As expected, Vivo has introduced the Vivo S50 and Vivo S50 Pro mini in China as its newest high-end smartphones. Both devices arrive with refreshed designs versus their predecessors and include notable spec upgrades.

Design and Display

The Vivo S50 uses a 6.59-inch display, which is slightly smaller than the panel on the previous model. The Vivo S50 Pro mini keeps its compact approach with a 6.31-inch display. Both phones feature AMOLED screens with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Vivo S50 series includes an updated ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. For protection, Vivo rates the pair IP68 and IP69 for water and dust resistance. Color options differ between the two. The S50 comes in white, blue, purple, and black, while the S50 Pro mini is available in white, purple, and black.

Internals and Software

Vivo powers the S50 with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, which is positioned as a clear step up from the S30’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4. The S50 Pro mini upgrades to the newly announced Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, offering more performance headroom compared to the S30 Pro mini’s Dimensity 9300+.

Both models support configurations up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. On the software side, they ship with OriginOS 6, based on Android 16, out of the box.

Cameras

The two phones share a similar triple rear camera setup: a 50MP main camera (a 1/1.56″ Sony IMX921 with OIS), a 50MP telephoto (a 1/1.95″ Sony IMX882 with OIS) with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide camera. On the front, both models use a 50MP selfie camera.

Battery and Pricing

Both devices pack a 6,500 mAh Si/C battery and support 90W wired charging. The S50 Pro mini adds 40W wireless charging.

The Vivo S50 starts at $425 for 12GB/256GB and goes up to $510 for 16GB/512GB. Vivo also lists 12GB/512GB at $467 and 16GB/256GB at $481.

The Vivo S50 Pro mini starts at $524 for 12GB/256GB and reaches $609 for 16GB/512GB. Vivo also lists 12GB/512GB at $566.

Vivo S50 Series Specifications

Honor has quietly expanded its Play series lineup in China with the launch of the Honor Play 60A. The smartphone is now listed on Honor’s official China online store and is available in a single memory configuration. The phone is likely to go international soon.

Design and Display

The Honor Play 60A features a 6.75-inch LCD with an HD+ resolution. The panel supports a 90 Hz refresh rate, which helps deliver smoother scrolling and animations during daily use. The phone measures 7.89 mm in thickness and weighs 187 grams, giving it a slim and manageable form factor.

Honor offers the device in Azure Sky, Inky Black Rock, and Lake Blue color options.

Internals and Software

Honor powers the Play 60A with the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, which brings built-in 5G connectivity. The chipset is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. On the software side, the phone runs Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0.

Connectivity options include 5G support, dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Cameras

The Honor Play 60A comes with a single 13MP rear camera for basic photography needs. On the front, the phone features a 5MP camera for selfies and video calls. Both the rear and front cameras support video recording at up to 1080p resolution.

Battery and Pricing

The device features a 5,300 mAh battery, designed to support extended daily usage. It supports wired charging at up to 15W.

Honor has priced the Play 60A at $220 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant in China.

Honor Play 60A Specifications

The federal government has decided to introduce Digital Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs) as part of its efforts to digitize the existing performance appraisal system.

According to an office memorandum issued by the Establishment Division, the initiative will be implemented in phases, with the first phase covering all federal ministries and divisions.

Sources said the Digital PER system will replace the traditional annual performance reports by shifting the entire appraisal process from paper-based records to a centralized online platform. The move aims to standardize performance evaluations and resolve long-standing issues such as delays, missing files, and inconsistencies in performance documentation.

The Establishment Division has directed all ministries and divisions to nominate a focal person for the implementation of the Digital PER system. The nominated officer will coordinate with the Deputy Secretary (CP-V) and Director PD of the Establishment Division to ensure smooth execution of the system.

Under the assigned responsibilities, the focal person will oversee the creation of user IDs for PER administrators and Directors, PD or HR officials of cadre and ex-cadre administrations, in accordance with AGPE-2004 instructions. These user IDs will be used to operate and manage the online PER mechanism within each ministry and division.

The focal person will also coordinate data entry requirements, particularly for officers whose information is not currently available in the Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS). This process is intended to ensure that the performance records of all relevant officers are fully integrated into the digital platform.

Sources added that the digital system is expected to improve transparency and accountability by enabling real-time tracking of performance submissions and approvals. It is also aimed at reducing backlogs and supporting data-driven decisions related to promotions and training needs.

In addition, ministries and divisions have been instructed to submit a verified list of officers serving as Initiating, Reporting, and Countersigning Officers. The list must include names, CNIC numbers, designations along with BPS, email addresses, mobile numbers, and service or cadre details. The Establishment Division has also sought the name and contact details of the nominated focal person on a priority basis to facilitate the timely launch of the online PER system.