The future of mobile imaging "blueprint" is definitely about "simplifying the complex".
Author: Jesse Editor: Jingyu
When vivo launched its first oversized flagship X100 Ultra this year, it defined it as a "camera that can make calls".
Everything seems to fall into place. Over the past few years, vivo has been one of the most stable and prosperous domestic manufacturers, gradually breaking through the ceiling of domestic Android manufacturers. Whether it's total sales or the reputation of high-end flagships, vivo has taken the lead. The recently released X Fold 3 series in March has amazed the market with its extreme body dimension data.
However, at the same time, the significance of the "oversized flagship" is becoming awkward, as the market performance of almost every manufacturer's Ultra flagship is not outstanding. The reason is simple: the overall iteration speed of upstream and downstream technologies in smartphones has slowed down, making it increasingly difficult to create an Ultra flagship that stands out in terms of functionality. At the same time, user demands are gradually becoming saturated, making it harder to impress them.
With the launch of the X100 Ultra, vivo introduced the concept of "Blueprint Imaging" for the first time. This not only summarizes vivo's steady progress in the field of imaging in the past, but also provides a new benchmark significance for the existence of flagship models like the X100 Ultra.
Having walked the path of imaging development for over a decade, what has vivo done right? What experiences and inspirations can it bring to the industry?
01
Focusing on technology with a long-term perspective
Today, few may remember that before 2014, the early vivo was primarily a manufacturer of Hi-Fi phones.
This is related to the company's early technical genes during its entrepreneurial period. Although the vivo brand was relatively new at the time, the company had already accumulated deep Hi-Fi technical experience internally. Therefore, they chose to open up the market from the perspective of their expertise by focusing on this technology.
In reality, with the development of smartphones, Hi-Fi quickly became a marginalized selling point. Therefore, vivo sought the opportunity for transformation very early on. In 2014, they released the flagship model vivo Xshot, which focused on camera functions for the first time, shifting the technological focus to "imaging."
After the release of the X7 series in 2016, vivo officially elevated imaging to the most important brand strategic level, further increasing resources in this area and continuing to invest in it.
In the early days, most domestic Android manufacturers adopted a project-based product development model, often with one team responsible for a project, and multiple projects developed in parallel. This model has the advantage of flexibility, enabling rapid response to market changes and seizing hotspots.
In contrast, vivo chose a slower, longer-term, but more stable development philosophy, focusing on a single technological track for long-term investment and cultivation, whether it was Hi-Fi in the early days or imaging later on.
Looking back at vivo's history, it may not have a few particularly successful or outstanding "star products" like other manufacturers, but you can remember the names of products like Xshot and Xplay. The "X" in vivo is like the "i" in Apple, deeply ingrained in people's minds, successfully leading the market and maintaining the top market share in China for three consecutive years.
This focus on technology and long-term investment has given vivo the ability to break through greater technological challenges. Today, vivo is one of the few manufacturers still developing self-made imaging chips. The 6nm Blueprint Imaging chip V3+ on the X100 Ultra, combined with super-resolution algorithms, further enhances video clarity and tones, improves optical crosstalk in CMOS imaging through large-scale modeling technology, and enhances telephoto image quality. These investments in hard technology give the product a competitive advantage that is difficult for competitors to surpass.
In fact, vivo's technical investment in mobile imaging goes far beyond chips. From precision leapfrogging technology in the optical field, GLC nano-coating, ultra-high-transmittance glass lenses, custom high-precision motors, to sensor-related VCS biomimetic spectral technology, deltaE 3.44 color restoration, black and white mode based on 14-bit grayscale... everything is aimed at establishing a truly benchmark-level ultra-large cup imaging flagship.
vivo is committed to creating a humanized professional imaging experience. At the "Imaging New Blueprint ∙ X Series Technology Communication Conference" held on May 21, vivo's Vice President and Vice President of Imaging, Yu Meng, pointed out that independent innovation and collaborative innovation are the two strategic pillars of vivo's imaging. The newly launched Blueprint Imaging by vivo represents the cognitive and technological accumulation of vivo's imaging in key scenarios. It is a combination of vivo's self-developed sensor technology, self-developed algorithms, self-developed imaging chips, and other imaging technologies, reflecting vivo's vision for the future.
