Vivo Xplay 3S Hands-on evaluation-a sword-walking slant mobile phone

In such a domestic brand, we have always felt that Vivo is quite prominent. The reason is not how cheap their phones are, how high they are, but how they choose a different route from the beginning of the X1 to the high quality as a selling point, to the X3 series to add ultra-thin selling points, to the subsequent launch of the Xplay series, in addition to the flagship level of specifications for users than the general Walkman more powerful sound performance ...

Came to the Xplay series of the second Xplay 3S, the factory made it the world's first equipped with 6-inch 2K (2,560 x 1,440) screen of mobile phones, and processors and memory upgrades to Snapdragon 800 and 3GB.

One of the things that didn't feel good when evaluating the previous generation's xplay was that it used a three-piece back design that felt similar to the iPhone; On the new generation of Xplay 3S, the problem was solved quite satisfactorily: in addition to the front screen, the frame and back of the machine are made of metal and, like Oppo N1, are painted in white. Although such practices, it will inevitably make mobile phones become very slippery and easy to scratch, but one such very beautiful, and xplay 3S also maintained a good tradition of Vivo, and X3 as a random with a four-corner buckle of the Machine back protection board.

Because of the 6-inch screen size of the Xplay 3S, we can hardly find its fuselage wide when we pick up the phone. Although the use of a very narrow screen border, or inevitably the problem of pressing hands, even if the machine has been installed on the back of the protection plate, but because of its use of the fog surface treatment of the relationship will still be very slippery hand, For the safety of the (mobile) we still seriously recommend that you use one hand to hold the phone, the other hand operation is wonderful. Of course, the mobile phone big enough in the Xplay 3S has a benefit, that is, the index finger to reach the camera under the lens of the fingerprint scanner is easier, you can directly increase the opportunity to use.

Main interface

Starting with Xplay 3S, Vivo will name its own adjusted Android system as the Funtouch OS, although the interface is similar to the previous X3, but there are many updates in the service. Before we look at these, we first analyze its new added to the timeline function of the main interface, in general, the operation is the same as before, the use of the design of the list of no programs, the icon to adapt to the trend to a flat style. The DROP-DOWN notification column does not include a quick setting, and we cannot find a multiple-work industry function with the three touch buttons below. This is because the factory will integrate these two functions into a screen from the bottom pull open, similar to the IPhone quickly set up the screen, where you can find just mentioned the two features, you can quickly adjust the screen size, the apps of the thumbnail slide up can be closed.

As for desktop editing, Xplay 3S (or Funtouch OS) is more complex, because there is a total of three editing methods, is to open with multi-touch, used for the main interface to reorder and select the interface of the first page, hold down the blank position to rearrange the icon, as well as the directory key for detailed editing. In fact, the function of the directory key includes rearranging the icons, so this side of the design let us feel a little strange is; back to the editing function, which is divided into personality, gadgets, hidden icons and generally no one to use the scene desktop four pages, which we like and happy to see must be the part of the hidden icon, Because there is no program list relationship, the user is forced to put all the icons and apps on the desktop, to put away the things you can't use, you can just put them in a folder, and then throw them in a corner, but with this tab, we can put the icons out of the box.

In the Funtouch OS, one of the most popular functions is probably its timeline desktop. This can be done by sliding on the main screen with a single page, but allows users to display their own activity by sliding up and down--by the simplest call logs, calendar events, to different apps, including WHATSAPP, Facebook and even the play Store apps Upgrade records will be available. Of course, by setting the left page in this field, the user can set the information that is allowed to appear on the timeline. and the right page is all the apps icon (simple point is the program list), but this side can not hide, organize and use the folder, so it will appear more cluttered. operation on it can slide up and down to adjust the time, press the button on the lower right can return to the present time; each activity can be removed by the action of the right sliding, with the left side of the timeline with the common apps recommendations.

Set

Set, Xplay 3S and the previous generation, that is not yet a funtouch OS xplay have a lot of similarities, but also with more settings to hide the less commonly used functions. But on this machine, we can not find the way to open the developer set, so it is impossible to speed up or hide the originally lengthy page-changing effect, which also makes people feel that the mobile phone is a bit slow to use. In terms of sound setting, we can customize the ringing of incoming and short messages, and we can also choose to use the music that we put into the phone.

