Vivo has officially launched its first foldable smartphone in India, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, marking a significant entry into the Indian foldable phone market.
The device features an 8.03-inch LTPO AMOLED inner display with a 120Hz variable refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4500 nits.
It also includes a 6.53-inch AMOLED outer display, a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 64MP telephoto lens.
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, it offers up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. The phone runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, and its 5700mAh battery supports 100W flash charging and 50W wireless charging.
On the occasion of the launch, we got a chance to speak to Mr Vikas Tagra, Head of Product Management at Vivo India. He shared insights into the journey and product development behind the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro. Here’s what we learned from our conversation with Mr. Tagra about the company's most premium phone yet.
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro: Setting Benchmarks in the Competitive Foldable Phone Market
When asked about the competitive landscape and how Vivo's foldable phone differentiates itself, Tagra emphasised the extensive research and development process. "A lot of effort has gone behind it. From product conceptualization till rollout, it's usually eight to ten months of lifecycle. We’re really excited, and eagerly waiting for the consumers' final verdict," he stated.
Tagra highlighted the rapid growth in the premium segment of the smartphone market.
"The premium segment is on the growth. If you look at the last few quarters, the 100k plus and the 30 to 40k segments grew much faster than other segments. This growth gives us a clear direction on which market to tap into," he explained.
Vivo's increasing market share in the premium segment was also a point of pride for Tagra. "Over the last four years, we have created a huge amount of affinity for our X series.
In the 30k Plus segment, we have come from single-digit market share to almost 20 percent. This gives us confidence that while the market is growing, our consumers are also ready," he said.
Addressing the competition, Tagra noted that Vivo’s approach is to set its benchmarks rather than follow others. "We don’t look at competition as a benchmark.
We are industry leaders. However, we did identify five key pain points from users of other foldable phones: lack of compactness, reliability concerns, battery life, OS experience, and camera quality."
Vivo X Fold 3 Pro: Key Pain Points Addressed
Tagra elaborated on pain points in the manufacturing process and how Vivo addressed them with the X Fold 3 Pro.
He mentioned that current foldable phones were not really compact or ergonomically designed, which made them less pocket-friendly. "We focused on creating a device that fits well in the pocket and is easy to handle," he said.
Consumers were also concerned about the durability of foldable phones. "We used high-quality materials like carbon fibre, which is the lightest in the industry, weighing just 14.98 gram for the hinge and ultra polyethylene for the screen, ensuring the device is robust and reliable. This, along with the integrated bearing structure, makes the hinge both strong and smooth, ensuring a seamless folding experience," he explained.
Battery life was another significant concern. "Our target users, high-end business professionals, need a device that can keep up with their multitasking needs. The X Fold 3 Pro's substantial 5700mAh battery addresses this issue," he said.
On the OS experience, Tagra noted, "Users expect a flagship phone to offer not only excellent hardware but also a seamless software experience. The X Fold 3 Pro runs on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, optimised for multitasking and productivity."
Camera quality was a major focus for Vivo. "As Vivo is known for its camera technology, we ensured the X Fold 3 Pro excels in this area. We found that users wanted to make ordinary moments extraordinary, and our camera setup is designed to meet this need," he added.
Fast Charging and Thermal Management
Discussing the device's fast charging capability, Tagra explained Vivo's approach to thermal management. "Flagship consumers want a bigger battery and the fastest charging. We used world-class components and materials, which ensures the Fold 3 Pro offers durability and performance."
Tagra's insights highlight the company's commitment to addressing user pain points and delivering a superior product that meets the evolving demands of the premium smartphone market.
As the X Fold 3 Pro hits the market, Vivo eagerly awaits consumer feedback to solidify its position as a leader in the foldable phone segment.
The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro price in India is set at ₹1,59,999 for the variant featuring 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It can be pre-booked through the Vivo India website, Amazon, and Flipkart.
Also watch: Vivo X Fold 3 Pro First Impressions
