Behind the lens: Zeiss and Vivo outline plans to advance mobile photography

Zeiss and Vivo are expanding a co-engineering partnership aimed at improving smartphone imaging, with Bangladesh identified as a priority market, according to executives from both companies.

In briefings at the Zeiss Innovation Centre in Oberkochen, ZEISS described its role as extending beyond lens supply to joint work on optics and image processing. "We are not just building lenses, we are building trust," said Joachim Kuss, Head of Communications at Zeiss Photonics & Optics. He said the two firms collaborate on "optical hardware [and] image processing algorithms that define colour, bokeh and low-light performance".

Kuss said South Asia—"especially Bangladesh"—is a growing focus. "We see Bangladesh as a rising digital economy. The people are young, expressive and connected," he said.

Representatives from Vivo signalled parallel investment in the market. "Bangladesh is not an afterthought, it's a priority," said Congchong Zheng, Senior IMC Manager for Vivo South Asia & Africa, citing plans to strengthen after-sales service, local marketing and digital literacy initiatives. Fayyad Zhang, a senior product manager at Vivo for the region, said user feedback in Bangladesh on features such as night mode, portrait rendering and video stability informs development.

Zeiss staff described testing regimes at the company's imaging lab, including trials under dust, humidity and heat. "It is not just about sharpness. We focus on light transmission, clarity and true-to-life skin tones," said Elliot Shih, senior product manager for imaging at Zeiss.

The firms pointed to their latest co-engineered handset, the vivo X200 Pro, which they said includes a 1-inch sensor, Zeiss T* coating to reduce glare and AI-assisted portrait modes influenced by Zeiss lens characteristics. Software features highlighted by the companies include Zeiss Natural Colour calibration, cinematic video options and bokeh simulation.

Zeiss, founded in 1846 and known for its work in optics across sectors including space, microscopy and photography, has collaborated with Vivo since 2020 on mobile imaging.