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Why does India celebrate National Technology Day? Every year on May 11, India marks National Technology Day to commemorate a defining moment in its history: the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests. Led by then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and a team of brilliant scientists, these underground tests were so secretive they famously exposed a massive intelligence failure by the CIA. The same day saw the successful test flight of the indigenous Hansa-3 aircraft and the Trishul missile. In 2026, we explore how this "explosion of self-esteem" paved the way for India to become a global leader in AI, space exploration, and semiconductors. Plus: The New King of Camera Phones? We’re putting the Vivo X300 Ultra to the test. Is it a phone with a great camera, or a professional camera that happens to make calls? With its massive triple-camera setup featuring dual 200MP sensors and ZEISS optics, this device is redefining mobile photography. Watch the full episode to know if it is worth buying!
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00:13Greetings everyone. Welcome to a brand new episode of the Tech Today Show. I'm your host
00:18Cyrus and this week the big talking point is around National Technology Day. Why do we
00:24celebrate it? What's the emphasis? What happened all those years ago that India still considers
00:29this day as important as it is today? We'll be asking people whether they even know what National
00:35Technology Day is. It's going to be a fun segment and we are going to decrypt everything that happened
00:39all these years and why we celebrate this day. Also, a smartphone that is trying to be a DSLR,
00:46it's creeping into that territory with all of the aesthetics, new accessories and also new dynamics
00:51in terms of camera technology. Does the Vivo X300 Ultra hold its true potential and compete with
00:58the flagships like maybe in the iPhone and even Samsung S26 Ultra. Everything will be unpacked
01:04this week on the Tech Today Show. But before we get on with our big tech story, the first thing
01:08that
01:08we need to do is check out the top tech headlines of the week. Let's do that.
01:17Zomato co-founder Dipinder Goyal has officially opened pre-orders for Temple, a specialized health
01:22wearable designed to track brain blood flow. Goyal says the first 100 units are ready to ship to a
01:29select group of founding users, including athletes and scientists. The device, which sits near the
01:35eyebrow, aims to provide real-time cognitive insights and monitor markers for aging. While Goyal has
01:42personally invested $25 million into the project, some experts remain skeptical of its scientific claims.
01:54Elon Musk has announced a major restructuring of his artificial intelligence venture,
02:00re-branding XAI as SpaceX AI. Musk says the change signals a total convergence between
02:06frontier AI research and space-based applications. The move is expected to integrate
02:11AI more deeply with the Starlink satellite network and SpaceX autonomous navigation systems.
02:17Industry analysts see this as a strategic push to take AI compute off-planet to bypass
02:23Earth-based power and cooling limits.
02:30LG Electronics India has unveiled its 2026 portfolio, bringing AI-driven tech to everything from refrigerators
02:37to washing machines. The new lineup features premium French door refrigerators and AI-enabled washing
02:44machines that detect fabric type for better care. LG has expanded its budget-friendly essential series,
02:51which it plans to export from India to 22 countries this year. The entire range is available across retail
02:57and e-commerce platforms. In a surprise partnership, SpaceX AI has signed an agreement to give rival firm
03:08Anthropic access to its Colossus One supercomputer. Anthropic plans to use the massive 2200,000 GPU cluster
03:16to boost capacity for its Claude Pro and Claude Max subscribers. The deal also includes a long-term vision
03:23to develop orbital AI, with Anthropic exploring the use of SpaceX rockets to launch AI servers into space.
03:30It marks a significant shift towards cross-company cooperation in the race for high-end compute.
03:39And Qualcomm has expanded its portfolio in India with the launch of the Snapdragon 6 Gen5 and Snapdragon 4 Gen5
03:47processors. Both chips are built on a 4nm process and include smooth-motion UI to eliminate screen stutter
03:55in affordable phones. The 6 series now supports 100x AI Zoom with Wi-Fi 7, while the 4 series brings
04:0290fps gaming
04:03to entry-level segment for the first time. The first smartphones powered by these processors are expected
04:09to arrive from brands like Redmi and Vivo by late 2026.
04:25Loyal fans of the Tech Today show, did you know that India celebrates the National Technology Day on the 11th
04:31of May every year? In fact, did you even know there was something like the National Technology Day?
04:37Actually, I want to hear the first time that there is such a day. I'm sorry, I don't know.
04:42Exactly, I don't know about this. But again, that's not the big question. The real question here is,
04:47why do we even celebrate it? I don't have any idea, to be very frank.
04:50No, I don't have any idea. I don't have any idea. Not much.
04:53So, it's clear that many are not aware of the fact that India celebrates National Technology Day on the
04:5811th of May. And in this segment, we will try to tell you why exactly we celebrate it, what is
05:03the emphasis
05:04of this day and how it has shaped India's technological advancements and how it has given India the bigger
05:11name in the world of technology.
