Three new vivo smartphones — X500, X500 Pro, and X500e — have been spotted in the GSMA IMEI database. This is the first confirmation that the lineup exists, and it appears that vivo is completely skipping the X400 number. While everything is still based on leaks and rumors, an appearance in the IMEI database usually means that the devices are in the late stages of development. So what is the vivo X500 hiding?
New vivo smartphones are on the way. Image: Techmo
What We Know About vivo X500 and X500 Pro
According to rumors, the base vivo X500 phone will feature a 6.37-inch display, while the X500 Pro will get a 6.83-inch OLED panel with 2K resolution and LTPO technology, which allows flexible adjustment of the screen refresh rate to save battery. Both variants are slightly larger than their predecessors from the X300 series (6.31 and 6.78 inches respectively). Both smartphones are expected to retain an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint scanner.
vivo appears to be betting on MediaTek chips once again. Leaks point to the use of the Dimensity 9600 family, which is expected to be manufactured using TSMC’s 2nm process. If confirmed, the new MediaTek processors could significantly gain in energy efficiency and sustained performance compared to the current generation. However, real benchmarks so far show only moderate gains, so don’t expect a revolution.
For users, this primarily could mean longer battery life and less heat during prolonged workloads — gaming, video recording, navigation.
vivo X500 Pro Cameras: LOFIC Sensors and a 200-Megapixel Periscope
vivo’s cameras traditionally remain the main selling point of the flagship lineup. According to rumors, the Pro models will feature sensors with LOFIC technology — designed to improve handling of bright areas in the frame and expand dynamic range in challenging lighting conditions. In simple terms, photos with high-contrast light (such as a sunset behind a silhouette or a bright window in a dark room) should look more natural.
The cameras on the new smartphones should deliver excellent results. Image: Techmo
A 200-megapixel periscope camera is also mentioned — a telephoto lens that allows taking quality shots with significant zoom without physically increasing the body size. Vivo has been moving in this direction for several generations, and the X500 Pro could be the next step.
vivo X500 Presentation and Release Date
There are no official dates yet. Sources indicate that the vivo X500 series announcement could take place in China around September–October 2026, with the international launch coming later. As for the third model, the X500e, only its name is known so far — no specifications have appeared in leaks. It’s likely a simplified version, but that’s just speculation.
The announcement should happen this fall. Image: vivo
The Vivo X500 series currently exists solely as leaks and IMEI database entries. Nothing listed here has been officially confirmed. Nevertheless, for those eyeing Android flagships with a strong camera, the lineup looks intriguing — vivo consistently delivers good results in mobile photography, and the transition to a 2nm chip could add a battery life advantage.
If you’re not planning to buy a smartphone before fall, it makes sense to keep the X500 series on your radar. But drawing any conclusions before the official announcement and independent tests would be premature — for now these are just rumors, and the final specifications may change.
