vivo may be reconsidering one of the most important camera decisions for the X500 Ultra. The company is reportedly weighing three 200MP periscope telephoto sensor sizes, and the outcome could affect the phone’s zoom approach.
The largest reported option measures 1/1.12 inches, a size that could give the telephoto camera a stronger advantage in low-light scenes. It would also require more internal space and could complicate the overall device design.
Digital Chat Station, a Weibo tipster, has linked the unreleased phone to three sensor candidates. Alongside the 1/1.12-inch option, vivo is said to be considering 1/1.3-inch and 1/1.4-inch sensors.
A Trade-Off Between Image Quality and Device Design
Sensor size matters beyond the 200MP resolution figure. A larger sensor can potentially improve image quality and low-light performance, while a smaller module can be easier to accommodate inside a slim phone.
The 1/1.3-inch and 1/1.4-inch candidates appear to offer a more balanced route. They could help vivo manage the handset’s thickness and internal layout without disregarding imaging performance.
| Sensor Size | Reported Role | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1.12 inch | Largest candidate | Potential low-light gains, but greater space requirements |
| 1/1.3 inch | Balanced candidate | Compromise between imaging and phone design |
| 1/1.4 inch | Balanced candidate | May support a more manageable internal layout |
The Dedicated 10x Camera May Not Be the Final Plan
GSM Arena reports that the new leak also fits earlier claims about a possible change in vivo’s zoom strategy. Rather than using a dedicated 10x telephoto camera, the company may shift toward in-sensor zoom technology.
Details of that technology have not been disclosed in the available information. Still, the reported direction would make sense if vivo adopts a large 200MP sensor for the periscope telephoto module.
A large 200MP sensor combined with 10x optics could be an excessive design solution. vivo therefore appears to be evaluating how to balance zoom reach, image quality, and the physical form of the X500 Ultra.
Existing Phones Provide Useful Context
Two of the reported sensor sizes already have direct context in premium smartphones. The vivo X300 Ultra uses a 1/1.4-inch sensor for its 3.7x telephoto camera, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses Samsung’s 1/1.3-inch ISOCELL HP2.
| Device | Telephoto Sensor Size | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| vivo X300 Ultra | 1/1.4 inch | 3.7x telephoto camera |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 1/1.3 inch | Uses Samsung ISOCELL HP2 |
| vivo X500 Ultra | Not final | Three 200MP sensor sizes under consideration |
The 1/1.12-inch option would represent a more aggressive telephoto camera direction for vivo. However, the X500 Ultra is not expected to launch globally until early 2027, leaving time for the sensor choice and zoom system to change before hardware is finalized.
