Vivo X500 Pro vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Verdict
Vivo X500 Pro scores higher on the OH Rank (83 vs 81), winning 2 of 10 categories including Screen and Desktop Replacement. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 6.1mm wider than Vivo X500 Pro. Vivo X500 Pro is the more recent release, from Sep 29, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
83
81
Vivo X500 Pro
71.9mm (2.83in) · Sep 29, 2026 · Rank #3
15+11+13+12+15+4+5+0+5+3 = 83
SUPERIOR* TOP Performance* TOP Camera* TOP Video Recording* TOP Software* TOP Compact
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, charging, imaging and desktop replacement functionality performance) On Sep 21 Vivo came with first of the next-gen Android flagships: X500, X500 Pro and X500 Pro Max. The Pro model is actually an upgrade of excellent X300 (X400 series never happened, probably out of superstition) and it is a very good incremental upgrade: 2nm chip, 500mAh bigger battery, 144Hz Dolby Vision screen and upgraded periscope telephoto lens. Main camera got a downgrade from 200MP to 50MP and charging speeds remain the same making it one of the best compacts in the world.
PROs
compact design, excellent Dimensity 9600 Pro (2nm) with UFS 4.1 performance, 36hr endurance from a 6500mAh Si-C battery with sub-60min 90W (40W wireless) charging, ~2000nits bright 460ppi 144Gz LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, excellent 50MP 24mm 64MP 85mm periscope telephoto (both OIS PDAF) + 50MP 15mm AF ultrawide setup, very good 50MP 20mm selfie with AF, excellent video recording, upgraded OriginOS 7 with a promise of 6 years of updates, basic desktop replacement functionality, 200mm external zoom lens kit option
CONs
flat sides boxy design feels outdated and bigger then it is, no expandable memory, OriginOS remains behind competition in AI and other software features and the gap may be growing, limited market availability
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
78mm (3.07in) · Sep 18, 2026 · Rank #5
15+13+11+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 81
SUPERIOR* BEST Video* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO* TOP Selfie* TOP Camera* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, charging and imaging performance) In search of greater profits (because there is no such thing as "enough") Apple is back to microscopic improvments. This time: black color is back, new processor and a variable aperture on one of the lenses... that, and a $100 higher price is all you get.
PROs
tank-like build, fast A20 Pro (2nm) chip with NVMe performance, ~42hr endurance, very good 460ppi 120Hz LTPO OLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP68 protection, excellent 48MP 24mm f/1.5-4.0 OIS main + 48MP 100mm OIS periscope telephoto + 48MP 13mm ultrawide (all 3 with PDAF) setup, great 18MP 20mm PDAF selfie, best video recording, improved AI (by Google) OS with 6 years of updates, fast USB-C 3.2 port with Display Port tech, global availability
CONs
250g heavy, big and difficult to use one-hand, small (for a huge phone) 5400mAh (5500mAh on eSIM-only model) old-tech lithium battery with >70min slow 35W (25W wireless) charging, ~1000nits (dim) screen brightness, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement feature despite Display Port tech, very expensive, overall lack of innovation and excellence Apple products used to be known for
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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