Vivo X500 Pro Max vs. Vivo X500: The Next-Gen Zeiss Cameras Are Taking Shape

Vivo’s next flagship series is slowly moving from rumour to reality. The Vivo X500 series, successors to the well-received X300 lineup, is expected to arrive in September 2026. And while the full X500 family will eventually include four models, including an X500 Ultra planned for 2027, the two phones generating the most discussion right now are the Vivo X500 Pro Max and the standard Vivo X500.

Both phones are shaping up to be serious camera-focused flagships, continuing Vivo’s established partnership with German optics giant Zeiss. But they take distinctly different approaches to the camera hardware, particularly around sensors, zoom capabilities, and stabilisation technology. Here is everything leaked so far about how these two phones compare.

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The Vivo X500 Series: What We Know So Far

Four Vivo X500 models have appeared in the IMEI database, making a global launch highly likely. The confirmed models expected are the Vivo X500, X500e, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. Each occupies a distinct position in the lineup, with the Pro Max at the top and the standard X500 as the accessible entry-level flagship.

The compact Vivo X500 Pro, which is a separate model from the Pro Max, is expected to feature a 6.37-inch display and two new Sony sensors. However, most of the detailed camera information that has leaked so far focuses on the standard X500 and the Pro Max, based on test units that Chinese leaker Digital Chat Station has reportedly examined.

• Expected launch: September 2026
• Confirmed models in IMEI database: X500, X500e, X500 Pro, X500 Pro Max
• X500 Ultra: Planned for 2027, not part of the September lineup
• European availability: Both X500 and X500 Pro Max are anticipated to launch in Europe alongside the global rollout

Vivo X500 Pro Max vs Vivo X500: Camera Specs Compared

Vivo X500 Pro Max: LOFIC Technology and Industry-First OIS

Main Camera: Sony Lytia L910 with LOFIC

The headline hardware upgrade for the Vivo X500 Pro Max is its main camera sensor. Based on leaked test unit data from Digital Chat Station, the Pro Max is expected to feature a 50-megapixel 1/1.28-inch Sony sensor with LOFIC technology. LOFIC stands for Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor, and it is Sony’s solution to a key limitation in conventional CMOS sensors.

Traditional sensors struggle to capture both very bright and very dark areas in the same scene simultaneously. LOFIC technology adds additional charge storage capacity on the sensor itself, which allows it to retain highlight detail that would normally be blown out before the sensor overflows. The practical result is significantly improved dynamic range in high-contrast scenes, which is exactly the kind of real-world improvement that matters for users taking photos outdoors or in mixed lighting conditions.

Sony recently unveiled the Lytia L910 sensor with LOFIC technology, and based on current leaks, the X500 Pro Max is expected to be the first commercial smartphone to feature this sensor at launch.

Telephoto Camera: 200MP Periscope with CIPA 7.0 OIS

The telephoto system on the X500 Pro Max largely continues the proven formula from the X300 Pro. The rear setup is expected to retain the 200-megapixel 1/1.4-inch periscope telephoto with an 85mm focal length equivalent. According to the leaker, very little has changed from the X300 Pro’s telephoto design apart from an updated lens group.

The most technically significant addition is the OIS (Optical Image Stabilisation) upgrade. The X500 Pro Max is expected to meet the CIPA 7.0 standard for optical image stabilisation, which is a global benchmark for stabilisation performance. Crucially, this would make the Vivo X500 Pro Max the first mobile phone in the world to achieve CIPA 7.0 compliance for OIS, a significant claim if the leaked information is accurate.

The ultra-wide camera is expected to remain a 50-megapixel lens, with no significant changes reported compared to the previous generation. Telemacro photography, which uses the telephoto lens to capture detailed close-up shots from a distance, is also supported.

Vivo X500: New Sensors and a Different Approach

Main Camera: Away from the 200MP Approach

The standard Vivo X500 marks an interesting strategic shift from its predecessor, the Vivo X300. While the X300 used a 200-megapixel sensor for its main camera, the X500 is expected to move to a 50-megapixel 1/1.28-inch Sony sensor instead. This is a notable departure from the high-megapixel-main-camera approach that Vivo used in the previous generation.

The sensor on the standard X500 is expected to be physically the same size as the Pro Max’s main camera at 1/1.28 inches, but without the LOFIC technology. This means the X500 should still deliver very capable main camera performance, just without the extreme dynamic range improvement that LOFIC provides on the Pro Max. The Zeiss tuning and optical lens quality will still apply across the lineup.