However, compared to the more commonly seen in the SMS ring, including e-mail and instant messaging software, etc. can only use the sound effect of the phone built, which makes it a little inconvenient to use, so if possible, we still go to the relevant app to choose their own ringtones well. If you want to change the theme, background pictures and fonts, and so on, you can go to the personalized part to do, the phone in addition to the built-in theme, lock screen style and font, etc., you can also choose to download the Internet, and the font size can be selected in the interface at the bottom of the selection of

In addition to other functions, Xplay 3S has added dangling unlock, as well as a gesture unlock function that X3 started using. Gestures unlock the function we already have a certain concept, but dangling unlock it? The original said is holding a cell phone, holding down the back of the button, and then hanging out of the picture from the fixed pattern to allow the phone to unlock and perform certain apps. For example, to draw the M Word can play music, while painting V or S, you can choose the function. But this function is a bit cumbersome to use, and the pattern of the action is a bit 扤, generally will not use the opportunity.

As for the intelligent Awakening which began to be equipped in the X3, in addition to having a double click on the screen, there are other features such as M8 (yes, HTC one), slide-taking, and writing different letters to open the apps, etc. The ability to zoom out of a picture by tilting the phone pick up the phone automatically prompts and in the screen off or the standby interface to shake the phone to open the camera, flashlight or small screen (that is, the big screen phone can be a single hand operation of the pioneer) and so on, in short, sensors and intelligent operation related to the function is too much, It's a little confusing. Hope that the manufacturers in the user's opinion, can be used for less people to use the integration or deletion of functions, so that the system more concise and easy to use.

Apps

Although many manufacturers have recently advertised simplicity, they will not install too many third-party applications or their own services for their handsets, but it seems Vivo is going to go against the road-the apps and services included in the machine, by their own I butler, cloud applications, voice function and Flash, to and other manufacturers to cooperate with such as Archie Art or QQ browser, Even other third-party applications such as the cat, the gold map and so on, a total of more than 20 apps, the point is that, in addition to mainland China, few people will often use these apps bar-fortunately, as mentioned above, Xplay 3S has icon hiding function, unwanted apps and services we can choose to hide, Deactivate or even delete directly, but in the impression that is a little bit worse.

Screen

The screen is definitely the Xplay 3S's biggest selling point. As the first mobile phone in the world to use up to 2,560 x 1,440 resolution screen, we certainly have to evaluate the ground. The first thing to say is that 2.5K screen is very high degree of detail, but to the general high-end mobile phones have more than 400ppi, and then the pixel density pushed up in fact does not have great significance, especially some 6-inch screen mobile phone, often more than 500ppi of the series, looks really different? Fortunately Xplay 3S itself is a 6-inch screen of mobile phones, and we have used up to 6.4-inch 1080p screen Sony Xperia Z Ultra, but also on the larger screen of the mobile phone, is the need for resolution enhancement.

But when the screen and resolution are raised at the same time, the amazing feeling is not so strong--of course, you can enjoy the 6-inch screen with the same degree of detail as the 5-inch screen, but also a delight. Visual angle, Xplay 3S performance in the normal range of high-end mobile phones, in general will be used in the range will not be obvious bias or white, color and the IPhone 5s compared to the Xplay 3S relatively red, but the general independent display words will not be excessive.

