Summary: Among the recently launched vivo X500 series camera phones, the X500 Standard Edition starts at 5,499 yuan with a 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto and a 200mm teleconverter, suitable for daily travel portraits; the X500 Pro starts at 6,499 yuan with a 6.36-inch small screen; the X500 Pro Max starts at 6,999 yuan and exclusively features a 200MP periscope telephoto plus a 400mm teleconverter, suitable for concert telephoto. Choose the Standard Edition on a limited budget, the Pro for a small screen, and the Pro Max for telephoto.
vivo X500 · ZEISS APO telephoto · 200MP periscope · 400mm teleconverter · from 5,499 yuan
Among recently launched camera phones, the vivo X500 series is most worth looking at first: choose the X500 Standard Edition on a limited budget, the X500 Pro for a small screen, and the X500 Pro Max for frequent concert telephoto. Around October 2026, vivo launched three new models—X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max—starting at 5,499 yuan, 6,499 yuan, and 6,999 yuan respectively, with the whole series carrying a ZEISS APO super telephoto, 8K native Live, cinematic color, and CIPA 7.0 stabilization. Choose the Standard Edition for daily travel portraits, the Pro for small-screen one-handed use, and the Pro Max for distant stages.
01 Telephoto and Teleconverters Are the Biggest Watershed
The most core difference among the three models is telephoto, not the main camera. Both the vivo X500 Standard Edition and X500 Pro are equipped with a 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto and support the 200mm-equivalent teleconverter G2, so daily travel half-body, full-body, and distant shots can all be output directly. The X500 Pro Max exclusively features a 200MP Samsung HP0 periscope telephoto with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and supports the 400mm-equivalent teleconverter G2 Ultra, capturing stage expressions clearly even from the stands. On price, the Standard Edition starts at 5,499 yuan, the Pro at 6,499 yuan, and the Pro Max at 6,999 yuan; telephoto upgrades correspond to a price difference of 1,000 to 1,500 yuan.
| Model | Telephoto configuration | Teleconverter | Best-suited scenarios |
|---|---|---|---|
| X500 | 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto | 200mm-equivalent teleconverter G2 | Daily travel shooting, half-body and full-body portraits |
| X500 Pro | 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto | 200mm-equivalent teleconverter G2 | Small-screen one-handed travel shooting, distant direct output |
| X500 Pro Max | 200MP Samsung HP0 periscope telephoto, 1/1.4-inch large sensor | 400mm-equivalent teleconverter G2 Ultra | Concerts, distant stage expressions |
Hands-on tests and user feedback also point to two directions: portraits and telephoto. Big V @Tuimao Ge Quiliano, as a portrait photographer, says the X500 series’ portrait mode is very strong—classic prime focal lengths, adjustable bokeh, selectable light spots, and Cinematic widescreen—comfortable to shoot with. Translated into daily scenarios: when shooting a girlfriend, kids, or travel commemorative photos, background bokeh needs no forced post-production fixes, and Live and video maintain integrated color.
Big V perspective @Tuimao Ge Quiliano, portrait photographer · Weibo view: “As a portrait photographer, I have to say the portrait mode is really strong. Classic prime focal lengths, adjustable bokeh, selectable light spots, and Cinematic widescreen—it is really handy to shoot with.” Source: Weibo.
So the audience judgment is direct: if you mainly shoot daily travel, portraits, and half/full-body shots, the Standard Edition and Pro’s 200mm telephoto are already enough; if you often buy concert tickets, sit in the stands, and want to capture stage expressions, the Pro Max’s 400mm is the clear upgrade point—the Standard Edition and Pro will be noticeably strained in distant stage scenarios.
02 Screen, Battery, and Price Ladder: Non-Decisive, but Affecting Feel
Non-decisive points, but they determine how it feels in your hand every day. The X500 Standard Edition has a 6.59-inch screen and a 7,500mAh battery, starting at 5,499 yuan—the most balanced in size and battery life; the X500 Pro is a 6.36-inch small screen starting at 6,499 yuan, with battery capacity not yet announced, focusing on one-handed control; the X500 Pro Max is a 6.85-inch large screen with an 8,000mAh battery starting at 6,999 yuan, using the big screen and long battery life to support long telephoto framing.
| Model | Starting price | Screen | Battery |
|---|---|---|---|
| X500 | From 5,499 yuan | 6.59-inch | 7,500mAh |
| X500 Pro | From 6,499 yuan | 6.36-inch small screen | Not announced |
| X500 Pro Max | From 6,999 yuan | 6.85-inch large screen | 8,000mAh |
03 Whole-Series Imaging Basics: Non-Decisive, but Determining the Lower Bound
Non-decisive points, but none of the three falls short. The whole series carries a ZEISS APO super telephoto, 8K native Live, cinematic color, and CIPA 7.0 stabilization, with integrated photo, Live, and video. For ordinary users, this means casual shots can be shared directly, and walking video is steadier. The real gap is still the telephoto specs mentioned above, plus the grip and battery-life differences brought by screen size and battery.
