Vivo's new brand is coming, self-developed imaging technology challenges Zeiss, can Huawei continue to lead?
Mobile phone imaging technology has always been a key area for major manufacturers. In recent years, vivo has launched a number of flagship models equipped with ZEISS certified lenses through cooperation with ZEISS, and its imaging strength has been recognized by the industry. However, with the continuous improvement of independent research and development capabilities, vivo seems to be ready to get rid of its dependence on external suppliers and launch a new self-developed image brand.
According to the latest revelations, vivo is about to debut its self-developed imaging brand on its new generation of flagship X90 series mobile phones. Judging from the renders that have been leaked, the new brand logo is a pattern similar to the word "V", and the design is simple and elegant.
Industry insiders pointed out that the launch of vivo's self-developed image brand is mainly to further improve the independent and controllable ability of the mobile phone imaging system. Long-term reliance on external suppliers not only poses certain risks, but also limits vivo's in-depth optimization and innovation of imaging systems.
Through independent research and development of imaging hardware and algorithms, vivo can better integrate software and hardware resources to achieve system-level optimization, thereby bringing users a better imaging experience. The self-developed brand will also help vivo to develop in a broader field in the future, such as wearable devices, in-vehicle systems, etc.
Completely replacing traditional lens suppliers such as Zeiss will not happen overnight. ZEISS has been working in the field of mobile phone lenses for many years, and its optical technology and process level have been quite mature. Whether vivo's self-developed imaging technology can catch up in the short term remains to be tested by time.
It is understood that the research and development of vivo's self-developed image brand has been held for many years and a lot of manpower and material resources have been invested. In addition to hardware, vivo has also made a lot of innovations at the software level such as image algorithms and computational photography.
For example, vivo has launched a number of self-developed image chips, such as professional image chip V1+, video chip V1, etc., which can provide powerful computing power support for mobile phone photography and videography. In terms of algorithms, vivo also has a variety of self-developed optimization algorithms such as portraits, landscapes, and night scenes.
In connection with the above, vivo's investment in self-developed imaging technology can be said to be very large. So how does vivo's strength compare to the industry-leading Huawei?
Huawei has been leading the industry in the field of imaging technology for many years, and its self-developed imaging chips and algorithms are in a leading position. For example, Huawei's latest flagship P60 Pro is equipped with a Leica imaging system, with a zoom lens, a large bottom main camera and other black technologies, and its photography strength has won unanimous praise.
Compared with Huawei, vivo still has a certain gap in imaging hardware and algorithms. Vivo is investing more in the hope of shrinking or even surpassing Huawei in the next few years.
From the hardware point of view, vivo has launched self-developed image chips such as V1+, but compared with Huawei's flagship ISP chip, there is still a certain gap in comprehensive strength. vivo is expected to increase its investment in computing power in future chip iterations to further improve performance.
In terms of algorithms, vivo is also sparing no effort to develop various photo optimization algorithms, covering multiple scenarios such as portraits, landscapes, and night scenes. However, compared with Huawei's long-term accumulation of algorithm libraries, vivo's algorithm is still relatively simple. In the future, it is necessary to increase the number and complexity of algorithms.
In addition to hardware and algorithms, the overall tuning of the imaging system is also crucial. In this regard, Huawei has made great efforts over the years to optimize the software and hardware collaboratively, and has formed a complete solution. And vivo needs to be strengthened in this area.
vivo also has some unique skills of its own. For example, vivo has made a lot of innovations in areas such as micro-gimbal stabilization and sports shooting, bringing users a better image experience.
There is still a certain gap between vivo and Huawei in imaging technology, but they are rapidly catching up. The competition between the two sides in this area will become even more intense.
In addition to vivo and Huawei, other domestic mobile phone manufacturers are also increasing investment in the field of imaging technology. The industry is becoming increasingly competitive, bringing more choices to consumers.
For example, OPPO's latest Find X6 Pro is equipped with the Hasselblad imaging system, which has exclusive optical image stabilization technology, which performs well in night shots. The Xiaomi Mi 13 Ultra uses the Leica Professional Imaging System, and the main camera is equipped with a large bottom main camera, which is expected to further improve the image quality performance.
In the future, mobile phone imaging technology will continue to develop rapidly, and all manufacturers will continue to innovate at multiple levels such as hardware and algorithms in order to occupy an advantage in this important user experience field.
Traditional lens suppliers such as Zeiss and Leica will also face certain challenges in their position in the field of mobile phone imaging. With the continuous improvement of mobile phone manufacturers' self-research capabilities, they may be gradually marginalized in the future.
This change did not happen overnight. Zeiss, Leica and other brands have accumulated hundreds of years of technical precipitation in the field of optics, and their technological level is still ahead of mobile phone manufacturers. They will still occupy a place in the high-end flagship models for some time to come.
But in the long run, the development trend of mobile phone manufacturers' self-developed imaging technology seems irreversible. They may be able to take full control of the mobile phone imaging system, achieving true autonomy and control.
For consumers, the competition between mobile phone manufacturers and traditional lens suppliers will eventually bring about an overall improvement in the image experience. In the future, mobile phone cameras will have better image quality and more powerful shooting functions, bringing users an unprecedented image experience.