Latest news with #PhoneArena
Phone Arena
11 hours ago
- Phone Arena
A subtle UI tweak in Android 16 hints at Google's next big AI push
Google is quietly rolling out two notable design changes as part of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2: a redesigned Pixel Launcher search bar and a new Gemini launch animation. Both features appear to be part of Google's ongoing effort to better integrate AI and streamline the visual experience across Android. The new Pixel Launcher search bar now looks more like the Search widget found in the Google app and Circle to Search. The previous layout, which featured a gradient "G" logo, a voice search mic, and a Google Lens shortcut, has been rearranged. These elements have been shifted to the left side of the bar, making space for a new circular AI Mode button on the right. This updated layout is housed within a pill-shaped container, giving the bar a more modern look. The new Pixel Launcher search bar. | Image credit — PhoneArena Users with Themed icons enabled will see the search bar adapt to Material You's Dynamic Color system, replacing the traditional four Google colors. However, the search bar itself remains static in functionality. In this beta, there is currently no way to remove or customize the color or transparency of the new design. It's important to note that this updated design is currently limited to users in the United States who have access to Google's Search AI Mode. Users outside the U.S. will still see the older, fuller version of the search bar, at least for now. Google is expected to bring the redesign to more regions as AI Mode becomes more widely available. In addition to the search bar changes, Google is also rolling out a new animation when launching Gemini via the power button. When users long-press the power button, the screen shrinks slightly with black borders appearing around the edges, before the Gemini overlay slides up and returns the screen to full size. This animation also brings back vibration feedback, which had been missing in some recent builds. Both the Pixel Launcher redesign and the Gemini animation are being released as server-side updates, meaning availability may vary depending on region, device, and user settings. Google has not yet shared when these changes will reach stable versions of Android. These small but noticeable updates continue to shape how Pixel users interact with AI features on their devices, suggesting more user-facing tweaks could be on the way as Android 16 continues to evolve. It's unclear if these will also show up on non-Pixel Android devices with the Google Search widget and Gemini installed, but it will interesting to see how these play with other Android skins such as OneUI. We will have to wait and see as Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive gets refined further. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase This offer is not available in your area.
Phone Arena
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Phone Arena
Xreal One Pro and Eye review: better, but not for everybody
A layoud of the contents. | Image by PhoneArena The Xreal One Pro glasses — could you have imagined that these don't come in the box? — could you have imagined that these don't come in the box? Prescription Frame — if you need to fine-tune your experience, this thing will let you do that — if you need to fine-tune your experience, this thing will let you do that USB type C to C cable — braided and bent on one end, for extra comfort (for what that's worth) — braided and bent on one end, for extra comfort (for what that's worth) Nose pad set — not mint-scented, which is extremely important for people like me — not mint-scented, which is extremely important for people like me Cleaning cloth — mind you, a very oddly shaped one, but still — mind you, a very oddly shaped one, but still Protective case — sturdy, feels premium and brings that satisfying snap when you close it — sturdy, feels premium and brings that satisfying snap when you close it Paper inserts — the obligatory extra What doesn't come in the box, however, is the Xreal Eye, which we will also take a look at in this review. This is an accessory, which adds extra functionality to the Xreal One Pro glasses. It comes in its own tiny box and plugs in between the nose pads, so it looks extra awkward. Sorry, no pics: we got this one a bit late, but I did manage to try it out. Overall, the unboxing experience is very good. You get to what you're looking for really fast. The USB-C cable can comfortably fit inside the protective case, so you don't need to worry about carrying anything being said, the case is rather bulky and barely fits in my medium EDC backpack (which can fit an MTG commander deck with a deckbox), so take that as you will. Almost normal from the front. | Image by PhoneArena I've got to give credit where it is due: the glasses feel very sturdy. When you put them on, they are also very lightweight (about 87 grams), and I can easily forget that I have them on. That being said, they still look funny. It's fair to say that, right? In terms of apperance, the One Pro look pretty distinct from something like Meta's Ray Ban smart-specs, which look like any other