Vivo slashes the price of Vivo NEX in India weeks ahead of Vivo NEX Dual Display launch

Vivo has reduced the price of the Vivo NEX smartphone in India. Launched back in July 2018 in India, the Vivo NEX is the first smartphone to come with an elevated front facing camera. Vivo launched the NEX in the country for Rs. 47,990, but was actually retailing for Rs. 44,990.


Now, the company has further reduced the price of the NEX by Rs. 5,000. Available for Rs. 39,990 from both the online and offline retailers, the Vivo NEX is a good option for those who don't want to buy the OnePlus 6T.

This sudden decrease in price is because of the launch of the Vivo NEX Dual Display smartphone, the successor of the Vivo NEX. The NEX Dual Display is already on sale in China so we might expect the launch of the same in India by the end of January or mid-February.

Vivo X21, the first smartphone in India with in-display fingerprint scanner launched for Rs. 35,990

Smartphone tech has evolved a lot in the past couple of years. Not only in terms of design, but there's a huge upgrade in terms of security too. Back in 2016, phones were launched with big bezels on the top and below the display and today, the trend is all about including a notch.

Similarly, no one expected phones with a fingerprint scanner until Apple launched the iPhone 5s in 2013 with Touch ID. Since then smartphone companies started focusing more on the security aspect of the device and now we see phones with a dedicated fingerprint scanner, a Face ID, an Iris Scanner, and even software based face unlock.

So, what's next when it comes to security in a smartphone? Phone with an in-display fingerprint scanner? Sounds cool right?

Vivo is the first vendor in the world who has taken an initiative towards launching a phone with an in-display fingerprint scanner, and the first commercially available Vivo smartphone with this tech is the Vivo X21. The Vivo X21 was announced back in March 2018, as a successor to the Vivo X20, in the Vivo's X series of smartphones.

Vivo X21

Today, Vivo has officially announced the launch of the Vivo X21 in India. Priced at Rs. 35,990, the Vivo X21 will be available for purchase online exclusively from Flipkart starting today in Black color. The X21 will also be available from brick-and-mortar stores and Vivo's own e-store.

If you purchase the Vivo X21 from Flipkart you get an extra Rs 3,000 off on exchange price, 5% cashback on SBI credit and debit cards, and No cost EMI on most credit cards as an introductory and exclusive offer. Now, let's talk about the device in detail.

Starting up with the design and build, the Vivo X21 looks exactly similar to the Vivo V9 but has a high-quality build material with 3D glass back cover. On the front is the AMOLED display with a notch on top, and minimal bezel on the bottom. Flipping over we see the dual-camera setup on the left top corner with Vivo branding in the center. Volume and power button sits to the right side of the X21, with a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top edge, and a micro USB port with speaker grills on the bottom.

Talking about the fingerprint scanner, the star of the show, Vivo has included it beneath the display. As you can see in the images, the fingerprint sensor is located on the lower-center of the display, exactly where our thumb rests. The sensors work only in the limited area, which lights up to give you an indication where to rest your finger/thumb for unlocking.

   

Vivo X21 Fingerprint Location

In terms of performance, the fingerprint scanner is pretty good. Setting up a fingerprint is easy by just tapping the limited area of the sensor on the display lightly at first followed by some slightly deeper press. The unlocking takes around a second, which is good in my opinion for the technology. Vivo has announced that it will constantly improve the speed of unlocking with regular updates.

Vivo has also included a face unlock feature for convenience, which according to them 3D maps the face using IR fill light included inside the front-facing camera sensor. Vivo is calling this feature Face Wake 2.0.

You can find the detailed specifications sheet below:

Vivo X21 Specifications

• 6.28-inch 19:9 Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with 2280x1080 pixels resolution and 402 PPI density, P3Color Gamut Display
• 2.2GHz 14nm Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 AI Engine SDM660 processor
• Adreno 512 GPU | 6 GB RAM
• Android 8.1 Oreo with Funtouch OS 4.0
• 12MP primary rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 aperture, 1/2.5" sensor, 1.4µm size, Dual Pixel PDAF, AI Face Beauty, HDR Mode, Shot Re-Focus, 4K UHD Recording, AR Stickers
• 5MP secondary rear camera with f/2.4 aperture, phase detection autofocus
• 12MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture
• 128GB internal memory with up to 256 GB expandable using a microSD card
• Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
• 3200 mAh battery with fast charging (microUSB 2.0)
• Dimensions: 154.45 x 74.78 x 7.37 mm | Weight: 156.2g
• 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz) dual-band, WiFi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0 A2DP LE, A-GPS, GLONASS
• In-display Fingerprint Scanner, Face Unlock, AK4376A Hi-Fi audio chip, Vivo XE710 Hi-Fi Earphone

It's good to see Vivo launch the Vivo X21 in the Indian market. Competing head-to-head with the newly launched OnePlus 6, the Vivo X21 has an upper edge because of the real innovation of an in-display fingerprint scanner when compared to the OnePlus 6 which is more or less the same like its predecessor.

