Vivo announces its X9s and X9s Plus phones with dual selfie cameras

Chinese phone maker Vivo debuted two new smartphones in China this week: its X9s and its X9s Plus. Both phones are slightly upgraded versions of the earlier X9 devices. These new models include

larger batteries, slightly wider bodies, and run Android Nougat. Like the older versions, they also have dual selfie cameras. The specs haven’t changed much, but here’s what you can expect from the X9s Plus, which costs 2,998 yuan, or about $440:

• 4,015mAh battery
• Android Nougat
• 5.85-inch Full HD AMOLED display
• 16-megapixel rear-facing camera; 20-megapixel / 5-megapixel front-facing cameras
• Front fingerprint sensor
• 4GB of RAM; 64GB of storage

The regular X9s features similar specs but has a smaller display and battery. It also includes dual selfie cameras, which Vivo appears to be using to create a background-blurring, or bokeh, effect.

Other companies are also experimenting with dual selfie cameras. LG, Oppo, and Alcatel have built dual front-facing cameras into their devices, but they typically use them to capture wider shots.

You maybe haven’t heard of Vivo, or aren’t as familiar with the name, but the company is trying to change that. One analyst firm says it’s the fifth most popular smartphone maker in the world, with most of its market concentrated in China and India. The company’s trying to up its recognition through sponsorships, like the next two World Cups, so you might soon be hearing more about Vivo.