Tecno Phantom V Flip Review: Foldable phones truly capture the imagination! They're expansive yet compact, blending the best of both worlds in a way traditional smartphones can't quite match.
Much of this innovation can be traced back to Samsung, who really set the stage in 2019 with the Galaxy Fold, followed by the Z Flip in 2020.
As a reviewer, I've found these developments incredibly exciting, and for consumers lucky enough to get their hands on one, they were pioneers in embracing this brand new technology.
This journey, now a part of tech history, didn't stop with Samsung. Other brands like Motorola, Oppo, and OnePlus have since joined the foldable phone movement.
While it's a growing segment, foldables still haven't hit mainstream status. Often viewed as high-end novelties, particularly in price-sensitive markets like India, they haven't quite made the widespread impact one might expect.
However, changing perceptions isn't impossible, especially with strategically priced products offering competitive specs.
Tecno Phantom V Flip: The New Kid on the Block!
Enter Tecno. This brand may have been relatively obscure in the global phone arena, but they've made quite the entrance. After debuting their first foldable phone at the Mobile World Congress in February, they're back with the launch of their second foldable, the Tecno Phantom V Flip.
Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G Price
But what really stands out is their approach to affordability - offering the most budget-friendly clamshell foldable in the Indian market at 54,999 Rupees. This leap from anonymity to releasing two foldables in a single year is nothing short of remarkable.
Tecno Phantom V Flip First Impression
For a firsthand look at our initial thoughts on the Tecno Phantom V Flip, please follow this link: Tecno Phantom V Flip First Impressions
Tecno Phantom V Flip Unboxing
Before diving into the review of the Tecno Phantom V Flip, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate its packaging.
Right from the start, the box sets a tone of luxury with its intricate patterns and textures, showcasing what premium presentation looks like.
Inside, you'll find not just the phone, but also a 45W fast charger and a well-crafted protective case, enhancing the overall unboxing experience.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Design
The phone itself is a real head-turner. It's got this luxurious vibe, almost like it's straight out of a fancy jewelry store. The backside sports premium vegan leather, while the frame is made of aluminum.
I'm also really digging this flashy purple color. But for those who like it low-key, there's a classy black vegan leather option too.
Anyway, moving on to the hinge, I immediately noticed that it does feel slightly looser compared to the offerings from Samsung and Oppo. However, this doesn't detract from its functionality.
The device remains steadily in place even when half-folded, and I also like the rounded corners of the hinge, as opposed to the pointier design of Samsung’s. This results in a more comfortable grip and enhances the overall in-hand feel.
Another aspect worth highlighting is the seamless closure of the phone. There's no noticeable gap between the two halves of the display when folded, a refinement that Samsung took five iterations to perfect.
This gapless hinge design is not just aesthetically pleasing; it also serves a practical purpose by minimizing the chances of dust and lint entering the device when it’s tucked away in your pocket.
Also Watch: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Review
Tecno Phantom V Flip Display (Inner Screen)
Upon unfolding the Tecno Phantom V Flip, you're greeted by a 6.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen. There's a faint crease at the fold, less pronounced than the one on the Galaxy Z Flip, but I could still feel it with my finger while scrolling.
The display itself is vibrant, boasting a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, a 360Hz touch sampling rate, HDR10 support, and a peak brightness of up to 1,000 nits.
Overall, I found the main display to be quite nice, offering a clear and bright viewing experience both indoors and outdoors.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Display (Cover Display)
But the real charm of a flip phone lies in its external screen, and the Phantom V Flip offers a circular 1.32-inch outer AMOLED display, which gives the phone a visually striking appearance.
However, it's important to note that compared to the latest flip phones from Samsung and Motorola, which feature outer screens capable of running entire apps, the external display on the Phantom V Flip is more limited. It primarily functions as a selfie viewfinder and for displaying widgets.
Speaking of widgets, they are quite eye-catching with their vibrant colors and playful animations. Nonetheless, I would have preferred the flexibility to run complete apps on this cover screen.
