TECNO Phantom V Fold Review: A Surprising Underdog in the World of Foldable Smartphones

Foldable smartphones have been making waves in the tech industry, with major players like Samsung and Huawei leading the charge. But amidst these giants, an unexpected contender has emerged – Tecno. This Chinese brand, famous in Kenya, has recently released its flagship foldable device, the Phantom V Fold. This article will explore this intriguing device and see if it can hold its own against its well-established competitors.

The Tecno brand may be familiar to some, but it has a strong presence in developing markets, particularly Kenya. With the Phantom V Fold, Tecno wants to name itself in the global foldable smartphone market. Our comprehensive review will cover everything from design and build quality to software optimization and camera performance. Let's dive in and see if the Tecno Phantom V Fold is worth considering as your next foldable smartphone.

1. Durability: Built to Last

The Phantom V Fold's durability is enhanced by ultra-thin glass on the internal display and Gorilla Glass Victus on the external display. TECNO claims that the folding screen is rated for 200,000 folds, comparable to Samsung's best offerings.

The hinge design is another aspect that contributes to the Phantom V Fold's durability. TECNO has incorporated a sturdy drop-shaped hinge mechanism that supports the folding display. This hinge design also helps minimize the crease on the folding screen, ensuring a seamless and more immersive viewing experience.

2. The Display: A Visual Treat

The most striking feature of the Phantom V Fold is its 7.85-inch 120Hz LTPO folding display. The OLED screen offers vivid colors and a bright panel, making it a visual treat for users. What sets this display apart from competitors like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is its minimal crease, made possible by the drop-shaped hinge design.

When folded, the Phantom V Fold features a 6.42-inch FHD+ smartphone screen, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus. This external display also has a 120Hz LTPO refresh rate and can reach up to 1,100 nits of brightness. The 21:9 aspect ratio makes the device comfortable to hold, while the gentle curve on the right-hand side adds a touch of elegance.

3. Performance: Powering Your Day

Under the hood, the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset powers the Phantom V Fold. Although it's not the latest flagship processor, it offers robust performance and is suitable for a foldable device. Benchmark tests show it performs comparably to the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC in CPU tests.

Thanks to its powerful chipset, the Phantom V Fold can easily handle power-hungry games like Genshin Impact and GameCube emulation. While some slowdowns are present in more demanding titles, the gaming experience remains enjoyable.

4. Software: User-Friendly and Feature-Rich

The Phantom V Fold runs on Android 12 with TECNO's custom HiOS skin. HiOS provides a user-friendly interface and numerous features tailored explicitly for foldable devices. This includes multitasking enhancements, app continuity, and customized UI elements that utilize the larger folding display.

TECNO has committed to providing regular security updates and software upgrades for the Phantom V Fold. Users can expect two years of major software updates and three years of security patches, ensuring their device remains up-to-date and secure.

5. Camera: Capture Your World

The Phantom V Fold features a triple camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide sensor, and an 8MP periscope telephoto sensor with 5x optical zoom. This versatile camera array allows for high-quality photography in various scenarios, from landscapes to portraits.

The device is equipped with a 32MP front-facing camera for selfies on the external display. Although there is no under-display camera on the internal folding screen, users can still utilize the primary camera setup for high-quality selfies when the device is unfolded.

6. Battery Life: Going the Distance

The Phantom V Fold houses a 5,000mAh battery, providing impressive battery life without compromise due to its foldable nature. With light usage, users can expect up to nine hours of screen-on time, while heavier use involving the large screen can still deliver almost seven hours.

Although it doesn't feature the fastest proprietary charging solution, the Phantom V Fold supports 45W fast charging, allowing a full charge in just under 55 minutes. However, the device lacks wireless charging capabilities.

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Conclusion

The TECNO Phantom V Fold is a compelling foldable smartphone with a captivating display, solid performance, and a durable design. While it may not compete directly with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold series regarding sheer processing power, it holds its own in other areas. It offers a more accessible price point for those seeking to enter the foldable market. If you're in the market for a foldable device that provides an outstanding balance of features and value, the Phantom V Fold might be the right choice.