SA in line for Vivo’s next flagship handsets

Chinese smartphone manufacturer Vivo intends to introduce two of its newly-revealed X500 series handsets to the South African market, aiming to establish a strong presence in mobile imaging. The X500 series, part of Vivo's fourth generation of flagship smartphones, was unveiled at a global launch event in Shanghai, China earlier this week.

The event also showcased other innovative products, including the Vivo Watch 6 with an embedded eSIM, Vivo's inaugural earbuds, Vivo Buds Clip, and accessories designed to transform smartphones into professional-grade cameras. Over 2,000 attendees, including Vivo partners and clients, journalists, social media influencers, and franchise owners from MTN and Vodacom, were present at the launch event.

Vivo's vice-president and vice-president of product, Huang Tao, emphasized that the X500 series represents the company's next imaging decade, boasting the ability to capture cinematic footage with a single touch. Vivo has established a strategic partnership with Germany's Zeiss Group, which focuses on delivering professional and user-friendly mobile imaging solutions to global consumers.

Additionally, Vivo has collaborated with international semiconductor company MediaTek to equip its handsets with advanced chips. The X500 handsets feature Zeiss high motion photography, 8K Native Live, Zeiss APO super telephoto, and a large sensor with gimbal-level stabilization, complemented by optional accessories such as the Zeiss extender G2 and instant shooting screen.

Established in 1995, Vivo boasts a global user base of over 500 million across 60 countries and regions. The company entered the South African market in December 2019, seeking to compete with leading brands like Huawei, Oppo, Xiaomi, Honor, and Tecno. Vivo has expanded its device portfolio for the local market, and the brand has demonstrated a relatively low rate of out-of-box failures for its smartphones in South Africa.

According to Lizelle Pretorius, Head of Operations at Cellularbar Group Vodacom, the standout features of the X500 series include its impressive battery life, diverse color options, and advanced camera capabilities. Furthermore, Vivo offers exceptional after-sales service, providing new sealed units during warranty periods instead of sourcing replacement parts.

Vivo plans to introduce the standard X500 and X500 Pro Max models to South Africa, with the local availability and pricing anticipated to be announced during an upcoming local launch event around November.