pair of sunglasses from I have the One Pro equipped, however, you'll be able to tell that I've got something weird on my face, regardless of your particular distance from me. Despite that though, Xreal were optimistic enough to add UV protection on these, so take that as you will. I'd also rather not have the One Pro on at all times, because seeing the real world through these is borderline impossible (unless you are screen recording all the time, which isn't even a supported feature). Images by PhoneArena And here's where I can finally reveal the core issue with these: cables. They need to be connected to something at all times. Even if your phone will end up being the thing in question most of the time, it still means that you have this irritating cable going from your left ear down to your pocket. Sure, it can't be disconnected by accident easily, but it's still an extra inconvenience. It's also one that we criticized the Vision Pro for. Then again: the Xreal One Pro has nowhere near the count of innovative features on board. Sure, one of these is an XR headset, but they both require the same level of inconvenience, which doesn't feel fair. Images by PhoneArena The glasses have a slew of buttons on their frames, by which I mean: too many. Not only that, but each of those buttons offers a multitude of functions. Some require a double-click, others: for you to hold the button. I can't really say that it was the most optimal user experience. This lad? Could be watching anything. | Image by PhoneArena The screens on Xreal products have always been pretty great, and the Xreal One Pro is no exception. Here's the basic specs: Powered by two Sony 0.55' Micro-OLED screens Resulting image is said to be capable of rivaling a 222' screen 57' FOV (field of view) Supports a high 120 Hz refresh rate But what do all of these specs feel like? In terms of color and brightness, these screens are great. The issue is, however, that these are still really tiny screens, so getting the image in perfect focus is a challenge. Blur is a factor, and an almost ever-present one at that. Yes, you have 3 IPD (interpupillary distance) settings to try, but in my experience, none was quite what I was hoping for. Which is, in all honesty, a shame, because in the moments where the screen got perfectly in focus, I could see that the sharpness was really good. The claim about the 222' screen? Could very well be technically comparable to one, but it still feels like a huge image, floating just in front of my face, which is simply not the same as having a great TV at home, or going to the cinema. Our eyes prioritize and rely on depth for a reason. But let me share a quote that I find meaningful here: — Avi Greengart, President of research and advisory firm Techsponential That last bit? Pretty important. These are still pretty great screens, which you can take with you practically anywhere. If you are interested in such a product, then you will probably be able to live with the downsides that come with the Xreal One Pro. One funny detail I noticed was that the iamge I was seeing was way clearer when I had the Xreal One Pro connected to a PC, rather than a phone. Keep in mind: I'm daily driving the OnePlus 13, set to a 4K resolution. Despite that, having my 1080p work laptop connected resulted in a better image. Weird . Still, this specific model outshines the competition in some key aspects. Here's where the cable goes in. | Image by PhoneArena While these specs aren't exactly 'smart', but they do have a chip inside. And that allows them to do some pretty cool things. — Xreal, 2025 Now, let me translate that to human. These glasses offer features, which while not exactly new or innovative, are staples of the AR/VR category for a reason. Namely: Anchor Mode , which utilizes 3 DoF (degrees of freedom) in order to allow the screen you view to sit in place , which utilizes 3 DoF (degrees of freedom) in order to allow the screen you view to sit in place Follow Mode , which disables DoF so that the screen always appears static in front of you, which is how things usually are with similar products , which disables DoF so that the screen always appears static in front of you, which is how things usually are with similar products Spatial Anchor Mode, which is like the first one, but takes advantage of the Xreal Eye accessory to improve the experience even more Having an on-board chip also allows for some important extras: The Xreal One Pros have built-in storage space of 4GB The X1 chip enables the specs to have ultra-low latency of 3ms Adjustable Dimming levels: Clear, Share and Theatre, which change the areas around the screens to be more or less see-through So, what all of this boils down to is that you can have what you are looking for sit in place, while you move your head around. To me, this is imperative, because having a screen constantly stuck in front of your face is just confusing for the brain. Think about it: when looking at your monitor, if you shit your head, the entire image doesn't just bob downwards along with you, right?Furthermore, the extra processing power allows the movements to be really smooth and fluid. It also lets the Xreal One Pro have its own menu section, where