Concertgoers know the frustration of trying to capture their favourite artist from the back of a crowded venue, only to end up with blurry footage or a tiny figure on screen. With its latest flagship smartphones, vivo Malaysia is putting long-range photography and concert videography at the centre of the experience.
Officially unveiled in Malaysia on 27 October 2026, the new vivo X500 Series comprises three models: the vivo X500 Pro Max, vivo X500 Pro and vivo X500. The line-up introduces enhanced ZEISS telephoto cameras, advanced subject tracking, cinematic video recording and vivo's latest OriginOS 7 operating system.
With prices starting from RM4,699, the series is aimed at users who want more from their smartphone cameras, particularly when photographing distant subjects, recording live performances or creating content for social media.
Leading the range is the vivo X500 Pro Max, which features a 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera, support for a 400mm telephoto extender and a substantial 7,800mAh battery. These are accompanied by dedicated concert filming features designed to keep performers in focus even as they move around the stage.
Officially unveiled in Malaysia on 27 October 2026, the new vivo X500 Series comprises three models: the vivo X500 Pro Max, vivo X500 Pro and vivo X500. The line-up introduces enhanced ZEISS telephoto cameras, advanced subject tracking, cinematic video recording and vivo's latest OriginOS 7 operating system.
With prices starting from RM4,699, the series is aimed at users who want more from their smartphone cameras, particularly when photographing distant subjects, recording live performances or creating content for social media.
Leading the range is the vivo X500 Pro Max, which features a 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera, support for a 400mm telephoto extender and a substantial 7,800mAh battery. These are accompanied by dedicated concert filming features designed to keep performers in focus even as they move around the stage.
200MP ZEISS Telephoto Camera Brings Distant Subjects Closer
One of the biggest highlights of the vivo X500 Series is its emphasis on telephoto photography, particularly for situations where getting physically closer to the subject is not always possible.
The vivo X500 Pro Max leads with a 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera featuring a 1/1.4-inch HP0 Ultra-Sensing Sensor and an 85mm equivalent focal length. Combined with CIPA 7.0 Professional Stabilisation, the camera is designed to reduce motion blur and support longer handheld exposures, especially when shooting in challenging lighting conditions.
For those who frequently attend concerts, sporting events or photograph distant subjects, the phone also supports the 400mm equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra, an optional accessory that further expands its long-range photography capabilities.
The extender supports more than 10 shooting modes, including Stage, Snapshot and Pro, allowing users to experiment with different styles of photography depending on the subject and environment.
Meanwhile, the vivo X500 Pro comes equipped with a 64MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera using a vivo x Sony LYTIA 610 sensor with an 85mm equivalent focal length. It also features ZEISS T* Coating and supports the 200mm equivalent vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2.
The standard vivo X500 takes a slightly different approach, featuring a 72mm equivalent ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera alongside a 50MP ZEISS Pro-Level Ultra-Sensing Camera with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, similar to the one found in the vivo X300 Pro.
While all three models place considerable emphasis on photography, their different camera configurations give users options depending on how much long-range imaging capability they need.
Concert Videos That Follow the Artist, Not Just the Camera
Beyond taking still photographs, vivo has introduced several recording features specifically aimed at users who enjoy filming live performances.
The vivo X500 Pro Max and X500 Pro are powered by the X-Track Engine, which enhances subject tracking when capturing fast-moving scenes. Its Lock-On Subject Tracking feature is designed to maintain focus on human subjects even when they are briefly obstructed or move out of view.
On the Pro Max, autofocus tracking operates at up to 60 frames per second in Snapshot Mode, while the Super Snapshot Engine enables 30x Long-Range Motion Snapshot. The X500 Pro supports up to 20x Long-Range Motion Snapshot.
For video recording, features such as 4K 120fps Pro AF Tracking Video and Auto Framing Video help keep moving subjects sharp and properly framed. This can be particularly useful when recording performers moving across a concert stage or athletes during sporting events.
The new Stage Mode 3.0 builds on these capabilities with several concert-focused recording options, including Auto Framing Fancam Video, 4K Dual-View Stage Video, 4K Stage All-in-One Recording and Super Telephoto Stage Snapshot.
These features allow users to capture performers from a distance, record themselves alongside the performance or combine different perspectives within their concert footage.