05:31The 11th of May is not just another date on the calendar. It's the day India made a statement
05:37the world could not ignore. Today, at 15.45 hours, India conducted three underground nuclear tests
05:48in the Pokhran side. In 1998, deep in the sands of Rajasthan, India successfully conducted a series of
05:57nuclear tests at Pokhran, officially declaring itself a nuclear weapons state.
06:12This operation was called Pokhran 2.
06:19And it wasn't just about power. It was about capability, confidence and control over our own future.
06:27India. Because until that moment, India had the knowledge, but not the declared status.
06:34The world saw India as a country with potential. May 11th changed that perception forever.
06:49But what makes the story even more incredible is how it was done.
06:54For weeks, nearly 2000 scientists and engineers worked in complete secrecy.
06:59Led by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr. R. Chudambaram, this was one of the most tightly coordinated scientific
07:06missions India had ever attempted. Secrecy was everything. At a time when global surveillance
07:13satellites were constantly watching, the team had to think beyond just science. They had to think
07:19strategy. They worked mostly at night. Equipment was transported quietly. Even the sand in the desert
07:27was carefully reshaped so that no unusual activity could be detected from above. Imagine the pressure.
07:35One mistake, one unusual pattern and the entire mission could have been exposed. Underground engineers
07:42designed deep shafts to contain the explosions. Every detail had to be precise because once the test
07:49was triggered, there was no second chance. Thousands of sensors were deployed to capture data in mere
07:56milliseconds because the extreme conditions of the blast would destroy most equipment instantly.
08:04And then came the moment. On May 11th, 1998, the tests were executed successfully.
08:14In a matter of seconds, India demonstrated its nuclear capability to the world. And the reaction was immediate.
08:28Some countries responded with sanctions. There was a global debate, pressure and scrutiny.
08:34The United States strongly opposes any new nuclear testing. This action by India not only threatens
08:41the stability of the region. But inside India, it was a moment of immense pride. Because this wasn't
08:50just about becoming a nuclear power. It was about proving that India could achieve something incredibly
08:59complex and independently. This is why we celebrate National Technology Day. Because this wasn't just a
09:08scientific breakthrough, it was a declaration of self-reliance.
09:12A moment that told every Indian, we have the talent, the capability and the courage to
09:35build our own future.
09:46But here's the thing, it's just not about what happened in the desert in 1998 that helped
09:51India announce itself to the world about its technological prowess.
09:55There were other technologies that helped shape India's tech ecosystem as well.
10:04The same day in Bengaluru, India successfully tested the Hansa 3, an indigenous aircraft
10:11built using advanced composite materials and here's why it matters.
10:17For decades, India depended heavily on foreign technology, especially in aviation.
10:23Designing and building an aircraft at home meant we were beginning to trust our own engineering
10:28capabilities.
10:30These composite materials made the aircraft lighter, stronger and more fuel efficient.
10:36But more importantly, it proved that Indian scientists could design solutions tailored specifically
10:42for our own needs and our own conditions.
10:56At the same time, another major milestone was achieved, the Trishul missile, a short-range
11:02surface-to-air defense system which was successfully test-fired.
11:12And this wasn't just about launching a missile.
11:14It required precision tracking, high-speed data processing and real-time decision-making systems
11:20that had to work flawlessly within seconds.
11:24Think about it.
11:25A machine identifying a threat, calculating its trajectory and responding almost instantly.
11:33That level of technological integration was a big leap for India at that time.
11:42So, if you step back and look at the bigger picture, in just one day, India demonstrated strength
11:49on the ground with nuclear capability, innovation in the air with indigenous aviation and intelligence
11:55in defense systems with advanced missile systems.
12:00Very few countries in the world could showcase this kind of multi-domain capability and India
12:05had done it in a single day.
12:12That's why May 11th is more than just a historical milestone.
12:17It's a reminder of what happens when vision, science and determination come together.
12:24It marked the beginning of a new mindset, where India stopped looking outward for validation
12:30and started building inward with confidence.
12:35And you can see that same mindset even today.
12:41From space missions to digital payments.
12:44From startups to AI innovation.
12:46The foundation of that belief was laid decades ago.
12:52So that was a lowdown about National Technology Day.
12:55Now you have an understanding of why we celebrate it.
12:58But I believe it just should not be about the achievements of the past.
13:01But it should also be about what we can achieve in the future.
13:05Every Indian tech innovator, every Indian tech company should focus on building in India
13:10and also put India on the world tech map.
13:13And I understand there are going to be challenges in the future like there were in the past.
13:18But that's the idea, right?
13:19We have to overcome these challenges and create impressive technologies that the world and Indians
13:25will be proud of.
13:32So this is the Vivo X300 Ultra and this is a smartphone that is trying to do well in almost
13:40all of the departments, but it's trying to stand out in one, which is the camera.