Telephoto Camera: New Sony LYT-610 at 70mm

For the telephoto camera, the standard X500 is expected to feature a 64-megapixel 1/2-inch Sony sensor on a 70mm periscope lens. The sensor in question is believed to be the recently announced Sony LYT-610, which Sony unveiled in late June 2026. Sony has described the LYT-610 as delivering significant quality improvements over previous-generation sensors in its class.

The move from an 85mm to a 70mm telephoto compared to the Pro Max means the standard X500 offers a slightly wider zoom reach, which can actually be more versatile for everyday subjects like portraits and street photography. Whether the 70mm telephoto on the X500 will also support telemacro photography, as the Pro Max does, has not been confirmed by leaks at this stage.

The ultra-wide camera on the X500 is also expected to be a 50-megapixel unit, and the improved OIS that the X500 Pro inherited from the X300 Ultra is also expected to carry over.

What This Means for Indian Smartphone Buyers

Vivo has a strong presence in the Indian market through its premium V and X series. The X300 series gained attention among photography enthusiasts in India for its Zeiss-tuned camera system and competitive pricing compared to comparable Samsung and Apple flagship camera phones. If the X500 series follows the same pricing strategy, both models are likely to land in the Rs 55,000 to Rs 85,000 range depending on the model.

For Indian buyers who prioritise photography, the X500 Pro Max’s LOFIC main sensor and CIPA 7.0-certified OIS represent genuinely meaningful advances. The standard X500, meanwhile, offers what appears to be a strong mid-tier flagship camera package with the new Sony LYT-610 sensor, potentially at a lower price point that makes it more accessible.

Vivo is expected to announce the X500 series at a September 2026 event, with both global and European availability confirmed. India availability typically follows within weeks of the global launch for flagship Vivo models.

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Final Thoughts

The Vivo X500 Pro Max and X500 are shaping up as two genuinely distinct options rather than simply a tiered version of the same phone. The Pro Max brings cutting-edge LOFIC sensor technology, a first-in-mobile CIPA 7.0 OIS system, and the continuation of the 200MP 85mm telephoto that established Vivo’s reputation. The standard X500 takes a different path with a new Sony LYT-610 70mm telephoto and a 50MP main camera without LOFIC.

With a September 2026 launch expected, both phones are a matter of weeks away from being officially revealed. Until then, the leaks paint a picture of two phones that take Zeiss-partnered mobile photography in meaningfully different but equally exciting directions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When will the Vivo X500 Pro Max and X500 launch?

Both phones are expected to launch in September 2026, based on multiple leaks and reports. Vivo has not officially confirmed the date.

Q2. What is LOFIC technology in the Vivo X500 Pro Max camera?

LOFIC (Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor) is Sony’s sensor technology that significantly improves dynamic range by adding extra charge storage on the sensor, capturing both highlight and shadow detail far more effectively in high-contrast scenes.

Q3. What is the difference between Vivo X500 Pro Max and Vivo X500 cameras?

The Pro Max uses a Sony LOFIC-enabled main sensor, a 200MP 85mm telephoto, and CIPA 7.0 certified OIS. The standard X500 uses a non-LOFIC 50MP main sensor and a new Sony LYT-610 64MP sensor on a 70mm periscope telephoto.

Q4. What is the display size of the Vivo X500 and X500 Pro Max?

The X500 is expected to feature a 6.59-inch display, while the X500 Pro Max is expected to have a 6.85-inch display, continuing the size pattern from the X300 generation.

Q5. Is the Vivo X500 series coming to India?

While not officially confirmed, Vivo typically brings its flagship X series to India within weeks of the global launch. India launch and pricing details are expected to follow the September 2026 global announcement.

Q6. What is the Sony LYT-610 sensor in the Vivo X500?

The Sony LYT-610 is a recently announced 64-megapixel 1/2-inch camera sensor from Sony, unveiled in June 2026. It is expected to be used in the Vivo X500’s 70mm periscope telephoto and promises significant quality improvements over previous-generation sensors in its class.

Q7. What is CIPA 7.0 OIS and why does it matter?

CIPA 7.0 is a global benchmark standard for optical image stabilisation performance. The Vivo X500 Pro Max is expected to be the first mobile phone to achieve this certification, meaning it offers the most effective OIS in a smartphone at launch, particularly useful for low-light and telephoto photography.

Q8. What is the Vivo X500 Ultra and when will it launch?

The Vivo X500 Ultra is a higher-tier model planned for 2027, separate from the September 2026 X500 series launch. No detailed specifications have been confirmed for the Ultra at this stage.