Vivo V70 and V70 Elite: The 2026 Launch Dilemma

Tuesday, 13 January 2026 at 09:42

The Vivo V series has traditionally been a mid-range powerhouse for the brand, but the V70 lineup represents a strategic shift. For the first time, we are seeing the "Elite" and "FE" monikers replace the standard "Pro" models, suggesting a more refined tiering system.

Key points

Reports conflict between a late January and mid-February 2026 launch in India.
The V70 and V70 Elite are likely rebadged versions of the China-exclusive S50 series.
Both phones are expected to utilize the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 processor and Android 16.
The V70 Elite has been officially spotted on the BIS certification website.
Bold new color options like Red and Yellow are expected for the standard V70 model.

Conflicting Launch Timelines

Currently, the tech community is split between two main windows:

The Late January Window: Several reports (including those from tipster Abhishek Yadav) suggest that Vivo will launch the V70, V70 Elite, and X200T together in late January 2026. This is supported by the fact that Vivo has already started teasing the X200T in India..

The Mid-February Window: A more recent report from SmartPrix indicates a slightly later launch in mid-February.. This theory aligns with the historical six-month refresh cycle, as the V60 series debuted in August 2025.

What We Know About the Vivo V70 & V70 Elite

The V70 series is expected to be a rebadged version of China's Vivo S50, but with a focus on global performance standards.

Under the Hood: Both devices are tipped to feature the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. Geekbench listings for model V2538 (V70) show a single-core score of 1,235 and a multi-core score of 3,920.
Display & Battery: Expect a 6.517-inch 1.5K AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Battery capacity is rumored to be a massive 6,500mAh to 7,000mAh with 90W fast charging.
The "Elite" Factor: While specific hardware differences are still under wraps, the V70 Elite (model V2548) has already appeared on the BIS certification database, confirming its imminent Indian release.