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| The S50 Pro mini starts at around $524 in China. Pictured: the black colorway of the phone. |
In a sleek, iPhone-inspired body, Vivo has managed to pack the formidable new Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and a staggering 6,500mAh battery, creating what may be the most powerful compact smartphone on the market.
Vivo has officially unveiled the S50 Pro Mini in China, introducing a premium compact smartphone that doesn't compromise on power or features . As the spiritual successor to the popular S30 Pro Mini, this new model stands out as one of the first devices worldwide to be powered by Qualcomm's cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor .
The phone's launch is particularly notable for its strategic positioning: it's the more premium offering in the S50 series, bucking the industry trend where smaller models are typically the base versions . Alongside its powerhouse sibling, the standard Vivo S50, the Pro Mini establishes a new benchmark for what users can expect from a device of its size .
Premium Design with Familiar Inspiration
The Vivo S50 Pro Mini represents a significant design departure from its predecessor, adopting what many observers have described as an "iPhone Air-like" aesthetic . The most noticeable change is the horizontal camera island on the rear, which closely resembles the distinctive "camera plateau" found on Apple's premium iPhone models . This design language has been gaining traction among Android manufacturers, with the Honor 500 series following a similar path .
Despite its compact dimensions of 150.8 x 71.8 x 8 mm and weight of approximately 191-192 grams, the device incorporates premium materials including a glass front and back with an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy frame. It also offers robust durability with both IP68 and IP69 ratings, meaning it's not only dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes but also protected against high-pressure water jets .
Display and Visual Experience
The S50 Pro Mini features a 6.31-inch LTPO AMOLED display that delivers a premium visual experience within its compact form factor . Key display specifications include:
- 1.5K resolution (1216 x 2640 pixels) with approximately 461 pixels per inch density
- Adaptive 120Hz refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz for power efficiency
- Exceptional peak brightness of 5,000 nits for HDR content
- 4320Hz PWM dimming technology to reduce eye strain
- 100% P3 color coverage for vibrant, accurate colors
- Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner for secure, fast unlocking
Powerhouse Performance
At the heart of the S50 Pro Mini is the 3nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, making it one of the earliest commercially available smartphones to feature this flagship processor . This represents a substantial upgrade over the S30 Pro Mini's Dimensity 9300+ chip .
The device is configured with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.1 storage, though it lacks expandable storage via microSD card . It runs the latest Android 16 operating system with Vivo's OriginOS 6 custom interface out of the box .
For more detailed specifications, you can visit the official Vivo S50 Pro Mini product page here.
Camera Capabilities
While the camera hardware sees minimal upgrades from the previous generation, the S50 Pro Mini maintains a versatile triple-camera system . The rear setup consists of:
- 50MP primary sensor with f/1.57 aperture, optical image stabilization (OIS), and 1/1.56-inch sensor size
- 50MP periscope telephoto lens (Sony IMX882 sensor) with 3x optical zoom, f/2.65 aperture, and OIS
- 8MP ultrawide camera with 110-degree field of view and f/2.2 aperture
For selfies and video calls, the device features a 50MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture and autofocus capability . Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording, with the rear system enhanced by features like Ring-LED flash, panorama, and HDR .
Exceptional Battery Life and Charging
One of the most impressive aspects of the S50 Pro Mini is its massive 6,500mAh battery – an unusually large capacity for a device of its compact size . This is complemented by comprehensive charging capabilities:
- 90W wired fast charging support
- 40W wireless charging capability
- Reverse wired charging functionality
Connectivity and Audio Features
The device offers extensive connectivity options including:
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 with support for high-quality codecs like aptX HD and aptX Lossless
- Comprehensive positioning systems (GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS)
- NFC for contactless payments
- Infrared port for controlling appliances
- Dual stereo speakers for enhanced audio (though it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack)
Pricing and Availability
The Vivo S50 Pro Mini is currently available in China through Vivo's official online store with the following pricing structure:
| Configuration | Price (CNY) | Approx. USD Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 12GB + 256GB | 3,699 | $524 |
| 12GB + 512GB | 3,999 | $567 |
| 16GB + 1TB | 4,299 | $609 |
The device comes in three color options: Confession White, Inspiration Purple, and Deep Space Black .
As of now, Vivo has not announced when (or if) the S50 Pro Mini will be available in global markets outside China. There are industry rumors suggesting the device might be rebranded as the Vivo X300 FE for international release, but this remains unconfirmed by the company .
The standard Vivo S50, featuring a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, a larger 6.59-inch display with the same 5,000-nit peak brightness, and a similar camera system (but without wireless charging) is available at more accessible price points starting at CNY 2,999 (approximately $425) .
With its combination of flagship performance, compact design, and exceptional battery capacity, the Vivo S50 Pro Mini presents a compelling option for users seeking high-end specifications in a more manageable form factor. Its success will likely depend on Vivo's ability to bring this device to international markets where compact premium smartphones continue to have a dedicated following.
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| Main highlights of the S50 Pro mini |