vivo Global

Design changes to smartphones need to be meaningful to users in an "elegant and simple way", according to An Ren, X series head of industrial design at global technology brand vivo.

The X series is vivo’s photography flagship smartphone line, which Ren says truly embodies the global technology brand's human-centric design philosophy, and applies continuous subtle changes to improve user experience across all its smartphone designs.

"Mobile phones are used far beyond just making calls. People easily spend more than five hours on their phones every day, so we must create a phone that feels good for them,” Ren said.

Designing Smartphones as an
Extension of the Human Hand

"vivo leverages its design language to enhance the user experience offering comfortable grip, so a light and thin form factor is a vital part of vivo X series’ DNA,” said Ren. vivo has developed innovative ways to accommodate larger sensors and new camera system components while maintaining the slim signature design of the series, he explained.

The X60 series elevates the design aesthetic by adopting a more user-friendly form language, allowing for a more comfortable grip with a 3D curved screen design. The elegance of the device also stems from its slimness, with the X60 Pro measuring only 7.59 mm in thickness. The X70 devices continue this emphasis on comfort, measuring only 7.55mm in thickness, crafted to effortlessly rest in the palm of one's hand.

With an emphasis on comfort, the X70 device only measures 7.55mm thick

Designed for Simplicity
and Ease of Use

As part of its design philosophy, the brand said that its core aim is to create "design-driven" products. According to Ren, "design-driven" does not mean "designer-driven" or "user-driven" but instead examines user experiences and needs in different situations.

Every technical application the brand makes to its products is intended for a simple and easy user experience. For example, shaking is a major pain point for consumers as they may film within a car or when walking. The innovation of the gimbal camera stabilization system, first used in the X50 series, is aimed at reducing the shakiness and blurriness of handheld footage.

Making unlocking a smartphone easier and quicker is another important part of the user experience as consumers need to do it a hundred times a day. To simplify the screen unlocking process, vivo embraced fingerprint technology as early as 2016. The X20 smartphone released in 2018 featured the world’s first mass-produced in-display fingerprint sensor.

The X80 series, the latest series in the X lineup,boasts the first 3D ultrasonic dual fingerprint sensor that accurately identifies users’ fingerprints in just 0.2 seconds.*

Ultrasonic fingerprint sensors work by mapping the sound waves reflected by the pressure of fingerprints, which gives a more accurate reading of prints and can help increase the accuracy of fingerprint identification when hands are sweaty or oily. Not only making unlocking quicker, but also easier for consumers under different situations.

Every change to improve user experience is a result of tireless efforts. Ren said every generation of products must go through at least 400 testing models before the final one is selected that's ready for the market.

"The repeated testing is to make sure we deliver the right products that fit human intuition and nature," said Ren.

The Power of
Subtle Changes

In terms of aesthetics, vivo also aims to continually improve the product experience through subtle changes.

The brand introduced the industry-first “Dual Tone Step” design on its X50 series.

A stepped form was created to house the camera module on the back panel in order to reduce the visual thickness of the overall module. The combination of design elements to maintain the thin and light aesthetic encapsulates the core of vivo’s design philosophy, humanizing technology.

vivo introduced a "Dual Tone Step" design
on the camera module of its X50 phones

Inspired by elegant choker necklaces, the X50 series introduced a simple strip on the top side of the device, now featured on all X series devices. These simple straight lines serve as a signature design feature, and highlight the positioning of the X series as a photography flagship.

The choker-inspired design element of
the vivo X50 series, bearing the phrase
“PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRPAHY”.

In the design process, vivo also considers lifestyle trends as well as the social environment at the time.

For example, the X50 Series was launched at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, so vivo added the colour frost blue in addition to the anti-glare AG crafting technique to create a warm texture and glow out of the X50 smartphone's back panel with the intention of relaxing users during this stressful and uncertain time.

In its design of the X70 series, vivo incorporated uplifting colours, such as blue and green, as "people have lived with pandemic restrictions for too long, they need something to cheer them up", Ren said.

Mood boosting orange color on the X70 series

In its X70 series, vivo revealed a "Stepping Stone" design, which is informed by the landscape feature typically seen in Chinese gardens where stones are usually placed on shallow water, grass, or gravel to form a pathway.

“Stepping Stone” design on the X70 series

All vivo X series phones have an anti-glare technique applied to their back panels, which creates a frosted glass effect that also removes fingerprints and smudges, an elegant solution to keeping the phone clean.

The back panel on several X series models is made from vegan leather, which is intended to improve the texture of the phone and make it fingerprint-proof. Vegan leather was also chosen as according to vivo it is more durable than animal-derived leather and has been developed to mimic the "litchi pattern" texture seen in leather.

