Smartphone industry is evolving at a breakneck speed: Yiran An, senior product manager, vivo Imaging Centre

Please note that this is a continuation of an interview published on Friday where Yiran An,senior product manager, vivo Imaging Centre talked about imaging capabilities, to mark the World Photography Day which fell on August 19.

by Sanath Nanayakkare

Q. Why do we sometimes get blurry images when capturing images?

It is very important to determine the right exposure at that right time! New age content creators, photographers, and creative minds confront a severe difficulty when shooting outside in low light, which results in poor, blurry photographs. However, as a camera-centric brand, we recognised this problem and built a one-stop solution in vivo’s premium series with futuristic camera smartphones equipped with improvements such as Gimbal Stabilization, OIS, EIS and much more. These technologies not only stabilise and sharpen images, but they also eliminate background noise, resulting in clearer faces and improved focus.

Technically speaking, vivo’s innovative software-hardware mechanism create synergy to increase shutter speed to capture clearer selfies and high-quality pictures and videos at any point of time. vivo’s V Series massively interests country’s youth, who incline towards mobile photography whereas X Series stands for professional imaging experience ensuring high-quality images utilized by professionals. We have combined the traditional OIS optical stabilization and EIS software stabilization based on the hardware stabilization to enhance the stabilization angle, smoothness, and stability of the video shooting to achieve an enhanced stabilization effect and experience. In addition, we further have also developed diversified creative shooting functions in X80 series such as 360° Horizontal Image Stabilization to make the phone have the functions of a professional sports camera. These advancements are successfully bridging the gap for a powerful photography device that suits the spirit of our age.

Q. Competition calls for innovation. How does vivo encounter this challenge?

Most of the people I meet still get amazed and curious that such a small device can capture outstanding photos using its multi-camera setup offered by various industry players. Well, it is correct, smartphone camera capabilities are proving to be a game changer. Smartphone manufacturers are complacent that inclusion of multiple camera setup has ensured more powerful cameras and this trend will continue. We have always pushed boundaries in terms of technology ever since its inception and vivo has been a pioneer in providing the latest technology, trendy design, and powerful smartphones to users.

Q. Integration of right software into the photography hardware must be critical for incredible results. How does vivo achieve this?

The smartphone industry is evolving at a break-neck speed. To survive and thrive in this digital era, the brands are getting acquainted with the changing mobile development trends. Today, the smartphone is the key to digital media success. It critically transforms business models and have grown to serve as our primary computing devices. As a leading imaging technology brand, we aim to provide new age digital technologies to build advanced software-hardware mechanism that creates synergy to capture clearer images and high-quality videos anytime, anywhere. For instance, ZEISS T*Coating deeply explores many coating processes to empower the night shooting experience with underlying technologies. We continuously optimize lens material to ensure superior imaging quality, our High-Transmittance Glass Lens, the material of which is frequently used in professional DSLR cameras, in X70 series. This optical material boasts the highest Abbe number (dispersion coefficient) in the phone sector. Additionally, Self-engineered technologies help optimize dynamic range, overall image quality and low-light capture capabilities of time-lapse shooting to easily deliver pro effects in vivo smartphones. Hence, these technologies put forth the idea of powerful hardware work together for a better software output.

Q. Are any of vivo smartphones equipped with a telephoto camera?

Yes! I can confidently say that we are dedicated to meet consumers’ growing demands for enhanced camera around the world. Observing that advanced camera has become a core part of consumers’ requirement we delivered X70 with the 60X Hyper Zoom, also known as the Periscope Camera, allows photographers to capture subjects from a great distance via the zooming algorithm. This feature helps turn faraway objects into strikingly vivid images while maintaining the quality of the image.

Q. When one buys a new smartphone, what should he or she know about its digital zooming capabilities?

With multiple lenses, advanced software and extensive zooms, the smartphone cameras on the very latest are beginning to seem even more advanced than actual cameras. While it is true that camera phones are witnessing active innovation, it is important to remember that many industry players are trying to squeeze performance features into flat devices. Users first need to decide how and when to zoom, sharp focal length with no loss in quality, artificially enlarged images, quality of lens, digital zoom algorithms, cropping and processing software should be considered when finding a dedicated camera smartphone.

Q. Where is vivo placed in AI technology sphere?

Equipped with AI capabilities, vivo smartphones can now capture spectacular images. Most industry players including vivo leverage computational photography techniques to boost the quality of images, and the arrival of AI has pushed the capabilities of computational photography to another level. From image recognition to imaging processing technologies vivo’s AI powered smartphones offer the foundation for a plethora of smart photography features and AI-powered image enhancing algorithms.

Q. What do you think will be the advancing digital technologies which will have immense potential in the near future?

When discussing the progress and transformation of smartphone camera technology, it is impossible not to include vivo the global technology company! We have set numerous milestones ranging from pop-up cameras and dual selfies to night cameras, AI portraits and OIS front camera. vivo has revolutionised the smartphone market by providing users with various cutting-edge technologies and we believe that in the future with fast paced technology, vivo will continue to develop in categories such as night photography, portraits, sports mode, videography, and other mobile photography features. vivo will continue to seek changing industry trends to pursue innovation based on users’ insights and strengthen technical capabilities for improving the overall standard of mobile photography.

Q. Finally, can you say with great honesty that vivo is a best camera phone one can buy right now?

As mobile photography is one of the vivo strategic tracks and we are investing resources to pioneer camera innovations. I can say that vivo today offers leading smartphones with futuristic innovation. We have strengthened our engagement with the consumers community with profound interests in photography and futuristic smartphone technologies. Keeping up with the Benfen concept of bringing the greatest technology and optimum user experience. Our global partnership with leader in optics, ZEISS to innovate imaging system for smartphones is a testament to that. It is rare to find a global smartphone technology company creating a series of advancements by bringing perfect fusion of camera technology at par with international technology and local needs. Our product offerings will provide highly improved concepts and features in the future to keep up with consumers’ desires, trust, and provide them with limitless opportunities to unfold the potential and allow customers to enjoy remarkable smartphone experiences.