Chinese smartphone manufacturer vivo has announced the global launch of its X70 Series smartphones: the X70, X70 Pro and X70 Pro+. As with its X60 generation, the X70 generation puts a massive emphasis on photography, headlined by vivo’s ongoing partnership with Zeiss in their ‘joint pursuit of creating the ultimate mobile photography experience.
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X70 Pro+
At the top of the line is vivo’s flagship X70 Pro+, designed to offer a no-compromise experience with an impressive array of camera technology. The X70 Pro+ features the same 32MP front-facing camera module found on all X70 devices, but on the back of the device is an impressive array that includes a 50MP wide module, an 8MP periscope telephoto module (125mm full-frame equiv. ), a 12MP telephoto module (50mm full-frame equiv. ) and a 48MP ultrawide module (14mm full-frame equiv. ).
The 50MP wide camera uses Samsung’s ISOCELL GN1 image sensor, appears to have a rather fast F1. 57 aperture and offers phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser AF and sensor-shift image stabilization. The 48MP ultrawide camera features vivo’s impressive Gimbal Stabilization 3. 0 technology and uses the same Sony IMX598 sensor found in the ultrawide inside the X60 Pro+. Vivo hasn’t specified what sensors the other two cameras are using at this time, but based on the specifications it appears they’re the same ones carried over from the X60 Pro+.
Thanks to vivo’s partnership with Zeiss, all of the camera modules on the rear array use Zeiss optics and Zeiss’ signature T* coating, which helps to minimize flare and refractions. There’s also a dual-tone LED flash on the back of the camera.
On the video front, the X70 Pro+ can capture 8K video at 30fps, as well as 4K video at up to 60fps. All four camera modules offer optical image stabilization, but if it’s similar to the X60 Pro+, you can expect much better vibration compensation from the 50MP wide camera and, in particular, the 48MP ultrawide camera.
Examples of the various Portrait mode simulated bokeh settings, all inspired by Zeiss optics. Click to enlarge.
On its X60 Series smartphones, vivo used its partnership with Zeiss to develop a Portrait mode that offered simulated bokeh inspired by Zeiss’ iconic Biotar lenses. Now, the X70 Series brings three more simulated bokeh styles, inspired by Zeiss’ Distagon, Planar and Sonnar lenses. Vivo’s press release describes each of the new ‘Zeiss Style Portrait features’ as follows:
‘Distagon style gives off an anamorphic look, offering dynamic perspective effects for critical architecture and interior photography that exudes Hollywood filmmaking aesthetics. The Planar adaption introduces classic bokeh effects, revealing true characteristics and conveying genuine expressions through portrait photography. Sonnar mode is known for its creamy bokeh, making it well suited for portraiture with depth and clarity to document authentic events. ’
To make the most of the camera array, vivo has included its new Imaging Chip V1, an image processor custom-designed by vivo. According to vivo, it’s been working over the past two years to develop this new V1 chip with the help of more than 300 research and development personnel. Not much is shared regarding the processor’s capabilities, but vivo says the processor ‘employs an AI system to apply NR (noise reduction) and MEMC (motion estimation, motion compensation) effects across the board. ’
Other improvements to the X70 Pro+ include upgrades to its display, battery and processor. Instead of the 6. 56” 1080p+ found in the X60 Pro+, the X70 Pro+ now has a 6. 78” Samsung E5 AMOLED display with a 1,440 x 3,200 pixel resolution (517 pixels per inch) and 1,500 nits peak brightness (500 nits typical). This LTPO display can adjust its refresh rate between 1Hz and 120Hz to improve performance when needed and save on battery life when you don’t.
An overview of the imaging capabilities of Qualcomm's 888 5G chipset. The 888+ 5G is nearly identical as the base 888 5G chipset, with only a few small bumps in performance.
The X70 Pro+ also uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset alongside an Adreno 660 GPU. The device lacks an expandable card slot and comes with either 256GB or 512GB of internal UFS 3. 1 storage. The 256GB versions can be had with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM, while the 512GB version is only available with 12GB.
Wireless connectivity includes the usual array, including 5G, Wi-Fi (802. 11 a/b/g/n/ac/6), Bluetooth 5. 2, GPS and NFC. The sole physical connection is a USB-C port on the bottom, which charges the 4,500mAh Li-Po battery (up from 4,200mAh in the X60 Pro+), which charges at the same 55W with compatible chargers. One of our few gripes with the X60 Pro+ was its lack of wireless charging; vivo has addressed this by adding 50W wireless charging to the X70 Pro+.
Another welcomed addition is an IP68 rating, which was notably lacking in the X60 Series and ensures the phone is dustproof and water-resistant. The entire global X70 Series runs on vivo’s Funtouch 12, which is the company’s custom UI atop Android. However, while the ’12’ suggests it’s based on Android 12, Android 12 hasn’t actually been released yet by Google, so we’ll have to wait and see what’s going on there when the first review units start hitting doorsteps.
X70 Pro and X70
Vivo didn’t share as much about its global X70 Pro and X70 devices, but does confirm the two devices use MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200-vivo chipset in place of the Snapdragon 888+ 5G and LPDDR4X memory instead of LPDDR5. The X70 Pro and X70 models also have smaller batteries—4450mAh and 4,400mAh, respectively— and have slightly smaller 6. 56” displays, although those have been bumped up to 120Hz, an improvement from their respective predecessors. Both devices also lack Qi charging and any kind of IP rating.
Both the X70 Pro and X70 feature the same 32MP front-facing camera found in the X70 Pro+, but the rear camera arrays do differ. No specifics were given by vivo in regards to what sensors and focal lengths are used, but the X70 Pro offers a 50MP, 12MP, 12MP and 8MP four-camera array while the X70 offers a 40MP, 12MP and 12MP three-camera array.
Starting today, all three X70 models will begin rolling out in various international markets, including India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and others. The X70 Pro+ will be available in Enigma Black while both the X70 Pro and X70 are avialable in Cosmic Black or Aurora Dawn colorways. Pricing will vary depending on the market and if you’re in the United States or much of Europe, you might have to keep your eyes out on third-party retailers or auction-style sites to get your hands on one of these devices.
. dpreview.com2021-9-11 17:56