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09 Oct

Vivo X70 Pro+ Review: Lives Up to The Spec Sheet’s Promise

October 9, 2021
Posted by Samson

The Vivo X70 Pro + is taken out of the pocket.

Vivo X70 Pro + Review: Keeps Promise, But Just Try To Find It

RRP $ 1,060.00

“The impressive Vivo X70 Pro + delivers what its monster data sheet promises with a unique gimbal video camera and a beautiful screen. It's a shame you can't find it in your local store. "

advantages

Nice 120Hz AMOLED screen
Impressive gimbal stabilization for videos
Versatile camera zoom functions
Fastest processor available

disadvantage

Big and heavy
Software has yet to be polished
You have to work to find one

If you're a spec lover and happiest when you compare your smartphone to your friends', this is the Vivo X70 Pro + will be a phone that you will absolutely love. From monster camera specs to notable brand partnerships and even bespoke chips, the X70 Pro + seems to define what most consider a flagship smartphone.

However, it is not a good idea to buy a phone based on what it says on the spec sheet. Does everything Vivo advertise on the X70 Pro + actually make it a good smartphone?

draft

The back of the X70 Pro + is made of glass with, according to Vivo, a fluorite treatment. This means that it doesn't feel like glass at all, but takes on a nice matte finish with a pleasant, subtle texture that increases its grip. It doesn't get covered in fingerprints or smudges, but my phone has collected a few scratch marks after just a week of use, suggesting that it may not wear out very well over time.

The Vivo X70 Pro +. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

This is a huge phone in your hand. With a thickness of just under 9 mm and 213 grams, it is not for everyone who wants to use their mobile phone with one hand very often or who wants to slip it into their pocket without being noticed. The tapered sides aren't too sharp so holding it for long periods isn't tiring, but you will notice the weight. In terms of size and proportions, it is right at the top with the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.

The rear camera module is a large rectangle, just without the design flair of the S21 Ultra's similarly huge module, and it sits next to a reflective section that I assume will help the rear camera take selfies. It's more funhouse mirror than anything else, however, and Vivo has pounded its branding right in the middle for maximum distraction. Don't expect to use it for anything other than the basic intake composition.

The Vivo X70 Pro + held in the hand. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It's not a conventionally pretty phone – there are too many rectangles on the back for that – but the matte glass surface gives it a stealthy style, and everything feels incredibly valuable and well made. It's a shame there is no other color than black, and the overall size and weight can put some people off.

screen

Let's do the numbers first. The AMOLED screen is 6.78 inches tall with a maximum resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and a switchable refresh rate of either 60 Hz or 120 Hz. This gives it a pixel density of 517 ppi, plus a peak brightness of 1500 nits and HDR10 + support and is able to display a billion colors.

The screen of the Vivo X70 Pro +. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

You'll have to manually enable the full resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, but once you do that and set the brightness to maximum, the X70 Pro + 's screen is stunning. The menus just slide by as you scroll through them and the video looks amazing. The yellow of the Porsche 718 Cayman in this Carfection video at 2160p simply pops off the screen, paired with deep blacks and wonderful details.

The same qualities are shown in the bright, colorful music video for Jo Yuris Glassy, which also brings out the excellent stereo speakers of the X70 Pro +. There is tons of volume and it has a nice tone and balance. The bass isn't strong, but that's to be expected given the size of the speakers.

Video playback on the Vivo X70 Pro +. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I had no problem viewing in sunlight due to the high brightness, but the curved sides caused a few problems when wiping. Swiping words that start with the letter P requires precise finger placement as it is too easy to turn on the back gesture or select the letter O instead. This type of inaccuracy isn't unique to the X70 Pro +, but it's more noticeable here than other curved screens, suggesting the software needs tweaking. I certainly won't let that bother me when the rest of the screen and audio on the X70 Pro + is so wonderful.

camera

Ready spec fans? The main camera of the X70 Pro + has 50 megapixels, optical image stabilization (OIS) and an aperture of f / 1.6 and is supported by a 48 MP ultrawide camera with gimbal-controlled OIS, a 12 MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and a 5x optical 8 MP zoom complements the periscope camera. The latter two also have OIS. The cameras are covered with glass and partner Zeiss provided a special coating to minimize lens flair and create more natural colors. It's all controlled by Vivo's own V1 imaging chip, which is separate from Qualcomm's main processor.

