vivo’s X500 and X500 Pro Max have appeared as working demo units in Chinese retail stores ahead of the series’ September 21 launch. The photos confirm that vivo is taking markedly different design approaches with the two models: the standard X500 uses an off-center circular camera module within a broad rear island, while the Pro Max retains a large, centrally placed ZEISS-branded camera disc.
The retail units could be handled, but their software was heavily restricted, preventing a meaningful early test of performance, cameras, animations or OriginOS 7. Settings remained accessible, however, and a photographed X500 unit showed its Dimensity 9600M chipset and 7,500mAh battery in the About Phone menu.
The apps did not work. I wanted to do some hands-on testing as well. From what I tried, only Settings worked.
Radu Diaconu
X500 brings flagship camera hardware to the standard model
The white vivo X500 shown in the retail photos is positioned as more than a stripped-back flagship. Its reported camera hardware includes the 50MP Sony LYTIA-828 main sensor also used by the X300 Pro, alongside a 64MP Sony LYTIA-610 telephoto camera. Both are rated for CIPA 5.5 stabilization. The phone is also expected to support vivo’s external 200mm teleconverter.
- 6.59-inch flat OLED display with 1.5K resolution and up to a 144Hz refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 9600M processor, with a prime core clocked at up to 4.21GHz
- vivo V3+ imaging chip
- 7,500mAh battery with 90W wired charging; previous information also points to 40W wireless charging
- 50MP ultrawide camera
- 4K video at 120fps through the telephoto camera
A previously photographed Chinese configuration carried 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The X500 also moves away from the compact positioning of the X300, increasing display size from 6.31 inches to 6.59 inches.
Pro Max centers on a 200MP ZEISS telephoto camera
The X500 Pro Max is the more overtly camera-focused device, built around its oversized ZEISS module. vivo has presented the model with a 200MP ZEISS APO periscope telephoto camera using a 1/1.4-inch Samsung HP0 sensor, plus a 50MP main camera based on the company’s Blueprint Light Control 900 sensor.
- 6.85-inch BOE Q11 display with 2K resolution
- MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro chip built on a 2nm process
- 50MP ultrawide camera
- CIPA 7.0 stabilization ratings for both the main and telephoto cameras
- Slow-motion recording at up to 4K 240fps
- 4K 120fps 10-bit Log video, with support for 10-bit 4:2:2 and ACES workflows
- Dedicated external teleconverter and photography grip accessories
vivo has also claimed up to 17EV of dynamic range and native 8K Live capability for the Pro Max. Benchmark results attributed to the handset have exceeded 4,100 points in single-core testing and 13,000 in multi-core testing, though retail demo restrictions mean independent real-world testing is still pending.
The complete series is expected to include three models:
- vivo X500
- vivo X500 Pro
- vivo X500 Pro Max
Chinese preorders are reportedly already underway. A retail photo also surfaced unconfirmed Chinese pricing for the X500, starting at CNY 6,499, with other listed configurations at CNY 6,999, CNY 7,499 and CNY 7,999. Those figures have not been officially confirmed and do not establish pricing or availability for international markets, which remain unresolved ahead of the launch event.