13:45And it's just not a usual way it's trying to do that because it's got everything.
13:48The big camera sensors, the big battery.
13:51But it's trying to transform a smartphone into an actual camera system that you can use.
13:56And after using it for a while, I think I understand the direction in which Vivo is trying to go.
14:01But I don't know whether everyone will understand this.
14:03So let's talk about the Vivo X300 Ultra and try to understand what Vivo is trying to offer
14:09with this smartphone and whether you should buy this phone if you're looking for a serious camera system.
14:24Let's first talk about the camera because almost 80% of the smartphone is just about cameras.
14:30And the rest is just another flagship slap phone.
14:34On paper and in practice, it is a very serious imaging setup, a 200 megapixel primary camera
14:40and a same spec telephoto lens and also a 15 megapixel ultra wide sensor.
14:45The samples come out great.
14:47I mean, you've got strong computational photography backed by a dedicated imaging chip,
14:52which is the VS1 Plus, which is also designed to process images at the raw level.
14:56That means better control over noise, dynamic range and detailing comes before the image is even finalized.
15:03And we've tried to observe how Vivo has been able to do that with some of the image samples that
15:08we clicked.
15:08Photos are detailed, dynamic range is excellent.
15:11And more importantly, the colors feel more natural than before.
15:15Not overly saturated and not trying too hard in terms of overcompensating for the low light.
15:20And that's kind of been the problem with Vivo in the past, but they have tried to fix it with
15:25this one,
15:26but just on the little side.
15:27And this is the kind of tuning that feels a little bit closer to the camera ecosystem
15:32than what you'll see on smartphones these days.
15:34But more interestingly, it's just not about the imaging that Vivo is trying to do with this smartphone.
15:39It's what it's trying to turn this phone into.
15:42Because everything you see is built around this big chunky camera module, which gets this cover
15:48to slap on these external telephoto lenses.
15:51You get a 200mm and a 400mm compatible lens with this one.
15:55And it is just an experiment, which I am really beginning to like.
15:59Which Vivo, by the way, started with the X200 Pro and they have just advanced it a little more.
16:05The functionality doesn't change a lot, but there are a few extras that you need to pay attention to.
16:09And some of these shots are close to what modern DSLRs can do, but don't think of this as a
16:15replacement.
16:16I mean, it is not practical.
16:17You will have to carry this setup along with you every single time.
16:20And I feel it's just better carrying an actual DSLR.
16:24Yes, some of the attachments do add a lot of element to your photography, but it's not really pro.
16:32So where does that leave us?
16:33I mean, it adds a little versatility to the entire camera system,
16:36but I am again saying it, don't look at it as a replacement for a DSLR.
16:41The good thing is that you add these telephoto lenses and your photography will definitely
16:45improve compared to some of the other flagships that you see in the market.
16:49But you'll have to spend that extra.
16:51But the big question here again is, would you do it?
16:54I mean, the video quality is good and I would still use it for daily Instagram videos.
16:59But if I am trying to go pro, I would still prefer an iPhone over a Vivo's video.
17:06However, the images are great and I feel Vivo has definitely upped its game.
17:10Now moving on to the front camera, which is a 50 megapixel sensor, but it has a few issues.
17:15Like this magnification in normal mode.
17:17I am keeping it at a natural position and my head is still getting cut.
17:21You'll eventually end up using only the wide angle mode.
17:24And in low light, when you switch magnification, this jittery animation is a problem that should
17:30not be in a flagship device.
17:32And I hope Vivo can fix these small issues.
17:34However, from a pure camera perspective, the images are decent,
17:38good subject separation in portraits, and the video quality is also good for vlogging.
17:43So overall, a comprehensive camera system with additions of the telephoto lens.
17:47And if you're looking for just camera on a phone, just to stand out, this one is a good option.
17:56Now talking about performance, and this is where things are just straightforward.
18:00Because you're getting the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 built on a 3nm process.
18:05And India finally gets the ultra version of the Vivo phone.
18:09So that's a positive.
18:10And the ultra tag speaks for itself.
18:13I mean, look at these numbers.
18:14These benchmarks are flagship category and some of the best figures
18:17that you're getting in benchmarking right now.
18:20In real world use, that translates to exactly what you expect.
18:23Apps launch fast, smooth multitasking, and no real slowdowns.
18:26You also get 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage,
18:30which means you're not going to hit limits anytime soon.
18:33There is also a large vapor chamber cooling system,
18:35and it's designed to handle long recording sessions,
18:38which makes sense considering the camera is the focus.
18:41So performance isn't just about speed on the smartphone,
18:44it's also bundled with consistency.
18:47And you also get Origin OS on the smartphone,
18:49which has some cool AI features that enhance your overall experience,
18:53but no standouts.
18:54There are a bunch of ecosystem features like file transfers to the iPhone.
