The smartphone world is buzzing with the recent launch of the Vivo S30 series, a lineup celebrated for its camera prowess and elegant design. But in the fast-moving tech industry, the next big thing is always waiting in the wings. Fresh leaks have now pulled back the curtain on the upcoming Vivo S50 series, and it appears Vivo is planning a significant generational leap, potentially skipping the S40 series entirely to bring powerhouse performance to its style-conscious users.
Skipping a Generation: The S50 Series is Coming
For those wondering what happened to the Vivo S40, you're not alone. Industry chatter, supported by several tipsters, suggests that Vivo may jump directly from the S30 to the S50 series. This isn't without precedent in the tech world, especially for companies with a strong presence in China. The number 4 is often considered unlucky in Chinese culture, as it sounds similar to the word for "death." To avoid any negative connotations, brands frequently skip the number in product lineups, making the S50 series the likely successor.
The leak, which originated from the reliable Chinese tipster Digital Chat Station on Weibo, provides our first concrete look at what to expect. While the exact model names are still unconfirmed, the tipster previously suggested the series would continue to include a compact model, likely to be called the Vivo S50 Pro Mini.
The Headline News: A Flagship-Grade Processor
The most exciting revelation from the leak is the purported chipset. According to the new information, the Vivo S50 series will be powered by the next-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor.
This is a monumental shift in strategy for the S-series. Traditionally positioned as a camera-centric, sub-flagship line below the top-tier Vivo X series, the use of a Snapdragon 8-series chip signals a major performance upgrade. For reference, the standard Vivo S30 used the capable Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, while the S30 Pro Mini featured the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, even as a "sub-flagship" chip positioned below the top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, would bring raw power and efficiency previously reserved for true flagship devices.
This move could blur the lines between the S and X series, positioning the S50 as a true performance powerhouse with a photographic soul.
The core of this new leak comes from a detailed post by tipster Digital Chat Station, which you can see for yourself on Weibo. The post highlights the key specifications, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset and the continued use of a periscope lens.
Camera & Other Upgrades: Refining a Winning Formula
While the processor is the star of the show, the camera system is getting nuanced upgrades. The leak suggests the Vivo S50 series will continue using the Sony IMX882 sensor for its periscope telephoto camera. This is the same capable sensor found in the S30 series, which indicates Vivo is confident in its performance for delivering high-quality zoomed-in shots.
However, the improvements may lie elsewhere. The series is tipped to upgrade its fingerprint scanning technology from an optical sensor to a more advanced and secure ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Ultrasonic scanners are generally faster, work better with wet fingers, and are considered more secure than their optical counterparts.
In another earlier leak, Digital Chat Station hinted that the compact Vivo S50 Pro Mini would be a true marvel of engineering. Despite its rumored compact 6.3-inch display, it is said to pack a battery larger than the one found in the high-end Vivo X300, which boasts a substantial 6040mAh capacity. This would address a key concern for users who want a smaller phone without compromising on battery life.
Release Date and Global Availability
The Vivo S50 series is currently tipped for a release in December 2025. This would follow the roughly seven-month cycle established by the S30 series.
It's important to note that the Vivo S series is traditionally exclusive to the Chinese market. However, Vivo often rebrands certain models for global audiences. A perfect example is the Vivo S30 Pro Mini, which was launched internationally as the Vivo X200 FE. We can likely expect a similar strategy with the S50 series, where a specific model may make its way to global markets under a different name, ensuring international users don't miss out on these exciting developments.
What do you think about the Vivo S50 series moving to a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chip? Does a powerful, compact S50 Pro Mini interest you? Let us know in the comments section below!