For concertgoers who enjoy creating fancams or sharing clips on TikTok, Instagram Reels and other social media platforms, the ability to track moving performers and capture multiple perspectives offers more flexibility than conventional smartphone recording modes.
Cinematic Videos, Dolby Vision and Advanced Portrait Features
While concert recording is a major focus, the vivo X500 Series also introduces several tools intended for everyday video creators and photography enthusiasts.
The X500 Pro Max and X500 Pro feature a ZEISS TrueDynamic Main Camera, developed to capture detailed footage across scenes with challenging lighting, such as brightly illuminated stages, sunsets and darker environments.
Its Cinematic Pro Log Video feature is designed to preserve detail in highlights and shadows, giving users greater flexibility when editing footage. The camera supports up to 17 EV ultra-high dynamic range under specific supported video settings, including the applicable Golden and Vivid colour styles.
There is also 4K Dolby Vision Portrait Video, which aims to maintain natural-looking skin tones and image details when filming people against demanding backgrounds.
For users who prefer more stylised results without spending too much time editing, 4K Cinematic Portrait Video includes colour styles such as Sunny Day and Vibrant, developed in collaboration with ZEISS.
The series also introduces film-inspired video styles including Paris Afterglow, Golden Hour and Pastel. Its Film Style mode uses a 2.4:1 aspect ratio to create a wider, cinematic presentation.
On the technical side, the ZEISS TrueDynamic Main Camera supports native 4K 240fps high-frame-rate recording, allowing users to capture detailed slow-motion footage. The Pro Max also features 3-degree Gimbal-Grade Optical Image Stabilisation to help reduce unwanted camera movement.
For more experimental recording, vivo's Movie Workshop includes Auto Framing and Vortex Shot, with the latter designed to create smooth 360-degree rotating footage with a single tap.
Portrait photography has also received attention, particularly on the standard X500. Its Cinematic Portrait feature adjusts lighting styles for different environments, while vivo Color Palette allows users to customise image tone, glow and grain according to their preferences.
OriginOS 7 Introduces Smarter Features and Apple Device Connectivity
The vivo X500 Series also marks the Malaysian introduction of OriginOS 7, the company's latest smartphone operating system, which focuses on smoother performance, personalisation and improved connectivity between devices.
One of its notable additions is Origin Workbench, which makes multitasking easier through floating windows and drag-and-drop file transfers between applications.
The operating system also introduces the Origin Smooth Engine, supported by Ultra-Core Computing, Memory Fusion and Dual Rendering technologies to maintain responsive animations and interactions during everyday use.
Interestingly, vivo has placed greater emphasis on compatibility with devices outside its own ecosystem, including selected Apple products.
OriginOS 7 supports connectivity features involving AirPods, Apple Watch and iCloud, while Quick Share introduces support for AirDrop interoperability to simplify file transfers between compatible devices.
Seamless Device Switch is intended to make transferring essential information easier when changing smartphones, while vivo Office Kit provides additional connectivity with Mac computers through tools such as Jovi PC and Camera Sharing.
These features may appeal to users who already own Apple accessories or use a Mac but are considering switching to an Android smartphone. However, interoperability depends on the relevant third-party services and compatibility requirements.
The operating system also introduces more personalisation options, including Dynamic Translucent Material, Wiggle (Boing) animated image effects and StickIt, which allows users to extract subjects from photographs and position them on their screens.
AI Tools for Meetings, Notes and Everyday Productivity
Artificial intelligence is another area receiving attention in OriginOS 7, particularly through features aimed at improving everyday productivity.
The new Snap & Go function recognises information within screenshots, while AI Next Up can identify schedules and convert them into reminders displayed on the home screen.
For users who regularly attend meetings, lectures or interviews, AI Recorder introduces speaker recognition, transcript organisation and automated summaries.
The feature includes six templates, such as Meeting Summary, Lecture Notes and Interview Summary, allowing users to organise recorded conversations into more structured information.
The availability of these AI capabilities may vary depending on the application, device settings, country, region and supported language.
Up to 7,800mAh Battery and 90W Fast Charging
Camera capabilities are only part of the equation, particularly for users who spend long hours filming, taking photographs or attending events without convenient access to charging points.