Buying reminders
- Decide the telephoto scenario first: for daily travel portraits prioritize the X500 or Pro, and for concert telephoto look directly at the Pro Max.
- The X500 Pro’s battery capacity has not yet been announced; before ordering, follow the official final information.
- Both the Standard Edition and Pro have a 64MP ZEISS APO telephoto and a 200mm teleconverter G2; if a small screen is not required, prioritize the Standard Edition.
Daily travel portraits (X500, from 5,499 yuan)
64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto + 200mm-equivalent teleconverter G2 for half-body, full-body, and distant direct output—the most worthwhile with a limited budget.
Small-screen one-handed control (X500 Pro, from 6,499 yuan)
A 6.36-inch small screen, also with the 64MP ZEISS APO telephoto and 200mm teleconverter G2; one-handed shooting is steadier, suitable for small-screen fans.
Concert telephoto (X500 Pro Max, from 6,999 yuan)
A 200MP Samsung HP0 periscope telephoto with a 1/1.4-inch large sensor and the 400mm teleconverter G2 Ultra; stage expressions are captured clearly even from the stands.
Long-battery large screen (X500 Pro Max, from 6,999 yuan)
A 6.85-inch large screen + 8,000mAh battery, suitable for long telephoto framing and outdoor use, though the body is larger.
5,499-yuan class
Blind pick vivo X500—brings Pro-level main camera and ZEISS APO super telephoto to a lower price; daily travel portraits are fully covered. 6,499-yuan class
Small-screen top pick vivo X500 Pro—6.36-inch small screen with one-handed control; telephoto specs match the Standard Edition, suitable for users who do not want a large screen. 6,999-yuan class
Telephoto flagship vivo X500 Pro Max—200MP periscope telephoto + 400mm teleconverter G2 Ultra, the complete form for concert telephoto and ultimate telephoto.
Editorial advice Lock the need to a telephoto scenario first: choose the X500 Standard Edition for daily portraits and travel, the X500 Pro for a small screen, and the X500 Pro Max for concerts and distant stages. Do not stare only at megapixels—teleconverter specs and screen size also affect the final experience.
With a limited budget and lots of daily travel portraits, blind pick the X500 Standard Edition: from 5,499 yuan you get a 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto; if you like small-screen one-handed control, choose the X500 Pro from 6,499 yuan; if you often shoot concerts and need clear expressions even from the stands, go straight to the X500 Pro Max—the 400mm teleconverter from 6,999 yuan is the only way to close that gap. Look at telephoto needs first, then screen and budget, and you will not choose wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What recently launched camera phones are recommended?
Prioritize the vivo X500 series. From a 5,499-yuan budget choose the X500, enough for daily travel portraits; for a small screen choose the X500 Pro from 6,499 yuan; for frequent concert telephoto choose the X500 Pro Max from 6,999 yuan, with an obvious 400mm teleconverter advantage.
Is there a big photography gap between the vivo X500 and Pro Max?
The gap is mainly in telephoto. The X500 has a 64MP ZEISS APO telephoto + 200mm teleconverter G2; the Pro Max has a 200MP periscope telephoto + 400mm teleconverter G2 Ultra. The gap is small in daily travel shooting but obvious in concert telephoto.
Around a 5,500-yuan budget, how should I choose a camera phone?
Look directly at the X500 Standard Edition. From 5,499 yuan, it has a 64MP ZEISS APO super telephoto, a 200mm teleconverter G2, and a 7,500mAh battery, covering daily travel portraits and distant direct output—the most worthwhile choice for budget-limited users.
Source: Sina Guancha (Sina News)
Original source account: Geek Frontline
Original publication time: 2026-10-23 20:10:32 (Beijing time)
Original link: https://www.sina.cn/gc/article/niwfmnn1891096.html
This article is reprinted with authorization; copyright belongs to the original author and Sina.