Music

Before inviting out Lyra Media editor Cato for our comments on Xplay 3S Music Performance, we first revisit the machine in this aspect of the equipment: its use of FI-level independent sound processing chip ES9018 and OPA2604, random with XE800 headphones, and support DTS sound effects. Equipped with stereo dual speakers, the volume is very large, if it is adjusted to the maximum volume, even in the pocket, when the bell sounded will still make people startled. Of course, if you want to save electricity, you can also in the setting will be closer to the top of the machine to turn off. Well, here's the Cato Xplay 3S Music Evaluation:

"Using Sony XBA-4, Flat-4 Kuro test machine, the output power is not too large, but the general ear-type headphones can be dealt with." Listen to the song "Stone" (24bit/96khz, FLAC) and Eason Chan "Ren My Line", "Far Away" (16bit/44.1khz, FLAC), the voice position reflects the recording orientation, compared to female voice more prominent, medium and high frequency penetrating, sound field width is good, depth sense slightly outward development is very flattering to mobile phones. The sound line is a bit stiff, and most of the details are consistent and progressive, bring pressure, the first hearing feel "grab ear", but the continuous listening to more than one record will have the opportunity to feel tired. ”

Although in music playback aspect Xplay 3S has surpasses the general handset the performance, but relatively speaking its voice call quality is passable. Even though we have experienced several system upgrades during the use of Xplay 3S, when we talk to different friends, we often see that the other person does not understand what they are talking about, and the microphone must be pointed at his mouth to improve. This is not acceptable for a mobile phone-whether it is a voice for the selling point of the mobile phone, high-end or low-end mobile phones, calls are absolute priority and necessary functions, even if the call is not good, it can not be called a successful mobile phone AH.

Camera

Although the camera can not be said to be the main function of the Xplay 3S, but in the use of a period of time, we still feel that the performance is quite good. Specifications, this is a group of 13 million-pixel third-generation camera module, with 28mm equivalent focal length and F1.8 aperture, plus closed-loop motor focusing, claiming to have a very high focus speed. In fact, the camera's focus is also really fast, and it feels like HTC one (M8) and Samsung Galaxy S 5 are unified; patterns, in addition to the necessary features such as HDR and Panorama, Xplay 3S also has a pose cue feature that allows the photographer to follow the on-screen reference screen , which prompts the subject to pose in a more attractive posture, with a different category of men, women, family and lovers, which is a very interesting function.

Imaging, in fact, Xplay 3S in the earlier version of the system is relatively poor, noise and oil painting problems are more obvious, but to the recent version has been a great improvement. The most recent test photos can be seen with good clarity, although the night will still have quite obvious noise, but it is not the extent of exaggeration before, the HDR performance will not appear reluctant, in extreme contrast to the effect will be more obvious, can be too dark and the exposure of the position are preserved, But the cost of good results is more noise.

Vivo xplay 3S Test Photos

Performance is really a challenge for Xplay 3S because it is the first cell phone to use the 2,560 x 1,440 high-resolution screen, and whether the high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processors and 3GB RAM can be loaded, including us, A problem that many people are curious about. Unfortunately, we can not give a positive answer, because the 2.5K screen and the Funtouch OS, Xplay 3S obviously very difficult, using a few hours down, even without playing games, the mobile phone's available RAM has been kept under 1GB for a long time.

Another point is that when the main interface of the folder too much (about 10), in the open will appear obvious cotton, and we use a number of third-party apps such as Snapseed, the phone's response is also significantly slower. Electric power, although the capacity of the 3,200mah has been very high, but the face of 2.5K screen is always a little reluctant, we continue to use Kkbox plus bluetooth headset listening to music, line/whatsapp/wechat full, Google account synchronization, Facebook normal use and 15 minutes of news reading and so on, the mobile phone can only support 6-7 hours, the endurance is significantly shorter than the use of 1080p screen mobile phones.

There is no doubt that, as the first mobile phone using the 2.5K screen, Xplay 3S is very aggressive, specifications, materials, cameras, chips, and even headphones have special attention, but sometimes a phone is good, it is not necessarily decided by these. Admittedly, the hardware Xplay 3S is excellent, the system software aspect its function is also many, but in the good function like the time axis, but also has many not actually many opportunities to use, as if dangling the gesture this, probably also does not have the handset to draw a letter in the aerial to start a function without any reason, This is not as good as the use of a bit more labor, another point is the phone in the telephone problem, because as a mobile phone, if the function of the phone is not done well, users will be equivalent to buy a media player. Finally, the function and the built-in apps more and more complex, if in the future of the products, Vivo can simplify the system to the existing widely praised the function, even with the international brand competition or have a certain chip.