45 1/2.76” Samsung ISOCELL JN1 sensor	50MP f/2.0 –

While all share the same focal length choices, it all boils down to minuscule differences between image sensors to actual aperture count. Let’s just say the X300 FE shares more similarities to the vivo V70.

But, the filling is always the sweetest spot in the cake. Let’s go straight to actual shots taken with this phone.

The X300 FE provides color consistency regardless of the focal length you choose — even past its optical zoom limit.

Ultra-Wide Angle (UWA) photos, while sufficient, has some over-sharpening happening in between.

That’s obviously to compensate for its measly 8MP shooter.

Thankfully, vivo made its other two lenses equal in terms of megapixel count.

Of course, regular 1x (wide) shots are taken with that default 23mm focal length — which can then be changed to 28mm and 35mm through a series of taps in the camera app.

2x zoom is also possible thanks to in-sensor cropping — 46mm or 50mm equivalent to be exact.

One must never judge a book by its cover — just like refraining from judging a camera solely by its cutout.

The vivo X300 FE is a living proof that having a camera cutout that’s comparable to midranger phones does not equate to mid camera performance and image output.

Even more, placing a 3x periscope telephoto module (73mm) inside that camera bar is a true feat of engineering.

Even beyond its dedicated 3x optical zoom, results are surprisingly captivating to the eyes.

One thing’s for sure. The 3x telephoto camera of the X300 FE is better when it comes to minimum focusing distance that the vivo V70 suffers from.

That meant you can take zoomed shots even at a closer distance, much like how I always do in taking #foodporn snaps.

BONUS: X300 FE vs X300 – Can you even tell them apart without nitpicking?

Taking mementos of your furry friends? The X300 FE handles that with ease.

That focusing strengh also meant Super Macro mode is possible.

Lastly, shots from the Golden Hour to night.

Just remember to fire up vivo’s Night Mode algorithm in scenes where there’s clear absence of light.

 

The ZEISS Masterclass

With the existing ZEISS partnership, these usual color profiles are already given: ZEISS, Vivid, and Textured.

ZEISS Portrait Styles were not left behind as well. And it not only works with humans, but with animals and objects alike.

Even if you don’t switch to Portrait Mode, you can still snap close-ups with that creamy bokeh behind.

Speaking of Portrait Mode, beautification can be toggled and adjusted to your liking — both in front and back.

And while we’re at it, front-facing camera can go a bit wider — from 26mm to 20mm.

The X300 FE has also adapted the Humanistic Street Photography Camera interface that got introduced way back in the X200 series. The upgraded version means it’s also equipped with all these film-like presets:

• Textured
• Classic negative*
• Vivid
• ZEISS Natural
• B/W
• Positive film*
• Clear blue*

* newer film simulation looks

B/W, while not Leica levels, still looks dramatic as it could be.

But, even if you’re just shooting with the regular camera mode, the vivo X300 FE can still produce soulful shots with the correct framing and timing.

What about video shooting?

As for video recording, it’s also heaps better than the vivo V70.

The said midranger is stuck at shooting 4K/60fps. The X300 FE? It can shoot as extreme as 4K/120fps — just without the goodness of Dolby Vision HDR.

For most users, that isn’t a compromise. But, you know what’s the real downside? Ultra-wide video shooting is capped at 1080p/30fps. That’s may be due to the small sensor and megapixel count of its ultra-wide sensor.

Shooting at 1080p/60fps and beyond starts at the regular 1x focal length.

Here are some recordings for you to judge:

With the presence of that dedicated telephoto shooter lies vivo’s exclusive Stage Mode feature.

Clearly, it’s intended for shooting artists or celebrities in concerts.

To take things up a notch, the vivo X300 FE also has its own Telephoto Extender Kit — just like its X300 sibs.

Although I was not able to try it as vivo did not lend us one, it’s still a great way to fully-maximize that great telephoto goodness beyond the limits of a compact sub-flagship.

Is the vivo X300 FE your GadgetMatch?

The vivo X300 FE shares all the great feats that its siblings possess.

It’s solidly built, has a stylish design, boasts a brilliantly bright display, a true pro-grade performer both in core and cameras. Plus, a battery capacity that’s even bigger than its twin brother.

The vivo X300 FE is a solid Swipe Right.

The only reason to Swipe Left is the staggering pricing that isn’t synonymous to last year’s X200 FE (INR 54,999 / INR 59,999).

For context, the vivo X300 FE in India starts at INR 79,999 for the base 12+256GB. The 12+512GB configuration that I have? A whopping INR 89,999.

The non-FE vivo X300? Currently sold at INR 75,999 and INR 81,999 respectively. Indian buyers know what they’re dealing with.

However, Europeans might have a hard time deciding. The base X300 is only limited to a 12+256GB variant at EUR 899. Whereas the X300 FE has a higher 12+512GB config for EUR 999.

That 100 Euro difference means you’ll get double the storage, a huge, HUGE boost in battery (ICYMI: 6500mAh over 5360mAh). Also, a cleaner horizontal camera bar that most people prefer.

But, would you rather trade off the better camera system and more powerful flagship chip?

A redditor even pointed out that the X300 FE is more “import-friendly” (especially in Western regions) due to better network band support by Qualcomm that the regular X300 lacks because of having a MediaTek chipset.

At the end of the day, it will all still be your call.