The clamshell foldable screen market is generally seen as maturing with the involvement of more manufacturers. Among them is the Vivo X Flip whose availability for the local market has been confirmed by Vivo. But questions are starting to arise about the specific launch date which still remains a mystery.
However, we feel lucky to be given early access to take a closer look at the features and functions on offer. What are the advantages of this device over others? Can Vivo's decision to venture into this segment be considered wise? Next, it becomes one of the interesting devices to own? This is my review article for the Vivo X Flip after almost two weeks of use.
INFO Vivo X Fold2 Review – Prettiest, Fastest, Best
SPECIFICATIONS
Vivo X Flip
External Screen – 3″ AMOLED, 682 × 422 pixels, 60Hz
Inside – 6.74″ AMOLED FHD+, 120Hz, 10.7 billion colors
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor (4 nm)
1 x 3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 chip
3 x 2.5 GHz Cortex-A710
4 x 1.80 GHz Cortex-A510
Adreno 730 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB LPDDR5 (+8GB RAM)
Internal Storage 512 GB UFS 3.1
Primary Camera 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, Zeiss (Wide)
12MP, f/2.2 (Ultra-wide)
Selfie Camera 32 MP, f/2.5, (Wide)
4,400 mAh battery
44W wired charging
SIM/Nano Telephony/5G
NFC Yes
No Audio Jack
Waterproof None
Scan System Side fingerprint scanner
Sale Price Starts at RMB 5,999 (~RM3,869)
SHAPE
Once again I start the review with a disclaimer that it is the first time I have been given the responsibility of making a review for a device of this segment. Therefore, every opinion presented is based on experience and of course not everyone will agree, especially those who are ready to use such a device for a longer period.
In my opinion, Vivo X Flip can be classified as a beautiful device especially for the Rhombic Purple color option. This is also supported by close friends who also have the same opinion. It features premium elements on the exterior finish through a combination of vegan leather body and rounded aluminum alloy frame.
Even though it is just using line-patterned texture which is considered as the most basic element of art, it is still interesting because it successfully forms the pattern of an object. As an option Vivo X Flip also comes in Silk Gold and Diamond Black colors which are believed to have a body with a glossy finish.
What I meant earlier is related to the finish alone. But the story is different with the main design which is generally not a new concept. It has even been popularized by several brands such as Samsung, Motorola, Oppo and Huawei.
Likewise with the selection of the purple color earlier which is generally beautiful, but is also ready to be used by some other manufacturers. This may be due to the fact that it can give an elegant and not boring effect. While to see the difference, it must be located on the inner and outer screen, which I will tell more about in the next segment.
The aluminum alloy frame used is also sturdy making the device very comfortable in the hand. I also understand that there is a layer of nano-coating used here to maintain the cosmetic value of the device.
This means that the device will be free from scratches and dirt even when used without a frame. But as usual, I still use this device with the frame for fear of unwanted incidents. In addition, the device used is only a loan unit.
I also praise Vivo for using a hinge that can be closed tightly without a large space between the screen. At the same time successfully making the device more compact and thinner when folded. The device can also be opened easily at any angle, which I see as quite a positive thing.
Add vivo, the device's screen is also able to withstand up to 500,000 folds. Not that, usually, this part is often discussed by Effi and Fahim in their review articles when it comes to devices with foldable screens. However, one thing that I noticed is that the hinge of the device makes a strange sound when in use.
Through the Vivo X Flip is also a dual-camera system that is used neatly arranged in a round camera bump. Through it a wide sensor of 50MP with OIS is used, while also loading a 12MP sensor for ultra-wide.
There is also Zeiss and T* branding on it which clearly shows that Vivo is once again working with the company for the camera capabilities of the device. LED Flash in an elongated shape is also provided but placed quite far from the camera hump.
On the right side there is an audio and power button with a built-in fingerprint scanner. Both buttons feel good to press and the response is good. Not only that, I also appreciate the audio adjustment button that can intelligently adjust the usage depending on the screen condition. I mean, it doesn't matter whether the screen is open or closed, it can be accessed as usual without causing confusion.
