Vivo has expanded its Y500 lineup in China with the launch of the Vivo Y500i, following last year’s debut of the Vivo Y500 and Y500 Pro. The new model focuses squarely on long battery life, generous storage options, and dependable 5G performance, making it an appealing choice for users who value endurance and everyday practicality over flagship extras.
At the front, the Vivo Y500i features a large 6.75-inch LCD display with an HD+ resolution of 1570 × 720 pixels. The panel supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and reaches up to 1200 nits of peak brightness, ensuring decent outdoor visibility. For security, Vivo has included a side-mounted fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button.
Powering the device is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, designed to deliver reliable performance and efficient power consumption for daily tasks and 5G connectivity. The phone is available in 8GB and 12GB RAM configurations. Interestingly, Vivo uses LPDDR5X memory on the 8GB variant, while the 12GB model comes with LPDDR4X RAM. Storage options are generous, ranging from 128GB to 512GB, all based on fast UFS 3.1 storage. Vivo’s memory fusion technology further enhances multitasking by allowing up to 8GB or 12GB of virtual RAM, depending on the model.
Battery life is one of the Vivo Y500i’s standout features. The smartphone is equipped with a massive 7,200mAh single-cell lithium-ion battery, paired with 44W Flash Charge support. This combination is aimed at users who need their phone to comfortably last through heavy daily use. On the software side, the device runs OriginOS 6, which is expected to be based on Android 16.
In the camera department, Vivo has kept things simple. The Y500i sports a 5-megapixel front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture for selfies and video calls. On the back, there is a single 50-megapixel rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture and autofocus support, designed to handle everyday photography needs.
Additional features include dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, GPS with support for multiple satellite systems, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an IR blaster. The phone also includes all essential sensors expected in this segment.
Durability is another area where the Vivo Y500i stands out. The device comes with an IP68/69 rating for dust and water resistance and has earned SGS Gold Label 5-star certification for drop and shock resistance. In terms of design, the phone measures 166.64 × 78.43 × 8.49mm and weighs approximately 219 grams, reflecting its large battery and sturdy build.
Vivo Y500i Price and Availability
The Vivo Y500i is currently available in China in Galaxy Silver, Obsidian Black, and Phoenix Gold colour options. It is offered in multiple configurations:
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8GB + 128GB – 1,499 Yuan (~$210)
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8GB + 256GB – 1,799 Yuan (~$250)
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8GB + 512GB – 1,999 Yuan (~$280)
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12GB + 256GB – 1,999 Yuan (~$280)
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12GB + 512GB – 2,199 Yuan (~$315)
