7" vivo X Note with SD 8 Gen 1 unveiled, SD870-powered vivo Pad follows

2022-04-18

vivo unveiled a tablet and a tablet-sized phone today. The vivo X Note is massive with its 7” screen and the rounded sides can’t make this a device you use with one hand. If you want to go bigger and maybe add a stylus and a QWERTY keyboard, the vivo Pad has you covered.

vivo X Notevivo X Notevivo X Note
vivo X Note

vivo X Note

This juggernaut has a 7” Samsung E5 AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution, giving you plenty of room for multitasking. The display has an unusual aspect ratio of 21:10 (3,080 x 1,440 px resolution), but vivo argues this is superior for media consumption and multitasking. This shouldn’t surprise you, but DisplayMate gave the Note an A+ score. The display promises 1,500 nits peak brightness and 112% DCI-P3 coverage.

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Hidden behind the screen is a large ultrasonic fingerprint reader (3D Sonic Max from Qualcomm), like the one on the iQOO 8 Pro. The FP reader is so large that it can read two fingerprints at the same time – in fact, it does just that if you want more security (two fingerprints increase the security 50,000 times compared to just one, says vivo). To help with the color accuracy, there is a color temperature sensor mounted on the front.

The fingerprint reader on the X Note can read two prints simultaneously for extra security
The fingerprint reader on the X Note can read two prints simultaneously for extra security

Going back to multitasking, the vivo X Note is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, no surprises here. The base configuration has 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage. You can get a unit with 12GB of RAM instead or go all out with a 12/512GB version. Security is enhanced by using the “Secure Processing Unit” (SPU) on the Snapdragon chip (first time for the company).

The chipset is cooled by a massive vapor chamber (47,132 mm²) and a graphite sheet. Borrowing from iQOO’s playbook once again, the GPU output can be fed through a MEMC algorithm to increase the frame rate without adding extra burden on the GPU.

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The Note comes bearing a quad camera on the back. It features the 50MP ISOCELL GN1 – 1/1.3”, 1.2µm native pixels, 2.4µm with binning. Combined with the bright f/1.57 aperture, this camera will excel in low-light photography. The ZEISS logo tucked into the corner can’t have escaped you, the lens are officially branded “ZEISS Vario-Tessar” and have T* anti-reflective coating.

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There is also a periscope on board with 125mm focal length (f/3.4 aperture), that’s 5x optical magnification (and up to 60x digital zoom). For mid-range zoom and portraits, there is a 12 MP module (IMX663) with a 47 mm lens (f/2.0), which works out to 2x magnification Additionally, there is a 48 MP ultra wide-angle camera with a 14 mm lens (114°). All of this is backed by the custom vivo V1 ISP, which has enough power to run face detection even if you’re taking a photo of a group of 30 people.

Somewhat disappointingly, the battery that powers this behemoth is rather small – it only has 5,000 mAh capacity. It’s fast to charge at 80W over a wire and at 50W wirelessly, but we still expected more from a large device aimed at power users.

The vivo X Note has a 5,000 mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
The vivo X Note has a 5,000 mAh battery with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging

The Note is available in three colors: Blue, Black and Gray. All three have a leather texture with faux stitching on the back, plus a full-width camera panel similar to the vivo X70 Pro+ (and presumably the upcoming X80 Pro+).

 Blue, Black and Grayvivo X Note in three colors: Blue, Black and Gray

The base vivo X Note (8/256 GB) starts at CNY 6,000 ($940/€865/₹71,400). Getting 12 GB of RAM is CNY 500 extra, the fully loaded 12/512 GB model is CNY 7,000 ($1,100/€1,010/₹83,400). Additionally, you can pick up a 50W wireless charger for CNY 100 (until April 24, $16/€14/₹1,200). Also, vivo Care is temporarily discounted and is CNY 470 for the X Note ($74/€68/₹5,600).

vivo X Note pricing
vivo X Note pricing

You can reserve a Note today, sales start on April 15 (Friday). Also on Friday, vivo will launch a limited edition vivo X Note Aerospace packed inside a gift box. The

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vivo Pad

If you want to go even bigger, the vivo Pad offers a 11" display. It is a productivity-focused convertible with a stylus and a keyboard. The optional keyboard has a trackpad, which you can combine with the flip cover with a built-in kickstand for an experience closer to a laptop than a typical tablet.

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The display also has 120 Hz refresh rate, its resolution is 2,560 x 1,600. It supports Dolby Vision and the speakers support Dolby Atmos for an excellent multimedia experience. Interestingly, next to the front-facing camera on the front is a 3D ToF sensor. A stylus is supported and it can distinguish between 4,096 levels of pressure.

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The vivo Pad is powered by the Snapdragon 870 and it runs a new branch of vivo software, dubbed Origin OS HD. One neat feature is using NFC to pair your vivo phone with the Pad, which will mirror the phone’s display on the tablet. Then you can interact with phone apps and easily transfer files between the two devices.

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The USB-C port is rated for USB 3.2 Gen1 speeds (5 Gbps), so you can attach fast storage and external displays – up to 4K at 60 Hz.

The USB-C port can output 4K video at 60 Hz to drive an external display
The USB-C port can output 4K video at 60 Hz to drive an external display

The Pad is quite slender at just 6.55 mm thick, it is made out of aviation grade aluminum and weighs 498g. You won’t see antenna lines spoiling the clean lines of this slate, instead vivo hid the antenna under the display using technology it developed in-house. The tablet’s 8,040 mAh battery supports 44W fast charging.

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The vivo Pad goes on pre-order in China today and will be available from the 15th (Friday). The base 8/128 GB version cost CNY 2,500 ($390/€360/₹29,800), an 8/256 GB unit will go for CNY 3,000 ($470/€435/₹35,700). Well, not quite, the slate will be slightly discounted at launch so the two versions will cost CNY 2,300 and CNY 2,900, respectively. You will find the vivo devices at the company’s official store as well Tmall and other retailers.

Pricing for vivo Pad and accessories (note: there is a small launch discount for the Pad)
Pricing for vivo Pad and accessories (note: there is a small launch discount for the Pad)

The stylus cost CNY 350 ($55/€50/₹4,200), the keyboard is CNY 600 ($94/€87/₹7,200) and you will probably want the CNY 200 ($32/€29/₹2,400) flip case with that as well.

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