you can adjust the settings of the screen, volume and the is a major downside to all of this though, and I already mentioned it above: cables! These glasses, along with their features, just don't work without a power source. That can be a computer, your phone or Xreal's own proprietary mini-computer, the Beam (or Beam Pro). But it means that you always have to keep these things plugged in. Beyond that, the Xreal One worked fine on my end, save for two specific things: Switching to Ultra-Wide mode in the menu always led to the product crashing and restarting Despite the amount of fine-tuning on my end, the screen always looked slightly skewed to the left Both could be quirks of our specific review unit, or patched via software updates down the line. In any case: the software experience is far from perfect. This is where it plugs in. You can't make this up. | Image by Xreal This is a tiny, honestly cute 12MP camera, which plugs into the Xreal One Pro in the most bizarre of ways. Right between the nose pads, there's a latch which is very difficult to open without some sort of prying tool. When you get the cover out of the way, this camera effectively goes right in front of your nose. And that's just too awkward for me to take seriously. But hey: this is a design thing, and right now we're looking at figuring out if the clumsy looks can be overlooked for the sake of the extra off the bat, I can tell you that I didn't notice any real difference between the 3 DoF and 6 DoF options on the One Pro. Maybe it gets noticeable only when working in tandem with the Xreal Beam Pro, but I didn't utilize it for the sake of this review. And if you want to find out why: keep what else can the Eye do? Well, taking a page from the Meta/Ray Ban smart glasses book, it can take photos and record videos. There's a button on the right frame, which you can press once to get a snap or hold to record a video. Both can be transferred over to whatever device is connected to the glasses at the given read that properly, by the way. As previously established, these glasses rely on external devices to get power. As such, you can't really record anything without having them be connected to something portable, likely: your phone. This, in turn, means that you'll be staring into your phone's screen every time you are not recording. For me, this meant that I was always seeing the black candy-bar shaped always-on display of my OnePlus 13 . As you can probably imagine, having a large, black, opaque object floating in front of your face makes walking in real life quite difficult. For the record, I was able to walk around and do stuff while wearing the Vision Pro or Quest 3 just fine. Yes, I know : those are headsets. But still . If you want a warning, here it is: don't try to wear the Xreal One Pro outside. It not only looks weird, but you can actually hurt yourself if you're not careful enough. But I digress. Let's take a look at what I took with the Xreal Eye. Images by PhoneArena Trust me, I wanted to give you more sample photos. In fact, I have tens of snaps ready. But I wasn't prepared for the insanely-high FOV that this cam covers. All other snaps showcase my living space in all of its low-definition glory, and I'm not quite ready to become this type of influencer yet . The odd thing is that I got really close to some of the objects that I tried to photograph, yet still I got more background than main object in the results. And due to my head doing this thing where it moves a lot (thankfully!), most photos came out really blurry too. On the one hand: yes, I can't expect too much from a 12MP camera, which doesn't have amazing post-processing power behind it. On the other hand, if the plan is to let people share these online, I honestly don't think anyone what about video? Video by PhoneArena The Xreal Eye can only record up to 15 seconds of video, before it stops automatically, so what you are seeing above is three separate clips combined. The good news is that it records audio pretty well, but the bad news is that there is a noticeable delay between pressing the button and the recording actually starting, so you can hear how my voice got cut-off at every attempt. For the record, when I said in the video that my hand is really close to my face, I mean that it was just 5 centimeters away from my nose. That's insane . In the video, it looks as if I have my hand extended, but that was not the case at all. So imagine how high the FOV really is! Regarding quality, thanks to videos being, well , in motion, it looks a bit better, but in reality, if you start examining the fine details, it won't take long for you to see that this isn't really usable footage. The 15 second limitation is making me think of social media, as for example, Instagram stories are most often that specific length. The Xreal Eye, however, only records horizontal footage in the quality seen above. Would you upload this anywhere, or try to make a memory out of it? Because, again: you have your phone with you, remember? The Xreal One Pro is getting juice from it. So at this point, why not just use your phone? If you ask me, the Xreal Eye is, first and foremost, here to enable 6 DoF. Where that would be utilized, though, is