Vivo X500e is emerging as the most unusual model in the upcoming X500 family, mainly because it appears to be taking a different design path from past X-series phones. Instead of the familiar large circular camera island, the new device is said to use a square module placed at the upper-left corner of the back panel.
That change matters because Vivo’s X-series has long been associated with a round rear camera layout. If the leak is accurate, the X500e will stand out immediately in a lineup that has historically relied on a much more recognizable visual identity.
A more compact flagship-sized display
The handset is also tipped to feature a 6.59-inch display, a size that places it in a relatively compact category for a modern flagship or semi-flagship device. No further details about the panel technology have surfaced yet, but the screen size alone suggests Vivo is targeting users who want high-end hardware without an oversized body.
Camera tuning remains a major selling point
Photography looks set to remain central to the X500e’s appeal. The leak points to a Sony IMX 8-series periscope telephoto camera with Zeiss tuning, a combination that suggests Vivo is continuing its strong focus on mobile imaging.
Periscope hardware is typically used to deliver longer optical zoom without making the phone significantly thicker. If this information proves correct, the X500e could become one of the more camera-focused models in the next Vivo lineup.
Snapdragon 8-series sets it apart
Under the hood, the X500e is said to run on a Snapdragon 8-series chipset. That would separate it from the standard X500 and X500 Pro, which are reportedly planned with Dimensity 9600-series chips instead.
This split hints at a deliberate product strategy inside the same family. Vivo appears to be preparing distinct tiers for the X500e and the two other models, even if the final lineup is still subject to change before launch.
Where the leak came from
The first signs of the device appeared after several new Vivo phones were spotted in the GSMA IMEI database in May 2026. The names Vivo X500, X500 Pro, and X500e all surfaced there, and Digital Chat Station later shared early details on Weibo that are believed to refer to the “E” variant.
So far, no exact release date has been confirmed for the X500e. However, the broader X500 series is said to arrive in Q4 2026, which means the latest leak may be an early look at what Vivo is preparing for the next stage of its lineup.
| Reported Detail | Vivo X500e |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.59-inch |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8-series |
| Rear camera | Sony IMX 8-series periscope telephoto with Zeiss tuning |
| Design cue | Square rear camera module at the upper-left |
There is also growing anticipation around other compact Vivo devices being prepared separately. For now, though, the X500e is the one drawing the most attention because it combines a fresh design language, a 6.59-inch screen, Snapdragon 8-series power, and Zeiss-branded periscope imaging in one package.