vivo X300 Ultra European price official, we unbox the Find X9 Ultra, week 16 in review

This week brought major flagship announcements, foldable reveals, and our hands-on with Oppo's latest camera powerhouse.

vivo X300 Ultra European pricing confirmed

vivo has officially announced European pricing for its X300 Ultra flagship, and it's a significant investment at €2,000 for the phone alone. The company is also offering photography and video kit bundles that push the total to nearly €2,500 after discounts.

The X300 Ultra features a massive 6,000mAh battery, 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and vivo's V3 imaging chip for enhanced computational photography. The device sports a quad-camera system led by a 50MP main sensor with gimbal stabilization.

European availability starts in select markets this month, though vivo hasn't specified which countries will receive stock first.

Huawei Pura X Max foldable revealed ahead of April 20 launch

Huawei is preparing to unveil its Pura X Max foldable on April 20, alongside the Pura 90 Pro series. The wide-aspect foldable takes a different approach than competitors, offering a shorter but wider form factor when unfolded.

The Pura X Max will be available in five colors: Interstellar Blue, Olive Gold, Phantom Night Black, Vibrant Orange, and Zero Degree White. It features a triple rear camera system and larger unfolded display compared to previous Huawei foldables.

This launch positions Huawei to compete directly with Samsung's Z Fold series and Honor's Magic V lineup in the premium foldable segment.

Sony Xperia 1 VIII retains 3.5mm headphone jack

Good news for audio enthusiasts: Sony's upcoming Xperia 1 VIII will keep its 3.5mm headphone jack, according to FCC certification documents. The certification also confirms the phone will support the same connectivity features as its predecessor, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3.

This decision maintains Sony's reputation as one of the few major manufacturers still offering wired audio connectivity in flagship devices.

Xiaomi 18 Pro to feature dedicated AI button

Xiaomi is taking AI integration to the next level with the 18 Pro, which will include a dedicated AI button on the side of the device. This customizable button will allow users to launch AI functions "in any situation" and control smart home devices, including compatible Xiaomi electric vehicles.

The AI button represents a significant shift in smartphone interaction, potentially setting a new standard for how users access artificial intelligence features on mobile devices.

Motorola Edge 70 Pro teased for April 22 launch

Motorola has begun teasing its Edge 70 Pro, confirming an April 22 unveiling date. The device will be powered by the Dimensity 8500 Extreme chipset with 12GB RAM and a vapor chamber cooling system.

Key specifications include:

• 6.8-inch 144Hz display
• 6,500mAh battery
• Triple rear camera with 50MP Sony Lytia 710 primary sensor (OIS)
• 50MP ultrawide sensor
• 50MP selfie camera
• Multispectral sensor

The marketing campaign will heavily emphasize nighttime photography capabilities.

Our Find X9 Ultra unboxing

We've unboxed Oppo's flagship Find X9 Ultra, the company's most advanced camera smartphone to date. The device features Hasselblad-tuned optics, a periscope telephoto lens, and advanced computational photography features.

The unboxing reveals premium packaging and included accessories, showcasing Oppo's commitment to the flagship experience. Check out our full unboxing video to see what's inside the box.

Galaxy A37 vs. Galaxy A57 comparison

We've also published a detailed comparison between Samsung's Galaxy A37 and A57, two mid-range devices with different price points and target audiences. The comparison breaks down the key differences in display technology, camera capabilities, battery life, and overall value proposition.

What readers are saying

Our readers have strong opinions about the vivo X300 Ultra's pricing:

"holy moly, 2000 euro is way too much for a phone, let alone one you can buy (chinese version) for half the price when you import it, so even cheaper when buying in china."

This sentiment reflects the ongoing challenge manufacturers face when pricing devices across different markets, particularly with the gray market import option remaining attractive for many consumers.

Looking ahead

Next week promises more flagship announcements as we approach the busy spring smartphone launch season. Keep an eye out for:

• Huawei Pura X Max official unveiling (April 20)
• Motorola Edge 70 Pro launch (April 22)
• Potential additional Xiaomi 18 series details
• More hands-on coverage of newly launched devices

The smartphone landscape continues to evolve with AI integration, foldable innovations, and the persistence of features like headphone jacks becoming key differentiators in an increasingly competitive market.