Launched recently in Shanghai, China, the vivo X500 Pro Series is touted by the company as its next major step in mobile imaging. While its predecessors have excelled in photography, vivo acknowledged that its video capabilities have lagged behind its still-image technology, with the new line-up aiming to close that gap while bringing a number of generational improvements to the overall smartphone experience.
To put these claims to the test, vivo provided us with the X500 Pro Max, the top-end offering in the series. Compared to the standard Pro model, the Pro Max most notably features a larger display, higher battery capacity and a larger telephoto sensor, while both models share the same overall rear-panel design, MediaTek’s latest high-end Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset and vivo’s first-party Origin OS 7 platform based on Android 17.
A Familiar Design With Some Added Flair
In hand, the vivo X500 Pro Max is a considerably hefty smartphone at around 250g, putting it almost on par with many current-generation flagships. It is also noticeably top-heavy due to its camera system, and needless to say, the phone is among those that won’t sit completely flush on a table when placed on its back.
Despite its familiar rear-panel design, the X500 Pro Max’s two-tone finish looks rather pretty, with its glittery effect intended to resemble a starry night. The surrounding metal frame also gives the phone a very sturdy feel, although I’d still recommend putting it in a case for some added protection.
While I won’t touch on battery life or gaming performance just yet, I can confirm that the Dimensity 9600 Pro provides a smooth overall experience when it comes to app navigation and multitasking. Complementing it is vivo’s Origin OS 7, which does feature some Liquid Glass-inspired elements, although these are used rather sparingly and without the fancy gyroscopic glinting effects seen on some other platforms.
I should also point out that the unit handed to us is running the global version of Origin OS 7, which includes Google Services. There is, of course, some obligatory bloatware installed, but thankfully not an excessive amount.
Now, let’s move on to the more interesting part: the cameras.
Photography That Impresses Across The Board
Without going into too much detail, it’s safe to say that the X500 Pro Max is indeed a strong contender in mobile photography. Image quality from all three rear cameras is downright impressive, particularly from the 200MP periscope telephoto. Photos appear crisp and vivid, with a nice balance of contrast that, at times, is more reminiscent of what I’d expect from a mirrorless camera than a smartphone.
Another detail I particularly appreciate is the consistency in both colour and detail across all three lenses. Switching between the cameras therefore doesn’t result in an obvious change in how a scene is rendered, which is something that isn’t always guaranteed even on flagship smartphones.
The other notable is the X500 Pro Max’s handling of HDR. Even when the background is extremely bright, the subject remains well lit without the need for additional lighting, while details and features are generally preserved.
The best part? This LOFIC-based technique, which vivo calls Ultra High Dynamic Range, isn’t limited to still photography. The same technology is also applied to the phone’s video recording capabilities.
Sample Photos
Taking Mobile Video More Seriously
Also new for video is the Portrait Video feature, which adds cinematic bokeh and professional colour grading to recordings. The mode supports recording at up to 4K resolution at 60fps, while the standard video mode goes even further, supporting up to 8K at 30fps.
As mentioned earlier, vivo highlighted that it wants to not only provide a strong experience in both photography and video, but also make advanced video capabilities more accessible to everyday users.
After using the X500 Pro Max to shoot some B-roll-style footage, I have to say that I was impressed with what the phone can do in the video department. Normally, you’d need a proper setup involving reflectors, additional lighting and other equipment to get similar results. On the X500 Pro Max, however, much of this is handled automatically in the background and, importantly, in real time.
This is particularly noticeable when shooting scenes with challenging lighting. Rather than simply blowing out the brighter areas or leaving the subject in shadow, the phone does a good job of balancing the exposure while retaining details in both the foreground and background.
Bringing The Zoom Even Further
If you want to take things a couple of steps further, there’s also an optional photography kit that includes a telephoto extender and a dedicated case with a mount for the lens. Both are extremely easy to set up and use, which makes the accessory feel less like a gimmick and more like a practical extension of the phone’s already capable camera system.
With the extender attached, the 200MP periscope telephoto can reach an equivalent focal length of 400mm, while digital zoom can push this even further to 800mm, 1,600mm and 3,200mm. Personally, I’d draw the line at 1,600mm. At 3,200mm, image compensation becomes increasingly apparent and the results start to look less convincing, particularly when fine details are involved.
Still, being able to zoom this far with a smartphone, albeit with an optional accessory, is an impressive feat in itself.
Sample Photos Taken With The Telephoto Extender
There Are Still Some Kinks To Iron Out
Despite all of this, I did encounter some drawbacks with the X500 Pro Max. The Ultra High Dynamic Range functionality for both photos and videos is certainly notable, but only when it works as intended.
There were occasions where the feature simply didn’t kick in because I captured a scene too quickly. In other situations, it could take a couple of seconds for the lighting balance between the subject and background to adjust accordingly, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to capture a fleeting moment. There were also moments where the telephoto camera failed to focus, while the camera app itself crashed back to the home screen on one occasion.
Another area that could use some work is the selfie camera. The 50MP sensor generally produces good results, but you won’t get the same level of colour consistency seen across the three rear cameras.
The silver lining is that these issues appear to be software-related rather than hardware limitations. Given that the X500 Pro Series has yet to launch globally, there is still time for vivo to iron out these kinks before the devices reach international markets.
My Impressions So Far
Overall, the vivo X500 Pro Max is shaping up to be a powerhouse of a smartphone, particularly for those who place a strong emphasis on mobile photography and video. Its rear cameras deliver impressive image quality, while the company’s efforts to bring more advanced computational imaging and video processing into an easy-to-use package are certainly paying off.
That said, it’s worth remembering that the X500 Pro Max is still a flagship smartphone first and foremost. Beyond its imaging capabilities, it has a high-end chipset, a premium build and plenty of other features that I’ve yet to discuss.
The X500 Pro Series is expected to make its international debut, including in Malaysia, by late October. Naturally, pricing and local availability are expected to be confirmed closer to launch.
@lowyatnet Here our unboxing and quick look at the new vivo X500 Pro Max. Check out our website for more details surrounding its launch in China at Lowyat.NET #vivo #vivox500promax
