The wait is finally over. After a series of tantalizing teasers that promised to blur the lines between mid-range affordability and flagship performance, Vivo has officially taken the wraps off the Vivo Y500 Pro in China. Dubbed the "people's flagship," this new contender is making waves by packing specs that would typically be reserved for phones twice its price, challenging the very definition of what a mid-range smartphone can be.
So, does the Y500 Pro live up to the substantial hype? Let's dive into the details and see what Vivo has brought to the table.
A Design That Echoes Flagship Elegance
At first glance, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the Y500 Pro for its more expensive sibling, the Vivo X300. The design language, particularly from the back, is strikingly similar. The centerpiece is the elegant, round camera island that houses the primary sensors, giving the phone a sophisticated and premium look that belies its price tag.
Of course, the similarities are more than skin deep, but Vivo has made strategic choices to hit its aggressive price point. The result is a device that feels high-end in the hand without carrying a flagship-level cost. If you've been yearning for the X300's aesthetic but not its price, the Y500 Pro presents a compelling alternative.
Ready to see it for yourself? Check out the official design and color options on the Vivo China online store.
Display and Imaging: A Screen for Binge-Watchers and a Camera for Shutterbugs
The front of the Vivo Y500 Pro is dominated by a gorgeous 6.67-inch flat AMOLED display. With a sharp 1260x2800 pixel resolution, a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate for seamless scrolling and gaming, and a peak brightness rating of 800 nits, this screen is built for media consumption. Whether you're streaming your favorite shows, browsing social media, or gaming, the visuals are set to be vibrant and fluid. Vivo has also managed to keep the bezels impressively slim at just 1.37 mm, maximizing the screen real estate for an immersive experience.
But the real headline-grabber is the camera system. Leading the charge on the rear is a formidable 200 MP Samsung HP5 main sensor, complete with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). This is a significant feature at this price, promising exceptional detail and clarity in photos, even in challenging lighting conditions. It's joined by a 2 MP depth sensor to assist with portrait shots. For selfie enthusiasts and video calls, a 32 MP front-facing camera is tucked into the display.
The Powerhouse Within: Battery and Performance
Perhaps the most jaw-dropping spec of the Vivo Y500 Pro is its massive 7,000 mAh battery. This is even larger than the cell found in the flagship Vivo X300 and is a rarity in smartphones of this form factor. What's even more impressive is that Vivo has managed to house this gigantic battery in a chassis that's just 7.81 mm thick, making it one of the slimmest phones with such a large power pack.
To put that capacity into perspective, a typical 165 W Anker power bank like this popular model on Amazon would be more than enough to keep this phone powered for days on the go, though with this kind of built-in endurance, you might not need it as often as you think. When you do need to recharge, the 90 W fast charging support ensures you won't be tethered to the wall for long.
Under the hood, performance is handled by the new MediaTek Dimensity 7400 chipset. This mid-range SoC is designed to deliver a smooth and efficient user experience, handling everyday tasks and moderate gaming with ease. It can be configured with up to 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and a generous 512 GB of UFS 2.2 storage, ensuring plenty of room for all your apps, games, and photos.
Price, Availability, and Final Thoughts
The Vivo Y500 Pro rounds out its impressive spec sheet with features that are often cut in mid-range devices, including a high IP68/69 rating for dust and water resistance and a built-in IR blaster to use your phone as a universal remote.
The "people's flagship" mantra is fully realized in its pricing. The base model of the Vivo Y500 Pro starts at an aggressive CNY 1,799 (approximately $253), while the top-end configuration with 12GB RAM and 512GB storage will set you back CNY 2,599 (around $365).
With its flagship-inspired design, a class-leading 7,000mAh battery, a capable 200MP camera, and a suite of premium features, the Vivo Y500 Pro isn't just another mid-range phone—it's a statement. It successfully challenges the notion that you have to compromise on core features for an affordable price, truly earning its title as the "people's flagship" and shaking up the competitive Chinese smartphone market.
