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The latest leaks about the Vivo X500 Ultra model, which is expected to be released in 2027, show that the camera hardware of the device has not yet been solidified.

According to information shared by reliable technology leak source Digital Chat Station on Weibo, Vivo engineers are carrying out intensive tests on three different 200 Megapixel sensors for the device’s periscope telephoto camera.

The company is going through a very difficult decision-making phase to find the perfect balance between the image quality to be achieved and the physical design of the smartphone.

Size and Performance Dilemma in Vivo X500 Ultra Camera

In mobile photography, sensor size is one of the most important factors that directly affects the quality of the photo taken. Latest reports confirm that Vivo’s imaging group is benchmarking massive sensors of 1/1.12 inch, 1/1.3 inch and 1/1.4 inch for the X500 Ultra model.

The 1/1.12-inch hardware, the largest sensor tested, is described as a very aggressive and assertive approach to telephoto photography.

A sensor of this size allows much more light to enter the lens, offering unrivaled quality, especially in low light conditions and at long focal lengths.

However, when the physical aspect of the matter comes into play, large sensors turn into a significant engineering problem for smartphone manufacturers.

A large sensor takes up much more space inside the device and requires a huge camera module, which negatively affects the overall thickness of the phone.

For this reason, it is stated that Vivo engineers consider the sensors of 1/1.3 inch and 1/1.4 inch as much more stable solutions between the design of the device and the camera performance.

For comparison, Vivo’s currently available X300 Ultra model uses a 1/1.4-inch sensor for its 3.7x telephoto camera, while its rival Galaxy S26 Ultra model has a 1/1.3-inch sensor.

Why Abandon the 10x Periscope Lens?

One of the most striking details about the Vivo X500 Ultra is the radical change the company made in its zoom strategy. Leaks that appeared in June claimed that Vivo was planning to add a special 10x periscope camera to the device. However, recent developments show that the company has completely canceled its prototype with a 10x telephoto lens.

Experts state that pairing such a large sensor with a resolution of 200 Megapixels with 10x optical lenses is physically excessive for the phone case. Instead, the company decides to continue with a single 200 Megapixel periscope camera. Using “in-sensor zoom” technology, the device crops the center of the huge high-resolution sensor and allows very long-distance zooming without compromising optical quality.

Expected Release Date and Extra Details

The final camera hardware of the device, which is currently in the active development phase, has the potential to be changed before mass production.

It is estimated that Vivo will continue its hardware tests for a long time in order to provide a perfect flagship experience.

Leaks also indicate that the device will push the limits not only with its camera but also with its power capacity; It indicates that 7,000 mAh silicon-carbon batteries can be used in the X500 series.

The Vivo X500 Ultra model, which technology enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting, is not expected to be released this year.

The device is planned to be officially introduced first in the Chinese market and then in the global market in the first months of 2027.