The upcoming Vivo X500 series, expected towards the end of October 2026, keeps giving up its secrets. With the brand reportedly preparing no fewer than four models to refresh its line-up, well-known leaker Digital Chat Station has just stirred things up by revealing the very ambitious spec sheet of the compact model, provisionally dubbed the X500 Pro Mini.
The secret behind a no-compromise zoom
The headline revelation in this leak concerns the camera department. Vivo has apparently chosen not to short-change its compact model, giving it exactly the same treatment as its supersized siblings.
The X500 Pro Mini is tipped to carry an 85 mm periscope telephoto lens (64 MP) capable of handling macro photography. An 85 mm focal length is ideal for portraits, isolating the subject perfectly against a natural background blur.
That module is said to be backed up by:
- A 50 MP main sensor (1/1.28-inch) using LOFIC technology for better handling of high-contrast lighting.
- A 50 MP ultra-wide-angle lens.
A 2 nm heart behind a 6.37-inch screen
Under the bonnet, this small frame is said to hide top-tier raw power. It is expected to be driven by the new Dimensity 9600 Pro chip, built on a cutting-edge 2 nm process.
That ultra-efficient processor would feed a very comfortable flat 6.37-inch display, immediately positioning the phone as one of the most powerful compact flagships around, up against rivals from Apple and Xiaomi.
A radical change of strategy for Vivo
Beyond the specs of this Pro Mini, the leaks point to a major strategic shift for the manufacturer. On the previous generation (the X300 series), the base model and the Pro model shared the same chip. This time, Vivo is reportedly drawing a clear line through its range to widen its audience:
- The standard Vivo X500 is said to serve as the more affordable entry point, with a 6.59-inch screen and a 3 nm Dimensity 9500 chip.
- The Pro (Mini) and Pro Max versions (6.85 inches, 2K LTPO OLED) would keep the 2 nm processor and the 85 mm optics to themselves.
Conclusion
By bringing its high-end photographic know-how to a pocket-friendly format, Vivo shows it has understood users who have grown tired of oversized smartphones. The X500 series is expected to go official in China by the end of October 2026, before an even more extreme “Ultra” model closes the show in early 2027. Needless to say, we will be following its progress very closely ahead of its arrival in our shop. If this model appeals to you, you will find the Vivo range of phones at PhoneDroid, along with Vivo screen protectors.