Looking at the entire technical landscape of Blueprint Imaging, it is evident that vivo has accumulated a wealth of technical expertise through long-term investment in technology. From optical modules, CMOS, image signal processing engines, to chips and computational photography algorithms, vivo has covered almost the entire chain. This includes successful independent innovations by vivo, such as achieving 100% self-developed core algorithms, VCS biomimetic spectral technology, and self-developed Blueprint Imaging chips, as well as results of cooperation with research partners, including Zeiss optical lenses, T* coatings, and sensor universal design solutions optimized in collaboration with Sony and Samsung.
Adhering to long-termism over a decade, focusing on technology, played a crucial role in enabling the "super-sized cup" configuration of the X100 Ultra.
02
Resonance between Technology and Experience
In the evolutionary history of vivo's imaging technology, a very crucial milestone event was the strategic cooperation with Zeiss.
At that time, the prevailing trend in the industry was co-branding, with almost every smartphone manufacturer seeking a traditional camera manufacturer to endorse their own camera systems. However, this co-branding mostly remained at the brand level, with traditional camera manufacturers not getting involved in product development, more of a "badge-engineering" approach.
Many early on thought that the collaboration between vivo and Zeiss would be just another typical co-branding. In reality, the two parties jointly established a joint imaging laboratory and made very targeted breakthroughs in the most complex and precise optical systems in the imaging system. This collaboration gradually expanded from optical lenses and coatings to color reproduction, chromatic aberration control, and other areas.
The duration of the collaboration between the two parties is much longer than imagined, now entering its fifth year, and a new joint research and development contract was signed in March this year.
It is easy to see that behind many breakthroughs in imaging experiences by vivo in recent years, one can see the influence of Zeiss. For example, an issue that has troubled many smartphone users, the appearance of "ghosting" in nighttime lighting, is caused by multiple reflections of strong light between lens elements. The lenses and coatings developed through the collaboration between vivo and Zeiss have effectively addressed this problem.
With the advancement of computational photography, many photos taken with smartphones have become clearer. However, issues such as exposure brightness, white balance, and color can make the photos look "artificial" with a "plastic-like" appearance. This can affect the tone and color reproduction process. Vivo's Zeiss Natural Color technology helps address this problem.
For smartphone manufacturers, imaging is a complex system. It involves intricate technical aspects, so flagship phones often highlight a key technological concept as a selling point, such as the size and pixel count of the CMOS sensor. Simultaneously, user experience is a complex composition influenced by various factors. It's not just about capturing clear images; they also need to look aesthetically pleasing, have a high success rate, and be user-friendly. Only by balancing both aspects, developing technology while maintaining a keen sense of user experience, can exceptional products be created.
On the X100 Ultra, Vivo's major technological upgrade focuses on image quality. The main camera features a new one-inch sensor, the LYT-900. The telephoto lens not only uses a Zeiss APO lens with an 85mm f2.67 aperture but also includes a one-inch, 200-megapixel HP9 sensor and fluorite-grade FCD100 glass lens elements to reduce chromatic aberrations common in telephoto shots. All four cameras are equipped with VCS biomimetic spectral technology, bringing sensor performance closer to human eye perception, enhancing light sensitivity and color reproduction. Through integrated software and hardware innovation, the X100 Ultra's telephoto capabilities achieve a breakthrough, earning the title of "King of 20x Zoom." The telephoto macro lens can achieve a 20x equivalent 3.4:1 magnification ratio, showcasing formidable telephoto capabilities.
