Vivo pioneered features and trends last year that other brands are now adapting on phones across different price points, but it’s been a while since Vivo last announced a flagship smartphone.
If images and sketches popping up on Weibo are any indication, however, Vivo seems to be gearing up for what could be the Vivo NEX 3. Here’s everything we know so far about Vivo’s upcoming release:
5G 
The latest image posted by NEX product manager Li Xiang points to a 5G-ready device, which, shouldn’t be a surprise for a flagship from Vivo. The company has been developing a 5G phone since last year.
Its sub-brand iQOO already showcased a 5G-enabled model of its gaming device at MWC Shanghai this year.
Headphone jack
Li Xiang also confirmed in a separate leak that the NEX 3 will still have a fan-favorite feature: a 3.5mm headphone jack. Both the original Vivo NEX and Vivo NEX Dual Display Edition retained the audio port. This makes its upcoming flagship one of the few remaining in the market to have the feature.
Circular camera
The rear cameras will maintain the circular shape first seen on the NEX Dual Display Edition. The design is inspired by a traditional wristwatch as seen in a sketch Li Xiang shared on Weibo. The sketch also shows that the upcoming smartphone will sport three cameras, instead of two.
No notch
The same sketch also shows a seamless display which could mean one of two things: the Vivo NEX 3 will have a pop-up selfie camera like the original NEX, or it’ll be the first retail smartphone to have an underscreen camera — a technology its sister company first teased at MWC Shanghai. If Vivo decides to use the latter, more than the selfies, what we’re curious to see is its implementation of face unlock, which is something Vivo ditched with the first NEX phone.
Waterfall screen
Lastly, the NEX 3 will seem to adapt another design feature OPPO teased just last month — an ultra-curved display inspired by waterfalls. This comes as no surprise as Vivo Design Director Kyle Hsiao shared that the idea behind the NEX line is to solve the notch problem, and come up with an all-display smartphone.
Super fast charging
Hsiao’s vision for the NEX line to always offer something different — something that breaks barriers. 5G will drain any smartphone’s battery faster than what we’re used to. Announced at MWC Shanghai 2019, Vivo’s Super FlashCharge 120W promises charge a large 4000 mAh battery from zero to 50 percent in just five minutes. Based on the company’s track record, features they first tease on prototype devices land on retail units immediately after, so the Vivo NEX 3 will likely come with this feature once it becomes available.
Availability
At MWC Shanghai 2019, Vivo also hinted that its first 5G phone will be available in the third quarter of 2019. While they didn’t specify the model of the smartphone then, it’s safe to assume that the first 5G phone under its belt would come from the NEX line.
What feature do you want to see on the Vivo NEX 3? Let us know in the comments section below.
Gaming
Switch 2 finally gets a Choose Your Game bundle
Choose from Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, or Pokémon Pokopia.
When the console launched, Nintendo fans had only two options when buying a new Switch 2: the console by itself or packaged with Mario Kart World. Since then, Nintendo has very occasionally released more bundles for more games. Finally, a new bundle will let you pick your bundled game from three hard-hitting options.
The best way to buy a new console is through a bundle. It allows you to save a few dollars on a game you’re probably buying anyway and lets you play right as you unbox your new purchase.
Today, Nintendo announced a new bundle that adds more options for gamers. These options include Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza, and Pokémon Pokopia. The bundle lets you pick one.
As someone who’s played all three games, this selection isn’t too shabby at all. In fact, they’re the best first-party games you can currently get for the console.
It’s also a cost-efficient purchase that gives you more savings before the price of a new Switch 2 goes up in September. It’s likely that Nintendo introduced the option to soften the blow of the upcoming price hike.
The bundle will cost US 499.99. Being the most expensive game of the bundle, selecting Mario Kart World will save you US$ 29.99. Meanwhile, both Donkey Kong Bananza and Pokémon Pokopia will save you US$ 19.99.
The Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle will come out in early June and will be available until supplies last. If you’re still craving for a Switch 2, this might be the perfect time to grab one.
Laptops
The Googlebook is the next evolution of the Chromebook
Notebooks are coming later this year.
Chromebooks did not become the go-to alternative for laptop users on a budget. Given how the market looks today, it could have been a matter of “right place, wrong time.” Today, Google is trying again with the new Googlebook lineup.
The Googlebook is different from the Chromebook. Though both platforms allow Android apps to run natively, the Googlebook will focus more on building a foundation on Gemini Intelligence.
Of course, the Android ecosystem is still a focal point. The Googlebook can run apps from the ecosystem and can connect seamlessly with Android phones. Specifically, users can access their phone’s apps and files directly from the notebook without waiting for transfers.
As for the Gemini part, the Googlebook starts by reinventing the cursor. The new Magic Pointer brings the wonder of Gemini to your mouse. A wiggle of the cursor wakes the software, which contextualizes anything it’s pointed to. For example, pointing at a date will ask you if you want to schedule a meeting. Pointing at two photos might merge the two into an AI-generated mashup.
Additionally, Create a Widget will allow you to customize software to perfectly tailor to your needs. Using Gemini, the Googlebook can collate everything you need on your dashboard.
Currently, there are no official models set to come out just yet. However, Google has confirmed that Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP, and Lenovo have committed to bringing out the Googlebook this fall. Naturally, each of these brands will have their own take on lineup, but the one thing uniting them will be a unique glowbar to set them apart from other notebooks.
SEE ALSO: Google, on Android adopting Liquid Glass: “Not happening!”
The HONOR Magic8 Pro is among the first smartphones to support Android 17 Beta 3, giving developers early access to Google’s upcoming mobile platform ahead of its wider release.
According to HONOR, the early beta access allows developers to test app compatibility, optimize performance, and integrate new Android 17 features using the company’s flagship smartphone.
Android 17 Beta 3
Android 17 Beta 3 introduces several new multitasking, customization, camera, and privacy tools. One of its biggest additions is the expansion of Bubbles into a system-wide feature. Apps can now run in floating windows that users can minimize and reopen from anywhere on-screen.
The update also adds support for the RAW14 image format. HONOR says this allows developers to better take advantage of the Magic8 Pro’s AiMAGE camera system for improved image processing, dynamic range, and color accuracy in third-party camera and editing apps.
Android 17 Beta 3 also expands UI customization. Users can now hide app labels for a cleaner home screen layout, while developers can adjust Photo Picker layouts with different aspect ratios including portrait-style 9:16 views.
Other updates include separate Quick Settings toggles for Wi-Fi and mobile data, alongside a redesigned screen recording interface that lets users choose between recording the full display or a specific app.
Privacy and security improvements are also part of the update. Android 17 Beta 3 adds session-only precise location access, blocks local network access by default, and introduces protections against code injection attacks. Google is also preparing Android for future cybersecurity threats through support for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
The HONOR Magic8 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, HONOR’s AiMAGE imaging system, and a 6,270mAh Silicon-carbon Battery. HONOR says its participation in the Android 17 Beta program highlights its continued collaboration with Google ahead of Android 17’s official release.
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