The Vivo X200 series smartphone, which will be released on Oct. 14, is expected to feature its latest kilometer-long offline communication tech, a self-developed network-free provision that enables several kilometers of free communication for two or more users of the same device, Vivo’s Vice President of Branding, Jia Jindong said on Monday.
Why it matters: The kilometer-level offline communication technology allows users to stay connected for free, without relying on a network. This walkie-talkie design could enhance connectivity in remote areas and during emergencies, offering a cost-effective solution for users. However, it may also pose a challenge for mobile operators if this function extends to other phone models or brands, as the operators charge customers call fees regardless.
Details: Vivo’s Vice President, Jia Jindong, revealed some of the phone specifications on Chinese X-like platform Weibo yesterday.
- By using LoRa (Long Range) spread spectrum technology, Vivo X200 series achieve “cost-free communication” without network coverage, with a communication range of up to several kilometers, according to Jia. “Users may lose connection due to lack of network coverage when they hike a mountain or walk in remote areas. For these moderately challenging outdoor scenarios, Vivo’s offline communication is an enhanced option,” he said.
- The Vivo X200 series will enhance the predecessor X100 Ultra’s 200MP Zeiss APO (apochromatic lenses) with a new 135mm focal length for telephoto portraits, Jia mentioned. Building on the X100’s 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm focal lengths, this upgrade improves portrait-background compression.
- Along with the Zeiss partnership, Jia’s post also noted that the new joint lab established by Vivo and British semiconductor and software design company Arm makes Vivo the first smartphone brand in the industry to collaborate with Arm in this way.
Context: The Vivo X200 series will also be the first in the world to debut the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 chipset, the first 3nm chip in the Android ecosystem, built using TSMC’s 3nm process. The tech blogger Digital Chat Station disclosed that the maximum CPU clock speed of the Dimensity 9400 is 3.626GHz. MediaTek’s new flagship chipset is set to launch tomorrow, October 9.
- The global smartphone shipments increased 6.5% year-on-year to 285.4 million units in the second quarter of 2024, according to market intelligence firm IDC. In the second quarter, Samsung led with an 18.9% market share, followed by Apple at 15.8%, Xiaomi at 14.8%, Vivo at 9.1%, and Oppo at 9.0%.
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