More and more flippy phones are coming right at ya, and they are packing with some killer tech!
In a Chinese-exclusive event, Vivo announced three new devices: the second-generation xFold, the xFlip, the first clamshell phone from the company, and the Pad2. The latter would be discussed in a separate article. Here, we’ll focus on the two folding phones.
Vivo xFold2
The xFold 2 is the company’s second attempt at making a foldable phone. Here, the phone is protected with SCHOTT Glass and it features two ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanners at the ready. Of course, it is a flagship device in its own right, so it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset based on a 2nd-gen TSMC process. The folding phone has 12GB RAM and 256GB storage by default but you can also opt for a 512GB version if that storage is insufficient for you. The tablet is also the first in the industry to equip with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, at least in the foldable phone segment.
The concept of folding phones was created to combine the large size of tablets while retaining the functionality of smartphones, including cellular services.
Aside from the chipset, you also get a 2K unfolded screen made with a Samsung E6 AMOLED material with 120Hz refresh rate and 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio. When unfolded, the phone reveals an 8.03″ display. The high-end AMOLED screen used for this display allows the foldable phone to have up to 1800nits peak brightness.
The main highlight of many Vivo flagships is their camera system, complete with Zeiss T* coating for the lenses. The primary camera here is a 50MP Sony IMX866 sensor. This is teamed up alongside a 12MP Ultrawide (Sony IMX663) and a 12MP telephoto sensor. The triple camera here is actually functional and is a true set of triple-camera systems. The front camera has 16MP resolution and could probably take 4K video at the minimum, unlike another phone with custom lenses. The cameras here are managed by the V2 chip which increases photo quality after taking a shot.
There’s also a 16MP selfie camera which probably has 4K video, unlike the other flagship from some certain company.
As it uses Zeiss lenses, expect additional software inclusion from Zeiss themselves. One such function is Zeiss cinematic video
It has two cells of batteries, consisting of 2400mAh each. Combined, this creates a 4800mAh battery that is charged via a proprietary 120W brick and cable. As with many flagships, this folding phone did not leave out the competition as it still has 50W fast wireless charging.
The tablet’s hinge is protected by the company’s self-develop aeronautics-grade FSS4 material. Not only does this make the hinge stronger and far more resistant! It also has a Flex Mode which, when active, will allow for smart voice and video calling hands-free after opening the device.
In terms of connectivity, you get the usual stuff such as 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and NFC. There’s also a pair of speakers here with Hi-Res Audio and Dolby Atmos for a rich clearer sound. Also, it boots up with OriginOS 3.0 based on Android 13. OriginOS is the fork used by Vivo in China.
In China, the phone starts at CNY 8,999 (~Php 73K) for the 12/256 trim while the 12/512 trim is priced at CNY 9,999 (~Php 81.1K). Colours include Shadow Black, Azure Blue, and Red.
SPECS:
- 8.03″ 2K (2520x1080px) Samsung E6 AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 8,000,000:1 contrast ratio
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm)
- CAMERAS:
- 50MP (Primary), f/1.75, Sony IMX866, OIS
- 12MP (Ultrawide), f/2.0
- 12MP (Telephoto), f/1.98, OIS
- FRONT: 16MP, f/2.45
- Zeiss T* Lens Coating
- OriginOS 3.0 based on Android 13
- 4800mAh, 120W fast charging
- 50W fast wireless charging
- Reverse wireless charging
- USB-C, Ultrasonic Fingerprint sensor, Stereo Speakers, Hi-Res Audio
- 5G services, Dual Nano-SIM Slot, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
- Black, Blue, Red
- PRICE:
- CNY 8,999 (~Php 73K)
- CNY 9,999 (~Php 81.1K)
Source: Vivo (in Chinese)
Vivo xFlip
The first flip phone from Vivo and this one also comes with Zeiss lenses. Pretty neat! This means you also get the same Zeiss enhancements as Vivo’s other flagships such as the xFold2.
The inner main display utilizes a 6.74″ 120Hz Samsung E6 AMOLED screen, while the rear outer display, placed strangely just above the hinge, measures 3 inches. Vivo says that these displays can be used as some sort of mirror to do your makeup thanks to its “clear as a mirror” screen and a number of makeup applications.
The display here uses a UTG Glass material so that the crease is invisible, even when opened and closed several times.
Instead of using the greatest and latest, Vivo opt to use something slightly older, but not that much. It is the very competitive Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with a 4nm TSMC process. You can choose between 256GB or 512GB internal storage. Just like xFold2, the xFlip is only available with 12GB RAM.
There are also two cameras at the back, and an additional 32MP selfie camera. These two rear cameras include the 50MP Primary and the 12MP ultrawide. As you can see, the only main difference in terms of the camera between this versus the xFold 2 is the lack of a telephoto sensor.
It has a large (for a flip phone) 4,400mAh battery with 44W fast charging. Vivo did not state whether this has wireless charging and due to that, there may be none.
There’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner because on a folding display, with our current technology, it is very hard to implement an in-display fingerprint reader. It also boots with OriginOS 3.0.
It has 5G services, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, Hi-Res Audio, and NFC. It is priced at CNY 5,999 (~Php 48.7K) for the 12/256 version while opting for the 512GB storage variant costs CNY 6,699 (~Php 54.3K). There are three colours available: Pink, Black, and Gold.
Just like the xFold2, we may need to wait for a while for these phones to launch globally.
SPECS:
- 6.74″ 2K (2520x1080px) Samsung E6 AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate (main inner display)
- 3.0″ Mirror Samsung AMOLED screen (outer display)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm)
- CAMERAS:
- 50MP (Primary), f/1.75, OIS
- 12MP (Ultrawide), f/2.2
- FRONT: 32MP, f/2.45
- Zeiss T* Lens Coating
- OriginOS 3.0 based on Android 13
- 4400mAh, 44W fast charging
- USB-C, Hi-Res Audio
- 5G services, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7, NFC
- Black, Champagne Gold, Pink
- PRICE:
- 12/256: CNY 5,999 (~Php 48.7K)
- 12/512: CNY 6,699 (~Php 54.3K)
SOURCE: Vivo xFlip (in Chinese)
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