Based on its excellent image quality, vivo has further enhanced the tonality and color performance of the X100 Ultra. Leveraging Zeiss Natural Color, vivo has focused on optimizing the color accuracy in the shadows of photos, raising the overall deltaE to 3.44, surpassing many professional cameras. For users, in addition to Zeiss Natural Color, they can still choose a more vibrant and saturated "Vibrant" style, emphasizing the contrast of light and shadow with a "Texture" color to achieve their desired visuals. Additionally, vivo has introduced a new black and white color style, capturing delicate and rich grayscale variations, paired with a documentary street photography camera, empowering users to enjoy a more authentic street photography experience.
The most significant upgrade for the X100 Ultra in specific scenarios is in "portraits." With this new 85mm telephoto lens, the signal-to-noise ratio has increased by 350% compared to the previous generation, and the resolution has improved by 50%. This means that even in "long shots," users can achieve extremely high portrait resolution, capturing details like eyes, eyelashes, and hair strands sharply. Furthermore, colors outside the focus area do not scatter, maintaining the purity of the image.
Finally, the X100 Ultra excels in video capabilities with its self-developed Blueprint Image Chip V3+, coupled with the LYT-900 main camera and HP9 large sensor telephoto lens, bringing the recording specifications of a professional video camera to a smartphone. It achieves the ability to shoot in 4K at 120fps across multiple focal lengths, enhances stabilization, expands dynamic range, and delivers excellent contrast performance and shadow detail even in complex low-light conditions. Specifically tailored for the popular trend of capturing distant scenes at concerts in recent years, vivo not only enhances the telephoto capabilities but also optimizes noise reduction and sound capture with the microphone. By utilizing all these technologies, users can capture the visuals they desire.
Over the past two years, vivo has advocated for "humanized professional imaging." This phrase succinctly encapsulates the resonance between technology and user experience. Throughout the development of its imaging system, vivo has implemented various technologies, ultimately focusing on a simple user experience, accurate imaging, and aesthetically pleasing results. Even in functions like scanning codes, the X100 Ultra achieves "super long-distance scanning" up to 40 meters away through its telephoto optical zoom and high pixel capabilities.
"Humanization + Professionalism" may sound like an abstract concept, but it actually requires extensive technological accumulation and experience transformation over a long period to achieve a seamless effect. By resonating technology and experience, optimizing small features one by one to impress users, vivo has garnered acclaim.
The future of mobile imaging lies in simplifying complexity. Looking back at the entire historical context of mobile imaging technology development, early users focused on specifications such as CMOS size, pixel count, aperture size, zoom multiples, etc. Subsequently, users began to pay attention to technical aspects like performance in low light, white balance, and color accuracy, prompting manufacturers to seek solutions to these issues.
As technology advanced, various functional concepts became increasingly complex. Today's users are more inclined to find answers through experience, as a compelling image speaks louder than technical details.
This is why the best-selling cameras on the market today are not necessarily the most advanced full-frame cameras. Many users are now embracing old CCD digital cameras and disposable film cameras, sparking a nostalgic retro trend. Cameras with residual frames from Ricoh and Fujifilm have become highly sought after, with demand outstripping supply.
The simplistic technical concept of "higher pixels are better, larger aperture is better, brighter exposure is better, clearer shadow details are better" is becoming outdated. In such a market environment, manufacturers are challenged to perfect their products even further.
In fact, vivo recognized this trend early on. While most manufacturers were focused on artificially increasing image brightness through computational photography, vivo aimed to restore the "correct tonality" and emphasized aesthetics over specifications.
In the future, mobile imaging will need to simplify complexity, hiding the technical intricacies and focusing on helping users capture the photos they desire.
The black and white color style introduced on the X100 Ultra this time is a great example, including further enhancing the anti-shake performance, helping users broaden the scenes for capturing, finding more extreme shooting angles, and capturing fleeting moments.
They also emphasize that the X100 Ultra will be a more creative humanistic street photography camera.
All these efforts are condensed under the "Blueprint Imaging." It not only embodies vivo's long-term commitment to technology but also represents vivo's confidence in assisting users in creating effortlessly.
*Cover image source: Visual China
This article is an original piece from Geek Park. For republishing, please contact Geek Park on WeChat at geekparkGO
Geek's Question
Vivo's development in imaging,
What inspiration has it brought to you?
