Vivo said it has completed the initial development of 5G smartphone software and hardware with the introduction of Vivo NEX smartphone series.
Vivo has used Qualcomm’s X50 modem for initial architecture planning, 3D placement stacking, RF /antenna designs and the optimization of battery space within NEX to deliver 5G capabilities.
The 5G version of NEX has completed the first phase of protocol and signaling tests with Keysight UXM 5G signaling. Vivo’s 5G pre-commercial smartphone will enter IODT tests with 5G infrastructure and networking equipment.
Vivo aims for the launch of its first batch of commercial 5G smartphones by 2019. Vivo is the third largest smartphone supplier in China, according to Canalys. Vivo is not in the top five list for smartphone makers globally, according to IDC.
IDC expects the overall smartphone market to reach 1.646 billion units shipped in 2022 against 1.455 billion units expected in 2018.
Vivo said 5G version of NEX supports the Non-standalone Architecture (NSA) model which includes dual connection for both Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR), based on 3GPP Release 15 standards.
“The combination of 5G and AI Technologies will turn smartphones into intelligent platforms which will take the industry to new heights. We foresee that with 5G and AI, the smartphone will become the sensory, control and service hub for consumer lives,” says Alex Feng, senior vivo president of Vivo.
Vivo set up its 5G Research Institute in Beijing, China in 2016 and became one of the main contributors at the 3GPP standard group to develop 5G technologies. In the past year, Vivo activated 5G antenna and RF related development.
Vivo also partnered with China Mobile on China Mobile 5G Device Forerunner Initiative and has been working with Qualcomm on 5G developments, including the design and integration of new 5G mm-Wave (millimeter wave) antenna arrays into a Vivo commercial form factor.
Earlier, LG Electronics said it would launch a 5G smartphone for Sprint’s 5G network in the US. Lenovo, a smartphone maker from China, said it is also aiming for launching Moto’s 5G smartphone next year.
