Vivo has unveiled its latest V-series smartphone, the Vivo V80, bringing Zeiss camera technology, a substantial battery, and a growing collection of AI photography features to its latest mid-range contender.
The headline camera is a 50MP Zeiss Super Telephoto, featuring a 1/1.95-inch Sony IMX882 sensor, optical image stabilization, and 3x optical zoom. Vivo is particularly keen to push its portrait photography credentials, with a new ZEISS 100mm Center-Stage Portrait mode offering flattering perspectives, simulated Planar-style bokeh, and cinematic color grading.
The telephoto is joined by a 50MP main camera using Sony's 1/1.56-inch LYTIA 700V sensor, an ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP autofocus selfie camera. It's a respectable setup for a mid-range phone, although the relatively modest sensor sizes mean Vivo's image processing will have an important role to play in the final results.
Standard image
Image credit: Vivo
Weather and light re-imagined by AI
Image credit: Vivo
And Vivo certainly isn't holding back on AI. The new AI Creative Camera lets you completely transform the lighting in photographs, adding artificial sunlight, dramatic spotlights, or a flattering glow that wasn't there when you pressed the shutter. AI Best Face can rescue unfortunate expressions from Live Photos, while AI Magic Move can reposition subjects, AI Erase removes distractions, and AI Image Expander can extend the scenery beyond the original frame.
At this point, I'm beginning to wonder whether we'll ever need to take a good photograph again, or whether we'll simply take an average one and ask AI to sort everything out afterward. Joking aside, these tools offer some genuinely interesting creative possibilities, particularly for anyone who enjoys experimenting with portraits, even if they continue to blur the boundaries between capturing a moment and creating one.
Without flash
Image credit: Vivo
With CCD flash
Image credit: Vivo
There's also a CCD Flash Portrait mode, which recreates the punchy contrast and nostalgic colors of older digital cameras. It's another example of the current appetite for retro photography, although rather amusingly, we're now using sophisticated modern processing to recreate the imperfections we spent years trying to eliminate.
For video creators, the V80 offers 4K recording at 60fps on both front and rear cameras, alongside cinematic color presets, although more serious filmmakers might find the creative controls limited.
Elsewhere, there's a huge 7,200mAh battery with 90W charging, a 6.59-inch 144Hz OLED display, and a slim 7.69mm body.
The Vivo V80 will launch across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, with pricing and European and UK availability yet to be confirmed.
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