vivo has officially introduced the X500 Series in Malaysia, and this time there are three models to choose from: the X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max. Prices for the series start from RM4,699, while the top-end Pro Max puts a 200MP ZEISS telephoto camera, optional 400mm telephoto attachment and an unusually large battery at the centre of its appeal.
The Malaysian launch follows the series’ earlier China debut and confirms that all three models are coming here, rather than leaving local buyers guessing based on certification listings. vivo is also leaning heavily into concert photography and video, with tools designed to keep performers in focus when they are moving around a stage.
Three models, three different approaches to zoom
The X500 Pro Max is clearly the camera flagship. Its 200MP ZEISS APO telephoto camera uses a 1/1.4-inch HP0 sensor and an 85mm-equivalent focal length, with what vivo calls CIPA 7.0 Professional Stabilization. It can be paired with the optional vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra for a 400mm-equivalent setup, giving concertgoers and wildlife photographers a much longer reach than the phone alone.
The X500 Pro retains an 85mm-equivalent ZEISS APO telephoto lens but switches to a 64MP Sony LYTIA 610 sensor. It supports the 200mm-equivalent Telephoto Extender Gen 2 rather than the Pro Max’s 400mm accessory. The regular X500 gets a 72mm-equivalent telephoto camera alongside a 50MP 1/1.28-inch main sensor and new portrait styles.
That distinction matters because vivo’s more ambitious long-range shooting features are not identical across the lineup. The Pro Max supports 30x Long-Range Motion Snapshot, whereas the Pro is rated for 20x. vivo also says its X-Track Engine and subject tracking can keep moving subjects in focus even when temporarily blocked from view. These are manufacturer claims and will need real-world testing, particularly under unpredictable concert lighting.
Concert video gets special attention
The two Pro models feature a ZEISS TrueDynamic main camera with a dedicated Log profile that vivo says is tuned for 17EV of dynamic range. They also offer 4K Dolby Vision Portrait Video and native 4K 240fps high-frame-rate recording, with 3-degree gimbal-grade optical stabilisation on the Pro Max.
Stage Mode 3.0 adds Auto Framing Fancam Video, dual-view stage recording, and other tools for recording both the performance and the person filming it. Vivo also lists 4K 120fps autofocus subject-tracking video and film-inspired colour options. For creators, the real advantage could be spending less time trying to keep a performer framed, although automatic tracking is no substitute for good camera positioning.
Anyone buying mainly for the cameras should also account for the cost and bulk of the optional telephoto attachments. A clip-on lens kit changes how the phone needs to be held, carried and used, especially in a crowded venue.
Dimensity 9600 Pro, bigger batteries and OriginOS 7
Under the hood, the X500 Pro Max and X500 Pro run MediaTek’s Dimensity 9600 Pro, which vivo describes as a 2nm chip. The standard X500 uses the Dimensity 9600M. The company is also introducing OriginOS 7 to its Malaysian flagship lineup, with an Origin Workbench for floating-window multitasking, an AI Recorder that can transcribe and summarise meetings, and expanded file-sharing tools.
OriginOS 7 promises closer integration with Apple devices, including AirPods, Apple Watch, iCloud and some cross-device file-transfer workflows. Compatibility and the exact experience can vary across devices and software versions, so those claims are worth checking before buying specifically for ecosystem integration.
Battery capacities are another major difference: 7,800mAh for the Pro Max, 6,510mAh for the Pro and 7,500mAh for the standard X500. All three support 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. That means the more affordable X500 actually carries a larger battery than the smaller Pro, although capacity alone cannot predict endurance without comparable tests.
Display sizes are 6.85 inches on the Pro Max, 6.36 inches on the Pro and 6.59 inches on the X500. The Pro Max gets a 2K ZEISS Master Color display, while vivo quotes up to 2,000 nits of global peak brightness across the lineup. All three also come with IP68/IP69 ratings, ultrasonic fingerprint readers, USB 3.2 and an infrared blaster.
Malaysia price and early-bird offers
vivo says the X500 Series starts from RM4,699 in Malaysia. For the X500 Pro Max, the recommended retail price is RM6,399, with an early-bird offer from RM6,099. The 400mm Telephoto Kit bundle, including the ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra, is listed at RM7,998 before rebates and from RM6,998 during the promotion. The supplied launch material does not provide a full model-by-model retail price table, so buyers should confirm the exact variant and storage configuration before ordering.
The early-bird campaign runs until 2 November 2026, with selected rebates ranging from RM300 to RM1,000. Eligible buyers may also receive promotional accessories and enter a lucky draw for tickets to Jay Chou’s Carnival II World Tour 2027. Other payment, trade-in and purchase-with-purchase offers have separate conditions and should not be assumed to stack.
vivo is also advertising a two-year warranty with additional vivo Care benefits on qualifying purchases. For anyone upgrading from an older X-series phone, the most compelling reason to consider the X500 generation is its renewed emphasis on telephoto photography and video rather than just another round of chipset upgrades. Whether those extras justify the price will depend on image quality, accessory practicality and battery performance when the phones are independently reviewed.
