Vivo NEX 3 5G revealed with 'waterfall' screen and buttonless design

Vivo's new NEX 3 series is now official. While it doesn't come with the crazy 120W charging previously expected, it does go for a buttonless design and "waterfall" curved display with no notch or bezel. What we presume to be the flagship of the series also gets 5G support.

SPECS

Chipset	Snapdragon 855 Plus
Screen	"Waterfall" 6.89" 2256x1080 OLED.
RAM	8/12GB
Storage	256GB UFS 3.0
Rear cameras	64MP (main), 13MP (wide-angle), 13MP (telephoto)
Battery	4500mAh, 44W charging
Dimensions	167.44x76.14x9.4mm, 218.5g
Software	Android 9.0 (Funtouch 9.1)

Physically, the NEX 3 5G is almost all screen, with widely curved edges tapering to a buttonless frame and a glass back. Instead of those buttons, it has something called "Touch Sense" for touch-sensitive controls alleged to provide haptic feedback similar to a real button.

Spec-wise, you're looking at the new Snapdragon 855 Plus, paired with either 8 or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of fast UFS 3.0 storage. The OLED screen has a strongly curved radius, sure to be a polarizing feature, paired with a lower 1080p-equivalent resolution for the large 6.89" size. It can reach 800 nits of brightness, with 100% P3 wide color coverage and an "anti-flicker" feature for lower brightness modes.

When it comes to the cameras, you get a 64MP primary and two 13MP for wide-angle and telephoto duty. Vivo also touts improved HDR performance and macro functionality. There's also a pop-out front-facing 16MP camera.

When it comes to connectivity, the NEX 3 5G features an "upgraded antenna design" for 5G-optimized performance, powered by Qualcomm's hardware. For those that can't take advantage of that extra speed, it will also have dual WLAN support for simultaneous connections, all powered by a biggish 4500mAh battery, and cooled by a vapor chamber. It also supports Bluetooth 5, "global frequency bands" and NFC. Improved haptics and a pile of AI features and improvements round out the list.

Vivo also wants to make it clear that, although the NEX 3 Series is only 5G compatible, the company is already gearing up for "the more challenging and unknown field of 6G," because the only thing more compelling than preparing for something that doesn't even exist is marketing that you're doing it.

Availability is set for "the coming months" in Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, and other markets — almost certainly not to include the US. For more details, check out the full press release after the break.

PRESS RELEASE

Vivo Goes Beyond Edges with the NEX 3 Series, Offering Users the Best All-Around 5G Experience

SHANGHAI, Sep. 16, 2019 -- Vivo today revealed its new NEX 3 smartphone series at a launch event in Shanghai, China. A realization of vivo’s ongoing commitment to future technologies, the NEX 3 series will feature 5G and 4G versions, combining vivo’s latest breakthrough innovations and redefining the standard of flagship devices and the mobile experience. Packed with vivo’s industry-leading 5G technologies, innovative display design concept and intelligent applications, the NEX 3 series elevates the user smartphone experience and adds another milestone to the flagship series.

“The NEX 3 series is testament to vivo’s commitment to the future of smartphone design and development. It demonstrates vivo’s continuous redefinition and breaking of boundaries, and pursuit of perfection, by providing users with advanced technology and an innovative product experience. Carrying the innovative DNA of the NEX brand, the NEX 3 series offers one of the most premium mobile experiences and best all-around flagship devices available today – and is leading the smartphone industry into a new stage of exploration in the 5G era,” said Spark Ni, Senior Vice President of vivo.

Vivo Frontier Technology Creates the Optimal 5G Experience

Building on vivo’s expertise in 5G R&D, NEX 3 5G brings industry-leading capabilities for powerful 5G connectivity and a secure network experience. This includes vivo’s upgraded antenna design which incorporates new technologies developed by vivo, such as 5G-6 antenna design, for enhanced signal in any scenario. Powered by Snapdragon 855 Plus, Qualcomm’s first 5G solution, and UFS 3.0 high-speed flash memory, NEX 3 5G provides top computing performance, smooth multitasking capabilities, ultra-high download speeds (over 1Gbps), ultra- low latency and robust network reliability. The dual WLAN Acceleration technology in NEX 3 5G can use two Wi-Fi signal networks at the same time to greatly boost the network speed, facilitate smoother use and enable users to say farewell to delays and stutters.

To support 5G’s high energy consumption, vivo has further optimized NEX 3 5G’s stamina and thermal conductivity. A super capacity battery (4500mAh) gives users the fuel to go through their day feeling unrestrained, while vivo Super FlashCharge 44W and C-DRX power-saving technologies ensure low power is a thing of the past. The Vapor Chamber Cooling System meanwhile supplies power while remaining cool even with heavy 5G usage. NEX 3 5G is equipped with 8GB/12GB+256GB storage. It also supports global frequency bands and NFC.

Behind NEX 3 5G's leading 5G technology is vivo's long-standing development of communication technology. Vivo is pioneering 5G technology standardization, actively participating in standards development for 3GPP 5G. In fact, as it stands today, NEX 3 5G will be one of first mass- produced 5G smartphones commercially available in the market.

