Samsung has relied on years of offering smaller upgrades to its customers in India. So, a new player (in the folding market) like Vivo will literally have to reinvent the wheel to attract the attention of a premium smartphone buyer. After using the phone for several weeks, I can see that Vivo hasn’t exactly reinvented the wheel with its X Fold 3 Pro. But it takes things to the next level and offers a lot of value and features compared to the competition. As rich as the functions seem, it’s not perfect. Keep reading to find out why.
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is available in a single RAM and storage option with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage at an amazing price of Rs. 1,59,999 in India. It seems to be a very high price for an Android smartphone, let alone a foldable one. But poke around and you’ll notice that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 starts at Rs. 1,54,999 (512 GB) and ranges up to Rs. 1,84,999 (for the 1 TB variant). Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra also costs Rs. 1,29,999, and it is not foldable. All of a sudden, given what it offers, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro seems like a pretty good deal. And surely there is enough!
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro test design: Slim is in
* Dimensions-Closed-159.96 x 72.55 x 11.2 mm
* Dimensions-Open-159.96 x 142.4 x 5.2 mm
* Weight – 236 grams
* Colors-Celestial Black
As with any foldable device, design, durability and service play an important role. While I can’t comment on the last two (unless I use them long term), I can tell you about the slightly different approach Vivo has taken to getting to the top of his game.
Vivo’s claim to be India’s thinnest foldable offering is real. At 11.2mm, it’s not as thin as a rod-shaped premium flagship (usually around 8.5mm), but it feels close enough when you’re holding it. When unfolded, it measures only 5.2mm, which is impressively thin not only for a foldable, but even for a regular smartphone or tablet.
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro Test screens: Smarter by design
* Cover screen: 6.53 inches, 2748× 1172 pixels, Full HD+, 120 Hz
* Main screen: 8.03 inches, 2480 ×2200 pixels, 2K+, 120 Hz
* Cover screen type-AMOLED(LTPO), bulletproof glass
* Main screen type: AMOLED (LTPO), UTG
At 8.03 inches, the foldable main screen is the largest to date on a foldable one. It’s bigger and wider than any rod-shaped flagship, including the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (6.8 inches) and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (6.7 inches). It offers some interesting use covers for this smartphone. Folding screens, despite their size, which is larger than usual, offer good natural colors and become bright even in direct sunlight outdoors. There is no visible crease, although both halves are folded against each other.
Even if in vivo the “flexible mode” is folded, which sets the controls (cursor, brightness, etc.).) on the bottom half of the screen (as on a laptop), the top half of the screen was as big, wide and wide as a normal premium flagship. When it was completely open, it was fun to watch the video, regardless of the format or aspect ratio in which the content was recorded.
And at 6.53 inches, even the cover screen with its 21.1:9 aspect ratio is one of the largest available on a foldable screen. It is quite possible to pair a Bluetooth keyboard with the phone and use it as a small Android tablet to facilitate productivity. I also found the large screen very useful during briefings and meetings when a computer was not available. The patented armor protective glass also has a curved 3D edge on the right side, which makes the sliding gestures very attractive and natural.
