The vivo X500 Pro Max is positioned as the company's premium flagship below its Ultra model, but its hardware gives it plenty of high-end credentials. The phone includes a 2nm Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset, up to 16GB of RAM and an unusually large 8,000mAh battery.

The China-market model also arrives with a substantial retail package. The box includes the phone, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 90W charger and a color-matched protective case. The reviewed configuration combines 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage. A global version may not include the charger, however, as the international packaging could be different.

Three cameras target flagship photography

Vivo has equipped the X500 Pro Max with three rear cameras. The main camera uses a 50MP 1/1.28-inch sensor with LOFIC technology, which is intended to improve dynamic range. It sits behind a stabilized 24mm-equivalent lens with an f/1.6 aperture.

The telephoto camera has a 200MP 1/1.4-inch sensor and an 85mm-equivalent f/2.7 lens. Completing the system is a 50MP 1/2.75-inch ultrawide camera with a 15mm-equivalent f/2.0 lens. The setup is close to the camera offering on the vivo X300 Ultra, although that model retains an advantage in its main and ultrawide cameras.

Creator Kit adds zoom lenses and remote preview

Vivo's optional Creator Kit, also called the Photography Kit, contains 18 accessories. Its headline components are two teleconverters that provide 2.35x and 4.7x magnification, corresponding to 200mm and 400mm focal lengths in 35mm-equivalent terms.

The lenses connect through a dedicated filter adapter and work with one of two available cases. One case includes a MagSafe-compatible magnet, while the other adds a removable grip with extra controls. The package also includes camera straps, tripod-compatible lens collars, a tripod plate, filter adapters and replacement lens caps.

The kit's most unusual component is a compact external display designed to preview the phone's camera feed. The 4:3 metal accessory connects over Bluetooth and has three buttons: power, shutter and screen-brightness control. It can operate the X500 Pro Max's cameras even after the phone is locked, and it has a dedicated mode in the phone's camera viewfinder.

The Preview accessory has its own case, which also supports MagSafe attachment. Although it is designed for the X500 Pro Max, its Bluetooth connection could allow compatibility with other phones.

Availability and packaging

The included case is a soft rubber model matched to the phone's color. It offers protection but may feel slippery and can collect difficult-to-remove smudges over time.

The Creator Kit comes in a custom camera bag consisting of two magnetically connected halves. The bag can be carried together or opened flat to fit different storage spaces. The design appears to come from accessory maker Freewell.

The vivo X500 Pro Max is currently available in China. Vivo plans to bring it to Europe on October 27, with sales scheduled to begin on November 5.