Vivo X500 Ultra camera leak hints at a major 200MP telephoto upgrade
The Vivo X500 Ultra could be shaping up to be one of the most exciting camera phones of its generation, especially for users who care about zoom photography. A fresh leak suggests that Vivo is exploring several upgrade paths for the phone’s 85mm telephoto camera, and one of them could deliver a significant leap in sensor size.
At the moment, the focus appears to be on the 85mm telephoto lens rather than the ultra-wide camera. The source has not shared any new details about changes to the ultra-wide-angle setup, but the telephoto system is reportedly under active consideration with three possible configurations.
The current setup uses a 200-megapixel ISOCELL HP0 sensor with a 1/1.4-inch size. For the Vivo X500 Ultra, one option would be a more conservative update that keeps the same sensor size while improving image processing, optics, or overall tuning. This would still allow Vivo to refine zoom performance without making a dramatic hardware shift.
The second option sounds more ambitious. Vivo may move to a 1/1.3-inch 200-megapixel telephoto sensor, giving the camera more surface area to capture light. A larger sensor can help improve detail, dynamic range, low-light performance, and background separation, all of which are especially important for portrait and long-range photography.
The most aggressive possibility is the one likely to generate the most attention. According to the leak, Vivo is also considering a 200-megapixel 1/1.12-inch telephoto sensor. That would be unusually large for a telephoto camera and could bring the zoom lens closer in capability to the phone’s 35mm main camera. If Vivo goes in this direction, the X500 Ultra could offer a more balanced camera system where both the main and telephoto cameras deliver flagship-level image quality.
This move would make sense in the current premium smartphone market. Competing flagship camera phones are already pushing larger telephoto sensors, with some rivals using sensors around the 1/1.28-inch range. Because of that, a jump to a 1/1.3-inch sensor would feel like a natural upgrade for Vivo. However, using two massive 1/1.12-inch sensors in one device would be a much bolder decision, likely bringing challenges in terms of internal space, heat, lens design, and cost.
If the leak proves accurate, the Vivo X500 Ultra may become a serious contender for users who want one of the best smartphone cameras for portraits, zoom shots, night photography, and high-detail images. For now, the final camera configuration remains uncertain, but the reported options suggest Vivo is aiming high with its next Ultra flagship.
The Vivo X500 Ultra is already looking like a device to watch closely, especially if the company chooses the larger 200MP telephoto sensor. A powerful 85mm camera could give the phone a major advantage in real-world photography and help it stand out in the crowded flagship smartphone space.