"The design language of the X Series is balance, elegance, and softness," said Ren. "Every generation of products must provide a balanced feeling to the users, a warm and soft shape, and be elegant visually."

To learn more about vivo, visit its website.

This article was written by Dezeen for vivo as part of a partnership. Find out more
about Dezeen partnership content here.

*All data is based on our technical design parameters, laboratory test results and supplier test data. Actual performance may vary depending on software version, specific test environment and phone model.

A Trip with Passion and Pursuit

iQOO Series Story

The iQOO series is not restrained by any boundaries. Driven by the zeal to carve out a unique path, breaking the mold of conformity, the iQOO series was born with a clear brand concept – I Quest On and On. Our designers skillfully combine the elements of speed, order, and simplicity to inspire creativity and empower users to unleash their potential.

High-Octane Designs
Inspired by Speed

The unquenchable desire to seek technological breakthroughs is embedded within the DNA of iQOO, and so is just as it the spark to redefine the limits of minds, which not only echoes the brand concept of “I Quest On and On,” but also empowers every user to strive forth unhindered to fearlessly explore the unknown.

Inspired by the speedy, passionate, and powerful motorsport, iQOO has been a Premium Partner of BMW M Motorsport since 2020. The iQOO 7 Legend and iQOO 9 Legend prioritize the thrill of design and are designed to bring unlimited excitement to users.

The tread marks left by this motorsport motivation can be seen in the smooth, iconic tricolor racing stripes featured on the back panel of these phones. The alluring red, black, and blue stripes signify the passion and enthusiasm of racing, the pursuit of technological innovation, and the excitement of exploring the unknown, respectively.

Like the motorsport that fuses passion, iQOO is always dedicated to fearlessly facing the challenges and chasing innovation. Through our powerful products, we want to resonate with every user and help them experience the unique charm of the “aesthetics of speed”.

Crafted to Provide a Sense
of Calm Amid Uncertainty

The post-pandemic era is full of change and uncertainty; people are adapting to new ways of living, trying to balance their lives in a mercurial world. In this age of anxiety and challenge, a sense of order would appear tobe elusive.

With our signature iQOO design, we aim to provide a sense of order to better help users in finding their own inner calm, as it is ourown internal sense of tranquility that endlessly powers us to face whatever challenges that might come our way in this post-pandemic era. Through a neat and logical style, our designers have sought to deliver a comfortable look that provides a sense of harmony to our users.

A straight line is the perfect visual representation of order. The tricolor racing stripes on the iQOO 7 Legend and the iQOO9 Legend epitomize this conception of order and represent the high-octane beauty of racing from which they are inspired.

iQOO designers created a grid system throughout the development of the iQOO 9 Pro. By incorporating a classic carbon fiber texture pattern, a large camera module and numerous other elements in the grid system, the iQOO 9 Pro has been able to present its “beauty of order” concept in one simple design.

The iQOO 9 Pro has also introduced a symmetrical design to better convey a sense of order. The slim design harmoniously fuses a perfectly arched top and bottom frame with a flexible screen and curvy back cover, thus achieving a balanced, symmetrical effect.

iQOO strives to be meticulous in terms of touch as well. The camera module glass of the iQOO 9 Pro Legend and iQOO 9 Legend adopts the micro-film condensing AG technology, which makes no compromise to achieve the beauty of order at both bright and matte effects.

To first coat the glass with light-sensitive ink and then follow up with masking exposure, development cleaning, etching and other complex procedures, the glass gradually present a mysterious and delicate matte AG effect.

After de-plating, the glass restores its original transparency, combining two different touching feels in one go.

If you look into its microstructure, you’ll find a world of order with lots of tiny “convex lens” which are analogous to the honeycomb pattern of water molecules. Compared with the previous micro-filming condensing AG glass, the new technology features specific tiny grain crystals with extremely small pores, which accelerate the air circulation speed between fingers and the glass, so as to bring a damped touch and avoid slippery while playing games.

Beauty in Simplicity

Simplicity has the understated power to inspire abstract ideas and emotions, to liberate one’s inner potential in order to transcend what was once thought possible and achieve newfound innovations; in short, less is more. This idea is embodied in traditional Chinese art, which makes use of negative space to convey more with less.

Our simplified designs are more attuned to the aesthetic needs of contemporary smartphone users, with every detail of iQOO’s products being crafted to provide a better user experience. For instance, the iQOO 7 series debuted the iconic Dual-Tone Step Design, now featured in both the iQOO Neo 6 series and iQOO 9 series, which skillfully hides the camera bump, bringing a clean and unified style to iQOO products, in addition to expressing a minimalist philosophy.

