Most phone makers treat their base models like budget drafts of the Pro. Vivo might be doing something different with the X500. A fresh leak suggests the standard X500 won’t just be a smaller, cheaper version of the Pro, it’ll actually look different in a meaningful way.
According to Gizmochina, citing tipster Digital Chat Station, the Vivo X500 Pro models will carry a centered, large circular camera module on the back. The standard X500, though, is said to position that same large circular module in the upper-left corner instead. It’s a small shift, but it gives the base model its own visual personality rather than making it look like a watered-down Pro with worse specs stamped on it.
The display situation is interesting too. The X500 is tipped to come with a flat 6.59-inch screen, sitting right between the two Pro sizes rumored at around 6.37 inches and 6.85 inches. So it’s not the smallest of the bunch. The Pro models are expected to have extremely narrow bezels on all four sides, along with larger corner radii for a softer, more premium feel. Whether the standard model matches that polish is still unclear.
On the inside, the X500 is expected to run on MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600, while the X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max step up to the Dimensity 9600 Pro. That chip split is pretty standard for a tiered lineup, but it’s worth watching because the Dimensity 9600 is still a seriously capable processor. This isn’t some mid-range hand-me-down situation.
For the cameras, the highlights so far are centered on the Pro models. Here’s what’s been tipped for the X500 series:
- 50MP Sony main sensor with LOFIC technology on Pro models
- LOFIC improves dynamic range in tough lighting like backlit scenes and night shots
- Display options at 1.5K or 2K resolution across the lineup
- Refresh rates up to 144Hz
The LOFIC sensor is the real headline on the camera side. Sony’s LOFIC tech has been showing up in more flagship phones lately, and it genuinely helps with one of the most frustrating problems in smartphone photography, blowing out highlights when shooting into light. If Vivo executes it well, the X500 Pro could be a legitimate contender in the camera rankings.
As for timing, a September launch is currently the working theory. Vivo hasn’t confirmed anything officially, but global variants of the X500 series have been picking up certifications in various markets, which usually means a release isn’t too far off. The certification trail is often one of the more reliable pre-launch signals, so this one is worth keeping an eye on.
The broader picture here is that Vivo has been quietly building a stronger global presence with its X series, and the X500 could push that momentum further. A standard model with its own distinct design rather than a recycled Pro silhouette is the right move. Consumers are smarter than manufacturers often give them credit for, and giving the base model its own identity makes the whole lineup feel more considered. Now Vivo just needs to price it right.