But, in India, the brand value does matter, and OnePlus definitely wins over Vivo. Time will tell whether Vivo was able to beat the OnePlus 6 in terms of sale of the Vivo X21. I will be reviewing the Vivo X21 soon. If you have any questions regarding the device, do let me know in the comment section below.

   

   

OnePlus 5T with 6-inch 18:9 display, bezel-less design officially launched starting at Rs. 32,999

OnePlus launched the OnePlus 5 earlier this year in June with a design similar to the iPhone 7 Plus and flagship like specifications. The OnePlus 5 is an awesome smartphone and is indeed the best Android smartphone anyone can buy today under Rs. 40,000. But, the area where OnePlus lost its points this year was in the design and the display.

2017 had brought a whole to a new experience on smartphones with the introduction of 18:9 display providing bezel-less look the device. We now have an 18:9 display ratio smartphone from many vendors already like LG, Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei and more.

OnePlus launched OnePlus 3T last year with minor spec update. Following the legacy, OnePlus today has officially announced the OnePlus 5T smartphone, which follows the recent trend of 18:9 display, providing a whole new front design compared to its predecessor. Other than the display, design, and secondary rear camera, rest everything inside the OnePlus 5T remains similar to the original 5.

According to OnePlus, the OnePlus 5T will be available in midnight black color variant initially. Like the OnePlus 5, the 5T will also come in two variants, one with 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage and the other with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The prior has been priced at the US $499 / Rs. 32,999 in India and the latter will cost US $559 / Rs. 37,999. The Indian pricing is exactly similar to the Indian launch price of the OnePlus 5. Poor OnePlus 5 owners :(

OnePlus has also revealed that there will be a flash sale of OnePlus 5T on Amazon India on November 21st with official sales starting November 28th.

Asus Zenfone Zoom running Lollipop featuring 3x optical zoom launched in India for Rs. 37,999

As scheduled, Asus has officially launched the camera centric Zenfone smartphone in the country. Dubbed as Asus Zenfone Zoom, the smartphone was originally announced way back last year at CES. As the name suggest, the Zenfone Zoom comes with optical zoom functionality and is tagged as the thinnest 3x optical zoom smartphone in the world.

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Google Nexus 6 now available in India starting at Rs. 34,999, price dropped by Rs. 10,000

Google announced the Nexus 6 smartphone last year in October. The smartphone is the successor of Nexus 5 and is the first Nexus phone with huge 5.96-inch display. Nexus 6 is built in partnership with Motorola and is based on 2nd gen Moto X smartphone. Google launched the Nexus 6 in India two months after its official announcement with hefty price tag of Rs. 43,999 for base 32GB variant.

Samsung Galaxy A7 now available in India through Samsung India eStore for Rs. 30,499

Samsung announced the Galaxy A3 and the Galaxy A5 along with the Galaxy E5 and the Galaxy E7 in the country last month. Now, the South Korean giant has finally started selling the third smartphone of the Galaxy A series in the country that is Samsung Galaxy A7. The Galaxy A7 is now available in the country through the official Samsung India eStore for Rs. 30,499. 

HTC Desire Eye with 13MP front camera available in India for Rs. 35,990

HTC has finally released the October launched Desire Eye in the Indian market. HTC Desire Eye was launched in India back in October and was scheduled to go on sale exclusively on Amazon in November, but it didn't. Now, Mumbai-based retailer Mahesh Telecom has revealed that the Desire Eye is available for purchase for Rs. 35,990, with MRP of Rs. 36,990.

32GB Moto X (2nd Gen) launched in India for Rs. 32,999, 16GB version price dropped to Rs. 29,999

Motorola has silently launched the 32GB version of Moto X (2nd Gen) in the country recently. Moto X (2nd Gen) was originally launched in India back in September, having 16GB internal storage. Motorola has priced the 32GB Moto X (2nd Gen) in the country at Rs. 32,999 and it comes in black and royal blue colours.

Vivo X5 Max with just 4.75 mm slim profile officially launched in India for Rs. 32,980

As expected, Chinese smartphone vendor Vivo on Monday officially took the wraps off the world's slimmest smartphone, the Vivo X5 Max with just 4.75 mm slim profile in the Indian market. Along with X5 Max, Vivo has also launched four smartphone in the country which include Vivo X3S, Vivo XShot, Vivo Y15 and Vivo Y22.