beyond me, as there isn't really a companion app that you can use. So your only option is the Xreal Beam Pro. Which, in turn, is an extra purchase, just like the Xreal Eye, both of which go on top of the already expensive Xreal One Pro kit. Hmm intensifies. Sound quality The Xreal One Pro's soundscape is created in collaboration with Bose. But don't get too excited about terms of loudness: you'll be able to hear the tiny speakers on this thing just fine. But it won't be enough to drown out any external sounds, and it doesn't offer any extra features such as ANC (active noise cancelling). The soundscape itself, though, is pretty lacklustre. And the UI elements are confusing too by the way, as there is no indication for when you've reached max volume, for example. It seemed to me like increasing volume only served to increase the highs in the mix. Regardless of what I tested these out with, mids were practically non-existent, and the bass range was more audible than felt. And in case you are not an audiophile like me, this means that music felt a bit hollow and not lively, like you'd most like it prefer it to be. Obviously, I wasn't expecting anything mind-blowing, but for the asking price, I think it was fair for me to hope for a better experience. This could be you, but you don't own an Xreal Beam Pro. | Image by Xreal Whatever the case, you must connect the Xreal One Pro (and Eye) to another device in order to use it. As with any other pair of glasses of this type, you have the usual options: PC or phone (or Switch, or Steam Deck: you know the drill). The great thing about this is that the Xreal One Pro is effectively a plug-and-play device, so you don't have to spend much time waiting. For the phone front: there is no official, one-for-all app that Xreal offers. If there is, it's not available on the international Play Store, and the paper inserts' QR codes do not take you to any sort of download do, however, lead to another product page: that of the Xreal Beam Pro. This is where the One Pro gets unique, as Xreal offers their own mini-PC, which enables extra features. While that is the case, I didn't utilize the Beam Pro for the purposes of this I'll tell you why: it's 2025. The Meta smart glasses exist, and Google teased a next-gen Glass successor. In this same reality, Xreal is still relying on an external power source, despite finally incorporating a processor into its flagship product. To top that all off, fans are expected to spend extra to get a legitimate smart experience? The math, simply put, does not check out on this one. For the cumulative asking price, I'm just not seeing the benefits. I honestly expected the Xreal One Pro to be way more capable out of the box, and for the Eye to be able to — at the very least — rival the Meta Ray Ban specs. But that's simply not the case.
Phone Arena
a day ago
- Phone Arena
Future iPhones may quietly fix one of mobile photography's biggest issues
Referential image of the iPhone 16 Pro Max cameras. | Image credit — PhoneArena A newly filed Apple patent suggests that future iPhones could feature a major upgrade to autofocus technology. Instead of using a single infrared dot projector, like many current models do, Apple is exploring a system that uses two invisible laser beams working together to lock focus more quickly and accurately, even when the subject — or the user — is moving. The patent, labeled US 12335613 B2, explains how this twin-laser system would function. When you raise your phone to take a picture, each laser fires a pulse of light at a slightly different angle. Tiny sensors measure how long it takes for those reflections to return. If both beams agree on the distance, the iPhone locks focus immediately. If not, the system waits and switches to the traditional autofocus method before trying again. Figure in Apple's laser-based autofocus filing. | Image credit — USPTO This isn't the first time laser-based autofocus has appeared on smartphones. LG introduced it with the LG G3 back in 2014 to improve focus speed in low light. ASUS also included laser modules in its Zenfone lineup, while Huawei and OnePlus used them as part of hybrid systems combining laser, phase detection, and contrast-based methods. Google's earlier Pixel models also featured laser autofocus, though it later shifted toward dual pixel and computational approaches. However, all these systems used a single laser beam, which could be fooled by reflective surfaces like glass or metal. However, Apple's proposed system stands out by using two lasers at different angles to verify distance more accurately. If the two signals disagree, the phone falls back on more traditional focus methods before retrying — something no existing phone camera does. Figure in Apple's laser-based autofocus filing. | Image credit — USPTO This new approach could help reduce blurry photos in many common situations — like snapping a picture of your pet running in the yard or capturing a landscape from inside a moving car or plane. The lasers offer more precise depth judgment, especially when dealing with reflective surfaces like water, metal, or glass. In Apple's filing, a few potential advantages are highlighted: Faster photos: The lens won't