The upcoming Vivo Y500i has appeared on China Telecom’s product database ahead of its January 16, 2026 launch, revealing a budget-friendly smartphone running Android 16 out of the box. The device features a massive 7,200mAh battery, Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, and a design reminiscent of the premium Vivo S50.
Table of Contents
Vivo Y500i: Complete Specifications
Device Details
| Feature | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Model Number | V2531A |
| Display | 6.75″ LCD, HD+ (1570 x 720 pixels) |
| Processor | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (SM4450) |
| Memory/Storage | 8GB+256GB / 8GB+512GB / 12GB+256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP single lens |
| Front Camera | 5MP selfie shooter |
| Battery | 7,200mAh (charging details TBA) |
| OS | Android 16 (OriginOS 5) |
| Dimensions | 166.64 x 78.43 x 8.39mm, 219g |
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Galaxy Silver, Near-Gold Brown, Wind Feather Gold |
| Launch Date | January 16, 2026 (China) |
Early Android 16 Adoption
The Y500i becomes one of the few budget smartphones confirmed to ship with Android 16 right from launch. This positions Vivo as an early adopter of Google’s latest OS, giving budget buyers access to the newest Android features typically reserved for flagship devices first.
Design & Build
The China Telecom listing reveals a design language borrowing from the premium Vivo S50, suggesting Vivo is bringing flagship aesthetics down to the budget segment. The device includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB-C port, NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity.
At 219 grams and 8.39mm thickness, the Y500i maintains reasonable portability despite its enormous battery capacity—a balance achieved through efficient internal engineering.
Battery-Focused Budget Phone
The 7,200mAh battery represents the Y500i’s standout feature, promising multi-day usage for light-to-moderate users. While fast charging specifications haven’t been revealed yet, Vivo’s recent budget phones typically support 44W-55W charging speeds.
The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset delivers adequate performance for everyday tasks like social media, messaging, web browsing, and video streaming, though intensive gaming may reveal limitations. The processor’s efficiency complements the large battery for extended screen-on time.
Photography Capabilities
The single 50MP rear camera seems basic on paper but should handle daylight photography adequately for the segment. The modest 5MP front camera serves video calls and selfies without aiming for flagship-level quality—a reasonable trade-off given the budget positioning.
Availability & Pricing
Currently confirmed only for China with a January 16 launch date. Pricing hasn’t been officially revealed, though expect positioning around ¥1,000-1,500 (~₹12,000-18,000) based on specifications and competitive positioning against Realme and Xiaomi budget offerings.
FAQs
Will Vivo Y500i launch outside China?
Not confirmed yet, though Vivo often releases Y-series phones globally under different model names within 2-3 months of China debut.
How does Y500i compare to Vivo Y500?
Y500i uses Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 vs Y500’s Dimensity 7300, has smaller 7,200mAh vs 8,200mAh battery, and LCD vs AMOLED display—positioned lower.