To address this, vivo has equipped the X500 Series with what it describes as the largest battery capacities introduced in its X Series to date.
The X500 Pro Max features a 7,800mAh battery, followed by the X500 with 7,500mAh and the more compact X500 Pro with 6,510mAh.
All three models support 90W wired FlashCharge and 40W wireless FlashCharge, although actual charging speeds depend on compatible accessories and usage conditions.
The series also incorporates second-generation semi-solid-state battery technology, which vivo says is designed to maintain reliable operation at temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius.
Bypass Charging helps manage heat when using the smartphone while connected to a charger, while on-device AI analyses usage patterns to optimise battery consumption.
In terms of performance, the X500 Pro Max and X500 Pro are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9600 Pro, manufactured using TSMC's 2nm process and featuring a 2+3+3 architecture.
The standard X500, meanwhile, uses the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M, offering a different performance configuration within the range.
Three Display Sizes and New Flagship Designs
The differences between the three models extend beyond their cameras and batteries, with vivo offering distinct display sizes and designs.
The vivo X500 Pro Max features a 6.85-inch display, described by the company as its largest display on a flat-screen smartphone. It also receives an advanced 2K ZEISS Master Color Display for greater visual clarity.
For users who prefer something more compact, the X500 Pro comes with a 6.36-inch display, while the standard X500 offers a 6.59-inch screen.
Across the range, the ZEISS Master Color Displays support up to 2,000 nits of global peak brightness and 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, intended to deliver vibrant visuals and accurate colour reproduction.
The X500 introduces a redesigned Floating Camera Module with a more squared appearance and is offered in Dusk Black, Sunny White and Starry Gray.
Meanwhile, the Pro and Pro Max adopt vivo's new Tideline Design, featuring a gently sloping transition between the camera module and the phone's body. Both models are available in Moonlit Black, Starry Gray and Sunset Orange.
Other features across the series include IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings, 3D Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanning, USB 3.2 connectivity and an infrared blaster.
As with other water-resistant smartphones, the IP68 and IP69 ratings are based on controlled laboratory testing, and the level of protection may decrease over time through normal wear and use.
vivo X500 Series Malaysia Prices and Pre-Order Offers
The vivo X500 Series starts from RM4,699 in Malaysia, with an early bird pre-order promotion available until 2 November 2026.
For the flagship X500 Pro Max, customers can pre-order the device at a promotional starting price of RM6,099, compared with its recommended retail price of RM6,399. A 24-month instalment option is also advertised from RM249.96 per month.
Those interested in extending the phone's long-range photography capabilities can opt for the X500 Pro Max Telephoto Kit (400mm), which includes the vivo ZEISS Telephoto Extender Gen 2 Ultra.
The kit is offered from RM6,998, down from its recommended retail price of RM7,998, with a 24-month instalment option advertised from RM287.42 per month.
The early bird promotion includes rewards valued at more than RM4,700, subject to the applicable promotional mechanics and eligibility requirements.
Among the highlights is a lucky draw offering customers the opportunity to win tickets to Jay Chou's "Carnival II" World Tour 2027, alongside rebates ranging from RM300 to RM1,000 on selected models.
Eligible customers may also receive free gifts worth RM598, comprising an AI Face Tracking Selfie Tripod, Magnetic Wireless Microphone and vivo Buds Pro.
Additional vivo Care benefits include a two-year warranty and a one-year international warranty with lens protection, subject to the programme's applicable conditions.
Other promotional incentives include:
- RM150 discount via SPayLater with a minimum spend of RM1,500.
- RM120 discount via Atome with a minimum spend of RM1,000.
- RM100 bank instalment rebate for qualifying purchases.
- RM300 trade-in rebate for eligible devices.
- Up to RM200 discount on selected Internet of Things products through purchase-with-purchase promotions.
- Three months of Google AI Pro with 5TB of cloud storage, valued at RM293.97.
With its combination of ZEISS telephoto technology, concert-focused recording features, larger batteries and cross-device connectivity, the vivo X500 Series represents the company's latest effort to attract smartphone users who prioritise photography and video creation.
For those considering the new line-up, the early bird promotional period runs until 2 November 2026, with the X500 Series starting from RM4,699 and the X500 Pro Max available for pre-order from RM6,099.
