Vivo is preparing to launch its new X500 smartphone lineup in China, with the X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max set to bring MediaTek’s latest flagship processor to the market. The two smartphones are scheduled to debut on September 21 alongside the standard Vivo X500.
The biggest highlight of the Pro models is the Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset. MediaTek has built the processor using a 2nm manufacturing process, making it the company’s first smartphone chip based on this technology. Vivo has confirmed that the X500 Pro series will be among the first smartphones to use the new platform.
The processor uses an eight core architecture divided into three groups. There are three efficiency cores running at up to 3.10GHz, three performance cores reaching 4.35GHz and two prime cores capable of reaching 4.55GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the Mali G2 Ultra NX GPU. The chipset also supports LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5 storage.
Vivo is not limiting the upgrade to processing power. The company has also highlighted camera and video capabilities for the upcoming phones. Both Pro models are expected to support 4K video recording at 120 frames per second, along with 10 bit Log recording.
Another notable feature is the dedicated imaging NPU 2.0. Vivo says the technology can provide autofocus performance of up to 60 frames per second. The phones will also use a dedicated imaging chip developed by Vivo to support 4K Dolby Vision portrait video recording.
Display technology is also receiving attention. The X500 Pro series will support Demura 2.0 along with hardware support for 2K 10 bit Log. Both smartphones are expected to run OriginOS 7 when they launch.
Camera hardware is expected to be a major difference between the two Pro models. The X500 Pro is tipped to feature a 50 megapixel primary camera, accompanied by a 50 megapixel ultra wide camera and a 64 megapixel periscope telephoto camera.
The X500 Pro Max is expected to take the camera setup further. Reports indicate that it could feature a 50 megapixel Sony LOFIC primary sensor, a 200 megapixel periscope telephoto camera and a 50 megapixel ultra wide camera. These specifications remain based on reports until Vivo provides the complete camera details.
The standard Vivo X500 will join the two premium models at the September 21 event. It is expected to use the Dimensity 9600M rather than the Pro version of the chipset. This would give the company a three phone lineup covering different performance levels.
The Dimensity 9600 Pro itself brings several changes beyond its manufacturing process. MediaTek has introduced a new dual NPU architecture and an Agentic AI Engine for on device artificial intelligence processing. The chip is also designed to improve power efficiency while handling demanding AI workloads.
The X500 Pro Max has also appeared in certification and benchmark related reports ahead of its launch. Earlier listings have pointed towards flagship hardware, while Vivo has gradually revealed more information about the display, camera and imaging platform.
With the X500 Pro series, Vivo appears to be placing equal emphasis on processing performance, photography and video capabilities. The use of the new 2nm MediaTek processor gives the phones a strong hardware focus, while the dedicated imaging technologies are aimed at users who place particular importance on mobile photography and video.
For now, Vivo has confirmed the September 21 launch in China. Details such as final pricing and broader market availability are expected to become clearer around the launch event. Indian availability has not yet been officially confirmed.
