The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is the latest addition to Vivo’s burgeoning lineup of foldable smartphones. Aiming to compete with the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Huawei’s Mate X series, Vivo’s third-generation foldable promises a blend of innovative technology, superior design, and high-end performance. This comprehensive review delves into every aspect of the Vivo X Fold3 Pro, from its design and build quality to its performance and software, providing an in-depth look at what makes this device stand out in the crowded foldable market.
Design and Build Quality
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro continues the tradition of its predecessors with a design that is both elegant and functional. When folded, the device resembles a regular smartphone with a large, vibrant cover display. Unfolding it reveals a tablet-sized inner display, making it ideal for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity tasks.
Materials and Craftsmanship
The X Fold3 Pro boasts a premium build quality with a mix of glass and metal. The front and back are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, while the frame is constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum. This combination not only enhances durability but also gives the phone a sleek, sophisticated look. The hinge mechanism has been significantly improved from previous models, providing a smoother and more reliable folding and unfolding experience. Vivo claims the hinge can withstand over 300,000 folds, ensuring longevity.
Ergonomics and Usability
Despite its large size, Vivo has managed to keep the X Fold3 Pro relatively slim and lightweight. The device measures 14.8mm thick when folded and 7.4mm when unfolded, with a weight of 295 grams. The weight distribution is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor and volume rocker are easily accessible, and the tactile feedback is satisfying. Vivo has also included an IPX8 rating, making the X Fold3 Pro resistant to water immersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.
Display
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro features two stunning displays that cater to different usage scenarios.
Cover Display
The cover display is a 6.53-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2520 x 1080 pixels. It offers a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The colors are vibrant, and the brightness levels are impressive, making it easy to use even under direct sunlight. This display is perfect for quick tasks, such as checking notifications, responding to messages, or making calls.
Main Display
Unfolding the device reveals the 8.03-inch foldable AMOLED display with a resolution of 2200 x 1800 pixels. This display also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, making it ideal for watching movies, playing games, or multitasking. The crease in the middle is still noticeable but has been minimized compared to previous models. The overall viewing experience is immersive, with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast.
Performance
Under the hood, the Vivo X Fold3 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, coupled with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This combination ensures top-tier performance, capable of handling everything from intensive gaming to demanding productivity tasks with ease.
Benchmark Results
In benchmark tests, the X Fold3 Pro scores impressively across the board. In AnTuTu, it achieves a score of 1,050,000, while in Geekbench 5, it scores 1,200 in single-core and 3,900 in multi-core tests. These results place it among the top-performing smartphones on the market, ensuring that users can enjoy a smooth and responsive experience regardless of the task at hand.
Real-World Performance
In real-world usage, the Vivo X Fold3 Pro excels. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is seamless, and there is no noticeable lag or stutter. The generous amount of RAM allows for multiple apps to run simultaneously without slowing down the device. Gaming performance is also stellar, with titles like “Genshin Impact” and “PUBG Mobile” running at maximum settings without any hiccups.
Camera
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is equipped with a versatile quad-camera setup, developed in collaboration with Zeiss, ensuring exceptional photography capabilities.
Rear Camera Setup
- Primary Camera: 50MP f/1.8 sensor with OIS
- Ultra-Wide Camera: 48MP f/2.2 sensor with a 114-degree field of view
- Telephoto Camera: 12MP f/2.0 sensor with 2x optical zoom
- Periscope Telephoto Camera: 8MP f/3.4 sensor with 5x optical zoom and OIS
Front Cameras
The cover display features a 32MP f/2.4 front camera, while the inner display houses a 16MP f/2.4 front camera, both of which are capable of capturing sharp and detailed selfies.
Photography Performance
In daylight, the primary camera captures stunning photos with excellent detail, dynamic range, and accurate colors. The ultra-wide camera performs admirably, providing expansive shots without significant distortion. The telephoto and periscope cameras excel in zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed shots even from a distance. Low-light performance is also impressive, with Vivo’s Night Mode enhancing details and reducing noise.
Video Recording
The X Fold3 Pro supports 8K video recording at 30fps, as well as 4K recording at 60fps. Video quality is superb, with excellent stabilization, vibrant colors, and sharp details. The various lenses offer flexibility in framing and perspectives, making it a versatile tool for videography.
Software
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro runs on Funtouch OS 13, based on Android 14. Vivo has tailored the software experience to take full advantage of the foldable form factor.
User Interface
The interface is clean and intuitive, with a range of customization options. Vivo has included several features specifically designed for the foldable display, such as split-screen multitasking, floating windows, and a taskbar for quick access to apps. The transition between the cover and main display is seamless, with apps adapting to the different screen sizes effortlessly.
Pre-Installed Apps and Bloatware
While there are a few pre-installed apps, Vivo has kept bloatware to a minimum. Most of the pre-installed apps can be uninstalled if not needed. Vivo’s own suite of apps, such as the gallery, file manager, and music player, are well-designed and functional.
Battery Life
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is equipped with a 4,600mAh battery, which supports 66W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and 10W reverse wireless charging.
Battery Performance
Despite the large, power-hungry displays, the X Fold3 Pro manages to deliver a full day of battery life with moderate to heavy usage. In battery benchmark tests, it achieves an impressive screen-on time of around 7 hours on the main display and 10 hours on the cover display.
Charging Speed
With the included 66W charger, the device can charge from 0% to 100% in just under 40 minutes. Wireless charging is also fast, reaching 100% in about 70 minutes. The reverse wireless charging feature is handy for charging accessories such as earbuds or smartwatches on the go.
Connectivity
The X Fold3 Pro supports a wide range of connectivity options, including 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, and GPS. The device also features dual SIM support, allowing users to manage personal and work numbers on a single device.
Call Quality and Signal Reception
Call quality on the X Fold3 Pro is excellent, with clear and loud audio. Signal reception is strong, even in areas with weaker coverage. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E ensures fast and stable internet connectivity, while Bluetooth 5.3 provides a reliable connection for wireless accessories.
Audio
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro features stereo speakers tuned by AKG, delivering an immersive audio experience. The speakers are loud and clear, with a good balance of bass, mids, and highs. Dolby Atmos support enhances the audio quality, especially when watching movies or playing games.
Security
Security is a key focus for Vivo, and the X Fold3 Pro includes several features to protect user data. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, while the facial recognition system works well even in low light. Vivo has also included a range of software-based security features, such as app encryption, secure folders, and a privacy dashboard.
Conclusion
The Vivo X Fold3 Pro is a remarkable device that sets a new benchmark for foldable smartphones. Its premium design, stunning displays, top-tier performance, and versatile camera setup make it a compelling choice for anyone looking to embrace the foldable future. While it comes at a premium price, the X Fold3 Pro justifies its cost with a blend of innovation, quality, and functionality that is hard to beat.
Pros
- Premium Design and Build Quality: Sleek, durable, and stylish.
- Excellent Displays: Both cover and main displays are vibrant, with high refresh rates.
- Top-Tier Performance: Powerful hardware ensures smooth and responsive performance.
- Versatile Camera Setup: Exceptional photography and videography capabilities.
- Good Battery Life: Long-lasting battery with fast charging options.
- Enhanced Software Experience: Tailored for the foldable form factor.
Cons
- Noticeable Crease: The crease on the main display, while minimized, is still visible.
- Premium Price: The high cost may