Next, the fingerprint scanning process is also very fast except for wet fingers, at the same time it also does not need to be pressed strongly even when using the frame. In addition, the facial scanning system is also provided and can be used well and quickly without the issue of failure to unlock provided in a well-lit environment.
The left side houses nothing, then there is a slot for the SIM on the bottom which is placed along with the USB-C port and the speaker. Dual-SIM nano can be used simultaneously but there is no support for microSD cards.
However, the memory supply is also quite large with 12GB of RAM which also supports a virtual RAM of 8GB built-in RAM. This makes the amount of RAM that can be used on the device up to 20GB, in addition to storage of 512GB.
The speaker system is a type of mono that is only placed at the bottom which can be considered a weakness considering that most of the closest competitors are supplied with stereo audio systems. Good use can be enjoyed while listening to music but not at a satisfactory level. When the audio is played at maximum volume, the resulting pitch sounds shrill.
The next weakness started to be noticed when used for video calls because the audio quality became less satisfactory and slower. The device also does not have any waterproof and dustproof capabilities as is the case with the Oppo Find N2 Flip.
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SCREEN
The 6.74″ LTPO AMOLED screen used is roughly the same size as the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. Not only does it offer a high refresh rate of 120Hz, but full HD resolution content can be streamed as the device is equipped with the Widevine L1 DRM system. The maximum resolution is up to FHD+ with a maximum resolution of 407 ppi which makes the screen bright and beautiful enough to use. Even color reproduction also adds value to the device.
But it's a different story with outdoor use that starts to feel uncomfortable, especially under the scorching sun. I noticed the screen brightness level would start to decrease. But not to the point where it can't be read at all, instead text, numbers, icons and numbers are still visible. It's just that it's a bit vague which requires me to seek shelter for a while.
The screen is also protected with a fairly large but even bezel design on all four sides. Although I agree with Effi's opinion on the Oppo Find N2 Flip review, it is still forgivable for such a device considering that the screen does not have a durable glass layer. It will indirectly actually protect the screen from being scratched or bumped during use.
There are still two creases on the screen, but they won't be noticeable in most situations unless touched with a finger. I also understand that it is better than the Huawei P50 Pocket which produces up to three fold effects even though it has only been used for a short period of time. Also complementing the screen is a small camera hole placed in the middle.
The 3″ AMOLED external screen is larger than the 1.4″ on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. However, it is a little smaller than the Oppo Find N2 Flip which has a 3.26" external screen. The difference in size is quite small but it led to a brief discussion between me and Effi who later each thought the external screen on the Vivo X Flip was bigger than the Find N2 Flip. It does not need to be discussed further, but what is certain is that the external screen of this device does not have a high refresh rate.
Like other clamshell devices, this external screen can display various things such as notifications, time, date and widgets. In the meantime, it can also be used to make outgoing calls but the answering process requires the device to be fully unlocked. It can also be used to read every notification or message received without the ability to reply.
SOFTWARE AND USE
Android 13-based OriginOS 3.0 operating system is used on the device. It's Vivo's standalone operating system that's specific to the Chinese market at the moment and there are definitely some shortcomings that I have to point out. For example, the device is completely dominated by the Chinese language at the beginning of its use.
Next, there is no Google Play Store support available but it can be installed as a sideload without any issues. Dumping of fat apps that specialize in users in China is also happening. This may come as no surprise given that the device supports Chinese ROMs.
However, it is still fun to use with a combination of minimalistic and cheerful icons, while various interesting features are also offered together. If you want to compare it with FunTouchOS, it is neater, more systematic and the layout in the settings section is more organized. The usage experience is also smooth without any issues. Thanks to the 120Hz screen that makes the device feel quite responsive when in use with no lag issues that we can see with the naked eye.
Vivo's claim that this new operating system is capable of loading up to 34 applications in the background without a refresh process is also well-founded. The reason is that I can run up to 30 apps in the background just fine with no issues of malfunctions.
Next, the device also supports the feature of adding virtual memory Memory Fusion 8GB of built-in RAM that cannot be changed. There is also a Flexform Mode feature that allows the device to be used even when the body is folded at a 90 degree angle. With this, the experience of recording photos and videos using a selfie camera becomes easier without the help of additional tools.
