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vivo X90 series launches internationally

Advanced set of camera features

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vivo X90

vivo has announced the international launch of its latest X90 series flagship smartphones which aim the raise the limit of smartphone photography.

They will be available in two variants: the standard X90 and the X90 Pro which both feature vivo’s exclusive V2 chip, advanced cameras co-engineered with ZEISS, and ZEISS Optics with T* Coating.

While we all await official local price and availability, here’s a rundown of its specs and features.

Camera

Obviously, what stands out about the X90 series is how it delivers on an advanced repertoire of camera features and powerful lenses.

The X90 Pro has an integrated “eye” camera setup in the rear, composed of the following:

  • 50MP ZEISS IMX989 1-inch sensor main camera (f/1.75)
  • 50MP IMX758 ultra-sensing portrait camera (f/1.6)
  • 12MP wide-angle camera

The main camera’s 3.2 μm large pixel (4-in-1) size allows more light in and produce brighter and more scintillating images even at night. The portrait camera has stabilization support and an exclusive large aperture lens.

The X90 Pro also introduces independent optical image stabilization (OIS) technology developed by vivo itself to allow for more intelligent and precise stabilization and correction.

The premium phone also supports Active Centering OIS System, significantly reducing smears between frames and motion blur. 

On the other hand, the standard X90 has the following setup:

  • 50MP VCS True Color main camera
  • 12MP professional portrait camera
  • 12MP wide-angle camera

More camera features

The VCS True Collor main camera optimizes the sensor spectrum to achieve the target RGB colors better, improve native image colors, and ensure color consistency.

Both phones will have Corning Gorilla Glass and anti-reflective coating on their cameras.

As mentioned, the X90 series has a ton of interesting camera-related features, so here’s an overview of all:

  • 4K Ultra-Sensing Night Video – made easier by vivo’s Super Night Video 3.0 algorithm for more sensitivity in extremely dark environments
  • Handheld Astro mode – to capture night skies with greater clarity, without the need for tripods or stabilizers
  • Super Moon mode – perfect for “blue hour” right after sunset with vivo’s sky-segmentation technology optimizing blue-tone colors, this mode uses Double Exposure algorithm to integrate both the landscape and moon into one
  • AI Night View – shoots up to 10 frames in RAW while maintaining HDR to recognize elements such as the sky and human faces in night scenes; segmentation is also carried out to further fine tune image
  • Zero-Shutter-Lag-Motion Snapshot – allows users to capture motion easier with zero-second delay, even in low light; utilized by Sports and Night modes
  • ZEISS Cine-flare Portrait style – simulates the flare effect in classic films

For the first time, a new ZEISS Natural Color Display has also been added to screen color style settings to ensure captured colors are not affected by the display. This means the colors in shots captured are close to perfect.

Power specs

Ensuring that all camera-related features work to a T, the X90 series phones are powered by Dimensity 9200 processors along with the V2 chip.

Both devices will also come with enhanced DDR5 RAM and up to 8GB of extended memory via Extended RAM 3.0, so users may use more active apps without sacrificing smoothness.

The X90 Pro in particular has an Ultra Large Vapor Chamber Liquid Cooling System. Its design reduces the heat transfer from CPU to the frame. This allows for key areas to remain relatively cooler even when heavy tasks are being processed.

Battery-wise, the phones have 4,810mAh and 4,870mAh batteries that support 120W Dual-Cell FlashCharge and 50W Wireless FlashCharge.

Charging modes include fast charging for up to 50% in just over 8 minutes, or balanced mode for a full charge in only 29 minutes.

Audio and visual

Lastly, both phones have a 6.78-inch HDR10+ Ultra Vision Eye protection screen, bringing cinema-like display effects to one’s fingertips.

The displays have a refresh rate of 120Hz. This makes the phone also ideal for gaming. vivo also developed a Smart Eye Protection mode in collaboration with MediaTek. This is to intelligently monitor blue light proportion in real-time.

Audio-wise, the X90 series also boasts of a Dual Stereo Speaker and an X-Axis Linear Motor. For the Pro model, SpeakerBoost 4.0 algorithm expands the sound field, while 4D Game Vibration is also supported.

WATCH: vivo X80 vs X80 Pro: Buyer’s Guide

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

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