Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Slimmer debutant challenges foldable veteran

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Finally lifting the veil on its first flagship foldable smartphone in the Indian market, the Chinese smartphone manufacturing giant Vivo has introduced the Vivo X Fold3 Pro. The launch can be seen in the light of Vivo’s quest to compete with already established brands like Samsung and OnePlus in the foldable device segment. This foldable debutant from Vivo encompasses a fresh slew of features including a slim profile, powerful cameras, robust battery life, and more. In this review, we shall explore the freshness the Vivo X Fold3 Pro has to offer, emphasising its capabilities to challenge its contemporaries. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Design

As mentioned above, the first thing that soothes your senses is the slim profile of the Vivo X Fold3 Pro. Touted as one of the slimmest foldable smartphones to hit the market, this device measures only 11mm when folded, which is thinner than even some of the glass slab smartphones. It measures just 5.2mm when unfolded. Perfectly fitting into the pocket, it weighs 236g and doesn’t feel like having something heavier than a smartphone. At the back, akin to Vivo’s design, a Zeiss-branded circular camera module, referred to as the ‘big eye’ by Vivo, gives it an aesthetically pleasant look. The rear panel sports a satin matte finish and flaunts the typical X-series design language.

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As the brand claims the hinge to be based on carbon fibre ultra-durable design, it feels solid. With TUV certifications, it can withstand approximately 100-fold-unfolds a day for 12 years over its life cycle. Further, the IPX8 rating gives it water resistance capabilities, which I can personally vouch for as I used the device during the recent showers in Delhi and found it to be working perfectly. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Display

The Vivo X Fold3 Pro’s both displays appear similar. Featuring a 6.53-inch LTPO 8T AMOLED display with a stunning 2748×1172 resolution, the cover screen supports HDR formats like HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision. Having a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, the transitions experienced while playing multimedia are smooth. The device offers a peak brightness of up to 4500 nits, making it bright enough to be visible under sunlight. When unfolded, you get an 8.03-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2480×2200, while the brightness levels and refresh rate remain the same as the cover screen. Vivo has worked on reducing the crease, making it less prominent compared to other foldables in the market. You can use the main screen in two modes, which include the split screen mode and the flex mode. To use the flex mode, you need to fold the device anywhere between 75 to 115 degrees, while the split screen mode can be activated following a quickly semi-folding and then unfolding the device. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Performance and Software

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and complemented by 16GB RAM, the Vivo X Fold3 Pro is a top-notch performer. Daily tasks are undertaken in the blink of an eye, thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate and the powerful processor. The presence of 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM makes switching between apps buttery smooth, and transitions from the cover screen to the main screen, along with streaming content, and browsing internet, are seamless. This device can also handle graphically intensive games without any noticeable glitches in the performance. The smartphone runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14. The UI does have third-party apps, including Vivo’s own applications, but the third-party bloatware can be uninstalled. The UI offers customisation features, attributed to the Funtouch OS, making it user-friendly. Well, the promise of only 3 years of software upgrades leaves users wondering about its long-term viability, especially given the bucks spent on this device. Additionally, the AI Assist feature makes it a top-notch device, delivering seamless results with a breeze. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Camera

Featuring a ZEISS Optics-based triple camera module, the Vivo X Fold3 Pro includes a 50MP main camera, a 64MP telephoto sensor, and a 50MP wide-angle shooter. The 50MP main sensor performs well, capturing good details and vibrant colours. The main camera’s OIS enhances quality as it minimizes blurry noises. The 64MP telephoto camera is impressive, with its 10x optical zoom capability. From zoom to macro, the camera pleasantly surprises with its range, offering stunning details and seamless clarity at up to 50x zoom. The 50MP wide-angle shooter complements the camera module with proper details and vibrant colours. Additionally, at the front, the 32MP selfie camera on the cover and main screen delivers decent details and natural facial tones. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Battery

The Vivo X Fold3 Pro packs a powerful 5,700mAh battery, supporting 100W fast wired charging.  It comes with a 120W charging brick, fully charging the battery in almost 40 minutes. The device also supports wireless charging, thanks to Vivo’s Vertical Flash Charger 2. Notably, despite having a powerful battery, the smartphone maintains a slim profile, which is commendable. For modest users, on a single charge, it can last up to a day and a half. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Verdict

Undoubtedly, the Vivo X Fold3 Pro is poised to create a niche of its own, given the kind of balance it has got between the build quality and functionality. Foldable devices have earned a reputation for being thick and heavy, but this device effectively challenges that notion with its sleek profile. Design-wise, the device boasts a premium look alongside that longevity factor, buoyed by the carbon fibre ultra-durable design. Furthermore, the camera quality is good, battery life is robust, and performance is seamless.

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However, while physical longevity is settled, the promise of only three years of software updates is a concern, especially given the price tag of Rs.1,60,000 in a price-sensitive market like India. To conclude, it is a device worth considering, as the positives associated with the Vivo X Fold3 Pro outweigh the few apprehensions users might have. 

Vivo X Fold3 Pro Review: Pros and Cons

Pros: 

• Slim profile

• Robust battery life 

• Seamless performance 

Cons: 

• Only 3 years of major software updates for a flagship device 

• IP68 rating could have been better