Smartphone cameras have been on a roll in the past two years. OnePlus launches their OnePlus 9 flagship series in partnership with Hasselblad, OPPO’s Find X3 Pro comes with a microscopic lens, Samsung pushing technology with 108-Megapixel sensors, Sony even pushing the limits of their 12-Megapixel sensors with their Alpha camera knowhow. These are nothing new, to be fair. Co-branding smartphone cameras with big camera brand names started with Nokia and Zeiss. The phenomenon hit the main stage with HUAWEI and Leica’s big partnership since the HUAWEI P9.
With the advancement in camera technology on smartphones though, has these brands made proper cameras obsolete? While nothing bigger sensor still has its own advantages in terms of low-light performance and detail, smartphone cameras have progressed so much with the software that they are paired with that even low-light photography is a breeze with a smartphone. The advancement of smartphone technology also made it easier for you to get the shots you want in less time and less work than a DSLR or mirrorless.
What does this mean for dedicated cameras though? Does this mean we can replace these kinds of stuff with the small slate in our pockets? Or, should you still spend your hard-earned money on a proper camera that could set you back anywhere between half the price of a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra to multiple flagship smartphones? We discuss this in this episode of Tech & Tonic.
Have you ever thought; “hmmm, my selfie camera is not powerful enough; I cannot get a good self portrait and therefore my social media is incomplete”? What vivo launched in Malaysia last night might be your answer to great looking selfies with superb details. They launched the new V21 series smartphone.
The new vivo V21 series packs a very powerful camera system. Out the back is a powerful 64-Megapixel main camera that is flanked by an 8-Megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-Megapixel Macro shooter. The highlight though is the 44-Megapixel front-facing camera that you can find on above the display in small notch.
The 44-megapixel camera also comes with its own Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) combined with Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) technology to produce selfies like you’ve never seen on a smartphone before. There is also AI Night Portrait mode to ensure that your photos look detailed and noiseless even in low-light conditions combined with f/2.0 aperture for even more light to be captured. If there is still not enough light around you, there are the Dual Selfie Spotlight to light your face combined with the screen’s soft light feature.
Source: vivo
The high-resolution cameras also means that both the front and the back cameras of the vivo V21 can shoot videos at 4K resolution. That also means you can rely on the front camera to even do your own vlogs with the vivo V21. Either that or shoot great looking TikTok videos or Instagram Reels.
You need some power to get smooth 4K video recording experience though. Some power is also needed to keep both the front and back cameras happy and shooting quickly. That power is found in the form of a powerhouse that is the MediaTek Dimensity 800U (Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G for V21e) System on a Chip (SoC). The powerful processor is supported by an 8GB RAM for all kinds of multitasking needs and 128GB of storage to ensure all your photos has somewhere to go.
Source: vivo
Viewing your photos before you post them are very important too. That is why vivo has fitted the V21 with a 6.44-inch AMOLED display. The display boasts Full HD in resolution with 90Hz refresh rate to give you that really smooth feel while scrolling through the interface. 90Hz is great for gaming too, of course.
To keep the device running all day is a 4,000mAh battery kept within the slim and svelte 7.29mm (7.39mm for V21e) glass and aluminium body. It even charges at 33W too, in case you need a quick charge before you leave home or the office. The 33W FlashCharge technology is of course delivered via the USB Type-C port of the device.
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
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Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
Source: vivo
The vivo V21 series is now available for pre-order (until 4th may 2021) via vivo’s own E-Store, authorized dealers, vivo concept stores, and vivo flagship stores on Shopee and Lazada. The new selfie focused smartphone will be available in Dusk Blue and Sunset Dazzle (Roman Black and Diamond Flare for V21e). The vivo V21 will set you back MYR 1,399 and the V21e will set you back MYR 1,299. If you do pre-order a unit of the vivo V21 or the V21e, you are eligible for a 1-year extended warranty, 1-year screen crack protection, an MYR 50 instant rebate, and an exclusive gift that amounts to MYR 699 and MYR 599 in total value respectively. For more information on the vivo V21 series, you can head over to vivo’s website.
Mobile photography seems to be gaining steam with industry leading companies like ZEISS partnering with mobile manufacturers like vivo to push the boundaries of photography – particularly when it comes to mobile. Over the past few years, it seems like more and more people are turning to their smartphones as their go to phones and with companies like Sony pushing the boundaries with camera sensors, more attention has been paid to complementing them with better software and hardware.