The rear camera module on iQOO 9 Pro and iQOO 9T adopts a highly symmetrical design like the sunroof of a racing car. The uncluttered design has vividly presented the sense of modern technology and the beauty of order. This highly recognizable design not only improve iQOO 9 Pro’s fine quality and valued sense, but also achieve an aesthetic and practical result.

Furthermore, the camera module has been attentively rounded to afford users a comfortable touch, as well as to ensure greater aesthetic simplicity overall. The smartphone also has a large, simple, unified camera module with blank space on the right side of the camera lenses, forming a neat focal point. These design elements have made the iQOO 9 Pro an effortless product that embodies an eye-pleasing, underlying simpleness, rendering an exceptional user experience.

At iQOO, we strive to make our products simple and durable without compromising on quality. The Aramid Fiber Material, which features low density and high strength, isapplied in iQOO 9 Pro Dark Cruise. There are countless attempts, 24800 mockup models and massive hardware cost behind the decision to leverage military-grade material on smartphones. This breakthrough makes iQOO 9 Pro not only a product with aesthetic simplicity, but also more durable and light weight.

Speed, order, and simplicity are the three design virtues we have strived for that blend nicely within iQOO’s innovative products. Thanks to our unparalleled designs and groundbreaking technologies, iQOO is committed to satisfying our global consumers with uniquely original, cutting-edge products.

Color Matters

Color is a powerful communication tool that can be used to influence mood and convey ideas. Color has emotional and psychological connotations. It has the ability to soothe tension or provoke a psychic vibration to stimulate our senses. As renowned artist Pablo Picasso once remarked, "Colors, like features, follow the changes ofthe emotions."

In this post-pandemic era when uncertainty and anxiety are ubiquitous, people are looking for joy and optimism in everyday life to help them face daily challenges. vivo designers have creatively expressed the desire for fresh air and open space through beautiful CMF (Color, Material, Finishing) designs based on hope and positivity.

We strive to encourage the world to explore the deeper connection between humanity and nature. With careful attention, innovative mindsets, and creativity, we aim to lift people’s spirits and arouse their optimism with our beautiful designs.

Sparkles and Shine -
Inspirations for the V Series

vivo aspires to bring a harmonic, positive and pleasant experience to every V series user. Our designers drew inspiration from nature, fashion, and daily lives, to create a unique set of colors for this series. From Stardust Black to Sunset Dazzle, each color is designed to stimulate creativity and bring joyfulness to the world.

Nature-Inspired Hue

V20 Midnight Jazz

Classic black tone on a delicate matte surface, with a subtle transition to silver grey. Light and shade dance across the surface just like the moon casting its light on the snowy Bear Butte in South Dakota. Like a jazz symphony playing soft notes into the quiet evening, it shows distinctive confidence.

Nature-Inspired Hue

V23 Stardust Black

A galaxy of stars glitter in the solemn sky, like shining stardust, its beauty is utterly dazzling. The often still and quiet blackness is greeted by the emergence of a lively blue hue, where the stars begin to twinkle in a swirl of black and blue. But they shine not for the eyes of others, but for the perfect moment.

Elegant Design for New Connections

V21 Dusk Blue

Mysterious as the deep blue sea but with an elegant touch. As light carries hope and companionship to the depths of the ocean, the enigmatic characteristic of what lies beneath the surface is brought to life. The delicate violet hidden in the deep blue gives a subtle sense of luxury, while maintaining its magical tranquility.

Elegant Design for New Connections

V25 Aquamarine Blue

Shimmering waves in the blue sea landed in the heart of your palm, shines from the light clear greenish color into deep ocean as the light intensifies, creating an aquamarine style and a fascinating scene. The colors create a perfect balance of the different natural hues, evoking peace and calm as the ocean brings.

Healing with Joy

V21 Sunset Dazzle

A diverse mix of exquisite pastel colors bring joy to the heart. Against a backdrop of silently moving, blushing clouds, the glorious sun sinks lower, ready to meet the distant ocean. The vibrant iridescence gives a sense of tenderness and relaxation,while at the same time expressing happiness and gratification.

Healing with Joy

V21 Arctic White

The whiteness and tranquility of the Arctic help to calm busy minds in this sophisticated world. The frosty light blue tone from glacial ice provides a chilly yet soothing sensation. It allows one to immerse themselves in the vastness of the Arctic, feel the purity of nature, and experience profound silence.