Vivo X500 Series Could Use Different Chipsets as Pro Max Debuts

Vivo X500 Series Could Use Distinct Chipsets

Vivo's X500 series is expected to arrive later this year as the Chinese tech firm's flagship smartphone lineup. A post on Weibo by tipster Smart Pikachu claimed three models will be released: Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500 Pro Max. The claim indicates the standard X500 and the Pro variants will use different chipsets, suggesting a shift from the previous pattern of aligned hardware within the lineup. The chatter around the series has grown in recent days, though there was no official confirmation from Vivo.

Three-Model Lineup and Chipset Details

In the same Weibo post, the tipster said the X500 could be powered by the unreleased MediaTek Dimensity 9600. The X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max, by contrast, might launch with the Dimensity 9600 Pro SoC. If this arrangement is correct, Vivo would move away from the precedent of launching two X series models in a year with the same chipset. The claim comes after Vivo launched the X300 and X300 Pro in China in October 2025, both powered by the Dimensity 9500, the 3nm flagship octa-core modem from MediaTek that year. In India the X300 and X300 Pro were also launched later, continuing the use of Dimensity 9500 in that market.

The post notes the X500 lineup is expected to include three models instead of two, a detail that would mark a change from the prior practice where two models shared the same platform. As with most leaks of this kind, the information remains unconfirmed by the company and should be treated as rumor until official confirmation. The implication, if true, is that Vivo is differentiating its base and Pro models through distinct chipsets rather than identical silicon across the range.

Prior Vivo X300 Series Context

To date, the X300 series model names include three-generation models with two closely related models for each generation. For example, X300 Pro offers a larger display and higher refresh OLED panel and has similar flagship components, while X300 offers a smaller display and most of the same specifications as X300 Pro. Similarly, the use of the Dimensity 9500 throughout the X300 family in China and India provides context for the current X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max models shifting to the use of the Dimensity 9600 Pro chipsets. The X300 family was initially released at CNY and INR equivalent entry-level price points due to the strategy to provide multiple configurations across the family at different price points, while still utilising the same types of productions, e.g., OLED display, flagship components, etc.

• Models: X500, X500 Pro, X500 Pro Max
• Rumours: X500 with Dimensity 9600 and Pro with Dimensity 9600 Pro chipsets
• When: late in 2023
• Previous Vivo X300 models: October 2025 (releases in China via Dimensity 9500 chipsets)
• Posted on Weibo, but not confirmed by Vivo; watch for updates. If true, it seems there is going to be a difference in chipset between the X500 devices, which could affect the performance and price, but no specs yet.

What to do now: There is no timeline or officially released specs from Vivo about the X500 family; stay tuned for more information when Vivo announces their exact plans/lists of chips or leaks happen again.