Vivo may be moving away from a dedicated 10x periscope camera for its next Ultra model. Instead, the company is reportedly developing the Vivo X500 Ultra around a single 200 MP periscope camera with in-sensor zoom technology.
The reported change could reshape how Vivo approaches long-range smartphone photography. Rather than adding a separate 10x-focused module, the company appears to be weighing how much capability can be delivered through one high-resolution periscope sensor.
A Shift Away From a Dedicated 10x Camera
Tipster Digital Chat Station previously said that Vivo had abandoned its plan to use a dedicated 10x periscope camera. Details on how the proposed in-sensor zoom system would work, or what its final performance may be, have not been disclosed.
A single 200 MP periscope solution could place the emphasis on extracting different zoom ranges from one camera module. However, the final approach remains uncertain because the hardware itself is still being evaluated.
Digital Chat Station has now indicated in a Weibo post that Vivo is testing three 200 MP periscope sensor options. The choices use 1/1.12-inch, 1/1.3-inch, and 1/1.4-inch optical formats.
Three Sensor Formats Remain Under Review
According to Gadgets360, the 1/1.12-inch sensor is being considered the most advanced candidate. The 1/1.3-inch and 1/1.4-inch options are also under consideration as potentially more balanced choices for camera component placement.
| Sensor Format | Resolution | Reported Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1.12-inch | 200 MP | Described as the most advanced option |
| 1/1.3-inch | 200 MP | Considered for a balanced approach |
| 1/1.4-inch | 200 MP | Considered for a balanced approach |
The difference matters because sensor size affects both photographic potential and physical design. A larger telephoto sensor can generally collect more light, which may improve distant shots in less favourable lighting conditions.
That advantage also creates a packaging challenge inside a smartphone. A larger sensor may require more room for the camera system and could influence the size of the rear camera module as well as the overall device design.
Image Quality and Design Must Be Balanced
The smaller sensor formats may offer Vivo a way to preserve a more practical and potentially slimmer design. Yet the available information does not explain the specific technical reasons behind Vivo’s comparison of these three candidates.
The final selection may therefore come down to the balance between telephoto image quality and the internal space required by the periscope system. This decision is particularly important for an Ultra-branded phone, where the rear camera hardware is often a major design consideration.
None of the three sensors should be treated as confirmed production hardware at this stage. The X500 Ultra is still in development, and the camera configuration could change before mass production.
Launch Is Still Expected to Be Distant
The Vivo X500 Ultra is not expected to launch this year and is currently tipped for the first half of 2027. That timeline leaves Vivo with considerable room to refine the telephoto system and the wider rear camera arrangement.
Vivo has not confirmed the camera configuration, launch timing, or final hardware for the device. For now, the three 200 MP sensors remain test options rather than official specifications.