The foldable smartphone market has recently evolved significantly, and it has been spearheaded primarily by Samsung. However, a new Vivo X Fold 3 Pro contender has entered the fray, promising to deliver exceptional value and advanced features.
While it doesn’t completely revolutionize the category, it does succeed in taking the experience to a new level, offering a spectrum of advantages compared to its competitors.
Design and Build
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro boasts a sleek and futuristic design:
| Dimensions | State |
|---|---|
| 159.96 x 72.55 x 11.2mm | Closed |
| 159.96 x 142.4 x 5.2mm | Open |
With a weight of 236 grams and available in Celestial Black, Vivo’s claim of offering one of the thinnest foldable devices holds true. Although slightly thicker than traditional bar-shaped flags (typically around 8.5mm), the device feels notably slim when held.
Durability and Usability
The X Fold 3 Pro is IPX8-rated, offering some assurance during exposure to rain or splashes, although it’s prudent to avoid intentional submersion due to warranty constraints.
The thin form factor, coupled with an unfolding mechanism that transforms it into a large-screen device, is an impressive feat of engineering, engaging onlookers with its seamless transformation.
Displays: Smart and Expansive
Specifications
- Cover Display: 6.53-inch, 2748 × 1172 pixels, FHD+, 120Hz, AMOLED (LTPO).
- Main Display: 8.03-inch, 2480 × 2200 pixels, 2K+, 120Hz, AMOLED (LTPO).
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro excels with its expansive displays. The main screen, at 8.03 inches, is the largest in a foldable so far. This vast real estate surpasses even some non-foldable flagships like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Experience
Content consumption is enjoyable thanks to natural colour outputs and impressive outdoor brightness levels. The lack of a visible crease in the middle enhances the experience. The rectangular aspect ratio (4:3.55) ensures comfortable viewing and usability across multiple formats.
Innovative Features
Vivo incorporates several nifty features:
- Flex Mode: Displays controls (cursor, brightness) on the bottom half while using the top half for content.
- Fold-to-Split Gesture: Activates a split-screen view when partially closed and reopened quickly.
- Desk Calendar AOD: Converts the screen into a table clock in tent mode using a 1Hz refresh rate.
The new hinge design contributes to the functionality and ensures reduced weight (236 grams), making it lighter than some premium non-foldables.
Software Experience: Room for Improvement
Operating on Funtouch OS based on Android 14, Vivo offers:
- Software Support: Three years of system updates and four years of security updates.
While this is decent, it lags behind competitors like Samsung and Google, who provide more extended support.
Shortcomings
Some applications do not fully utilize the extensive screen space when reoriented, leaving noticeable black bars. This issue extends to many popular apps and even some Google services, detracting from the otherwise excellent display experience.
Bloatware
The device comes loaded with numerous Vivo native apps, many of which are non-removable. This includes the V-Appstore, which frequently pushes notifications even after uninstalling third-party apps. Fortunately, these notifications can be disabled via Android settings.
Performance: Power Undeniably Present
Specifications
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- RAM: LPDDR5X – 16GB.
- Storage: UFS 4.0 – 512GB.
It also handles demanding games like Genshin Impact seamlessly at maxed-out settings without experiencing significant heat issues, thanks to the integrated large vapour cooling system ensuring optimal thermal management.
Camera Capabilities: A Mixed Bag
Specifics
- Main Camera: 50MP (OIS), f/1.68 aperture.
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 50MP, f/2.0 aperture.
- Telephoto Camera: 64MP (OIS), 3x optical zoom.
- Selfie Cameras: Dual 32MP front-facing cameras.
Strengths
- Primary Camera: Excellent performance in varied lighting conditions.
- Telephoto Camera: Effective for portraits and macro shots with fine detail up to a limit of 10x zoom.
Weaknesses
- Ultra-Wide Camera: Exhibits barrel distortion and less consistency in low light.
- Selfie Cameras: Produce average images compared to other devices at similar prices.
Battery Life: Robust Backup
Specifications
- Capacity: 5700mAh.
- Wired Charging: 100W.
- Wireless Charging: 50W.
The device offers impressive longevity:
- Heavy usage yields over a day’s worth of battery life.
- Video loop tests show up to nearly 20 hours on the cover display and over 16 hours on the main screen.
Charging efficiency is also notable, with the provided charger fully charging the device in under an hour.
Conclusion
Vivo’s X Fold 3 Pro demonstrates significant potential and competitive prowess in the foldable category with its high-quality displays, superior performance metrics, and robust battery life. Despite some software idiosyncrasies and camera limitations, it is a compelling option against established players.
The absence of an extended warranty program is a notable drawback; however, for those seeking a dynamic foldable experience with an array of advanced features, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro warrants serious consideration in today’s evolving smartphone landscape.
