vivo X500 Pro Max review

Introduction and specs

Vivo is expanding its flagship X500 lineup this year with one new model that acts like a bridge between the regular X500s and the future X500 Ultra model. We are referring to the vivo X500 Pro Max, which is the subject of this review. And while Oppo's recently released Find X10 Pro Max looks like a successor to the Find X9 Pro last year, the vivo X500 Pro Max seems to do things a bit differently than its spiritual successor, the vivo X300 Pro.

The regular Pro is no longer the big device in the lineup. It's now the compact flagship, while the X500 Pro Max grows larger, reaching a 6.85-inch screen diagonal, similar to the X300 Ultra and likely very close to the upcoming X500 Ultra as well.

In addition to the bigger display, the X500 Pro Max now boasts a faster 144Hz LTPO OLED panel with higher resolution and retains the varied HDR support.

Of course, the X500 Pro Max also comes equipped with the latest flagship SoC from MediaTek - the Dimensity 9600 Pro, promising improved performance and better efficiency.

vivo X500 Pro Max specs at a glance:

• Body: 163.3x76.8x8.1mm, 225g; Glass front, aluminum frame, glass back or glass-fiber reinforced plastic back; IP68/IP69 dust-tight and water-resistant (high-pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
• Display: 6.85" LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 2000 nits (HBM), 4400 nits (peak), 1440x3168px resolution, 19.8:9 aspect ratio, 507ppi; Ultra HDR image support.
• Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 9600 Pro (2 nm).
• Memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM; UFS 4.1.
• OS/Software: Android 17, up to 5 major OS updates, OriginOS 7.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.6, 24mm, 1/1.28", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 200 MP, f/2.7, 85mm, 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚, 1/2.75", 0.64µm, AF.
• Front camera: 50 MP, f/2.0, 20mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF.
• Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 17 EV TrueDynamic Log, Dolby Vision HDR, 4K@120fps 10-bit Log, 10-bit 422 APV; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps.
• Battery: 7800mAh (Global), 6750mAh (Europe); 90W wired, 40W wireless, Reverse wireless, Reverse wired.
• Connectivity: 5G; eSIM; Wi-Fi 7; BT 5.4/6.0, aptX HD, LHDC 5; NFC; Infrared port.
• Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); stereo speakers; Satellite connectivity support (1TB 12GB RAM only; for China).

The camera system remains largely unchanged from the previous generation, featuring a large 50MP main camera aided by a 200MP telephoto unit with 3.5x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide shooter, which is quite frankly one of the best in the industry.

The X500 Pro Max also introduces a massive battery upgrade over the X300 Pro. The global unit (which we are reviewing) gets a 7,800 mAh battery, up from 6,510 mAh, while Europeans get a more modest bump to 6,750 mAh, up from 5,440 mAh. Kudos to vivo for at least upgrading the European model compared to its predecessor. That's not a given these days. However, the charging capabilities appear to have stalled - 90W fast wired and 40W wireless, when paired with vivo's proprietary chargers.

Last but not least, the vivo X500 Pro Max debuts with OriginOS 7 based on Android 17 with some new features and looks.

Unboxing the vivo X500 Pro Max

The vivo X500 Pro Max comes in a standard retail box containing all the usual user manuals, a USB-A to USB-C cable used for charging and data transfer, and a protective silicone case.

Interestingly, both the global and Chinese units we received for testing came with a 90W vivo FlashCharge charger. We guess the European version won't have one in the box.

Photography Kit

The smartphone maker is also offering an extensive Photography Kit that contains all sorts of accessories that will help you capture professional-looking photos and videos. You get various cases, teleconverters and lanyards.