It is interesting when any article can be read on the top of the screen while the bottom part has a keypad with arrows for control purposes. Like Oppo devices, here too I can find the Cover Screen Style feature which can not only be customized in the form of a very cute animation. It can even be used as a camera viewfinder. Other features that I find interesting are :-
Edge Lighting – The screen lights up on the side every time a notification is received.
Kids Mode – Changes the interface to be more child-friendly and limits the applications they can access.
Easy Touch – Quickly access favorite applications through side tabs displayed on every device screen with cheerful icons.
Flexible Windows – Launch two apps simultaneously on the screen or float more than one app on the screen using multi-window, including YouTube.
Always On Display –
Although in general it seems interesting, but I realize that there are also problems that occur. Among them, notifications for messages from most applications, including WhatsApp and Instagram, were found to often fail to appear. The situation is even more complicated when it is completely undetectable until I open the application and then the message is received as usual.
The problem that occurs often results in me sometimes missing some important messages from contacts. There has also been a situation where a pop-up notification suddenly pops up while playing the game even though it has been blocked through the settings.
One more thing, I also noticed a waste of space for some sections. At the beginning of use I was actually a bit wondering what the function was for the empty space at the top of the notification panel. I suspect that it may be used as a space for notification notifications or during it.
But it's wrong and it's actually left blank, while other settings are accessible at the bottom. But it depends on the stance and acceptance of each. For some people this may make it easier to use one-handed since the Vivo X Flip has a long screen when laid out.
The same goes for the camera app in Flex Mode support. You will notice that there is an empty space between the camera viewfinder and settings. But its existence is not entirely bad because in some cases it can work as a touch pad with arrows included when used to read articles or watch videos in Flex Mode support.
BENCHMARK – SNAPDRAGON 8+ GEN 1
Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is not a new processing chip but still powerful enough to use at this point. It is also the same chip used on the Galaxy Z Flip4 device which can also be a competitor to the Dimensity 9000+ on the previous Find N2 Flip. Thus I have put the two devices in comparison in running some benchmark tests. Here are the results:
Geekbench 6
Vivo X Flip – 1666/3793
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 1028/3088
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 – 1301/3822
Antutu 3D
Vivo X Flip – 872,906
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 756,646
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 – 980,346
Wild Life Extreme
Vivo X Flip – 2,154
Oppo Find N2 Flip – 2617
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 – 2798
Performance in the real world is generally satisfactory. Scrolling is quite smooth and applications can be opened and switched between each other quickly. It can be said that this good experience is also contributed by the responsive 120Hz screen capability. First play also feels good in most settings. Meanwhile the heat transfer is also good with the device only getting warm after a few gaming sessions.
In addition, I also share more about MLBB game specific settings that can be played with Ultra graphics and High frame rate. Meanwhile, PUBG provides the highest settings up to HDR graphics with Ultra frame rates. It can also be played with the frame rate reaching Extreme but with the graphics only at the Smooth level.
TELEPHONY AND GPS
The 5G network can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors depending on the location. Phone calls can also be made clearly but are often interrupted in some situations such as tall buildings. Next, the connection to cellular services and WiFi is also very satisfactory.
However, GPS performance is mediocre and inconsistent. This is due to the failure of the GPS to track and lock the location in some cases, as well as taking a long time to re-correct the actual position of the tracked vehicle even in the middle of the city.
CAMERA SETTINGS
The camera system used consists of wide and ultra-wide sensors. The picture capture option can be taken at a ratio of 1:1, 4:3, 16:9 and full. Zoom capabilities are up to 2X optical and 20X digital. Maximum video recording can be recorded up to 4K/60FPS with three built-in stabilization options. It consists of a standard that also allows the recording to be zoomed up to 10X. Followed by Ultra without the ability to zoom and Horizon Leveling which is very useful for recordings involving extreme shaking.
