Highlights
- Vivo is still finalising the camera setup for the X500 Ultra and is currently testing three different 200MP periscope telephoto sensors.
- Sensor sizes being tested reportedly include 1/1.12-inch (most ambitious), 1/1.3-inch, and 1/1.4-inch.
- Earlier leaks suggest Vivo dropped plans for a 10x periscope lens and is shifting focus to a single 200MP periscope with in-sensor zoom.
Vivo is reportedly still finalising the camera setup for its next flagship smartphone, the Vivo X500 Ultra. A new leak suggests that the company has not yet decided on the telephoto hardware and is currently testing multiple 200MP periscope camera sensors before settling on the final configuration. Here’s more on the latest leak.
Vivo X500 Ultra Telephoto Camera Details Leak
The latest information comes from reliable tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, who claims Vivo is evaluating different sensor sizes to determine the best balance between image quality and smartphone design.
According to the tipster’s recent post, Vivo is currently testing three different 200MP periscope telephoto sensors. These include 1/1.12-inch, 1/1.3-inch, and 1/1.4-inch sensor sizes.
Among the three, the 1/1.12-inch sensor is said to be the most ambitious option, as its larger size could significantly improve telephoto photography by capturing more light and delivering better image quality at longer focal lengths.
The 1/1.3-inch and 1/1.4-inch sensors, meanwhile, are reportedly being considered as more balanced alternatives. While they may not offer the same level of light-gathering capability as the largest sensor, they could help maintain a slimmer device profile and simplify the camera module design.
The leak indicates that Vivo’s engineering team is still weighing the advantages and compromises of each sensor before making a final decision. A larger sensor can improve imaging performance but it also demands more internal space and a more complex camera system.
Smaller sensors, on the other hand, may offer a better balance between camera quality, device thickness and overall hardware design.
Earlier Leak Suggested Change in Camera Strategy
The latest report also supports an earlier leak that surfaced in June. At the time, Digital Chat Station claimed that Vivo had abandoned its plans to equip the Vivo X500 Ultra with a dedicated 10x periscope telephoto camera.
Instead, the company was said to have scrapped a prototype featuring the 10x telephoto lens and shifted its focus to a single 200MP periscope camera combined with in-sensor zoom technology.
Since the Vivo X500 Ultra is still under development, its final camera hardware has yet to be confirmed and could change before production begins. However, the latest leak suggests Vivo is continuing to fine-tune its imaging system to optimise telephoto performance before the smartphone enters mass production.
As for the launch timeline, the Vivo X500 Ultra is not expected to launch this year. Based on current reports, the flagship smartphone is likely to make its debut in the first half of 2027.
