The world’s first bezel-less smartphone has arrived, and it comes from Chinese manufacturer VIVO.
It’s called the NEX and boasts an astonishing screen-to-body ratio of 91.2 percent, made possible by the introduction of several unique design choices, including the decision to house the 8MP front-facing camera in a retractable compartment on the top of the unit – similar to what local rival Huawei did on the MateBook X Pro.
VIVO is best known for being the first manufacturer to release a smartphone with an in-screen fingerprint sensor, and it should come as no surprise to hear that the coveted authentication tech has been carried over to the NEX. It’s come a long way since its inception, though, as it’s now reportedly a lot faster and more accurate.
The NEX also comes with VIVO’s Screen SoundCasting hardware, which transmits audio through the screen itself, instead of an earpiece speaker. You’d think the main advantage here is to inch the screen closer to the bezel, but it’s not: the firm says it opted for Screen SoundCasting because it delivers much clearer audio.
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As far as the build itself is concerned, the NEX isn’t too dissimilar from what we’ve seen from other manufacturers. It’s constructed from a mixture of strengthened glass and polished aluminium, with the former accounting for the front and rear of the unit, and the latter making up the durable from that holds everything in place.
Under the hood, the NEX bundles a Snapdragon 845 CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of internal storage and a 4000mAh non-removable battery. There’s also a dual-camera (12MP + 12MP) on the rear that uses AI to offer calculated suggestions – like a different ISO – to help users take the best picture of the subject in the frame.
But the main reason you ought to be interested in the NEX is for its display. It’s a 6.6-inch (18:9) AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2244 x 1080 pixels. That, when combined with the fact the screen occupies the entire front of the handset, could be a recipe for the most immersive mobile viewing experience on the market.
The VIVO NEX will be available in China later this year. There’s no word on whether it will launch outside of the region.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
