Latest news with #VivoXFold3Pro
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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Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Vivo X Fold 5 launch date and other key features officially confirmed
Vivo has announced the launch date for its upcoming foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold 5. The company will officially unveil the device on June 25th. This model is the follow-up to last year's X Fold 3 model. The Vivo X Fold 5 is also expected to launch in India soon, as it has recently appeared on India's BIS certification site. The Vivo X Fold 5 will debut in China on June 25 at 7:00 PM local time (4:30 PM IST). The official teaser highlights the phone's slim profile even when folded. The device will come in black, white, and green colour options. The back panel features a large circular camera module housing three lenses, including a periscope telephoto sensor, alongside an LED flash. The camera system carries the Zeiss branding. On the front, the cover display will have a centred punch-hole for the selfie camera. Vivo's product manager, Han Boxiao, shared sample photos which showed the camera's 1x, 20x telephoto, and telephoto macro capabilities. Also read: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro Review: Foldable marvel with a price tag of ₹1,59,999 The Vivo X Fold 5 will feature an 8T LTPO AMOLED display both on the inside and outside. It is expected to feature a 6.53-inch cover screen and an 8.03-inch main 2K AMOLED screen, both with 120Hz refresh rate support. The display will reach up to 4,500 nits of peak brightness and carry TUV Rheinland's global eye protection 3.0 certification. Under the hood, the device will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which promises roughly 30 percent better performance and 20 percent improved power efficiency compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the previous model. The phone could be equipped with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Also read: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro gets a new variant in India: Check price, specs and more In terms of optics, the Vivo X Fold 5 is expected to have three 50MP rear cameras: a primary IMX921 sensor, an ultra-wide lens, and a 3x periscope telephoto IMX882 sensor. It is also likely to have a 32MP camera on the front for selfies and video calling. Additionally, the device will boost the battery capacity from 5,500mAh to 6,000mAh. In addition, it will support 90W wired and 30W wireless charging. Moreover, Vivo has confirmed that the foldable device meets several water and dust resistance ratings, including IPX8, IPX9, and IPX5. It will also support cross-platform features such as Apple Watch pairing, iCloud access, and dual-device interconnection with an iPhone. Also read: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Foldable smartphones of 2024 compared Pre-orders for the Vivo X Fold 5 are now open on the official Vivo website. While the price remains undisclosed, the Vivo X Fold 3 launched at CNY 6,999 (approximately Rs. 83,200), which could offer a clue as to the pricing of the upcoming model.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Vivo X Fold 5 could launch with slimmer design, bigger battery and lower price than Fold 3 Pro
Vivo is preparing to unveil its upcoming foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold 5, later this year. Although the company has not yet confirmed any official details, leaks and reports have started revealing key features and specifications of the device. These leaks suggest that the Vivo X Fold 5 could offer improvements over its predecessor, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, including a slimmer design and a lower price point. According to a post by a reliable tipster, Panda on Weibo, the Vivo X Fold 5 Pro will feature a 6,000 mAh battery. The device is expected to support fast charging capabilities, with 90W wired charging and 30W wireless charging support. These specifications would make the foldable stand out for its battery capacity among competing models. Also read: Vivo X200 FE could launch in India in July: Check expected specs, features, price and more The phone is also likely to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset paired with up to 16GB of RAM and a maximum of 512GB of internal storage. This combination aims to deliver smooth performance for multitasking and demanding applications. Furthermore, the Vivo X Fold 5 is expected to feature an 8.03-inch foldable AMOLED display with 2K+ resolution as its main screen. In addition, a secondary 6.53-inch LTPO OLED display will serve as the cover screen. Both displays are rumoured to support a 120Hz refresh rate, which will help provide smoother visuals. Also read: Samsung Galaxy S25 review: Flagship features in a handful package Camera configurations appear to be comprehensive. The foldable will reportedly carry dual 32MP selfie cameras, one placed on the cover display and another on the inside. The rear setup may include a 50MP Sony IMX921 primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens with autofocus, and a 50MP IMX882 periscope telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The tipster also suggested that the Vivo X Fold 5 could launch at a price lower than the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. The Fold 3 Pro debuted in China in March 2024 at CNY 9,999 (around Rs. 1,16,000) for the 16GB + 512GB version. A higher-end 16GB + 1TB model was priced at CNY 10,999 (around Rs. 1,27,600). Also read: iPhone 16e quick review: Compact but powerful contender The Vivo X Fold 5 is expected to compete with other foldable phones such as the Oppo Find N5 and the Honor Magic V5 in the Chinese market. For reference, the Oppo Find N5 starts at CNY 8,999 (roughly Rs. 1,06,700) for the 12GB + 256GB model and reaches up to CNY 10,999 (around Rs. 1,30,400) for the 16GB + 1TB variant. This suggests that Vivo could position the X Fold 5 within a similar price range to remain competitive. Reports also indicate a possible launch in India next month, alongside the Vivo X200 FE. This move could help Vivo expand its foldable device portfolio in the growing Indian smartphone market.
India Today
09-05-2025
- India Today
Vivo X Fold 5 could be slimmest foldable yet with 6,000mAh battery, leak suggests
Vivo appears to be streamlining its foldable phone strategy this year. While the company launched two foldables in China last year — the X Fold 3 and X Fold 3 Pro — only the Pro model reached international markets, including India. However, things seem set to change in 2025. According to a report by XpertPick, Vivo plans to launch just one foldable device globally, expected to be named the Vivo X Fold 5. The likely reason for skipping from 3 to 5 is that the number "4" is considered unlucky in some Asian cultures. advertisementThe Vivo X Fold 5 is rumoured to feature a 6.53-inch LTPO cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate, alongside an 8.03-inch inner foldable AMOLED screen, also with a 120Hz refresh rate and 2K+ resolution. It is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset — the same SoC found in last year's Vivo X Fold 3 Pro — paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB internal storage. While that might not sound like a leap forward in terms of raw performance, the device brings significant changes elsewhere. Source: Yogesh Brar One of the key highlights is the rumoured 6,000mAh battery, which will be the largest in any foldable phone on the market. It is said to support 90W wired and 30W wireless charging, which should translate to solid endurance and quick In terms of camera, the Vivo X Fold 5 is expected to pack dual 32-megapixel selfie cameras — one on the cover display and another on the inside. The rear camera module is rumoured to include a 50-megapixel Sony IMX921 primary sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens with autofocus, and a 50-megapixel IMX882 periscope telephoto lens offering 3x optical features are said to include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a 3-stage Alert Slider, AI-powered tools, and an IP rating, probably an IPX8 rating for water resistance. If the rumours are to be believed, the Vivo X Fold 5 will be among the slimmest foldables available at just 4.3mm when unfolded and 9.33mm when Vivo hasn't yet confirmed a launch timeline or pricing, the use of the same chipset as last year raises the possibility of a more aggressive price tag. To recall, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro was launched in India at Rs 1,59,999 for the sole 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant. In our review, we found it to be a well-rounded device that delivered top-tier performance, excellent cameras, long battery life and perhaps the best design among foldables at the time. If the Vivo X Fold 5 builds on that foundation while being thinner and packing a larger battery, it could offer even better value for users looking for a top-tier foldable smartphone.