need to hunt back and forth to find focus, so you're less likely to miss fleeting moments. Improved accuracy: The system can detect and avoid false reflections, resulting in clearer images through windows, fences, or in low light. Better efficiency: Less focus searching means lower power usage, which could slightly extend battery life over time. It's important to note that, though the patent describes a camera that could function in high-motion environments, Apple has not confirmed whether this system will appear in upcoming iPhones. Like many of Apple's patents, this may or may not become a commercial product. However, the small size and solid-state nature of the components make them a practical fit for future iPhone models or even devices like the Vision Pro. If this feature does ship, Apple could brand it with terms like "instant laser focus" or "dual-beam depth lock." But I think that for users, the benefit will be simple: more dependable sharpness in everyday photos, especially when time and movement are working against you. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
Hidden controls in latest QPR beta help Pixel users customize their lock screen clocks
The slider can be found in the updated Wallpaper & style app. Go to Settings > Wallpaper & style > Clock . You'll see the options for changing the look of the lock screen clock along with the slider directly underneath. Swipe your finger across the slider to see the different options you can choose from. The recently released Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update adds another customization option that is hidden from Pixel users in the beta. This option allows you to choose between a "rounded" or a "sharp" font for the clock. This works only with the default clock. Once again go to Settings > Wallpaper & style > Clock . From the preview image of the default clock, long-press on the clock itself and you will see a notification that says either "Style changed to round" or "Style changed to sharp." Tapping on the clock will continually alternate between the "round" or "sharp" styles. New lock screen customization features for compatible Pixel models with Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 installed. | Image credit-PhoneArena To see the difference between the two styles, look at the numerals on the clock. The "sharp" image uses a straight line on the starting and ending points of the numerals while the "round" style uses, well, a rounded line at the spots where a numeral starts and ends. You might find the style of one of the two options more to your liking although it is such a minor customization that most people will prefer just to leave this alone. Now, in the unlikely event that these two lock screen clock customization features have you chomping at the bit to install the beta, I can tell you from personal experience that this is not the type of beta software that will brick your phone or take away your must-have features. Still, it is a beta so you should make sure to back up your data before loading it. You'll need to go to or tap on this link. When the Android Beta for Pixel site loads, tap on the rectangular "View your eligible devices" button. You'll be sent to a page with an image of your Pixel phone. Underneath that image will be a button to press to opt into the Android 16 QPR1 Beta. Tap it and after a few minutes go to Settings > System > Software update > System update . Follow the directions to install the update. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Phone Arena
After years of doubt, I finally found a foldable worth using daily (Spoiler: It's not a Samsung or a Pixel)
As a tech reviewer, I've had access to foldable phones for years, ever since the first Galaxy Z Fold wowed and impressed. But over the years, I've seldom played with one, and I purposefully abstained from putting my SIM card inside a foldable and using it as a daily driver. The reason was, well, pretty logical in my mind: none of the foldables I saw in person didn't feel like a superior device to the conventional flagships I could use. Something always felt off. Some had unsightly display creases that totally broke the immersion, others were lacking either in the battery life or the camera areas, which are always crucial, some had unusable interfaces, and others were just peculiar in the negative sense of the word. My point being, no foldable really enticed me to use it as a daily driver, until I stumbled upon this "older" device released back in 2024. The phone I'm currently talking about and the one I'm obsessed with right now is the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, and it's easily among the best foldables to this day. It definitely is a more complete phone than any Galaxy Z Fold you can get, that's for sure. Here's my colleague Preslav giving the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro a heatlthy skeptical look. But believe me, my friend, this is the foldable that could finally make even you switch from your precious Samsungs. (Image by PhoneArena) To explain why I rate this foldable much higher than, say, the Galaxy Z Fold lineup, which is what most people think of when they hear " foldable phone " , I will do what