Taking photos with the Vivo X70 Pro +. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

That is the hardware that is covered, but there are also more software modes than you will realistically ever need. There are four bokeh modes developed by Zeiss, the night mode, a pro mode, A.I. Scene optimization, an automatic macro mode, a color optimization setting developed by Zeiss, a super moon mode, 8K video recording, an eerie horizontal stabilization setting, filters, a comprehensive editing suite and much more.

The unusual gimbal really works and cannot be compared to any other smartphone

All of this makes the X70 Pro + lots of creative fun, but many of the features are relatively niche. Few people have an 8K TV to enjoy, for example, 8K videos recorded on the phone, but not everything falls into this category. The unusual gimbal really works and cannot be compared to any other smartphone. It stabilizes the video to the point where you wonder if it is actually playing. The only downside might be that you're limited to 1080p, but it doesn't matter if the results are this impressive.

Take a look at the Vivo X70 Pro Plus camera gimbal when it is used for video 🎥

It's pretty amazing stuff!

Complete my review this week. # vivoX70Series # vivoX70Pro # vivoX70proplus pic.twitter.com/QL1J85bsLh

– Andy Boxall (@AndyBoxall) October 7, 2021

Taking pictures with the X70 Pro + shows that it is extremely capable. The two optical zoom cameras give it incredible versatility, the massive main sensor – a Samsung ISOCELL GN1 – adds lots of natural bokeh, and the HDR is very effective. Negative? Because of the large sensor, it is not a fan of focusing on nearby objects when macro mode is not active, and in some situations it oversaturates the color levels. It's also a little inconsistent, and will generally benefit from Vivo tweaking the software further, since photos aren't always very natural or representative of what you see on screen or in real life.

Vivo did a big deal with Zeiss' bokeh modes, so how are they? You are dramatic. There are four in total, each of which gives a different look to the background blur based on Zeiss camera lenses. Brighter and noticeably more blurred (in a positive sense) than standard portrait shots, the photos still suffer from edge detection problems, which are often more noticeable in the artificially improved images from Zeiss. But if you play around long enough, you can take some very nice selfies using the mirrored area on the back of the phone.

The X70 Pro + 's camera is impressive. It keeps the promise that the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra couldn't quite deliver on, and the sheer range of features and modes makes it a strong alternative to the excellent Galaxy S21 Ultra, although the final images still need some tweaking before the results are correct can use the S21-Ultra.

Software and performance

Android 11 is installed with FunTouchOS 12 from Vivo. It's similar to Oppos ColorOS in that it looks very different on a Pixel phone than Android, with more customized icons and menus and lots of apps preinstalled. and his own way of doing things. It's been reliable, it's fast, and once you've spent time getting the look and style right, it's pretty too.

The game is played on the Vivo X70 Pro +. Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It still has its frustrations, however. The always-on screen is a good example. You turn it on, but by default the always-on display is only shown for a short time before it fades out. In order for it to actually stay as you asked, you need to delve further into the settings. Even then, you find that not all display options show notifications. It's inevitably a battery-saving thing, but it's very annoying. It's something that you can find everywhere, e.g. B. the screen resolution, which is set to a lower number of pixels by default.

All of my usual apps are installed for some reason with the exception of the Amazon Shopping app, and notifications can be interacted with on the lock screen, but I've found Google Discover crashing and sometimes throwing me back to the home screen. FunTouchOS 12 adds attractive and very useful widgets. I especially like the weather widget with its scrollable daily forecast and the Apple Music widget. First released on the X70 range, I felt more at home with FunTouchOS 12 than any version before it, which is great news.

