From The Verge · Dominic Preston · · 2m
Vivo's Pro Max loses what made its Ultra special
The X500 Pro Max borrows flagship features but ditches the camera innovations that set the X300 Ultra apart.
In brief
The X500 Pro Max borrows flagship features but ditches the camera innovations that set the X300 Ultra apart. Vivo's X500 Pro Max is an excellent phone but lacks the distinctive camera design that made its predecessor the X300 Ultra stand out. Originally reported by The Verge.
The Ultra set the bar high
Vivo's X300 Ultra had the best cameras in any phone, with an excellent main camera using a narrow 35mm focal length and the most capable ultrawide in any phone worldwide.
Pro Max takes a different path
The new X500 Pro Max has an impressive camera system with world-leading dynamic range and the same great telephoto lens found in the Ultra.
“But it's lost a little something of what made its predecessor quite so special.”
Pro Max models are a trend
The X500 Pro Max is the latest in a trend that's seen China's major Android players roll out Pro Max models, including Xiaomi, Oppo, Honor, and now Vivo.
Flagship features at premium price
The Pro Max is the same size as the Ultra with a matching 1440p, 144Hz OLED display, a 7,800mAh battery, and the same periscope telephoto camera. It costs €1,799, about two thousand dollars.
Main camera takes a step back
The 50-megapixel, 1/1.28-inch-type main camera sensor is smaller and lower resolution than the Ultra's. It uses Sony's new Lytia L910 image sensor with 17-stop dynamic range, but returns to a 24mm focal length instead of…
Why 35mm matters
A 35mm main camera feels closer to kit and prime lenses on regular cameras, narrow enough for portraits and purposeful framing.
Ultrawide is a notable step down
The X300 Ultra treated its ultrawide like another main camera with a large sensor and optical image stabilization. The X500 Pro Max's 1/2.75-inch-type ultrawide is a notable step down in quality.
Ultrawide struggles in low light
At a nighttime Champions League game, the ultrawide blew out white details on the pitch and player kits and left the crowd in darkness.The main and telephoto brought out more detail without giving up contrast.
Still excellent, but less unique
The X500 Pro Max is a truly excellent camera system and more capable than any phone you can officially buy in the US.
Waiting for the next Ultra
When the X500 Ultra rolls around come spring, it needs to build on the success of the older Ultra and find new ways to make its cameras stand out.
In short
Vivo's X500 Pro Max is an excellent phone but lacks the distinctive camera design that made its predecessor the X300 Ultra stand out.
