Vivo Y500i Launched in China With 7200mAh Battery, 50MP Camera and Android 16

Vivo has quietly dropped a phone that clearly doesn’t want to be ignored. The Vivo Y500i is now officially on sale in China, and on paper, it punches well above what most people expect from a mid-range device.

It has had no flashy launch event, no hype campaign, a huge 7,200mAh battery, Android 16 out of the box, and prices that force competitors to take notice.

Vivo Y500i is pleasantly focused in a market flooded with numerous minor upgrades. This phone is not aimed at impressing the influencers, but winning over the real users who focus on the battery life, stability, and daily performance.

Vivo Y500i launch details and availability

Vivo Y500i is already available via the official online store of Vivo in China. It is offered in three finishes, Galaxy Silver, Obsidian Black and Phoenix Welcomes Gold and, yes, the names are quite dramatic, however, the design is simple and practical.

This is not a small phone as it is 8.39mm thick and has a weight of approximately 219 grams. However, that weight is worthwhile keeping the battery size. Vivo clearly chose endurance over chasing thinness records, and honestly, that is a smart call.

Vivo Y500i price that undercuts rivals

This is where Vivo gets aggressive. The price ensures that this phone is meant to disrupt the segment.

• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage: CNY 1,499 (around ₹19,000)
• 8GB + 256GB: CNY 1,799 (around ₹23,000)
• 8GB + 512GB: CNY 1,999 (around ₹26,000)
• 12GB + 256GB: CNY 1,999 (around ₹26,000)
• 12GB + 512GB: CNY 2,199 (around ₹28,000)

These are too tempting figures in a phone with up to 12GB RAM and a maximum storage of 512GB. Most of the brands have high prices and low content and that is where Vivo’s confidence shows.

Vivo Y500i specifications that matter daily

The Vivo Y500i is equipped with a 6.7 inches LCD display that has HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. No, it’s not AMOLED, and some will surely complain. This panel is perfectly fine, but for most users who scroll through social media, watch videos, and browse the web.

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset that is built on a 4nm process. It’s not a gaming beast, but it is efficient, stable and can last long periods. Paired with a maximum of 12GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage, daily performance should feel smooth and comfortable.

The phone runs Android 16 with OriginOS 6 on top. That alone gives the Vivo Y500i a serious edge, as many competitors are still launching with older Android versions.

Vivo Y500i camera and battery focus

Camera hardware is simple. The Vivo Y500i has a rear camera of 50 megapixels, which has an autofocus and an f/1.8 aperture. There’s no unnecessary depth sensor clutter here. The front camera is a relatively small 5-megapixel, which is clearly not aimed at the selfie lovers, but good enough to use in video calls.

The actual headline is the battery. A massive 7,200mAh cell with 44W fast charging is rare even in 2026. This phone is built for individuals who hate carrying power banks, and that audience is larger than brands frequently admit.

Vivo Y500i durability and connectivity

Vivo didn’t stop at specs. The phone is dust and water resistant with IP68 and IP69 ratings, which is still uncommon at this price. You also get the following:

• 5G and 4G LTE support
• Dual-band Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth 4.2
• USB Type-C port
• Infrared remote control
• Side-mounted fingerprint sensor

That infrared blaster will be the only one that will attract those users who prefer to control their TVs and appliances with their phone.

Final take on Vivo Y500i

Vivo Y500i is not a flashy phone and that is exactly why it works. It puts a battery life, clean performance, and long-term use before gimmicks. In my view, this is Vivo quietly making one of the best budget phones of the year.

If Vivo introduces this phone in India at a similar price, the competitors should be worried. The Vivo Y500i proves that practical phones can still be exciting, and more importantly, efficient and useful.

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