It seems like I haven't mentioned some numbers in a while, so let's change that. Inside there is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ processor with a 5G modem and either 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB or 512 GB of storage space. There's Bluetooth 5.2 with AptX Adaptive for audio and NFC for Google Pay. The fingerprint sensor under the screen is very fast, but is usually beaten by the even faster face unlock system.

Given the processor inside, it's no surprise that the X70 Pro Plus doesn't have any performance issues. I've played Genshin Impact and Asphalt 9: Legends and it both shrugged, even with the settings all enabled in the phone's game mode.

battery

I used the X70 Pro + for a week with the default settings, which means a resolution of 2400 x 1080 and the refresh rate that changes automatically. It lasted two full days on a single charge without any problems. Enable full resolution and increase the refresh rate to 120Hz, then add an hour of games and other general uses and the battery was around 20% by the end of the day.

The bottom of the Vivo X70 Pro +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The top of the Vivo X70 Pro +.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Charging takes place via a wired 55 watt charger, which is included, as well as wireless charging with up to 50 W. In 20 minutes, the 4,500 mAh battery was charged by about 60% and in about 50 minutes it reached a capacity of 100%.

Price and availability

Don't look for the Vivo X70 Pro + in any US store as it will likely never get an official release. However, you can import one. It will be available in China, India, Taiwan, and several other regions beginning October 12, before arriving later in the Middle East and parts of the Asia-Pacific region. We hope that there will also be an introduction in Europe and the UK.

Calculate about $ 1,060 for the 12GB / 256GB version. If you are planning to import it is advisable to ensure that the phone is the “global” version as the Chinese version runs the OriginOS software available only for China and not FunTouchOS.

Our opinion

The Vivo X70 Pro + is the best Vivo phone I've used so far. It's well made and durable, and it has a beautiful screen, feature-rich camera, performance, and for the first time ever software that I can live with on a daily basis without being annoyed or frustrated. It's not perfect, but FunTouchOS 12 can now hold its own alongside Oppos ColorOS and Realme’s RealmeOS.

The gimbal camera remains unique and the stabilization works very well which gives the phone a real edge. The other features sometimes border on the gimmicky, but the two optical zoom levels don't, which makes the X70 Pro Plus's camera very versatile and fun, while its overall ability to really keep up with the pace is a few software updates away from the best camera phones out there.

Is it more than a mega data sheet? Yes, the specs make for a great phone and camera experience, but there is still room for improvement in the photos and software. At this point, I'd normally be ready to recommend the phone, but I can't do this as the X70 Pro + hasn't gotten a wider version yet, so you really need to work on getting one in the US It's a shame there it has the potential to be a game changer for Vivo in regions where the brand is not well known.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes sir. The Vivo X70 Pro + is an immensely capable smartphone, but it's hard to come by in the US or UK, so we recommend the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Apple iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max instead, assuming you want a big screen and a great one Camera. Both deliver this and have a lot of power and ability.

How long it will take?

Made of metal and glass, the Vivo X70 Pro + is quite heavy, so we recommend putting it in a case for protection, and a surprisingly beautiful one comes with it. The phone also has an IP68 water resistance rating, so it can last up to 30 minutes underwater to a depth of about 1.5 meters.

Vivo’s software update policy applies to the X70 Pro + for three years, including major system releases and security patches. The spec of the phone is high and the Snapdragon 888+ processor is the fastest available right now. It lasts three years with no problems.

Should you buy it?

No. It's good, but if you live in the US, the Vivo X70 Pro + is a hassle to import, so your best bet is to buy a flagship phone that is available locally. However, the phone is very impressive and it is certainly the best Vivo phone I've used. So if you are happy to import or buy one where you live you won't be disappointed.