I do best and give you a quick review of the phone in question. The first thing that blew me away with this Vivo was the design. We start off with a pretty thin body that measures 4.7 mm unfolded and 10.2 mm folded. It's not the thinnest foldable around, true, but it's still super-thin and sleek. When you use it folded with a case on, it feels just as large as an iPhone 16 Pro Max with a case on. Moreover, at 236gr, this phone is lighter than some iPhones I've used. Both objectively and subjectively, it's a beaut' (Image by PhoneArena) I particularly loved the aspect ratio of the phone itself. At 21:9, it's perfectly functional and notably more useful than the Z Fold's narrower outer screen. The X Fold 3 Pro is perfectly usable even in its folded state, so you're not forced to unfold it every time you want to use it. The crease on the inner screen is there, you can sometimes see it when a reflection hits, but you can barely feel it when you move your fingertips on top of it. That's just the solution I love with foldables, as the necessary drawback of a crease is almost negligible here. In addition, the hinge is super-strong and solid, unlike the flimsy ones on the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. There's also a simple but very useful hardware mute switch, which is super-convenient. The there's the interface. Laugh all you want, but I'm convinced that Vivo's oddly named Funtouch OS is among the best custom Android skins. It's functional, feature-rich, and manages a sleek interface style devoid of any fleeting design trends. There are tons of useful features sprinkled throughout the interface, which is usually the case with phones hailing from China, but interestingly, Funtouch OS is probably the least "Chinese-looking" phone skin I've laid my eyes upon. For example, Xiaomi's HyperOS or Oppo's ColorOS are instantly recognizable with their near-identical iOS-like styling that oozes with everything but originality. Funtouch OS is more understated as it's definitely closer to stock Android yet still has its own, rather unique UX design. Classy notifications (with colorful icons, mind you), a unified notification shade that simply revels in efficiency, and all the latest Android features you've come to expect are currently here. There are many personalization and customization features, with Funtouch OS' Dynamic Effects offering some of the deepest and most intriguing ways to shape the interface to your liking. You can change the home screen entering animation, the fingerprint icon and recognition animations, the charging and USB insertion animations, the ambient light effect when receiving a notification, and so much more. A proper treasure trove for customization freaks like me! There are some AI features, but they are mostly forgettable. As long as I have access to Gemini and ChatGPT, my AI needs are sorted, and I have hardly needed anything more. I absolutely adore the foldable-specific features here, like swiping up an app to open it in split-screen or run in a floating window, as well as the neat dock at the bottom. If you quickly close and open the foldable, you can easily open most apps in split-screen, and that's genius. Position the phone half-open on any surface, and you get a customizable standby clock. Okay, technically, we don't get the latest hardware inside the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro: there's "only" a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip inside instead of the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite. Is that a problem? Absolutely not! The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is still a flagship chip that marries superb raw power with decent enough efficiency, despite clocking it slightly lower scores in the synthetic benchmarks. The performance is top-notch in almost any task you might think of, and I could even emulate some of my favorite PC and PS3 games with respectable frame rates (thank the gods for Android emulation). The phone is equipped with 16GB of RAM, which is great in itself, but Vivo also lets you use up to 16GB of the 512GB of storage as additional memory, totalling to around 32GB of available memory. This allows the phone to hold so many apps in its memory that I'm sometimes surprised that apps I haven't used in a day or so were still held in the memory. This is perfect for heavy multitaskers, which I apparently am. There's somehow a 5,700mAh battery fitted on the foldable phone . Vivo has used a second-gen carbon-silicon battery which boasts 780 Wh/L density. I will be honest with you, I don't know what that means exactly at the top of my mind, but I can attest to the decent battery life of the phone itself. With a mixed folded/unfolded use through the day and usually moderate usage, it's easily a day, day-and-a-half phone. What I like even more is the fast 100W charging. Pop the phone on the charger, go make yourself a brunch and some coffee, and voilà, it's typically trickling at around 80%, which is more than enough to last you a day. There are also two ultrasonic fingerprint scanners here, one on the internal screen and another one on the external display. That's a rarity, with many manufacturers opting for either an