HTC One (M8 Eye) with 5-inch Full HD display, 13MP rear camera launched in India for Rs. 38,990

HTC on Friday at an event in Mumbai officially launched a new variant of HTC One (M8) in the country. Dubbed as HTC One (M8 Eye), the smartphone comes with 13MP Duo rear camera instead of the 4MP Ultrapixel camera found on the original M8. Beside an upgraded rear camera, rest everything remains exactly similar to the original M8. The M8 Eye comes in Gray and Silver colours and is priced at Rs. 38,990, and is now available across the country.

New Motorola Moto X launched in India for Rs. 31,999, Leather and Bamboo variants priced at Rs. 33,999

After launching the new Moto G in the country earlier this month, Motorola has finally launched the new Moto X in the Indian market. The new Moto X was originally unveiled earlier this month and comes with high-end specifications and improved build quality compared to its predecessor. The smartphone comes in black colours with aluminum frame along with leather and wood back variants.

Samsung Galaxy Alpha with 6.7mm thickness, metal frame officially launched in India for Rs. 39,990

Samsung has officially launched its first metal-frame Android smartphone in the Indian market recently. Dubbed as Samsung Galaxy Alpha, the smartphone comes with unique metal frame body and is just 6.7mm thick. The Galaxy Alpha was officially introduced last month. The smartphone comes in Charcoal Black, Dazzling White, Frosted Gold, Sleek Silver and Scuba Blue colours and is priced at Rs. 39,990.

HTC One (E8) and Desire 616 officially launched in India for Rs. 34,900 and Rs. 16,900

HTC has officially announced the launch of two new Android smartphones in the Indian market, one under the Desire series and the other under One series of smartphones. HTC has officially launched the plastic version of the flagship M8 called HTC One (E8) and the newly announced HTC Desire 616 in India at an event held in New Delhi.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and Galaxy Tab S 10.5 officially launched in India for Rs. 37,800 and Rs. 44,800

As promised, Samsung earlier today has officially announced the launch of its premium Galaxy Tab S series of tablets in the Indian market at an event held in New Delhi. The Galaxy Tab S series include the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and the Galaxy Tab S 10.5, both featuring WQXGA Super AMOLED display panel. The Tab S series was originally announced last month and comes in two colours Titanium Bronze and Dazzling White.

Oppo N1 and R1 price dropped in India, now retailing for Rs. 32,990 and Rs. 24,990 respectively

Chinese manufacturer Oppo launched the Oppo N1 and the Oppo R1 in India earlier this year in January and April respectively. The Oppo N1 was originally launched in India for Rs. 39,999, which later got a price-cut to Rs. 37,990. On the other hand, the Oppo R1 was launched in India for Rs. 26,990. Recently, Oppo has announced that it has dropped the price of both these smartphones in the country.

Oppo Find 7 with Quad HD display and Find 7a with Full HD display officially launched in India for Rs. 31,990 and Rs. 37,990

As promised, Oppo has officially announced the launch of the Oppo Find 7 in the Indian market today at an press event held in New Delhi. Along with Find 7, the Chinese manufacturer has also launched the low-cost variant of Find 7 in India dubbed as Oppo Find 7a. Both the Find 7a and Find 7 comes in black and white colours and are priced at Rs. 31,990 and Rs. 37,990 respectively.

Samsung Galaxy S5 with fingerprint scanner now available in India for just Rs. 39,589

Samsung launched its latest flagship smartphone dubbed the Galaxy S5 in India couple of months back. The smartphone was initially available across the country starting from April 11. Samsung launched the Galaxy S5 in India with a hefty price tag of Rs. 51,500. A week after the availability, price of Galaxy S5 was dropped by Rs. 5,000. And earlier this month, the smartphone was available for just Rs. 42,599.

The condition has changed again. Samsung Galaxy S5 is now available in India for under Rs. 40,000 from various online retailers.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 with dual-core processor, Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean listed on Samsung India eStore for Rs. 36,340

Earlier this month, Samsung announced the fourth-generation of Galaxy Tab series. This new series of tablets is yet to get released in markets and the Korean tech giant has now listed the last year announced Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 on its official India eStore. Samsung has priced the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 at Rs. 36,340 and is currently listed as out of stock.

Samsung drops Galaxy Note 3 Neo price by Rs. 5,000, now retailing for Rs. 33,990

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 3 Neo in India in February 2014. The phablet was launched in India for Rs. 40,900, but was initially retailing at Rs. 38,990. Now, Samsung has dropped the price of the Galaxy Note 3 Neo in India by Rs. 5,000. The smartphone is now available from various online retailer for just Rs. 33,990.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo with 5.5-inch HD display, Hexa-Core processor now available in India for Rs. 38,990

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 3 Neo in India couple of weeks ago for Rs. 40,900. The Korean company after the launch started taking pre-orders of the smartphone at reduced price. Now, the Galaxy Note 3 Neo is officially available from Samsung India eStore for Rs. 38,990. The smartphone comes in black, white and mint green colours, but only the black colour Note 3 Neo is available for purchase.