Vivo has officially unveiled most of the key details about its upcoming V50 smartphone, set to succeed the Vivo V40. The V50, which will be the new flagship of the V-series, has been listed on Vivo India’s official website, giving fans a detailed preview of what to expect ahead of its anticipated launch, reportedly set for February 18, 2025.

The V50 retains the design language of its predecessor but introduces a more rounded, polished look. One of the most notable design upgrades is the shift from the dual-curved edge display of the V40 to a quad-curved panel. This means the display now curves over all four edges, creating a more immersive viewing experience. The phone’s overall look, along with its new color options—Rose Red, Starry Blue, and Titanium Grey—adds to its premium aesthetic.

An essential enhancement comes in the form of the device’s improved water and dust resistance, now officially rated with IP68 and IP69 certifications. This upgrade ensures that the Vivo V50 is better protected from the elements, a key feature for users on the go.

Camera Setup: A 50MP triple camera array

One of the most exciting aspects of the V50 is its camera setup. The rear camera module, which retains its keyhole design from the previous model, houses three 50-megapixel sensors. This includes a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera, and a 50MP front-facing camera. Additionally, the phone features Vivo’s Aura Light, which is notably larger than the previous version, likely contributing to better low-light performance and more vibrant selfies.

Power and performance: A massive 6,000mAh battery

The Vivo V50 will be equipped with a robust 6,000mAh battery, ensuring that users get extended usage without needing to constantly recharge. Although Vivo has not yet confirmed the charging speed, the significant battery capacity is expected to support fast charging once the details are officially announced.

The V50 will also run Funtouch OS 15, Vivo’s custom skin based on Android, which brings several AI-driven enhancements and camera features that were first introduced on the Vivo X200 Pro. However, the exact details about its processor and charging speed remain under wraps for now.

What’s next?

While the full specifications of the Vivo V50 have not yet been fully disclosed, the upcoming launch is set to stir significant interest in the mid-premium smartphone market. With its impressive camera capabilities, a sizable battery, and a more refined design, the Vivo V50 is shaping up to be a strong contender for flagship status. Fans in India can expect an official announcement regarding the device’s availability and pricing soon after the launch event.

Samsung is gearing up to significantly enhance its smartphone user experience with the release of One UI 7, which integrates the latest Android 15 OS. This update not only promises a host of new features and design tweaks but also introduces cutting-edge AI capabilities designed to streamline multitasking and boost productivity.

Innovative AI features

One UI 7 brings with it AI-powered tools like Now Brief and Circle to Search. Now Brief delivers tailored updates such as weather, health vitals, and other essential insights directly to the user’s home screen each day. The enhanced Circle to Search feature allows users to interact seamlessly with phone numbers, emails, and URLs through actionable searches that offer context-sensitive suggestions.

Productivity and media enhancements

The update includes productivity tools like Call Transcript, Writing Assist, and Drawing Assist, which help users summarize, organize, and integrate text and images effortlessly. Moreover, the Audio Eraser feature aims to improve the audio quality of videos, while the Personal Data Engine offers secure, personalized experiences through sophisticated on-device data processing.

One UI 7 release timeline and eligibility

The One UI 7 update debuted with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series at its launch event, showcasing substantial upgrades over the previous One UI 6. Initially available with the Galaxy S25 series, the update is set to expand to other models. Starting February 7, 2025, the stable One UI 7 update will roll out to the Galaxy S24 series. Subsequent releases will see the Galaxy S23 series receiving the update in mid-February, with other eligible devices following in the ensuing months.

Supported devices

The extensive list of devices slated for the One UI 7 update includes the Galaxy S24, S23, S22, and S21 series, along with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Flip 6, and previous iterations down to the Fold 3 and Flip 3. Additionally, the Galaxy A series from A73 down to A05, and the M and F series, including models like M55 and F55, will also receive the update, ensuring a wide range of Samsung users can benefit from the latest improvements.

Samsung has not yet confirmed the complete official release timeline for One UI 7, but the phased rollout plan indicates a committed approach to updating its diverse lineup of devices, enhancing user experience with the latest technological advancements.

China’s AI research landscape witnessed a significant breakthrough with the unveiling of DeepSeek-R1, an open-source AI model from DeepSeek, a pioneering lab established by Chinese entrepreneur Liang Wenfeng. Positioned as a challenger to global AI leaders like OpenAI, DeepSeek-R1 excels in mathematical reasoning, code generation, and cost efficiency, marking a pivotal shift in the field.

What is DeepSeek?

DeepSeek emerged from Fire-Flyer, the deep-learning division of High-Flyer, a Chinese quantitative hedge fund. Founded in 2015, High-Flyer built its reputation by leveraging AI in financial analytics. In 2023, Liang Wenfeng, High-Flyer’s founder, redirected resources to create DeepSeek, focusing on advancing AI research.

Operating independently from Chinese tech giants like Baidu and Alibaba, DeepSeek prioritizes scientific exploration over immediate profits. Liang noted, “Basic science research rarely offers high returns on investment,” reflecting his commitment to long-term innovation.

DeepSeek-R1: Redefining AI efficiency

DeepSeek-R1, the lab’s flagship model, demonstrates robust reasoning abilities, surpassing several industry benchmarks. Unlike traditional models relying on supervised fine-tuning, DeepSeek-R1-Zero utilized reinforcement learning (RL) for training. The refined DeepSeek-R1 version enhances readability and language consistency, matching OpenAI’s cutting-edge performance in reasoning tasks.

Key innovations, such as multi-head latent attention (MLA) and a mix-of-experts approach, allow DeepSeek-R1 to operate with just a fraction of the computing power needed for comparable models. For instance, its computational needs are reportedly one-tenth of Meta’s Llama 3.1, a breakthrough highlighted by industry analysts.

A new wave of talent

DeepSeek’s team comprises fresh graduates from leading Chinese institutions like Tsinghua and Peking University. Despite limited industry experience, these researchers bring academic rigor and a collaborative spirit to tackle complex AI challenges. Their collective goal is to overcome technological barriers and elevate China’s global AI standing.

Navigating US restrictions

DeepSeek’s advancements come amid U.S. export restrictions on advanced AI chips. The 2022 embargo limited Chinese firms’ access to hardware like Nvidia’s H100 chips, crucial for AI development. Although DeepSeek started with a stockpile of 10,000 H100s, the restrictions pushed the lab to rethink AI architecture and optimize resource efficiency.

Innovative strategies behind DeepSeek

Faced with hardware limitations, DeepSeek adopted efficiency-focused strategies to refine its model architecture:

• Custom communication schemes: Streamlined data exchanges to reduce memory use.
• Memory optimization: Minimized field sizes for enhanced efficiency.
• Mix-of-models approach: Combined smaller models for superior results.

These techniques have set DeepSeek apart as a leader in resource-efficient AI research.

Global impact through open sourcing

DeepSeek’s decision to open-source its models under an MIT license signals a democratization of AI research. By providing access to its advanced models and training techniques, the lab invites global developers to refine and expand its technology. This move not only challenges Western AI dominance but also reinforces DeepSeek’s position as a forward-thinking pioneer in the field.

As DeepSeek continues to push boundaries, it symbolizes a new era of Chinese innovation, blending efficiency with open collaboration to reshape the global AI landscape.