The partnerships between brands like vivo and ZEISS can take many forms. In fact, we’ve seen the different ways these can play out in just the past two months. Of course, one of the partnerships we’ve seen is in the recent announcement of Hasselblad’s collaboration to improve mobile photography. In their collaboration, Hasselblad’s know-how is applied in the algorithm that is used to process the information from the sensor into the final photo. We also see partnerships where the imaging companies provide only the hardware, in the form of lenses or augmented sensors, for mobile brands to use similar to the partnership LEICA is involved in.
However, in the case of vivo and ZEISS, the companies are looking break new ground. They have first laid the groundwork for a partnership and collaboration that doesn’t just come in smartphone technology. They have setup the “vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab” which is focusing on developing and improving optical performance when it comes to mobile imaging. Of course, these developments will naturally trickle down to vivo’s premium flagship smartphones where, in recent years, vivo has been working to push the boundaries of creative expression.
The vivo X60 Series – A True Camera First Premium Flagship
vivo’s X60 series is the first smartphone to be on the receiving end of the partnership between vivo and ZEISS. Over the past few years, vivo has used the X series of smartphones to zoom in on creators and imaging enthusiasts. They have infused the smartphones with revolutionary technologies that up the ante in a way we’ve not seen in the industry just yet.
vivo’s quarter of a decade of experience in creating mobile devices is further honed by their X50 series. The first debut of their gimbal technology brought a fresh breath of air into a still space when it came to technological innovations. That’s further enhanced in their collaboration with ZEISS. The collaboration is a pervasive marriage of both companies’ prowess ranging from the software to hardware of the cameras featured on the X60 series of smartphones.
ZEISS Biotar Portrait Style
The new vivo X60 series comes with a whole slew of features that put the collaboration front and centre but, perhaps, the most visible inclusion of ZEISS in the ability of the X60 series to reproduce pictures taken with ZEISS’s signature Biotar lenses. The pictures taken in this mode on the X60 series come with the central resolution and rotational bokeh that are the hallmark of ZEISS’s Biotar lenses. This is achieved with the progressive bokeh simulation and distributed blurred spot rotation of the algorithm on vivo’s X60 series smartphones.
Of course, the ZEISS Biotar Portrait style isn’t the only filter or style available on the X60 series. In fact, it actually joins a formidable arsenal that includes multiple night filters such as Black and Golden which highlights the shadows and turns the photo a golden sepia for a deep, emotional flare.
Gimbal Stabilization 2.0
The hallmark of vivo’s X series since its introduction last year is Gimbal Stabilization. This year, the vivo X60 series brings along Gimbal stabilization 2.0. The new updates to the feature include a new, customised Sony IMX598 with a larger aperture for better low light performance and sharper images. The feature also comes with vivo’s own VIS 5-axis video stabilization which allows the sensor to compensate for sudden jerks and movements that can occur when shooting videos, particularly action shots. The sum of these features is a cinema grade, stabilised video which is ready to upload and show off to the world.
Powered by A Flagship Grade processor
The vivo X60 series doesn’t just bring features some might consider gimmicks. It comes packing the Snapdragon 870 SoC which packs quite the punch when it comes to performance. The performance oriented SoC comes with 8-cores which allows it to take on more demanding tasks with more gusto. In fact, the built-in AI features power some of the vivo X60 series’ hallmark features and is responsible for the optimisations that result in better battery life. The SoC also enables the many algorithms that help create the filters and features that complement the camera hardware on the vivo X60. This includes the ZEISS powered filters.
All in all, the ground-up approach vivo is using in its partnership with ZEISS has only just begun. ZEISS has the prowess and know-how to help vivo level up its camera game in the long run and it’s very clear that the vivo X60 series is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the fruits of this partnership.
DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertorial and does not represent the views and opinions of the techENT editorial board.
vivo isn’t a name you would necessarily associate with photography. However, the company has been honing its offerings over the past few years, becoming an innovator when it comes to developing new technologies in the smartphone photography space. Just last year, in 2020, vivo introduced one of the most compelling, feature packed smartphones – the vivo X50 series. The X50 series was also the first smartphone to come with built-in gimbal stabilization. This year’s vivo X60 Series is upping the ante even more with a new, camera centric collaboration with ZEISS.