18:58Yes, you can directly airdrop files to the iPhone with this one.
19:02And you also get screen sharing,
19:04which make it more useful if you're working across devices.
19:07You also get something called Origin Island,
19:09which is basically Vivo's take on the iPhone's dynamic notifications.
19:14So overall, this is a flagship-level device with absolutely no compromise in terms of the
19:19performance you get.
19:20Plus, you are also getting 5 years of OS and 7 years of security updates this one,
19:25which means Vivo is clearly defining this smartphone as a long-termer.
19:33Now, display is another department in which Vivo is aligning the screen with the camera capabilities.
19:40And I'll tell you how.
19:41Because you're looking at a 6.82-inch panel with 2K resolution
19:44and an adaptive 1Hz to 144Hz refresh rate.
19:48And yes, that 144Hz does make it feel very smooth,
19:52whether you are viewing content or gaming on this phone.
19:55But more importantly, the display is known for its accuracy,
19:59because you're going to be viewing a lot of images
20:01and to know the color accuracy and also definition of images that you click,
20:06a good display is very important.
20:08And get this, you are getting 100% P3 color gamut and also support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
20:14So when you are previewing photos and videos,
20:16what you see is very close to what you actually get.
20:19And you also get 2160Hz of PWM dimming,
20:22which means using this phone in low light is not going to be a strain on your eyes at all.
20:27So yes, it is a good display, which is purpose-built to complement the camera system.
20:32And it also doubles as a fantastic screen.
20:39Now, battery is another area where Vivo has gone big,
20:43because this one comes with a 6600 mAh battery, that's coupled with 100W wired charging,
20:49and you also get 40W of wireless charging.
20:52And there are some interesting additions like bypass charging,
20:55which helps you during long gaming or recording sessions,
20:57and a battery extender mode that optimizes you to the last bit of charge.
21:02I was able to get at least two days of battery juice with regular use.
21:07And the best part is when I ran till zero,
21:09I was able to charge this phone in just under 60 minutes, which is great.
21:14So when you're using a smartphone for its camera capabilities,
21:17I believe the battery department should be really strong.
21:20And Vivo lives up to that expectation, because 6600 mAh and also fast charging,
21:26I think it will be great if you are using or going to use this phone for just videography or
21:32photography.
21:36Now, coming back to the design of the smartphone, and I can clearly say that this, again, stands out.
21:43Because you get a glass fiber back, camera-inspired detailing, and that large circular module.
21:49Yes, it looks unique and stands out, but it's not the most practical design,
21:54and that you will get to know if you keep the phone flat on the table.
21:58I mean, just look at this camera module.
22:00I mean, you can hold the phone with just this one.
22:03Yes, it is strong.
22:04It's not moving anywhere, but in terms of practicality,
22:07just feels a little overwhelming and makes the phone a bit top-heavy.
22:11You also get IPX8 and X9 water resistance, which is solid for real-world use.
22:15The glass back is smooth and not prone to smudges or any scratches, which I like.
22:20So, the design is solid and bold and purposeful, but it does come with its set of trade-offs in
22:26usability.
22:31So, after using the X300 Ultra for a couple of weeks, I can say that this phone does stand out,
22:36but it's really not meant for everyone.
22:39Yes, it is a phone that's trying to push one idea, which is that your smartphone can be a serious
22:44camera tool,
22:45and it's doing it in many ways and succeeding as well, because you get great image quality,
22:49strong performance, a beautiful display, and also excellent battery life.
22:53But then you also get a device that seems less practical and more of a niche, especially with the lens
23:00system.
23:01So, if you're someone who's really creative and into photography, then a smartphone like this makes sense,
23:06because you're already exploring that hobby of yours, and you're also getting a practical smartphone.
23:12However, if you just want a balanced flagship experience, you're better off getting one of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra,
23:18or maybe even the iPhone 17 Pro or the Pro Max, because this one is just meant for, you know,
23:25a specific kind of people, not meant for all.
23:28That's it for this video, hopefully you liked the review of the X300 Ultra.
23:31Let us know if you would want to buy this phone, and if you really like the innovation that this
23:36one brings,
23:37and if you feel there is a better option, do let us know, and thanks for watching again, I'll be
23:42back soon.
23:42That's a wrap for this edition of the Tech Today Show, and remember, if you have any questions around new
23:48camera technology,
23:48or whether you should even invest in an expensive phone like the Vivo X300 Ultra, do write in to us,
23:54and we will try to help you make a smarter buying decision.
23:58Next week is an important story. Why is it important? Because it could decide how AI shapes in the future.
24:03It's a feud from Silicon Valley, Elon Musk versus Sam Altman. How will that pan out?
24:09Everything we will try to tell you in the next week episode.
24:13The Society is signing off on another episode of the Tech Today Show. I will see you next week. Take
24:18care.
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