vivo has taken its new flagship phones international. On 6 Oct 2026, the company said it "unveiled the new X500 Series globally": the X500 Pro Max, the X500 Pro and the X500. They're built around long-range zoom cameras, cinema-style video and the biggest batteries vivo has put in an X-series phone.
The one thing vivo didn't announce is an international price. vivo has only published prices in China, where the series launched on 21 September. So the honest answer for most people is simple: learn what these phones do, then wait for the number.
Short version. Wait if you're interested, because there's no international price yet. Buy later only if you shoot sport, concerts or wildlife at long range, it's sold officially where you live, and the price makes sense. Skip if you need a phone this month or want something small and cheap.
Affiliate disclosure: some tool or platform links may later be affiliate or referral links. Facts in this post come from vivo's 6 Oct 2026 press release and vivo's South African website, with European launch dates from Telecompaper and AndroidPure where marked, checked on 8 Oct 2026 (SAST). vivo has published prices only in China, and we don't convert them.
What vivo announced on 6 Oct
Three phones, one theme. Each X500 model has a ZEISS-branded telephoto camera, and the two Pro models work with optional clip-on telephoto extenders for even longer reach. vivo pitches the series at people who film and photograph things happening far away: sport, wildlife, concerts and travel.
The phones run OriginOS 7, vivo's own Android-based software. Its most interesting trick for a lot of buyers has nothing to do with the camera. vivo says it works with AirPods, Apple Watch and iCloud, which we cover below.
What's missing: an international price, an official on-sale date outside China, and any word on South Africa.
The cameras in plain English
X500 Pro Max
The headline phone has a 200 MP telephoto camera with a large 1/1.4-inch sensor and an 85 mm equivalent focal length. That's the classic portrait lens length, and it gives you real zoom without cropping. vivo says the telephoto uses "CIPA 7.0 Professional Stabilization" for longer handheld shots in low light.
It also supports the optional 400 mm equivalent ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra, a lens attachment for very distant subjects. vivo hasn't said what the extender costs. For moving subjects, vivo quotes autofocus tracking at up to 60 fps in Snapshot mode and a "30x Long-Range Motion Snapshot" mode.
X500 Pro
The smaller Pro also has an 85 mm equivalent telephoto, this time with a 64 MP Sony LYTIA 610 sensor. It offers a 20x Long-Range Motion Snapshot mode and works with the 200 mm equivalent Telephoto Extender Gen 2.
X500
The standard model has a 72 mm equivalent telephoto, plus a 50 MP main camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor that vivo says is like the one in the X300 Pro.
Video
On the two Pro models, the main camera records 4K at 240 fps for slow motion and supports Log video, a flat colour profile that editors grade later. vivo claims 17 EV of dynamic range, but its own footnote says that figure only applies in Video mode with specific colour styles, not in photos. Across the series you also get 4K 120 fps video, a 2.4:1 Film Style mode and a Stage Mode aimed at concerts.
One small print item worth knowing: vivo says its Lock-On Subject Tracking only works with human subjects.
Battery and charging
These are vivo's launch figures (typical capacity):
- X500 Pro Max: 7,800 mAh
- X500 Pro: 6,510 mAh
- X500: 7,500 mAh
vivo calls them "the largest batteries ever in the X series". It also says the semi-solid-state battery works in temperatures "as low as -20°C", and there's Bypass Charging to keep the phone cool while you use it on the charger. Battery capacity can differ by market, so check the spec sheet for your country before you buy.
All three models support 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. There's a catch on wireless. The 40W figure needs vivo's own charger and cable plus the 50W Vertical Wireless Flash Charger 2. vivo says the X500 series isn't compatible with the first-generation version of that stand.
Screens, build and chip
| Model | Telephoto | Extender support | Battery (vivo) | Screen |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X500 Pro Max | 200 MP, 85 mm equiv, 1/1.4-inch | 400 mm equiv Gen 2 Ultra | 7,800 mAh | 6.85-inch, 2K |
| X500 Pro | 64 MP, 85 mm equiv | 200 mm equiv Gen 2 | 6,510 mAh | 6.36-inch |
| X500 | 72 mm equiv | Not listed | 7,500 mAh | 6.59-inch |
The Pro Max's 6.85-inch display is the largest vivo has put on a flat-screen phone. The Pro is the compact option at 6.36 inches. vivo quotes up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and 100% P3 colour across the range.
