Tecno Phantom V Fold Is Proof ‘cheap Foldables Can Be Great, And Now A Flip Is Coming
Foldable smartphones are notoriously expensive, but the Tecno Phantom V Fold, launched earlier this year, offers a fairly affordable option. And now Tecno announces the launch of a foldable phone that will probably have the same brand values.
Tecno Phantom V Fold A surprising achievement in affordable foldable devices
. Launched earlier this year, the Tecno Phantom V Fold is one of the most affordable book-style foldable devices to date. Priced at around $1,100, it's barely more expensive than a traditional flagship and even falls short of options like the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Most importantly, it costs a few hundred dollars less than the Google Pixel Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.
And you really don't have to give up much to get that price.
I've been playing with the Phantom V Fold for a few weeks now and I'm very impressed, at least from a hardware perspective.
The Phantom V Fold has a solid build, from the matte metal frame to the hinges. When you open the device, the hinge gently opens to reveal a 7.85-inch 120Hz display, which has almost invisible edges as the icing on the cake. Tecno has done better here than Samsung or Google, and that's impressive. The hinge protrudes slightly before reaching the full 180 degree opening, the suspension is usually around 178-179, maximum comfort. I don't think this is a major problem, but it is an area where a compromise can clearly be reached. The heel is also "stretchy", meaning it opens or closes very easily. Unlike foldable devices from Samsung, Google and Oppo, this hinge cannot "come out" at a certain angle, which I think is a totally fair compromise.
The back of the V-Fold is made of textured plastic, which I like, and on top is a large, unique-looking circular camera module and three camera sensors. I haven't played with the cameras much, but at least they seem acceptable. The folks at Android Police called it a “perfect addition” back in April.
The Phantom V Fold's hardware certainly inspires confidence that a "cheap" foldable device can exist, but the software definitely falls short. Tecno's "HiOS" is a strong variant of Android and is not particularly pleasant to use. There are some nice things like the ability to run apps in floating windows and the ability to set the timer to "silent" mode, but there are other things that are frustrating in everyday use, like the notification bar and quick settings panel. It's split into two separate panels (hello iOS) and I'm not happy with the overall design aesthetic. Not my biggest fan, but at least things seem to be improving. In the few weeks I've had the Phantom, a random update brought the app drawer to the home screen and almost transformed it from a nightmare to something I can actually use.
Unfortunately, the Tecno Phantom V Fold is another book-style foldable device that is only available where it is sold. The device is not limited to the Chinese market like many others, but is only available in certain regions, such as India.
Ultimately, though, Tecno's efforts mean more than just bringing a rugged foldable device to a new market. To me, they just show that this technology is improving to the point where we can finally see prices coming down, and that's especially important since Samsung, as the market leader, decides to keep charging the same exorbitant prices over and over again. There have been no significant improvements in the last three generations.
And surprisingly, this is not the first time that Tecno has shown how good a budget device can be. The company launched the Camon 20 Pro earlier this year as its first Android phone with surprisingly solid specs and cameras, but at a cheaper price. The Camon 20 Pro costs around $230 in the US and still features 5G connectivity, a 120Hz display, and is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8050. It's even one of the few devices that was able to test Android 14 early.
Compare that to $230 US Android phones like the OnePlus Nord N300, which has a 90Hz display and a much weaker MediaTek Dimensity 810, launched with Android 12 and only gets an upgrade to Android 13:
Tecno “Phantom V Flip” With Tecno launching on September 22,
the rumored Phantom V Flip is very exciting.
The Phantom V Flip has been shown in several previous leaks with a similar form factor to the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but with a unique circular display on the outside. Other than that, it looks like it will have a lot of similarities to the V Fold in its construction, which is great news.
As reported by GSMArena , Tecno will be holding an event in Singapore on September 22 where it's pretty clear this foldable phone is coming, and Tecno even directly stated that the next version will feature "new design factors and a redefinition of compromises." . Style and functionality. An enthusiastic and revolutionary phone for a visionary and modern audience.
The only question now is how much it will cost and whether it will have enough impact to attract someone to launch a cheaper mobile phone on the market...
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