vivo has officially unveiled the S60 series in China. The flagship S60 runs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with up to 16 GB RAM, while the lower‑priced Vitality Edition uses MediaTek’s new Dimensity 7500 and 12 GB RAM. Both phones share a 6.59‑inch 120 Hz AMOLED, 7,200 mAh battery with 90 W charging, IP68/IP69 protection and OriginOS 6 based on Android 16.
Announcement
vivo confirmed the arrival of the S60 series in China on 29 May 2026, offering two closely related models: the flagship vivo S60 and the more budget‑friendly S60 Vitality Edition. Both devices start shipping on 3 June and are positioned as premium mid‑range flagships that combine a large, high‑refresh‑rate display with massive battery capacity and robust build quality.
Key hardware specs
| Feature | vivo S60 | S60 Vitality Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.59‑inch AMOLED, 2,750×1,260 px (1.5K), 120 Hz, up to 5,000 nits peak HDR brightness | Same as S60 |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | MediaTek Dimensity 7500 (new C1‑core design) |
| RAM / Storage | 12 GB / 16 GB RAM, 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 4.0 | 12 GB RAM, 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP main, 8 MP ultrawide, 50 MP telephoto (3× optical) | 50 MP main, 8 MP ultrawide (no telephoto) |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Battery | 7,200 mAh, 90 W wired fast charging, IP68/IP69 | Same as S60 |
| OS | OriginOS 6 (Android 16) | Same as S60 |
| Colors | Starry Sea, Early Summer Green, Midsummer Night | Same palette |
| Price (CNY) | 3,599–4,399 (≈ $530–$689) | 2,899–3,499 (≈ $428–$516) |
Display and brightness
Both phones use a 6.59‑inch AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, delivering smooth scrolling and fluid gaming. Vivo claims a 5,000‑nit peak local brightness in HDR mode, which would make the display one of the brightest on the market—useful for outdoor video playback and high‑dynamic‑range content. The 1.5K resolution keeps pixel density around 425 ppi, a sweet spot between crispness and power efficiency.
Chipsets and performance
The flagship S60 is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Qualcomm’s latest flagship SoC built on a 4 nm process. It features an octa‑core layout with a prime Cortex‑X4 core, three performance Cortex‑A720 cores, and four efficiency Cortex‑A520 cores, plus an Adreno 845 GPU. Paired with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the device should handle heavy multitasking, high‑frame‑rate gaming, and AI‑enhanced photography without throttling.
The Vitality Edition swaps in MediaTek’s Dimensity 7500, the first chip to use MediaTek’s new Arm C1 core design. The Dimensity 7500 also sits on a 4 nm node, offering a mix of one high‑performance Cortex‑X4 core, three Cortex‑A720 cores and four Cortex‑A520 cores. While not as powerful as Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Dimensity 7500 still outperforms most mid‑range processors and brings a faster NPU for on‑device AI tasks such as portrait mode and real‑time translation.
Camera system
Both models retain a 50 MP main sensor (likely a Sony IMX989‑type) and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. The S60 adds a 50 MP telephoto module with 3× optical zoom, giving it a modest advantage for distant subjects. The camera island design mirrors Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro aesthetic, but the sensor size and lens quality will be the real differentiators. On the front, a 50 MP selfie camera promises high‑resolution portraits and video calls.
Battery, charging and durability
A 7,200 mAh cell powers both phones, a size more common in rugged or gaming phones than in sleek flagships. Vivo pairs the battery with 90 W wired fast charging, which should fill the device from 0 % to 80 % in roughly 30 minutes. The phones also carry IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, meaning they are dust‑tight and can withstand powerful water jets—features that appeal to users who need a device that can survive outdoor activities.
Software and ecosystem lock‑in
Both devices run OriginOS 6, Vivo’s custom skin built on Android 16. OriginOS adds a suite of AI‑driven utilities, a revamped multitasking view, and deeper integration with Vivo’s own IoT ecosystem (smart watches, earbuds, and the upcoming Vivo Cloud services). While OriginOS is feature‑rich, it remains a proprietary layer, so users who prefer a near‑stock Android experience may find the UI a bit heavy. However, the tight integration with Vivo hardware can provide smoother hand‑off between devices, similar to the synergy seen in Samsung’s Galaxy ecosystem.
Pricing and market positioning
The S60 Vitality Edition starts at CNY 2,899 (≈ $428) for the 8 GB RAM/256 GB storage variant, making it a strong contender against other 2026 mid‑range flagships such as the OnePlus 12R and the Xiaomi 14 Pro Lite. The flagship S60 begins at CNY 3,599 (≈ $530) and tops out at CNY 4,399 (≈ $689) for the 16 GB/512 GB configuration, positioning it just below premium flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra while offering a larger battery and higher brightness.
Ecosystem context
vivo’s strategy appears to be two‑fold: deliver a high‑spec flagship that showcases the latest Snapdragon performance, while also offering a slightly cheaper variant that still provides flagship‑level display, battery and camera capabilities. By using OriginOS 6 across both models, Vivo can push its own services (cloud backup, AI photo assistant, and cross‑device continuity) without fragmenting the user experience. The inclusion of IP68/IP69 ratings and a 7,200 mAh battery also signals a push toward durability‑focused consumers, a segment that has grown with the popularity of outdoor‑oriented smartphones.
Overall, the vivo S60 series brings a compelling mix of top‑tier display technology, massive battery life, and competitive pricing. The choice between Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and MediaTek Dimensity 7500 will likely determine which model appeals to power users versus value‑seeking buyers.
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