Vivo has officially confirmed that its next flagship smartphone lineup, the X500 series, will launch in China in September. The lineup will reportedly include three models: the Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max.
Interestingly, Vivo is skipping the X400 name and moving directly from the X300 series to X500. The decision is likely linked to the widespread cultural avoidance of the number four in China, where its pronunciation is associated with death.
Vivo X500 series to focus heavily on video
With the X500 series, Vivo appears to be putting a major emphasis on camera and video performance. The company says the Pro models will feature a Zeiss Super Dynamic main camera, developed through collaboration between Vivo’s BluePrint imaging team and Sony.
At the heart of the camera system is the new BluePrint Guangyu 900 sensor. It is a 50-megapixel, 1/1.28-inch sensor designed to deliver a wider dynamic range.
Vivo claims the sensor can achieve up to 17 stops of dynamic range, which the company describes as the highest in the industry. The technology is also designed to improve video recording by preserving more detail in both bright highlights and dark shadows.
This should be particularly useful when recording scenes with strong backlighting, where smartphone cameras often struggle to balance exposure.
4K 240fps slow-motion video
The X500 Pro series is also expected to bring significant upgrades to video recording. Vivo has confirmed support for 4K 240fps slow-motion video, along with 4K 120fps HDR recording with direct HDR output.
For stabilization, the main camera will reportedly feature 3-degree optical image stabilization (OIS). Vivo says its stabilization technology can provide gimbal-like results, potentially reducing the need for a separate gimbal when shooting handheld video.
The X500 Pro Max is expected to receive particular attention in this area, with the 3-degree OIS system being one of its highlighted camera features.
200MP telephoto camera could return
Tipster Digital Chat Station has also shared additional details about the upcoming lineup. According to the leak, the X500 series carries the internal codename “Thanos 500” and will continue Vivo’s focus on both photography and videography.
The phones are also rumored to inherit the 200-megapixel telephoto camera used on the Vivo X300 Ultra. The setup is expected to use a custom large-format 200MP HP0 sensor paired with a periscope lens, potentially making the X500 series one of Vivo’s most capable camera-focused flagship lineups yet.
Vivo has confirmed that the X500 series will debut in China in September. More details about pricing, specifications and global availability are expected to emerge closer to the launch.