The interface of the camera app is similar to Vivo devices which support FunTouchOS making it easy to use without any problems. It's just that the built-in camera features and functions depend on the device itself, which consists of Sports, Night, Portrait, Photo, Video, 50MP, Pano, UltraHD Document, Slo-mo, Time-lapse, Long exposure, Astro, Pro, AR Stickers, Jovi Lens, Dual View, Live Photo and AI Group Portrait. Interesting video recordings can also be recorded easily through the Micro Movie function. It works like CapCut with built-in filters half of which need to be downloaded first.
Next, the AI Portrait Framing feature that allows the camera to detect the subject is really in the frame, then the shot will be done automatically. The camera also supports AI, HDR and built-in Zeiss to allow photos to be taken with good light balance. At the same time this ability can also be turned off manually through the settings bar at the top.
The camera application also allows the external screen to be used as a selfie camera viewfinder and its large size has made it easy to use. Additional functions such as a magnifier or magnifying mirror can also be found by pressing a special button for more detailed shots.
In general, the quality of pictures taken using the main camera is seen to be quite satisfactory in most situations, especially in sufficient lighting. Image reproduction appears sharp and bright, and colors are vibrant without overexposure issues. The detail in the image is also managed to be well maintained along with the minimal noise problem despite being cropped at any part.
Whether using Zeiss Mode or not, there is practically no significant difference in terms of performance. Image quality gives satisfactory results with preserved details. Still sharp and bright, just the colors in the image are more saturated than usual.
Ultra-wide image results are also satisfactory without significant color differences. Once again I repeat, the difference is there but not noticeable unless examined well, where the image result looks a little bluish compared to the thick sensor which shows yellowish.
The ability to zoom images between 1X and 2X can be easily taken through the icon provided. Decent photos however are only up to 5X zoom, then shots beyond 10X zoom start to show blurry and broken results.
Next, there is a slight reaction to the built-in AI Framing feature on the device, which in my personal opinion is not something that makes things easier but the opposite. Its main function is to detect and make sure the subject is in the right frame and then automatically take the shot.
Although this sounds interesting and easy, but the reality is not because it leaves you unprepared and the final picture is less than satisfactory. But as usual, back to each other's usage because the person who wrote this has an opinion, and the person who reads it also has an opinion.
The device can also intelligently detect the night atmosphere and then give recommendations to activate the built-in Night Mode. However, satisfactory and natural results can only be seen through standard camera shots. Meanwhile, pictures taken using Night Mode are not accurate enough to produce a picture that deceives the eye.
Next, the device also has an interesting portrait capability with various built-in filters supported by the Zeiss camera. However, the results are seen to be inconsistent which shows the failure of the device to differentiate between the subject and the background significantly – both in low and bright lighting.
BATTERY LIFE
The 4,400mAh battery is bigger than the 4,300mAh on the Find N2 Flip and the 3,700mAh on the Galaxy Z Flip4. On average the device can last more than a day on normal use with the 120Hz screen activated all the time. It can also last up to 12 hours for moderate use, then dips to between 9 and 6 hours when used more often with a 120Hz screen.
For recharging, the device supports a 44W fast charging system without wireless charging capabilities and a charging head is provided once in the box along with a white USB-C cable.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX
Here's what comes with every device purchase in China.
1x Vivo X Flip.
1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.
1x 44W Charger.
1x User Manual.
1x Silicone Frame.
1x SIM Pin.
CONCLUSION
Who would have thought that the first attempt would yield unexpected results. The Vivo X Flip is clearly an impressive device with a lot going for it, even if it's still not quite perfect. It gets a touch of more premium style that is able to attract the hearts of not only women, but also men. Good screen support, still powerful processing, sufficient memory, long-lasting battery and satisfactory camera capabilities have also added to the prowess of this device.
But all this does not mean that the device does not have any weaknesses. If Vivo provides a stereo audio system it would be better for a more immersive experience. Then the lack of any waterproof rating on the device also requires users to always be careful to avoid unwanted damage. Not only that, inconsistent software issues are also expected to be fixed through the next update.
PRO
120Hz HDR10+ screen.
Large outdoor screen for multiple uses.
Smooth and satisfactory performance.
OIS and Zeiss main camera.
Long lasting battery.
CONS
There are no waterproof standards.
Inconsistent fingerprint scanner.
Software is inconsistent.
GPS fails to lock location properly.