Mobile photography has undergone a massive evolution over the past decade, yet the holy grail for creators has remained elusive: replicating the dynamic range, telephoto reach, and tactile workflow of professional cinema rigs within the body of a smartphone. On October 20, 2026, vivo Singapore officially took that ambition to its furthest frontier with the local unveiling of the vivo X500 Series, comprising the flagship X500 Pro Max and its versatile companion, the X500.
Engineered in close partnership with optical specialist ZEISS, the X500 Series introduces an advanced ZEISS Telephoto Lens System, an unprecedented 400 mm equivalent optical extender, cinema-grade video modes with 17 EV dynamic range, and the debut of OriginOS 7. Combined with MediaTek’s cutting-edge 2nm processors and massive BlueVolt semi-solid-state batteries, the lineup establishes a bold benchmark for flagship performance and mobile visual storytelling.
The Optical Masterpiece: 200 MP ZEISS APO Telephoto & 400 mm Reach
Leading the range is the photography powerhouse X500 Pro Max. At its core sits a formidable 200 MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera utilizing a large 1/1.4-inch Ultra-Sensing HP0 sensor paired with an 85 mm equivalent focal length. Designed to meet stringent apochromatic standards, the lens corrects chromatic aberrations across the spectrum, ensuring sharp edge contrast and true color fidelity even against harsh backlighting.
To counter the hand-shake inherent to long focal lengths, vivo has equipped the periscope system with CIPA 7.0 Professional Stabilization. This allows mobile photographers to capture longer handheld exposures in low-light environments without introducing motion blur.
For scenarios demanding extreme reach—such as stadium concerts, motorsports, or wildlife photography—the X500 Pro Max pairs with the 400 mm Equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra. Compatible across more than 10 shooting profiles (including Pro, Snapshot, and Stage modes), this physical optical attachment extends telephoto photography far beyond conventional digital cropping, delivering crisp, authentic compression from hundreds of meters away.
The system is supercharged by the proprietary X-Track Engine and Super Snapshot Engine. With Lock-On Subject Tracking, the camera maintains focus on human subjects even if they momentarily disappear behind obstacles or step out of frame. The phone executes continuous autofocus tracking at up to 60 fps in Snapshot Mode, alongside an extraordinary 30x Long-Range Motion Snapshot on the Pro Max (20x on the base X500).
Meanwhile, the standard vivo X500 serves as a nimble, everyday creative companion. It pairs a 72 mm equivalent ZEISS APO Telephoto lens with a 50 MP 1/1.28-inch ZEISS Pro-Level Ultra-Sensing Main Camera. Portrait creators benefit from the new Cinematic Portrait engine, which optimizes facial lighting across varying daylight and indoor conditions, complemented by the vivo Color Palette for fine control over grain, tone, and skin glow.
Hollywood-Caliber Video: 17 EV Dynamic Range and Native 4K 240 fps
While the series excels in still photography, its video capabilities represent a significant leap for mobile creators. The X500 Pro Max builds its videography platform around the ZEISS TrueDynamic Main Camera, paired with a dedicated $3^\circ$ Gimbal-Grade Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) module to ensure buttery footage during dynamic hand-held tracking.
Key videography innovations across the lineup include:
- Cinematic Pro Log Video with 17 EV Dynamic Range: The camera introduces a finely tuned Log curve calibrated to an ultra-wide 17 EV dynamic range in video mode. This preserves critical highlight detail in harsh sunsets while lifting textured shadow areas, granting colorists the latitude required for professional post-production workflows.
- 4K Dolby Vision Portrait Video: A mobile first, this mode melds Dolby Vision HDR mastering with real-time facial tone mapping, rendering natural, glowing skin tones set against high-contrast, backlit skies.
- 4K 240 fps High Frame Rate Video: High-speed capture is no longer limited to compromised resolutions. Native 4K slow motion at 240 fps is supported across standard Video, Pro, and Slo-mo modes with extended recording durations.
- Cinematic Film Style & Stage Mode 3.0: Everyday videographers can tap into an authentic 2.4:1 widescreen aspect ratio complete with simulated analog grain, film halation, and motion blur. For music lovers, Stage Mode 3.0 offers Auto Framing Fancams, 4K Dual-View Stage Video, and All-in-One Recording to capture both the performer on stage and personal reactions simultaneously.
