Vivo Y500 packs 8,200mAh battery for under $200

It's September 1, 2025, and monster mobile batteries are the new normal, according to Vivo. The latest addition to the mid-range Y series is now officially backed to stream content for up to 13 hours on end even if the ambient temperature is 35°C (95°F), play videos for up to 16.7 hours and take up to 22 hours to go from 100% to 0% in general, even if it is 40°C (104°F) outside.

The Y500 has been revealed to use top-end 90W FlashCharge USB-C technology, and to withstand 1,000 of its cycles before that marquee 8,200mAh capacity (typical, or 8,010mAh in rated terms) drops to 80%. 

There is no wireless charging, although the device can double as a wired power bank (as one might hope).

The handset's chassis is also backed to protect its massive new battery with IP68/IP69/IP69+ ratings, SGS-certified drop resistance that is increased by 70% and "bend-proofing" increased by 100% (although compared to what is not specified).

The Y500 has settled for an FHD+ resolution for its up-to-5,000 nit, 6.77-inch 120Hz AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC to drive it and 50+2MP rear cameras that are not so much of a big deal; then again, those specs have allowed Vivo to unleash the new battery monster at a starting, pre-subsidy price of just 1,399 yuan (~$196) in China.

That deal applies to the Y500's 8GB RAM base model, which, unfortunately, has just 128GB of fixed storage. There is a 256GB alternative priced at 200 yuan (~$28) more. 

Alternatively, one can outlay 1,799 yuan (~$252) for a Y500 with 12GB of RAM instead, or splash out at 1,999 yuan (~$280) for the new smartphone's top-end 12GB/512GB model.