Vivo has also raced ahead into the more challenging and unknown field of 6G. Although 5G commercialization has just kicked off, vivo has realized that the future explosive growth of data and the wider application of AI technologies will bring the next wave of challenges in communication. Therefore, vivo has taken the lead in 6G technology R&D, participated in

B5G/6G seminars initiated by the industry, and also developed a number of partnerships with universities regarding research on cutting-edge 6G technology.

Breakthrough Design including FullViewTM Display

The ground-breaking new POLED Waterfall FullViewTM Display stretches the smartphone screen beyond limits with flawless curved edges that flow with sleek elegance. Building on its predecessor’s FullViewTM Display design, NEX 3 5G’s screen extends along two sides - the dual curved borderless design provides users with broader views and a more immersive visual experience. At 6.89 inches, the notch-free display has a significantly improved screen-to-body ratio of 99.6%, providing consumers with a breathtaking visual experience every time they pick up their phone.

The display is also equipped with several innovative technologies, including E3 luminescent materials to achieve multilevel display brightness from 1.9 to 800 nits - reducing harmful blue light and reducing power consumption - whilst supporting HDR10, 100% coverage of P3 wide color gamut and low-brightness anti-flicker, for a comfortable, user-friendly screen experience.

In addition, the display’s multi-scenario ambient light on the curved screen’s edge opens the door to a new audiovisual adventure with music rhythm recognition and unique notification reminders. An ambient light show can take place, for instance, when users play music or when calls are incoming.

Plus, NEX 3 5G hides physical buttons from sight, creating a seamless, touch-controlled unibody design. Thanks to its X-axis Haptic Vibration motor, Touch Sense can respond with haptic feedback just like physical buttons for some functions, delivering an experience that’s tangible, comfortable and futuristic. In-Display Fingerprint Scanning also allows users to step into their mobile world both instantly and safely.

Premier Photo-Shooting Experience with Triple Camera Setup

On NEX 3 5G’s back cover sits a round panel with three cameras, recreating the classic Lunar Ring Camera System. NEX 3 5G flexes its superiority in photography with a 64MP main camera, 13MP wide-angle camera and a 13MP telescopic camera - this triple camera means wide-angle, telescopic and macro capabilities are just a click away. Making super HD clarity as a standard for all photos, NEX 3 5G’s upgraded camera allows users to capture life’s splendor down to every last detail.

Users can also bring beauty out of the shadows with features such as Portrait Master’s Hyper- HDR of up to 7.65eV - designed for portraits, it increases dynamic range accuracy between a user’s face and the background’s lightest spot, to ensure that the focal point stands out against backlight. In addition, the Pro Mode helps users master photography without all the heavy kit and hassle.

With a 16MP Elevating Front Camera, NEX 3 5G carries on the signature NEX style. Not only does it make way for the perfect FullViewTM Display, it turns every selfie into a unique experience. A purpose-fit motor and customized gear box ensure smooth elevation that operates stably.

Artificial Intelligence for Variety of User Scenarios

Vivo’s AI assistant Jovi has been upgraded again on NEX 3 5G, enabling a fully intelligent flagship experience based on the vivo Computation Acceleration Platform (VCAP). The platform not only accelerates NEX 3 5G’s fundamental system, it also offers AI algorithms for software optimization and enhanced user habit learning for deeper AI integration – providing an impressive speed boost with a personalized experience. Jovi has several upgraded applications, including Jovi Smart Scene, which supports users with daily tasks, and AI Video Editor, which enables users to relive their greatest hits using AI by cleverly identifying faces and moments from videos and using them to create highlight reels.

With VCAP, other AI-based tasks have also been upgraded - Jovi Image Recognizer is now faster and more accurate than ever before. It helps users categorize their albums, perform smart searches within them, detect scenes and group faces. It makes scanned documents look perfect, and much more.

The Future of Superior Audio

The AK4377A independent audio chip delivers the quintessential vivo Hi-Fi experience, allowing users to enjoy a more immersive music experience, relive favorite concerts or get lost in most- loved songs.

Additionally, vivo launched its first Bluetooth earphone at the event – the vivo True Wireless Stereo (TWS) Earphone maintains consistent high-quality audio with the Qualcomm Bluetooth platform and dual delivery technology, bringing users a unique and outstanding smart listening experience in different scenarios.

The NEX 3 series will be available in the coming months in Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia and other markets.

About vivo

Vivo is a leading global technology company committed to creating trendsetting smart mobile products and services. Vivo is devoted to forming a vibrant mobile internet ecosystem, and currently owns and operates an extensive network of research operations, with R&D centers in the San Diego and Dongguan, Shenzhen, Nanjing, Beijing and Hangzhou. These centers focus on the development of cutting-edge consumer technologies including 5G, AI, mobile photography and next-generation smartphone design.

Vivo has over two hundred million users enjoying its mobile products and services around the world. Vivo is present in 18 markets globally and features offline retail stores in over 1,000 cities worldwide.

More information about our innovative smartphones can be found at www.vivo.com.