OriginOS 7: Fluidity, Interoperability, and AI Productivity
Powering the user interface is OriginOS 7, built upon three pillars: sustained system smoothness, frictionless cross-device connectivity, and practical artificial intelligence.
The UI is anchored by the Origin Smooth Engine, which uses Ultra-Core Computing, Memory Fusion, and Dual Rendering to deliver responsive, interruptible animations. For power users, the Origin Workbench introduces floating multi-window environments and drag-and-drop capabilities that simplify multitasking.
Breaking down traditional mobile walled gardens, OriginOS 7 offers extensive cross-ecosystem integration with Apple hardware. Users can natively connect and monitor AirPods and Apple Watches, access iCloud, and use Quick Share to swap files directly with AirDrop-enabled devices. Through the vivo Office Kit and Jovi PC, creators can link their X500 smartphones to Mac laptops for camera sharing, screen mirroring, and cross-platform clipboard syncing.
On the productivity front, the operating system incorporates intuitive AI features:
- AI Recorder: Transcribes spoken audio, automatically detects different speakers, refines transcripts, and generates structured meeting notes or lecture summaries based on six practical templates.
- Snap & Go & AI Next Up: Converts text and schedules captured inside screenshots into interactive, automated calendar alerts directly on the home screen.
- StickIt: Enables system-wide instant subject extraction from photos to paste into documents or custom stickers.
2nm Silicon, Massive BlueVolt Batteries, and Refined Design
To drive these computational imaging algorithms without thermal throttling, vivo tapped MediaTek’s latest silicon. The X500 Pro Max is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro, manufactured on TSMC’s advanced 2nm node with a high-efficiency 2+3+3 core layout. The X500 is powered by the capable Dimensity 9600M.
Battery endurance sets a new milestone for the X Series. The X500 Pro Max houses an immense 7,800 mAh cell, while the X500 carries a 7,500 mAh battery. Both rely on 2nd-Gen Semi-Solid-State Battery Technology, guaranteeing reliable chemical discharge even in freezing conditions down to $-20^\circ\text{C}$. The phones support 90W wired FlashCharge and 40W wireless FlashCharge, alongside Bypass Charging that powers the motherboard directly during intense gaming or shooting sessions to prevent heat build-up.
Visually, the devices showcase an organic, travel-inspired design aesthetic. The X500 Pro Max features a spacious 6.85-inch 2K ZEISS Master Color flat display (peaking at 2,000 nits) framed by a gently sloping Tideline Design camera module, available in Starry Gray and Sunset Orange. The X500 embraces a squared Floating Camera Module in Dusk Black and Sunny White. Both phones feature IP68 and IP69 dust and water ingress protection, 3D Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanners, and USB 3.2 connectivity.
Singapore Pricing, Pre-Orders, and Exclusive Launch Offers
The vivo X500 Series officially hits retail shelves in Singapore on 31 October 2026. Pre-orders are open from 20 to 30 October 2026 via vivo Experience Stores (313@somerset and Jurong Point), Shopee, Lazada, TikTok Shop, Singtel (from 23 October), and authorized retailers including Challenger, Courts, Best Denki, Harvey Norman, and Gain City.
Retail Configurations:
- vivo X500 (12GB RAM + 512GB Storage): S$1,999
- vivo X500 Pro Max (12GB RAM + 512GB Storage): S$2,499
Pre-Order Privileges (Valued up to S$1,000):
Customers placing pre-orders during the promotional window receive an instant S$200 discount, a complimentary 200mm Telephoto Extender with Case (worth S$399, while stocks last), 3 months of Google AI Pro with 5TB Cloud Storage (worth S$87), a 2-Year International Warranty (worth S$129), and 3 months of Screen Protection (worth S$199). In-store purchases at vivo Experience Stores additionally qualify for an exclusive Jay Chou Gift Box (worth S$69), DBS/POSB 0% interest instalments, and an extra S$50 trade-in bonus (with trade-in values up to S$1,320) through November.
With the X500 Series, vivo has elevated mobile capture beyond typical consumer snapshots—delivering a comprehensive optical ecosystem that lets filmmakers and creators reach further than ever before.
