Vivo X500 Ultra Still on Track for 2027 Launch Despite Oppo's Flagship Cancellation

Vivo appears to be moving forward with its X500 Ultra flagship smartphone, even as rival Oppo may have canceled its own ultra-premium model. According to industry tipster Digital Chat Station, the Vivo X500 Ultra is undergoing routine refinements and remains on schedule for a launch in March or April 2027.

The tip aligns with earlier statements from Vivo Vice President and Product Vice President Huang Tao, who confirmed that the device is following its normal development cycle and should arrive in March or April. Huang also indicated that the X500 Ultra will bring significant camera improvements over the Pro Max variant, with a particular focus on professional content creators.

Vivo initially launched the X500 series in China without an Ultra model, leaving the X500 Pro Max as the top-tier option for now. The Pro Max features MediaTek's Dimensity 9600 Pro chipset, an 8,000mAh battery, and 90W charging. However, leaks suggest the X500 Ultra may switch to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, potentially replacing the MediaTek processor used in the Pro Max.

The smartphone is rumored to sport a 6.85-inch BOE display with 2K+ resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and LTPO technology. Reports indicate a flat design with uniform bezels on all four sides and large rounded corners. A 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is also expected.

For photography, the Vivo X500 Ultra could feature a triple rear camera system with 50MP, 50MP, and 200MP sensors, alongside a 50MP front camera. However, the exact purpose of each rear sensor remains unclear, and earlier leaks pointed to different 200MP telephoto sensors, creating some uncertainty about the final configuration.

While Oppo's rumored cancellation of the Find X10 Ultra may raise questions about the ultra-flagship segment, Vivo's apparent commitment to the X500 Ultra suggests the company sees continued demand for high-end devices with advanced camera capabilities.