We've all been there, you get the latest and greatest phone and in no time something better comes out that puts your device in the shade, (just ask some of the Samsung Fold6 owners), and you start considering moving or upgrading.
Well, bearing in mind that the Vivo X Fold3 Pro was first released in China back in April and then went with a global model some 3 months later by replacing its Chinese OriginOS with its global FuntouchOS it is more than holding its own. The phone is both light and slim and offers a premium feel with a nice hand heft and top notch spec's.
Vivo, seemingly, threw everything at this model, including the kitchen sink. It still has the largest interior screen of any foldable, 8.03", with both the exterior and interior screens offering a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, (almost twice that of some of its competitors), and ensures the screens visibility outside, in sunlight. The 72.6mm width of the outer screen allows me to use the phone as a slab phone with ease and there is not that cramped feeling that I have with the Fold5, (fixed by Samsung in the Fold Special Edition), when quickly replying to messages or browsing the web. The carbon fibre hinge is performing well and is easier to open than the Samsung Fold's and this has strangely enough, led me to increase my phone's open usage. Even after 4 months of daily usage the hinge shows no sign of wear and tear and the crease is as barely discernible as the day I received it.
One feature that I particularly find beneficial is the super fast charging of its 5,700 mAh Si/C battery which charges from 0% > 100% in around half an hour on a wired 100W charge or just over an hour on wireless charging at 50W. Surprisingly, the phone does not feel any warmer than my Fold5's smaller Li-Po battery that charges at 25W, wired. This is a huge plus for me as I always need a fully charged phone that will last at least a day or more without charging. The Vivo X Fold3 does much more than this with a combined use for me at 67h 49m and screen on = 16h 15m showing on AccuBattery. This is not all down to the battery size and Si/C technology but also the FuntouchOS which is much more battery friendly than some other OS's at 6.1% per hour on Screen On.
I really like the fast and accurate under screen fingerprint reader on both the outer and inner screens. No more searching for the power button with the screen open or closed and having to pick the device up to access it.
Although intended for sale in India and Indonesia, these global phones operate on the Global network bands and I am currently using 5G SA in the U.K.
Bloatware on the Global model is kept to a minimum and is easily uninstalled or disabled and has all the usual Google features such as Play Store, Maps, Translate, Android Auto, etc:
Vivo are not slow off the mark when it comes to updates either and were the first to release Android 15 back in September. It also receives monthly Android security updates and bugfixes and features.
I must mention the cameras on the Vivo X Fold3 which, even though I am not a professional photographer, have produced some of my best photos and videos, ever. The 64MP periscope telephoto is especially good for zooming in and the Zeiss optics are very good in low light. Colour is realistic and not over saturated.
The stereo speakers are on a par with those on the Samsung Fold5 and produce a good sound although I do use the PowerAmp player from the Play Store on both.
The downside is that there is no e-SIM support or S=Pen capability. Also, support is currently limited to 3 years of OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates. Because this phone is not intended for sale in the U.K. and Europe, I am missing the customary 2 year European warranty and am only on a 1 year warranty.
In conclusion, I am very happy with this phone and will be looking eagerly for Vivo's next fold phone to see what innovations and improvements it brings before deciding on my next year's purchase.
Well, bearing in mind that the Vivo X Fold3 Pro was first released in China back in April and then went with a global model some 3 months later by replacing its Chinese OriginOS with its global FuntouchOS it is more than holding its own. The phone is both light and slim and offers a premium feel with a nice hand heft and top notch spec's.
Vivo, seemingly, threw everything at this model, including the kitchen sink. It still has the largest interior screen of any foldable, 8.03", with both the exterior and interior screens offering a peak brightness of 4,500 nits, (almost twice that of some of its competitors), and ensures the screens visibility outside, in sunlight. The 72.6mm width of the outer screen allows me to use the phone as a slab phone with ease and there is not that cramped feeling that I have with the Fold5, (fixed by Samsung in the Fold Special Edition), when quickly replying to messages or browsing the web. The carbon fibre hinge is performing well and is easier to open than the Samsung Fold's and this has strangely enough, led me to increase my phone's open usage. Even after 4 months of daily usage the hinge shows no sign of wear and tear and the crease is as barely discernible as the day I received it.
One feature that I particularly find beneficial is the super fast charging of its 5,700 mAh Si/C battery which charges from 0% > 100% in around half an hour on a wired 100W charge or just over an hour on wireless charging at 50W. Surprisingly, the phone does not feel any warmer than my Fold5's smaller Li-Po battery that charges at 25W, wired. This is a huge plus for me as I always need a fully charged phone that will last at least a day or more without charging. The Vivo X Fold3 does much more than this with a combined use for me at 67h 49m and screen on = 16h 15m showing on AccuBattery. This is not all down to the battery size and Si/C technology but also the FuntouchOS which is much more battery friendly than some other OS's at 6.1% per hour on Screen On.
I really like the fast and accurate under screen fingerprint reader on both the outer and inner screens. No more searching for the power button with the screen open or closed and having to pick the device up to access it.
Although intended for sale in India and Indonesia, these global phones operate on the Global network bands and I am currently using 5G SA in the U.K.
Bloatware on the Global model is kept to a minimum and is easily uninstalled or disabled and has all the usual Google features such as Play Store, Maps, Translate, Android Auto, etc:
Vivo are not slow off the mark when it comes to updates either and were the first to release Android 15 back in September. It also receives monthly Android security updates and bugfixes and features.
I must mention the cameras on the Vivo X Fold3 which, even though I am not a professional photographer, have produced some of my best photos and videos, ever. The 64MP periscope telephoto is especially good for zooming in and the Zeiss optics are very good in low light. Colour is realistic and not over saturated.
The stereo speakers are on a par with those on the Samsung Fold5 and produce a good sound although I do use the PowerAmp player from the Play Store on both.
The downside is that there is no e-SIM support or S=Pen capability. Also, support is currently limited to 3 years of OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates. Because this phone is not intended for sale in the U.K. and Europe, I am missing the customary 2 year European warranty and am only on a 1 year warranty.
In conclusion, I am very happy with this phone and will be looking eagerly for Vivo's next fold phone to see what innovations and improvements it brings before deciding on my next year's purchase.
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