vivo Y500i Launches with Massive 7,200mAh Battery and Snapdragon 4 Gen 2

vivo has expanded its budget Y500 series in China with the introduction of the Y500i, positioning it as a battery endurance champion. The device's standout feature is its 7,200mAh lithium-ion battery – one of the largest capacities available in any smartphone currently on the market. This substantial power unit supports 44W vivo FlashCharge technology, enabling rapid top-ups for users needing extended usage between charges.

The Y500i pairs this exceptional battery with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 platform, built on a 4nm process for improved efficiency. Buyers can configure the device with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. For media consumption, the phone sports a 6.75-inch LCD display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution (1600x720 pixels). The panel reaches 1,200 nits peak brightness for outdoor visibility and features a hole-punch cutout for the front camera.

Camera capabilities center around a single 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and phase detection autofocus, accompanied by a 5MP front-facing camera. Beyond battery and performance, vivo emphasizes durability with an IP68/69 rating for dust/water resistance and SGS Gold Label 5-star certification for drop protection. Connectivity includes dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and infrared remote control functionality.

Measuring 8.49mm thick and weighing 219 grams, the Y500i comes in Galaxy Silver, Phoenix Gold, and Obsidian Black colorways. Pricing starts at CNY 1,499 ($215) for the 8GB/128GB model, scaling to CNY 2,199 ($315) for the top-tier 12GB/512GB variant. As of launch, the device is exclusively available in China through vivo's official channels.

This release continues vivo's strategy of targeting the value segment with specialized features – in this case, extreme battery capacity – while maintaining core smartphone functionality. The combination of massive power reserves and durability certifications suggests a focus on users prioritizing reliability and longevity over premium camera systems or cutting-edge processors.