ultrasonic/optical or a single capacitive fingerprint in the power button. Speaking of the displays, both are superb. Colorful OLEDs with just the right amount of customization allowing you to fine-tune the color temperature and tone, very high peak brightness and low enough minimum one, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Absolutely top-notch! Not the very best, but good enough for me (Image by PhoneArena) Although it received a fairly middle-of-the-road score in our PhoneArena camera tests, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro camera still amazes me to this day. It reminded me that the best camera is the one you have on you, but also the one you know the strengths and weaknesses of, allowing you to squeeze the best possible results with what you have available. Hardware-wise, it's a pretty respectable triple camera setup with a 50MP main camera with a large sensor, a 50MP ultrawide, and a high-res 64MP telephoto with 3X optical zoom that uses sensor cropping to zoom even further without any noticeable image quality loss. I routinely take photos at between 6X and 10X, and the quality is more than acceptable (taking your kid to the park apparently involves a lot of zooming in to capture all the shenanigans). I absolutely adore the number of features and hidden functionalities available in the camera app. Apart from the standard photo, video, Pro shooting, and portrait modes, this phone also lets you take tilt shift photography, dabble into astrophotography (with AR constellation support), have access to many portrait modes emulating the look of some classic Zeiss lenses like Distagon, Sonnar, Planar, Biotar, and so much more. There's a proper macro mode here, which uses the correct camera (it's the telephoto one, not the ultrawide). You can also customize the cinematic video mode look by applying custom or some preloaded LUTs, apply a slow-shutter effect, and generally feel like an aspiring cinematographer. All cool beans! Although it's not the best camera around in terms of pure quality, it's just enough for me. More often than not, it's not the camera hardware, but the creativity that takes a better photo. he hinge is perfect. Once more for the Galaxy Z Fold users in the back, THE HINGE IS PERFECT (Image by PhoneArena) The things I don't like? The phone can capture up to 8K@30fps videos, but the quality is just okay. There's a big difference when you switch between the different cameras when taking a video, which doesn't always look great. Newer Vivo phones also have the very useful Live Photo feature, which works just like on the iPhone and captures a short video before and after you hit the shutter button, but the X Fold 3 Pro only allows this in its dedicated Snapshot mode. In it, none of the standard camera features are available, so it's mostly a wasted functionality here. Other foldables like the Oppo Find N5 support regular Live Photo capture in all standard still photography modes, so excuse me if I'm a bit envious. The phone is only IPX8, not IP68. While that's normal to expect from a foldable, I would have loved some minor dust proofing, at least IP48 matching the Galaxy Z Fold series. The glass on the outer screen, while having super-strong shatter resistance (at least according to the official specs), the outer glass isn't very scratch-resistant. While I pamper it, I can notice some micro scratches here and there, which isn't inspiring a lot of confidence, as I now have to consider getting a 3D glass protector from Chinese online retailers. The audio quality isn't too good as well, but that's usually the case with foldable phones . The dual stereo speakers inside are tiny due to the cramped space inside, which could be some of the reasons why the audio is simply lacking in terms of strength and presence. You eventually get used to it, but if someone plays the same audio track on a Galaxy flagship or an iPhone, it would be a night-and-day difference. And yes, the pricing isn't the most affordable. Currently, you can find the phone going for around $1,300 from reputable online retailers that specialize in reselling Chinese phones, but the price was higher last year. Now that I've used the phone, I'm fully convinced it's worth it, though: the value you get out of the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro definitely beats those equally expensive newer foldables out there. Currently, I have no plans to stop using this device. It has everything I could possibly want from a phone, be it a foldable or a regular one. Given the increasing pace of rumors regarding the upcoming Vivo X Fold 5 (the company conveniently skips the "4" iteration of the phone as is the Chinese tradition), I am fully expecting to be shock-and-awed by Vivo's next-gen foldable phone and would absolutely rattle up the chain of command so that I can review it as soon as it enters the PhoneArena premises. As a conclusion, I've you've been hesitant to try out a foldable phone , make sure to look past the usual suspects coming from Samsung and Google. Chinese manufacturers are playing in another league altogether, and I'd never swap the X Fold 3 Pro for a Galaxy Z Fold. 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