Introduction: The vivo X500 E is starting to look less like a fresh X-series upgrade and more like a renamed version of the vivo V80. Retail accessory listings, certification records and early hardware leaks are all pointing in the same direction.
Earlier this year, vivo released the X300 E as a more premium alternative to the V70. While both devices were closely related, the X300 E offered a higher-end chipset and a larger battery. It kept a similar 6.59-inch display and a 50+50+8MP camera setup, but stepped up from Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 to Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 and increased the battery from 6,500mAh to 7,200mAh.
The X500 E may not follow that same formula. A Google Play Console appearance reportedly lowered expectations by identifying the phone with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, the same platform already used by the V70 and V80. Meanwhile, rumors have mentioned a 7,500mAh battery, slightly larger than the 7,200mAh unit expected from the V80, though unverified specifications can change.
The strongest new clue comes from Amazon Italy, where third-party cases are being listed as compatible with both the vivo X500 E and the vivo V80. That kind of shared accessory compatibility usually suggests very similar, if not identical, dimensions.
Third-party cases listed for both the vivo X500 E and vivo V80
This differs from the X300 E and V70 relationship. Those two handsets shared the same height and width, but the X300 E was thicker because of its larger battery. If the X500 E and V80 have comparable batteries, they may also share the same body size. Even so, identical cases alone do not confirm identical internal specifications.
There are still small details that keep the story open. The Google Play Console reportedly showed model number V2648, while Bluetooth SIG certification reportedly listed V2656. These could be variants, related devices or different market versions. Nevertheless, the overall picture increasingly supports the rebrand theory.
vivo V80 images and wallet-style cases
Pricing may also become an important factor. The vivo V80 debuted in India at ₹63,000 for the 8GB/128GB configuration, equivalent to about €590. That is notably higher than the V70’s launch price of ₹46,000 for 8GB/256GB. If the X500 E is essentially a V80 for another region, it could carry a similar premium positioning.
At this stage, the evidence makes the vivo X500 E look increasingly like a rebranded vivo V80. Unless future leaks reveal a different chipset, camera configuration or battery size, the phone may simply be the V80 under a different name.
Source (in Italian) | Via
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