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vivo is putting photography front and centre with its new X500 Series, pairing ZEISS camera systems with larger batteries and a fresh set of video tools. The two-model lineup comprises the X500 and X500 Pro Max, with Singapore availability starting on 31 October 2026. Prices start at S$1,999 for the X500 and S$2,499 for the X500 Pro Max, both with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.
X500 Pro Max goes big on telephoto photography.
Leading the range, the X500 Pro Max features a 200MP ZEISS APO telephoto camera with a 1/1.4-inch HP0 sensor and an 85mm-equivalent focal length. It also offers CIPA 7.0-rated stabilisation, which vivo says supports longer handheld exposures in low light while reducing camera shake.
For photographers who want more reach, the Pro Max supports the 400mm-equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra. The accessory works across more than 10 shooting modes, including Stage, Snapshot and Pro, giving users several ways to frame distant subjects.
The phone’s X-Track Engine brings subject-tracking features to both stills and video. These include autofocus tracking at up to 60fps in Snapshot Mode, 30x Long-Range Motion Snapshot, and 4K 120fps Pro AF Tracking Video. Lock-On Subject Tracking is designed to retain focus when a subject briefly leaves the frame or becomes obstructed, although this particular feature supports human subjects only.
The standard X500 takes a more everyday-focused approach. It combines a 72mm-equivalent ZEISS APO telephoto camera with a 50MP main camera using a 1/1.28-inch sensor. Cinematic Portrait adjusts portrait lighting across different environments, while vivo Color Palette gives users control over tone, glow and grain.
More tools for video creators.
The X500 Pro Max’s ZEISS TrueDynamic main camera supports Cinematic Pro Log Video, giving creators more flexibility to adjust footage during post-production. It also offers 4K Dolby Vision Portrait Video, alongside cinematic portrait styles developed with ZEISS.
For slow-motion footage, the main camera supports native 4K recording at 240fps in Video, Pro Video and Slo-mo modes. A 3° Gimbal-Grade optical image stabilisation system helps keep footage steady.
Across the series, vivo lists Multi-Focal 4K 120fps video and a Film Style mode with a 2.4:1 aspect ratio, motion blur, halation and grain effects. Stage Mode 3.0 adds concert-focused options such as Auto Framing Fancam Video, 4K Dual-View Stage Video and Super Telephoto Stage Snapshot. Movie Workshop also includes automatic subject framing and a Vortex Shot effect for 360° rotating shots.
There is a qualification to vivo’s headline 17EV dynamic-range claim: the release’s footnote limits it to video with selected Golden and Vivid colour styles, rather than photography or every recording mode.
OriginOS 7 brings multitasking and cross-device features.
Both phones run OriginOS 7, which introduces floating-window multitasking and drag-and-drop file transfers between apps through Origin Workbench. vivo also says its updated animation and resource-management systems are designed to maintain smooth performance over time.
Cross-device connectivity is another focus. The company lists interoperability with AirPods, Apple Watch and iCloud, alongside Quick Share transfers that support AirDrop interoperability. For Mac users, vivo Office Kit includes Jovi PC and Camera Sharing tools. The release notes that features relying on third-party services may change in availability or functionality.
AI tools include Snap & Go for recognising information in screenshots, AI Next Up for turning recognised schedules into home-screen reminders, and AI Recorder for speaker recognition, transcript refinement and summaries. AI Recorder offers six templates, including meeting summaries, lecture notes and interview summaries. Availability varies by factors such as language, region, app and device settings.
Larger batteries and flagship hardware.
The X500 Pro Max runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro, which vivo describes as a 2nm chip with a 2+3+3 CPU architecture. The X500 uses the Dimensity 9600M.
Battery capacity reaches 7,800mAh on the Pro Max and 7,500mAh on the X500, with both figures representing typical capacity. Both models support 90W wired and 40W wireless FlashCharge, as well as bypass charging. Achieving the stated wireless charging speed requires compatible vivo or iQOO charging equipment; the release specifically excludes the first-generation 50W vertical wireless chargers.
The Pro Max also gets a 6.85-inch 2K ZEISS Master Color Display. Both models offer up to 2,000 nits of global peak brightness, 100% P3 colour-gamut coverage, ultrasonic fingerprint scanning, USB 3.2, an infrared blaster and IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance.
Colour options are Dusk Black and Sunny White for the X500, and Starry Gray and Sunset Orange for the X500 Pro Max.
Singapore pricing, pre-orders and launch offers.
| Model | Memory and storage | Retail price | Price after S$200 pre-order discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| vivo X500 | 12GB + 512GB | S$1,999 | S$1,799 |
| vivo X500 Pro Max | 12GB + 512GB | S$2,499 | S$2,299 |
The S$200 discount applies to orders placed by 30 October 2026. Pre-orders run from 20 to 30 October through vivo Experience Stores, Shopee, Lazada, TikTok and authorised retailers, including Challenger, Best Denki, Courts, Harvey Norman and Gain City. Singtel’s pre-order window runs from 23 to 30 October. General sales begin on 31 October through authorised retailers and participating telco partners.
The announced launch package includes a complimentary 200mm telephoto extender and case, while stocks last, two years of international warranty coverage and three months of screen protection. An exclusive Jay Chou gift box is also listed as an in-store offer. Notably, the bundled 200mm extender is not the 400mm-equivalent Gen 2 Ultra accessory highlighted for the Pro Max.
Sky Oh, Contributor
Sky's The Technovore's International Man of Mystery. He travels the world, enjoying the high life but still finds the time to write!
