Vivo is weighing a series of ambitious hardware configurations for its next Ultra-camera flagship, even as rising component costs force some competitors to scale back or cancel premium smartphone projects. While Xiaomi’s 18 Ultra has reportedly been shelved entirely, new leaks suggest the Vivo X500 Ultra is advancing through an evaluation phase with multiple sensor options still under consideration.
A crossroads for the main camera
According to well-known leaker Digital Chat Station, the final specifications have not yet been locked in, but two distinct paths are being explored for the device’s 35mm primary camera. The first option moves to a 50-megapixel, 1/1.28-inch LOFIC sensor paired with a significantly upgraded micro-gimbal unit, which promises a meaningful leap in video stabilization. That route, however, would represent a reduction in sensor size and resolution compared to the current 1/1.12-inch 200-megapixel Sony LYT-901 sensor.
The alternative development preserves the existing sensor size and resolution while incorporating LOFIC technology to deliver substantially higher dynamic range. This LOFIC approach is also expected to debut in the Vivo X500 Pro this autumn. Feedback on the leaker’s Weibo post suggests a clear preference among early commenters for retaining the larger sensor with improved dynamic range.
Three telephoto paths and a radical option
Attention is also focused on the 85mm telephoto camera, which currently uses Samsung’s 1/1.4-inch 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP0 sensor. Three possible upgrades are on the table, ranging from a conservative evolution maintaining the same sensor dimensions to two more aggressive solutions featuring physically larger sensors. Option 2 would introduce a 1/1.3-inch 200-megapixel unit, while the most ambitious proposal envisions a 200-megapixel 1/1.12-inch sensor—matching the scale of the main camera.
Oppo has already adopted a 1/1.28-inch telephoto sensor in its Find X9 Ultra, making a comparable upgrade a logical step for Vivo. Whether the company commits to the “most radical” configuration using dual 1/1.12-inch sensors remains an open question. No new details have emerged yet regarding the ultra-wide-angle camera. Vivo’s eventual choice will likely signal how aggressively it intends to push hardware boundaries amid tightening industry margins.