Source: vivo
The collaboration isn’t just done on a whim. ZEISS and vivo are working together to develop technologies that will take smartphone imaging leaps and bounds. As part of this collaboration, the two companies have setup the vivo ZEISS Imaging Lab to research and develop new technologies that will improve smartphone photography. The new vivo X60 series is the first smartphone series to bring the fruits of this collaboration mainstream.
That’s enough of a history lesson. Let’s get into the fun parts! Here’s why the vivo X60 series will defy your expectation.
1. ZEISS Lenses Help Capture Every Moment with Clarity
Source: vivo
As mentioned, the vivo X60 series is the first series bringing technology and innovations from the vivo-ZEISS partnership. This includes a whole new set of camera lenses and technologies which will up your photography game significantly.
ZEISS is bringing its Vario-Tessar lenses to the vivo X60 which will allow you to capture clear, crisp pictures. These lenses come with ZEISS’s T*anti-reflective coating which allows more light to be captured by the sensor on the vivo X60 Pro. vivo’s Extreme Night Vision 2.0 further enhances low light performance in the vivo X60 series. The AI algorithm helps reduce noise under low light, giving you crisp, rich details. Simply put, you’ll be able to capture amazing pictures even under low light!
These paired with apertures as large as f/1.48 on the customised Sony IMX598 sensor and vivo’s Pixel Shift Ultra HD Imaging you’ll be capturing pro-level, detail rich pictures with a single click.
2. Steady Shot move aside, Gimbal Stabilization 2.0 is bringing the heat!
The vivo X60 Pro will be coming equipped with an improved version of vivo’s Gimbal Stabilization which debuted with the vivo X50 Pro. The improved Gimbal stabilization technology allows the smartphone to catch even steadier shots. So, you won’t have to worry about blurs thanks to shaking.
Source: vivo
The improved Gimbal Stabilization technology stabilizes the camera across four axes in addition to the pitch and yaw of the cameras. This allows the camera to remain still even when your hands are shaking or when you’re walking. It helps minimise sudden jerks and even allows you to take videos with cinematic movements. This is helped further by VIS 5 axis video stabilization technology.
3. 5G connectivity & Top of the line performance without breaking the bank thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 processor
vivo’s X60 series comes powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 processor. While it may seem like the Snapdragon 870 is a generation behind, that cannot be further from the truth. Announced earlier this year in January, the Snapdragon 870 brings improved performance over last year’s flagship Snapdragon 865. However, it also walks the tightrope when it comes to affordability.
Source: Qualcomm
It packs a super capable Qualcomm Hexagon 698 processor which not only boasts better performance over last year’s processor but also provides better power efficiency. It has a 10% boost in GPU and CPU performance and even supports 5G connectivity. The Qualcomm Spectra image signal processor allows you to capture even clearer images and supports multiple AI functions such as portrait mode. It also supports 4K videography at simultaneous 64MP image capture. The vivo X60 series will have a new ZEISS Biotar Portrait style which will allow you to capture artistic, centre-weighted portraits without the need for extra accessories.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg.
Source: vivo
That’s right, these 3 reasons are simply the tip of the iceberg when it comes to vivo’s new X60 series. The features are still being revealed as we speak in leaks and even announcements. We’re definitely anxious to see what vivo has in store for us with the vivo X60 series. The smartphone is turning out to be one of the most exciting smartphones of 2021!
Don’t forget to tune in to the official launch of the vivo X60 series happening on March 22 2021 at 9.30 p.m.!
Samsung’s next-generation midrange SoC (system on a chip) is the newly introduced Exynos 1080. The new chipset offers the latest Cortex-A78 CPU cores paired with the latest Mali-G78 graphics core. It’s the first SoC in which Samsung is adopting a new 1+3+4 CPU configuration with one core clocked at 2.8GHz and 3 others at 2.6GHz. This is supplemented by 4 more Cortex-A55 cores which are clocked at 2.0GHz.
The chipset is built on a 5nm process, which has until now only been used by Apple in their A14 processor. The new 5nm, octa-core Exynos 1080 touts better performance with the new architecture and also boasts significant power efficiency boosts. According to Samsung, the single-core performance has been boosted by 50% while the multi-core performance is boosted by 100%.
