vivo has expanded its flagship X-series lineup to three phones for 2026. The new vivo X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max share a focus on high-end cameras, large batteries and fast charging, but differ significantly in size and telephoto hardware.

The biggest change is the arrival of the X500 Pro Max. It sits above the X500 Pro with a larger 6.85-inch display, an 8,000mAh battery and a 200MP telephoto camera. The X500 Pro takes a different approach, offering a compact 6.36-inch body while retaining the same Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset and many of the Pro Max’s video features.

Three sizes and two flagship chipsets

The X500 Pro Max measures 163.3 x 76.8 x 8.1mm and weighs 225g. Its 6.85-inch LTPO AMOLED panel supports a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and a peak brightness of 4,400 nits. The X500 Pro is considerably smaller and lighter at 151.8 x 71.9 x 8.1mm and 192g, with a 6.36-inch 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display.

Both Pro models use MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro chip, paired with UFS 4.1 storage and up to 16GB of RAM on selected configurations. The standard X500 uses the Dimensity 9600M and has a 6.59-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen. All three phones run Android 17 with OriginOS 7, and vivo promises up to five major operating system updates.

Camera hardware prioritises video

Video recording is one of the main themes of the X500 generation. The X500 Pro and Pro Max support 8K recording at 30 frames per second, 4K at up to 240fps, Dolby Vision HDR and 4K 120fps 10-bit Log recording. They also support 17-stop TrueDynamic Log and 10-bit 4:2:2 APV recording.

The Pro Max combines a 50MP main camera with a 200MP, 85mm telephoto lens offering 3.5x optical zoom. The X500 Pro uses a 64MP 85mm telephoto camera instead, based on a new 1/2-inch Lytia 610 sensor co-developed by vivo and Sony. Both Pro models introduce Sony’s 50MP Lytia L910 LOFIC main sensor, which vivo says is designed to provide a very wide dynamic range.

The standard X500 has the same 64MP telephoto sensor as the Pro, but uses a shorter 72mm lens for 3x optical zoom. Its video system omits some of the Pro models’ advanced features, although it still supports 8K recording, 4K at up to 120fps and 4K 120fps 10-bit Log.

Large batteries across the lineup

Battery capacity is another major difference between this generation and many competing flagships. The X500 Pro Max has an 8,000mAh cell in China, while its global version will have 7,800mAh. The standard X500 carries a 7,500mAh battery, and the smaller X500 Pro has 6,510mAh.

All three models support 90W wired charging and 40W wireless charging. The Pro Max and Pro also support reverse wireless charging, while the standard X500 offers reverse wired charging.

Each phone has IP68 and IP69 protection, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 7, eSIM support and an infrared port. The X500 Pro Max additionally supports satellite connectivity on a specific Chinese 1TB configuration. vivo has not provided pricing or broader availability details in the supplied information.