Why This Unknown Folding Phone Is More Exciting Than The Z Fold 4
The Tecno Phantom V Fold is proof that creating a high-end smartphone is a challenging task. But do not think that I hate him and am ready to write many words in refutation. It's the exact opposite.
It's a foldable smartphone from a brand you've probably never heard of, but since brands you know haven't taken the time to release a foldable device with a big screen, it deserves our applause and attention. here because.
Techno Phantom Vfold: Specifications
Tecno Phantom V Fold is a foldable smartphone with a large screen like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, and this is Tecno's first attempt at such a device. First, let's talk about size. It's slightly wider than the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and closer to the Honor Magic V when folded, and about the same height and thickness. By my standards, the weight is about 30 grams heavier than both, for a total of 300 grams. It's a heavy phone , but it hides its weight well.
The screen measures 6.43 inches when closed and 7.85 inches when open. Both have a dynamic refresh rate of 10Hz to 120Hz and LPTO technology to reduce flicker. The phone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ processor with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of onboard storage.
The battery has a capacity of 5,000mAh, can be recharged via 45W fast charging, and has a fingerprint sensor on the side of the body. There are three cameras on the back: a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, a 13MP wide-angle camera, as well as a 32MP and 16MP front camera. The display is enlarged. Software - Android 13 with Tecno HiOS 13 Fold software on top. The specs are everything you'd expect from a phone of this type, though I can't see anything about dust resistance or guarantees for future software updates.
Tecno Phantom V Fold: Design and Build
The hinge is perhaps the most important component of a complex smartphone. Tecno claims the zipper is made of "aerospace-grade" material and is virtually wrinkle-free. Tested to 200,000 folds, it's not quite the same as the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Honor Magic Vs, but that does mean about five years of reliable use, so that's okay.
It reminds me of the original Samsung Galaxy Fold, making very little noise when opened and offering very little resistance after the first magnetic closure was released. It's not freestanding, so there's no way to use it on your lips and prop it up like you can with the Galaxy Z Fold 4. It's fully configurable to be open or closed.
After exposure, the crease is almost invisible. You can still feel it under your finger, but it's the same for all high-end smartphones. However, the phone does not fully unfold, which is much worse than folding. The Honor Magic Vs seem in no rush to unlock the last millimeter or two (perhaps because my review version is so new), but the Phantom V Fold doesn't seem to want to open up the last millimeter. I find it more disgusting than a small wrinkle.
You'll notice the weight when holding the Phantom V Fold, but the smooth curve around the edge of the screen makes it comfortable if you're right-handed, and the ribbed outer hinge improves grip. Open it up and the hinge feels a little wobbly, but the sturdy plastic frame makes it easy to hold the device without stretching your palm over the screen.
Techno Phantom Vfold: Camera
The Phantom V Fold has a relatively simple camera system, with a main camera, wide angle, and telephoto lens that provides 2x optical zoom. The rear camera can also be used to take selfies, and the foldable screen provides a large and convenient preview. Unfortunately, the image quality is not up to par.
The problem is exactly in the colors. On a bright sunny day at the beach, the camera reproduced unflattering colors by toning down a scene in which all emotion was lost and either removing or saturating emotion. In other shots that didn't have sunlight or blue skies, colors looked more accurate, which is a stark contrast to situations I've had with cameras in the past.
There are other problems too. The wide-angle camera has the same problem with color accuracy, and images can look noisy as well. The 2x optical zoom is the same, but at least its photos have a lot more detail. It's not a terrible camera, but it definitely needs some improvement and currently doesn't come close to meeting the potential of its specs.
I used the phone before it was officially launched and there is always a chance that a software update could fix these issues, but I had similar issues with the Tecno Phantom X2 Pro that I tested recently. Too bad the X2 Pro's fun camera isn't here.
Tecno Phantom V Fold: software and performance
Besides the hinge, software is another aspect that can make or break a high-end smartphone. I haven't used the Phantom V Fold as my primary phone yet, but I've used several of my usual apps (social apps, YouTube, Google Maps, Autotrader, and Netflix) to see how they work on both screens.
Twitter and Autotrader work seamlessly and switch between screens when opening and closing the device. However, you are only looking at an enlarged version on an open screen, not something specifically designed for the screen. Oddly, Netflix is not available for the phone and the Play Store says it is not compatible when I tried to download it. Disney+ and Amazon Prime are working and switching between screens again. The sound is good, but the bass is lacking.
There are several multitasking modes with split screen support and floating windows that can be activated easily and quickly. Even apps that say they might not be compatible with floating screen mode, like YouTube, worked flawlessly. The Dimensity 9000+ is a solid chip with good performance, as we saw in the Asus ROG Phone 6D, and it handles many tasks effortlessly.
Tecno says the Phantom V Fold is optimized to support 1,000 major apps when opened and closed, with 2,000 compatible with the HiOS13 Fold as a whole, which I guess basically means multitasking. It's unfortunate that Netflix, an app I use a lot, has detected a hole in phone compatibility. Otherwise, the multitasking system is solid and easy to use.
The HiOS13 Fold will take some getting used to and will be a culture shock to anyone using Android on their Samsung, OnePlus, or Pixel phones. There is no Google Discover, some unknown applications are pre-installed, the design is rich and simple, and the drop-down notification bar is divided into two parts. Notifications after swiping down appear on the left of the screen, while quick settings appear on the right.
Phone software isn't my thing, but Tecno doesn't officially sell its phones in the US or UK, and those differences may all come down to local preferences. I did not use the phone as the primary device for evaluating network reliability or compatibility.
Tecno Phantom V Fold is refreshing, bold and well worth it
When I first heard about the Tecno Phantom V Fold, I couldn't wait to try it out and now that I got it, I'm so glad I did. what I like? It's not specifically about the phone, camera, or software; It's another thing. I love that she is so bold and honest. Let me explain.
While other brands hesitate and watch Samsung test foldable smartphones, Tecno just took on it and made one. The company isn't new (it's been around since 2006), but nowadays it takes time, effort, and guts to make something great out of another pad phone, and that's commendable.
The result isn't perfect, but in the little time I've had with the phone, it feels solid and well-built, even if it's not as polished as Samsung's or Oppo's models. The main issues I noticed are no different than those I observed with the Tecno Phantom X2 Pro, which indicates that these are issues inherent to the company as a whole rather than problems stemming from diving into the world of high-end smartphones. There is a refreshing honesty about it.
While other brands hesitate and watch Samsung test foldable smartphones, Tecno just took on it and made one.
I love that Tecno went for it; Put some serious effort into getting multitasking and app compatibility right, and creating a phone that should get a lot of corporate attention. It makes you wonder what Oppo is doing by limiting the Find N2 to China and why OnePlus only says it will eventually launch a foldable smartphone this year .
It's not the best large-screen foldable smartphone out there, but at least it's out there . In addition, Tecno does not pay $ 2,000 for it. When it launches in India, the price of the Phantom V Fold will start at $1,000. It's great for a first try and sets the stage for an even more refined and better Phantom V Fold 2 in the future. The same was said for the Galaxy Fold in 2019 and look where Samsung is now. Tecno deserves a big round of applause for producing the Phantom V Fold at such a competitive price.