Editor's recommendations

15 Aug

Blog

QuietOn Sleep Review: ANC Earbuds That Promise Silent Sleep

August 15, 2020
Posted by Samson

QuietOn Sleep Earbuds

QuietOn Noise Canceling Earbuds

"When comfort and fit aren't in the way, these ANC earbuds are absolutely quiet."

Excellent noise cancellation
Very good noise isolation
Smallest ANC Earbuds You Can Buy
20 hours of battery life

Expensive
A battery is missing in the charging case
May not be comfortable enough to sleep in

The secret to a good night's sleep, depending on who you ask, is your diet, exercise, state of mind, your bedroom temperature, your bedroom's feng shui, or dozens of other factors. But most people agree that what you need most of all is a quiet place to sleep. Otherwise none of these other things matter.

But silence, like sleep itself, can be elusive, which is why QuietOn created the QuietOn Sleep earbuds for $ 200. They use ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) technology, which QuietOn says can block out more noise than foam earplugs alone.

Do they work and are they worth the price? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

QuietOn Sleep Earbuds Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The QuietOn Sleep earbuds come in a tiny black cardboard case. When you pull the main box out of the case, you'll find the earbuds in the charging case, two alternative sizes of foam earbuds, and a micro-USB charging cable.

Aside from a few printed instructions in different languages, that's all. You should be able to recycle all of the material if you don't want to save it.

design

The QuietOn Sleep looks like very small real wireless earphones. This similarity is reinforced by the use of a flip-top charging and storage case, which is heavily reminiscent of Theose for products like Apple's AirPods Pro and Jabra's Elite Active 75t.

However, this similarity can lead to problematic expectations. In contrast to real wireless earphones, which are charged with the built-in battery of the case, the QuietOn case does not have its own battery. It's practically just a protective charger. In order to actually charge the earphones, the case must be connected to the charging cable.

The case itself, like the QuietOn buds, is tiny and easily fits anywhere you want to keep it, whether it's a pocket or a wallet. The lid has a strong magnet that keeps it tightly closed. The hinge has no resistance at all and lets the lid open quickly, but doesn't do much to prevent it from flapping around.

How well can the QuietOn Sleep suppress noises? In a word: fantastic.

If you're used to true wireless earbuds, you know the importance of having them sit evenly in their charging cradles. If they're crooked, they're likely not charging properly.

So the first time you put the QuietOn back in their suitcase, you may get frustrated that they seem to wobble and never actually lock into place, even though there are internal magnets that try to help. You need to look beyond that – unlike real wireless earbuds, the QuietOn's charging contacts connect to the lid of the case, not the base. As long as each earbud is more or less seated in its respective slots, closing the lid will force everything to be properly aligned.

The earbuds themselves are remarkably small and their glossy black housings practically disappear into the concha of the ear. You have to look very carefully to notice the single button for the physical mode switch on each earbud that sits between the charging contacts.

Comfort, fit and control

QuietOn Sleep Earbuds Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

The bottom line with any object in your ear canal is that "comfort" is a relative idea. I've tried many foam earbuds over the years and I'm not sure if I would call them comfortable, but I'm sure you can get used to them.

I found it more difficult to get used to the feeling of the QuietOn Sleep.

I'm a side sleeper and just couldn't ignore the pressure QuietOn put in my ear.

Choosing the right size of earbuds (I ended up using the smallest size) is key, not only for comfort, but also for passive sound isolation that provides a good fit. The earbuds are made from high quality memory foam and are for sure the most comfortable earbud tips I've ever tried.

But it's the main part of the QuietOn that is a must-have in terms of convenience.

It has an acoustic guitar-like shape with one rounded section larger than the other. QuietOn recommends rotating the earbuds until the larger part is facing back. They know they're sitting correctly when the little "L" or "R" on the surface is level – not upside down or at an angle. Despite these instructions, I found it a little more convenient to flip the larger section.

As small as the body is, it's made of hard plastic and the rounded edges can't completely offset the straight sides and 90-degree corners. For me this meant that I was always aware that something was stuck in my ear.