Source: Samsung (weibo)
In addition to the power savings from the architecture itself, Samsung has also introduced a power-saving solution it calls “Amigo Power”.The new solution will help monitor and optimize battery consumption. Samsung is touting that the solution will make the Exynos 1080 10% more power-efficient than its predecessor. Samsung has also spent some time optimising the NPU and DSP which boast a machine-learning interference power of 5.7TOPs indicating that any AI programs running on the SoC should be able to crunch more data at any given time. This should indicate better, quicker image post-processing and optimizations in both user experience and response speed.
Power consumption isn’t the only area Samsung is focusing on. The Exynos 1080 SoC can support a single 200MP camera or dual 32MP + 32MP sensors. On the video end of things, the processor is able to support shooting up to 4K resolution at 60fps.
Connectivity-wise, the Exynos 1080 is going to be able to support 5G on both the sub-6GHz and mmWave spectrum which indicates that the SoC could be making it to the U.S. given that, until now, the U.S. is the only country with official rollout of 5G on the Sub-6 wavelength. Aside from 5G, the SoC supports Cat.18 4G LTE connectivity. The Exynos 1080 will also support Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity. In addition to this, the SoC will support up to 144Hz refresh rate, LPDDR5 RAM and has UFS 3.1 compatibility.
Source: Samsung (weibo)
The Exynos 1080 will be available in the market in Q1 of 2021. That said, it looks like it will be making its way to consumers in a new Vivo device first. It has been confirmed that the SoC will see its debut in the Vivo X60 series come 2021. Vivo will also be using last year’s Exynos 980 in their upcoming X30 series smartphones.
Vivo is that one smartphone brand that is not shy in introducing new and funky features in a smartphone. This is especially true with it comes to camera placements on a smartphone. They introduced the world to the idea of a deca-core smartphone. They were also the first to hide their front facing camera in a pop-up mechanism that appears only when you need it. This year, Vivo Apex spearheads the under-display selfie camera era. Today, Vivo is taking the spotlight once more with a novel smartphone camera that is not even on the smartphone.
The new concept device from Vivo comes with a front camera that they call IFEA. It is a camera front facing camera that can be detached from the body of the device. For all intents and purposes, it is still a regular pop-up front-facing selfie camera. It just happens to be removable once it has popped out and has been activated. Once detached, the camera module is supposedly voice activated. This modular design from the Chinese company has won the Red Dot Design Award.
It does sound like a very interesting feature, this pop-up detachable thing. This new IFEA smartphone design aims to provide consumers with a new photography system and experience which is totally different from what usually offered by a smartphone. It integrates enhanced users-friendly shooting features anytime and anywhere.
Beside, there is another one on the Red Dot website that shows the display and the back of Vivo phone. The screen is seamless, without notches or punch holes. The back features a dedicated main camera as well to suggest that the detachable stuff is only for the front camera.
Source: Vivo/Red Dot
Vivo also stated that the IFEA module will come with multiple accessories and support mechanisms with different modes to increase the stability and storage of the device. Some accessories were also shown such as a magnetic attachment, clips for wrists and a collar mount for dogs, to make better use of the removable camera.
It’s unclear how Vivo plans to use this modular camera design. So far, the device is just in its concept phase and there are no clear intentions from Vivo themselves to make the device commercially available. Stay tuned though, we are keeping our ears close to the ground, just in case Vivo changes their mind.
When you own a device from the fruity manufacturers from Cupertino, you do not get the privilege of transferring files between devices other than using AirDrop. Technically, AirDrop is a combination of using Bluetooth and WiFi Direct to drag and drop files between Apple devices. While Android devices can plainly use Bluetooth to share files, WiFi Direct between devices have been a little finicky from one Android device to another. So we are stuck to using slow Bluetooth file transfers if you use an Android device from Xiaomi and I am using one from Samsung.
Of course WiFi Direct is an option, but only if you use certain smartphones that are from the same manufacturer. This may no longer be the case though. Fast file transfers between Android devices could be made possible with the “Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance”. The Alliance is made to allow high-speed file transfer and sharing between devices. In that case, you get AirDrop like performance from Android devices; 20MB/S over-the-air file transfer speeds.
The only issue is that the Alliance currently consists of three manufacturers. The three manufacturers are OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi. Not even HUAWEI is part of that alliance, which also means that you only get fast file transfers between these three manufacturers until anyone else joins the Alliance. Still, nothing wrong with being hopeful.
