Vivo X500 series leak points to Pro Max model, compact flagship variant
We’re only getting closer to the India launch of the Vivo X300 Ultra but the company’s next flagship lineup is already starting to take shape through early leaks. Fresh details point to two parallel developments for the next flagship line, the Vivo X500 series. First, a camera-focused top-end model in the Vivo X500 Pro Max, and then, a possible compact flagship variant within the same series. Together, they suggest the upcoming Vivo X500 series could expand, or at least change names, compared to the current generation.
Vivo X500 Pro Max focuses on camera hardware
According to tipster Smart Pikachu, the X500 Pro Max is being tested with a 50MP primary camera using LOFIC technology, which is designed to improve dynamic range in bright scenes. The bigger highlight is the reported 200MP periscope telephoto camera, which points to a continued focus on zoom performance. A 50MP ultrawide sensor is also expected, though not confirmed.
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LOFIC is a camera sensor design that helps handle very bright scenes better. Instead of letting highlights get blown out, it stores extra light data separately so more detail is preserved. On current phones like the Vivo X300 Pro and Vivo X300 Ultra, the sensors already aim for high dynamic range, but they rely more on traditional HDR processing. LOFIC builds this into the hardware itself, which can make results more consistent. In simple terms, it’s a step toward better highlight control and more balanced photos straight from the sensor, especially in tricky lighting.
Other tipped specifications include:
- MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset
- 6.9-inch 2K LTPO display with up to 144Hz refresh rate
- 7,000mAh battery
- An ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor
Compact flagship in the pipeline
A separate leak (via) from Digital Chat Station points to a smaller flagship within the lineup, possibly with a 6.4-inch display and powered by the Dimensity 9600. It may also feature a 50MP LOFIC camera and a periscope telephoto lens. Vivo already has a smaller flagship-style device in the Vivo X300 FE and standard X300, so it’s not clear how this new model will be positioned. It could end up as an FE variant, a T-series device, or something entirely different rather than a “Pro Mini” in the final name.
The naming of the top model is also interesting. Apple introduced the “Pro Max” label with the iPhone 11 Pro Max in 2019, and Android brands are only now starting to use it more consistently. Xiaomi has already adopted it in recent flagships, and Redmi has used it in its K series. If Vivo follows the same route, it’s still unclear whether “Pro Max” replaces the existing Ultra variant or sits around it as a new tier.
The leaks point to a lineup that’s becoming more segmented. The Pro Max is likely to focus on camera hardware, especially zoom and dynamic range, while the smaller model targets usability without dropping flagship specs. For buyers, that could translate into clearer choices within the same series. If you’re prioritising camera hardware or waiting for a compact flagship, it may make sense to hold off until more details on the Vivo X500 series are confirmed. That said, the Vivo X300 Ultra is already a strong option today, and with the X500 lineup still months away, current pricing and availability may work in its favour.