According to QuietOn, the design is so ergonomic that even people who sleep on their sides will find the earbuds comfortable enough to use overnight. Granted, I'm a focus group of one, but I'm a side sleeper and I just couldn't ignore the pressure QuietOn put in my ear as I rested my head on the pillow. Your mileage, as they say, can vary, and I suspect that those who sleep on their backs will not be affected at all.

When I haven't slept, I've used the QuietOn as an alternative to my ANC headphones to block out the household noises that have become the background noise of my workdays since the pandemic began. They're comfortable enough that I could hold them in place for about three hours each, but my ears needed a break after that.

There is no power switch for the QuietOn. When you take them out of the storage case, they turn on, while replacing them turns them off.

They can reduce sound much better than normal earplugs.

When on, these tiny mode toggle buttons allow you to switch from full active noise cancellation to walk-through (which lets in external noise so you can chat with someone without removing the buds). Pushing is a little tricky and requires reasonable pressure to get to the click. I ended up using the edge of my fingernail to squeeze it as the fingertips turned out to be too soft (apparently, spending nine hours a day on a keyboard isn't enough to build up the right calluses).

Noise cancellation

Jabra Elite Active 75t (left) and QuietOn Sleep Earbuds Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Aside from comfort issues, how well can the QuietOn Sleep suppress noise? In a word: fantastic.

When it comes to low- to medium-frequency noise, like the roar of a fan in a bedroom at night or the kind of knocks and bumps received from a neighboring resident who thinks moving furniture at 3 a.m. is good is fun, the QuietOn act like a cone of silence and reduce these unwanted vibrations to a whisper.

They're more effective than Sony's ANC used for the excellent WH-1000XM4 headphones and WF-1000XM3 earbuds, and they even outperform Apple's AirPods Pro which have the best ANC of any earbud we've tried. I assume that they can handle aircraft noises properly.

Much more important, however, is that the QuietOn are not necessarily meant to compete with audio earbuds, as they are far better at reducing sound than regular earbuds.

I put them head to head (ear to ear?) With a set of free hotel-issued earplugs, a set I bought at my local pharmacy, and even a pair from Home Depot designed to block out harmful noises in the workplace. The QuietOn Sleep beat them all.

They are so good at creating silence that they actually introduced a new problem: my tinnitus, which I can usually completely ignore, was the only thing I could hear – a high pitched ringing thanks to the QuietOn & # 39; s Ceiling was immediately brought to the fore by everything else.

Battery life

According to QuietOn, the earbuds will work in ANC mode for 20 hours when fully charged, and it only takes an hour to charge from an empty state.

As far as I can tell, these numbers are correct. However, it is not possible to know how much charge is left in the earbuds. Unlike audio earbuds, there is no voice prompt to show the battery status, nor is there a visual indicator.

Your best strategy is to put the earbuds back in your pocket in the morning and plug the bag in to start charging. While charging, a blue LED indicator will appear on the case for each earbud.

Our opinion

If unwanted noise is preventing you from sleeping and you find the QuietOn Sleep comfortable enough to wear all night, $ 200 is a small price to pay for your ultimate silence.

Is there a better alternative?

QuietOn claims its earbuds are the smallest ANC devices on the market. And since Bose has decided to ditch its sleepbuds due to battery issues, there are no more set of fully wireless in-ear ANC earbuds to sleep in. However, there are several competing products that use different techniques, such as the AmazFit Zenbuds sound masking, but we didn't get a chance to test these out.

How long will they last?

Tiny, solidly built, and with just a single physical button, the QuietOn should be used for years. The foam earbuds need to be replaced occasionally – possibly every few months if used at night – but this is normal for earbuds.

QuietOn claims the batteries “will take thousands of charge cycles. With normal use, this would mean several decades. “They come with a one year guarantee.

Should you buy it?

Yes. With a 14-day return policy, you should have enough time to check whether the QuietOn are comfortable enough to sleep on. If so, you will love her.