It’s March 1st and that in our world means one thing: time to see that 6 GB smartphone we have been anticipating. Vivo did not disappoint. The device is official and as expected, we have our 6 GB smartphone.
Since 6 GB, like everyone knows, is overkill on a phone and likely to unnecessarily blow up the pricing of the device to insane levels, Vivo is also releasing another “more normal” variant of the Xplay5 smartphone that will have “just” 4 GB RAM. That is in addition to the 128 gigabytes of onboard storage that buyers of the device will be getting with either model.
Memory matters aside, the device also promises high-quality audio output thanks to a couple of top level DACs (digital to analog audio converters) – the ES9028 SABRE Mobile DAC chips coupled with three OPA1612 amplifiers on the 6 GB variant and Cirrus Logic DAC CS4398 and a AD45257 amplifying chip on the 4 GB model. Not to bore you with the technicalities, that just means you’ll be getting, best-in-class audio. Hi-Fi.
Both devices pack a 5.43-inch Super AMOLED QHD panel. The most striking physical feature of the device is the display since, as we rightfully heard previously, is supplied by Samsung Display. It is a dual-edge display just like the one you can find on a couple of Samsung devices including the latest Galaxy S7 Edge.
There’s a 16-megapixel Sony IMX298 (f/2.0) sensor at the back with dual-LED flash and PDAF (phase detection auto-focus) and an 8-megapixel (f/2.4) camera on the front. Other specifications include a 3,600 mAh battery, a Snapdragon 820 processor for the 6 GB variant and a Snapdragon 652 processor for the 4 GB model, dual-SIMs and LTE capability.
The back of the device, besides the camera setup, has a fingerprint sensor.
It will ship with Android 6.0 Marshmallow with Vivo’s own Funtouch OS interface layered on top. Users will probably like the inclusion of split-screen multitasking (multi-window) in the software, a feature currently not directly native to Android and only said to become official in the next version of Android.
Like the OnePlus 2, it does not have NFC (near-field communication) meaning that mobile payments won’t be remotely possible with the device.
The 6 GB model, which Vivo calls the “Flagship Model”/Ultimate Edition will go for about $655 when it is eventually available on sale. The 4 GB “normal”/standard model which is already up for pre-order on Vivo’s website, will go for a more modest $565. Both devices will be available in White, Rose Gold and Champagne Gold colour options.
