vivo has launched its X500 flagship series in China, in three models: the X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max. The pitch rests on three things: Zeiss-backed cameras, MediaTek's newest chip, and big batteries, with the top model reaching 8,000 mAh.
A new chip, and who gets it first
The X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max use the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro, which vivo says makes them the first phones in the world with this chip. The standard X500 uses the Dimensity 9600M, which GSMArena says is built on the same basis as last year's Dimensity 9500.
The whole series runs OriginOS 7 based on Android 17, and is rated IP68 and IP69 (IP68 means it survives submersion, IP69 means it withstands close-range high-pressure hot water jets).
Cameras: a 200MP telephoto on the Pro Max
The X500 Pro and Pro Max share a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor (Sony LYTIA L910, per GSMArena), f/1.57 aperture and a 24mm equivalent focal length. It was co-developed with Sony and uses Zeiss T* coating to cut internal lens reflections. vivo claims 17 EV of dynamic range (the span between the darkest and brightest areas a photo can capture).
On OIS (optical image stabilization, where the lens physically moves to cancel shake), the Pro Max has 3-degree stabilization that vivo calls gimbal-grade. The Pro has 1.5 degrees.
The clearest difference between the two is the zoom camera. The Pro Max has a 200MP periscope telephoto (a sideways-mounted lens that uses a prism to bend light, allowing long zoom in a slim body) with a 1/1.4-inch Samsung ISOCELL HP0 sensor at an 85mm equivalent. The Pro also uses a periscope telephoto, 64MP with a 1/2.0-inch Sony LYTIA 610 sensor (85mm equivalent).
Both support the optional Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra, which extends reach up to 400mm, and share a 50MP ultrawide at a 15mm equivalent.
The standard X500 has a 50MP main camera with a 1/1.28-inch LYTIA 828 sensor (23mm equivalent), a 64MP telephoto (72mm equivalent) and a 50MP ultrawide.
Video: 4K 240fps and ACES colour
Video shooters will want to look at the Pro and Pro Max. They record Cinematic Slow Motion at 4K 240fps, with 10-bit 4:2:2 colour (richer colour data, better for grading afterwards), and support ACES, the colour management system used in professional film work. The Pro Max can also shoot 8K at 30fps.
Display: 144Hz across the range
The X500 Pro has a 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED screen and the X500 Pro Max a 6.85-inch 2K panel from BOE's Q11 line (LTPO lets the refresh rate scale up and down automatically to save power). Refresh rate goes up to 144Hz and peak brightness reaches 4,500 nits. The standard X500 has a 6.59-inch 144Hz AMOLED at up to 4,000 nits.
Battery and charging
The Pro Max uses a Si-C battery (silicon-carbon, which packs more capacity into the same size than conventional lithium-ion) of 8,000 mAh. The X500 Pro gets 6,510 mAh and the standard X500 gets 7,500 mAh. All three support 90W wired and 40W wireless charging.
Spec comparison
| X500 | X500 Pro | X500 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chip | Dimensity 9600M | Dimensity 9600 Pro | Dimensity 9600 Pro |
| Display | 6.59-inch AMOLED | 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED | 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED 2K |
| Main camera | 50MP 1/1.28-inch | 50MP 1/1.28-inch | 50MP 1/1.28-inch |
| Telephoto | 64MP (72mm equiv.) | 64MP (85mm equiv.) | 200MP periscope (85mm equiv.) |
| Battery | 7,500 mAh | 6,510 mAh | 8,000 mAh |
| Colours | White, grey, black | White, grey, black, orange | White, grey, black, orange |
Colours and pricing
The X500 comes in three colours: white, grey and black. The Pro and Pro Max come in four, adding orange.
Entry-tier (12GB/256GB) prices in China are 5,499 yuan for the X500, 6,499 yuan for the X500 Pro and 6,999 yuan for the X500 Pro Max. The table below lists every storage option. Baht figures are our conversions at roughly 4.91 baht per yuan (reference rate as of 21 September 2026), so treat them as approximations.
| X500 | X500 Pro | X500 Pro Max | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12GB/256GB | 5,499 (~27,000 baht) | 6,499 (~31,900 baht) | 6,999 (~34,400 baht) |
| 12GB/512GB | 5,999 (~29,500 baht) | 7,499 (~36,800 baht) | 7,999 (~39,300 baht) |
| 12GB/1TB | 6,999 (~34,400 baht) | 8,499 (~41,700 baht) | 8,999 (~44,200 baht) |
| 16GB/512GB | — | — | 8,499 (~41,700 baht) |
| 16GB/1TB (Creator’s Package) | — | — | 12,999 (~63,800 baht) |
The 12,999 yuan bottom row is the Pro Max Creator’s Package, reportedly bundled with satellite communication, so it should not be compared directly with the regular 1TB model.
Release date and chances for Thailand
vivo opened pre-orders in China on 21 September, with sales starting 24 September. Some outlets report that the X500 Pro will go on sale later, on 29 September.
For Thai readers, there is currently no Thai price and no Thai release date, and vivo has not announced any global launch plan. The baht figures above are conversions of Chinese prices only. Actual Thai pricing, if the phones ever arrive, could differ noticeably, so wait for an official announcement.
Before the launch we summarised the rumours for this series at https://oopslife.me/tech/vivo-x500-series-launch (some rumoured figures differ from the phones that actually launched, so go by this article).
Sources: TECHHaus Thailand (techhausth.com/91199), GSMArena, FoneArena, TechNode, Gizmochina, vivo
