Vivo X500 series goes global with 200MP telephoto camera, bigger batteries; India launch expected in November
Vivo has taken its X500 flagship series to global markets, with the Vivo X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max launching at an event in Canary Islands in Europe. The phones bring new MediaTek chips, larger batteries and upgraded camera hardware. The Pro Max leads the lineup with a 200MP periscope camera and advanced video recording features, while the Pro offers a smaller display and a different telephoto sensor. The global launch also marks a change in Vivo’s naming strategy – unlike the X300 series, which had an Ultra but no Pro Max, the new lineup makes room for both tiers, with an X500 Ultra now also tipped to arrive later.
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Price and availability
The Vivo X500 Pro costs EUR 1,399 (around Rs 1.48 lakh) for its 256GB variant. The X500 Pro Max starts at EUR 1,599 (around Rs 1.69 lakh) for 256GB, rises to EUR 1,799 (around Rs 1.9 lakh) for 512GB and reaches EUR 2,199 (around Rs 2.33 lakh) for 1TB. The top storage option is exclusive to Vivo’s European online store, and like all versions, this option too comes with 12GB of RAM. Buyers seeking the 16GB RAM and 1TB configuration will have to import the Chinese variant.
Pre-order offers run until November 30th. The Pro Max comes with a free camera grip, while Pro buyers get Headphone Studio headphones. Vivo is also offering discounts on accessories and wearables.
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The standard X500 hasn’t launched in Europe, but has been unveiled in parts of Southeast Asia like Malaysia, where it starts at MYR 4,699 (around Rs 1.09 lakh) in its 12GB + 256GB trim and goes up to MYR 5,299 (around Rs 1.23 lakh) for the 12GB + 512GB version.
The X500 series is expected to reach India by the end of November, as has emerged in new reports.
Specifications and features
The X500 Pro and Pro Max use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset, while the standard X500 gets the Dimensity 9600M, which is said to be a rebranded Dimensity 9500. The Pro models feature 2K 144Hz LTPO AMOLED displays, measuring 6.36 inches and 6.85 inches, respectively. The standard model has a 6.59-inch 144Hz AMOLED display. Battery capacities range from 6,510mAh on the Pro to 7,500mAh on the standard model and 8,000mAh on the Pro Max in China. All three support 90W wired and 40W wireless charging, though capacities can vary by region.
The Pro Max pairs a 50MP main camera with a 200MP periscope telephoto sensor, while the Pro uses a 64MP telephoto camera. Both have 50MP ultrawide cameras and support an optional 400mm-equivalent Zeiss telephoto extender. They also offer 4K slow-motion recording at up to 240fps, while the Pro Max adds 8K recording at 30fps.
The X300 Pro already offered a 200MP telephoto camera, so the Pro Max’s higher megapixel count alone may not justify an upgrade. Its larger sensor, stabilisation and video capabilities will matter more to photography enthusiasts, while existing X300 Pro owners should wait for real-world comparisons before spending more.
The new Pro Max tier is also notable because Vivo previously offered the X300 Ultra, but no X300 Pro Max. An X500 Ultra has now appeared in an IMEI database, hinting at a possible wider release, although Vivo hasn’t confirmed its launch date or specifications. If both models arrive, Vivo could offer buyers more specialised camera flagships, but their actual differences will determine whether the expanded lineup makes choosing a phone easier or more confusing.