All three have IP68 and IP69 dust and water ratings, an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, USB 3.2 and an infrared blaster. Colours may vary by region, says vivo.
The Pro and Pro Max use MediaTek's 2nm Dimensity 9600 Pro chip (the X500 gets the Dimensity 9600M), which we covered in our Dimensity 9600 Pro explainer.
The iPhone-switcher angle
This is the part that could matter more than the zoom for some people. vivo says OriginOS 7 offers "interoperability with Apple devices, including AirPods and Apple Watch, as well as connectivity with iCloud". Its Quick Share feature supports file transfers with AirDrop, and vivo's Office Kit links the phone with Mac computers.
Two caveats. First, vivo's footnote says Quick Share "relies on third-party services" and may change. Second, vivo doesn't spell out which Apple Watch features work. We haven't tested any of it. If keeping your AirPods and Apple Watch is the reason you'd switch, try it in a store before you commit.
OriginOS 7 also adds AI tools like AI Recorder summaries, and vivo notes that availability varies by country and language.
Price and availability: what's actually known
- Price: no international price yet, for any model or the extenders. vivo has published prices only in China, where the X500 series launched on 21 September. We won't guess, and we won't convert China prices into other currencies.
- Europe: vivo's European sign-up page points to a launch event and pre-orders on 27 October, with sales from 5 November, as reported by Telecompaper and AndroidPure.
- The standard X500 in Europe: unclear. AndroidPure reports that vivo's European teaser shows only the X500 Pro and Pro Max.
- South Africa: vivo sells phones here, and its South African site lists the X300 Pro and V70 range. There's no X500 listing yet, and no local date or price.
If you're shopping in this class, there's also a rival to wait for. OPPO says its Find X10 series launches globally on 21 October.
Buy, wait, or skip?
Wait (most people). There's no international price yet. If this kind of zoom camera appeals, register interest where vivo offers it, then compare it against OPPO's Find X10 once both have real prices.
Buy (once it's priced) if you regularly shoot concerts, sport, wildlife or travel from a distance, you want a phone that records 4K 240 fps and Log video, and a big battery matters to you. Only if it's sold officially in your country, with local warranty.
Consider it if you're leaving iPhone. vivo's AirPods, Apple Watch and AirDrop support is unusual for an Android phone. Test it first.
Skip if you want a compact or cheap phone, or you need one this month. A discounted current flagship is the safer buy, and our Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 10 comparison is a good place to start.
Don't grey-import a China unit just for the specs. Network bands, software, warranty and even battery capacity can differ by market. Our grey-import and marketplace checklist covers what to check.
| You are | Call | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Concert, sport or wildlife shooter | Wait, then buy if priced right | The Pro Max telephoto and extender are built for you |
| Creator who vlogs and edits | Wait for the price and reviews | 4K 240 fps and Log are strong on paper; no hands-on yet |
| iPhone user with AirPods and Apple Watch | Test in store first | vivo says they work with OriginOS 7; feature depth unclear |
| Budget buyer | Skip | This is a flagship; look at discounted current models |
| In South Africa | Wait | vivo SA has no X500 listing, date or price yet |
FAQ
How much is the vivo X500 Pro Max?
vivo hasn't announced an international price yet. It has published prices only in China, where the series launched on 21 September.
When can I buy it in Europe?
vivo's European sign-up page points to pre-orders from 27 October and sales from 5 November, according to Telecompaper and AndroidPure. vivo hasn't confirmed global dates in its press release.
Does it work with AirPods and Apple Watch?
vivo says OriginOS 7 supports AirPods, Apple Watch and iCloud, and that Quick Share works with AirDrop. Test it before you buy.
Is it coming to South Africa?
There's no X500 listing on vivo's South African site yet, and no local date or price.
Featured photo: Andrey Matveev / Unsplash
Sources: vivo X500 Series Debuts with Advanced ZEISS Telephoto Lens System and Cinematic Video Capabilities (vivo press release via PR Newswire, 6 Oct 2026), vivo X500 Series China launch and pricing (vivo China newsroom, in Chinese, 21 Sep 2026), vivo South Africa (official site), OPPO Find X10 Series to Launch Globally on October 21 (OPPO press release, 8 Oct 2026), Vivo to begin EU pre-orders for X500 series on 27 October (Telecompaper, 7 Oct 2026), vivo X500 Series Hits Europe October 27 (AndroidPure, 24 Sep 2026). Facts checked 8 Oct 2026 (SAST).