Vivo has expanded its budget 5G smartphone portfolio in China with the launch of the Vivo Y500s. The handset arrives as a successor-like offering to the Vivo Y500i, which debuted earlier this year, and brings incremental upgrades while retaining a focus on battery capacity and entry-level performance. Key highlights include a large 7,200mAh battery, a 120Hz display, and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset.

The smartphone also features IP-rated protection for resistance against water, dust, and shocks, making it a practical option in the budget segment. The launch follows the debut of the Vivo Y500 Pro in November 2025, indicating the company’s continued push in the affordable 5G space.

Vivo Y500s price, availability

The Vivo Y500s price in China starts at CNY 1,800 (approximately Rs. 24,800) for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variant. The 12GB + 256GB and 8GB + 512GB models are priced at CNY 2,200 (around Rs. 30,400).

The smartphone is available in Galaxy Silver, Obsidian Black, and Phoenix Gold colour options. It is currently listed on the brand’s official online store and has reportedly been available for purchase in China since March 2026.

Vivo Y500s specifications and features

The Vivo Y500s features a 6.75-inch HD LCD display with a resolution of 1570 x 720 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. While the resolution remains modest, the higher refresh rate should offer smoother scrolling and animations for everyday usage.

Under the hood, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. On the software front, it runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6.

In terms of optics, the handset houses a 50-megapixel primary rear camera with an f/1.8 aperture. For selfies and video calls, it gets an 8-megapixel front camera. While the camera setup is fairly basic, it should be adequate for casual photography.

Connectivity options on the device include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, NFC, and a USB Type-C port. The phone also comes equipped with essential sensors such as an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, proximity sensor, and electronic compass. Additionally, it includes an infrared remote control feature, which is still rare in this segment.

For security, the Vivo Y500s offers a side-mounted fingerprint scanner along with face unlock support.

One of the biggest highlights of the Vivo Y500s is its 7,200mAh battery, which is significantly larger than what most smartphones in this price range offer. The device supports 44W fast charging and also includes reverse charging functionality, allowing it to power other devices.

The handset features stereo dual speakers for an improved audio experience. In terms of dimensions, it measures 166.64 x 78.43 x 8.39mm (8.49mm for the gold variant) and weighs 219 grams, which is expected given the large battery capacity.

Overall, the Vivo Y500s appears to be a battery-focused budget 5G smartphone with incremental improvements over its predecessor. It caters to users looking for long-lasting battery life combined with basic performance and essential features.