The outer display also operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate, unlike the 120Hz of the main display but this is quite acceptable, given its restrictive functionality.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Camera Performance
Now, let's dive into the cameras of the Tecno Phantom V Flip. It features a 64-megapixel main camera along with a 13-megapixel ultra-wide one. The main camera is equipped with an RGWB sensor to help capture more light.
From my time with it, I've noticed that the main camera really shines in well-lit conditions. The colors come through accurately, the dynamic range is good, and the detail is quite respectable.
It does have its moments of struggle in low-light settings, though, and the ultra-wide shots are average at best. There’s also a 32-megapixel selfie camera, but for top-notch selfies, I'd lean towards using the main camera with the outer display. The quality in difference is quite noticeable.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Processor & Performance
On the hardware front, the Phantom V Flip is equipped with MediaTek's Dimensity 8050 chip, complemented by an Arm Mali-G77 GPU, and it comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of storage.
Now, while the Dimensity 8050 might not pack the same punch as the Snapdragon chips found in some other foldables, it's still a relatively new and quite capable processor.
I found that it juggles multiple apps smoothly and handles graphically demanding games with minimal fuss. Plus, the V Flip supports stereo speakers, a feature I'm particularly fond of.
The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is another highlight – it was consistently reliable throughout my time using the phone.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Software
As for software, the Phantom V Flip comes with HiOS 13.5 right out of the box, which is Tecno's custom interface layered over Android 13.
The company has also committed to two years of OS updates and three years of security updates for this model, which is a decent enough promise.
However, the phone does arrive with a number of pre-installed apps. Considering this is a budget foldable but not exactly a low-cost phone at Rs 54,999 , the presence of bloatware is a bit of a letdown.
Thankfully, most of these apps can be uninstalled, and aside from that, the software experience has been mostly smooth.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Battery Life
I was also pleasantly surprised by the battery life of the Tecno Phantom V Flip.
In my tests, with what I'd call regular usage, the phone's 4,000 mAh battery was giving me around 5 hours of screen-on time. For a phone of this size, that's not too shabby.
The Tecno Phantom V Flip further steps up its game with 45W fast charging, the fastest you'll find on any flip phone right now.
This means you can get the phone from zero to fully charged in just slightly over an hour, adding a layer of convenience that's hard to overlook.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Pros and Cons
The Tecno Phantom V Flip distinguishes itself in the foldable phone market with several notable strengths and a few weaknesses.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Pros:
Firstly, its pricing is a major advantage, making it one of the most budget-friendly foldable phones in the market, especially appealing in price-sensitive regions like India.
The device boasts a robust 6.9-inch 120Hz AMOLED display that delivers vibrant colors and smooth animations, enhancing the user experience.
In terms of design, its gapless hinge is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, reducing the risk of dust and lint ingress.
The phone's hardware, including the MediaTek Dimensity 8050 chip and ample storage, ensures smooth multitasking and gaming performance.
Additionally, the 45W fast charging is a standout feature, providing rapid battery replenishment.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Cons:
On the downside, the camera performance, while decent in well-lit conditions, struggles in low-light settings, and the ultra-wide shots are average at best.
The secondary, external display, though visually appealing, offers limited functionality compared to competitors, lacking the ability to run complete apps.
There's also the presence of bloatware in the software, which might detract from the user experience for some.
Tecno Phantom V Flip Review: Should you buy?
So that, folks, is the Tecno Phantom V Flip - a fun phone that offers excellent price-to-performance ratio.
It's by no means the best clamshell foldable on the market because other flip-style foldables offer a more functional outer screen and a superior camera setup.
However, it stands out as a noteworthy attempt by a smartphone brand to make foldable more accessible to a wider audience.
If you're considering stepping into the world of foldable without stretching your budget too thin, the Tecno Phantom V Flip price could just sway you.
Also Watch: Oppo Find N3 Flip Review
