Vivo X500 Ultra camera upgrades spark sensor race for 2027 flagships

Vivo is testing multiple camera configurations for its upcoming X500 Ultra. Leaks reveal two options for the 35 mm main lens: a 2‑gigapixel LOFIC sensor with a micro‑gimbal for extreme video stability, or a reduced‑size 50 megapixel sensor without the gimbal. For the telephoto module, three 200 megapixel periscope sensors are being evaluated – 1/1.12‑inch, 1/1.3‑inch and 1/1.4‑inch – each balancing light‑gathering ability against device thickness. The company also cancelled a dedicated 10× periscope lens, opting instead for in‑sensor zoom that leverages the high‑resolution sensor.

Other recent smartphone news includes Xiaomi’s 17 Max, which ships with a Leica‑branded 2‑gigapixel main camera and a 50 megapixel 70 mm portrait‑focused periscope lens, and the Xiaomi Pad 9, now cleared by China’s 3C authority with a 9720 mAh battery and Snapdragon 8s platform. Vivo’s X300 E is slated for a July 27 2026 launch in China, featuring a Snapdragon chipset, ZEISS optics and an OLED display. iQOO’s upcoming 16 T may carry Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, a built‑in cooling fan and a flat 2K Samsung screen.

These developments highlight a competitive push among Chinese manufacturers to differentiate flagship devices through advanced camera hardware and performance‑focused features.