prologue
Foldable democratization is now a fact. The Tecno Phantom V Fold joins the list of bendable screen models currently available outside China, offering a value-oriented alternative to the similarly named Galaxy (the de facto standard for tablets disguised as mobile phones). .
The Phantom has better foldable ratios than the Galaxy. The cover screen is larger than Samsung’s and much easier to use, as is the foldable display inside. That would require a large battery to power the entire 120Hz OLED screen area, resulting in a fairly heavy package at just under 300g.
You get a pretty capable camera system with two 50MP units for main and tele, and a very good one with ultra-wide autofocus.
Unlike most foldables, the Tecno has a Mediatek chipset at its heart. However, the Dimensity 9000+ is roughly on par with his Snapdragon 8(+) Gen 1, so the Phantom V Fold isn’t underpowered. And with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage as standard, you’ll never run out of memory.
Other small features include 45W fast charging, stereo speakers and FM radio. It’s very welcome that the V Fold is running Android 13. So its software is also up to date (and turned out to be very good).
Summary of Tecno Phantom V Fold specs:
- body: 159.4×140.4×6.9mm unfolded, 159.4x72x14.2-14.5mm folded, 299g. Gorilla Glass Victus front, plastic back, aluminum frame. Foldable display Schott UTG.
- screen: 7.85″ Foldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B Color, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak), 2000x2296px resolution, 10.3:9 aspect ratio, 388ppi, Cover Display: 6.42″ LTPO AMOLED, 1B Color, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak), 1080 x 2550 pixels, 431 PPI.
- Chipset: Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510); Mali-G710 MC10.
- memory: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
- OS/Software: Android 13, HiOS 13 fold.
- Rear camera: wide (main): 50MP, f/1.9, 1/1.3″, PDAF; telephoto: 50 MP, PDAF, 2x optical zoom. super wide angle: 13MP, 120°.
- Selfie camera: cover:: 32MP, f/2.5. internal: 16MP, f/2.5.
- Video capture: rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps; front camera: 1080p@60fps.
- battery: 5000mAh; 45W wired, 40% in 15 minutes, 100% in 55 minutes (as advertised).
- others: fingerprint reader (side-mount); NFC; FM radio; stereo speakers.
Unboxing the Tecno Phantom V Fold
Tecno has come up with a gorgeous box for the Phantom V Fold that is foldable. The size of two regular phone booths, with two strokes of his V shape in the middle, the package opens on both sides to reveal the cover of “Extraordinary Beyond”. Only after removing it the phone itself will appear in a separate tray.
Contents of the box, snap-on case
Another box underneath houses a snap-on back cover with kickstand functionality. I’m not entirely sure you want to cover what is one of the best back panels in existence, but you do. All cables are well packed.
