The foldable phone market is heating up, with both Samsung and Vivo vying for dominance. In 2023, Samsung released the Galaxy Z Fold 5, and just recently, Vivo countered with the X Fold 3 Pro. Both phones boast cutting-edge technology and innovative designs, but how do they stack up against each other? Here’s a deep dive into how the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro edges out the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in several key areas.
1. Display
The X Fold 3 Pro boasts a larger main display. Its 8.03-inch AMOLED panel dwarfs the Z Fold 5’s 7.6-inch screen, offering more real estate for multitasking, gaming, and watching videos. Not only is it bigger, but the X Fold 3 Pro also boasts a higher resolution (2480 x 2200 pixels) compared to the Z Fold 5’s (1812 x 2176 pixels). This translates to sharper visuals and crisper text. The X Fold 3 also comes with a larger 6.53-inch cover display compared to Z Fold’s 6.2-inch display.
Both phones offer 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and transitions. However, the X Fold 3 Pro goes a step further with a peak brightness of 4500 nits, significantly exceeding the Z Fold 5’s 1750 nits. This advantage ensures superior outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight.
2. Design and Durability
Both phones boast improved durability measures. The X Fold 3 Pro utilizes a lightweight carbon fiber hinge certified to withstand 500,000 folds. Samsung claims the Z Fold 5’s flex hinge can handle over 200,000 folding cycles.
Both phones boast robust designs with water resistance (IPX8) and durable materials like Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for protection. The X Fold 3 Pro also features innovative dual 3D ultrasonic fingerprint readers for added security compared to the Z Fold 5’s side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
3. Performance
The X Fold 3 Pro packs the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a generation ahead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy found in the Z Fold 5. This translates to better overall performance and improved power efficiency.
The X Fold 3 Pro also offers a higher RAM (LPDDR5X) option, with a 16GB variant compared to the Z Fold 5’s max of 12GB. In terms of storage, both devices offer up to 1TB UFS 4.0 inbuilt memory.
4. Camera
The X Fold 3 Pro features a well-rounded camera system with a focus on versatility. It boasts a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 64MP 3x telephoto lens for zooming in on distant subjects, and a 50MP ultra-wide sensor for capturing expansive landscapes.
The Z Fold 5, on the other hand, offers a more standard setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
The X Fold 3 Pro also boasts dual 32MP front-facing cameras for high-quality selfies and video calls, compared to the Z Fold 5’s single 10MP front camera and 4MP under-display camera.
While both systems offer impressive image quality, the X Fold 3 Pro’s camera setup benefits from Vivo’s custom V3 imaging chip, which may result in improved image processing and overall performance.
5. Software
Both phones feature the latest Android 14 with custom UI skins on top. Vivo runs on OriginOS while the Z Fold 5 runs on One UI. The Z Fold 5 boasts improved multitasking features and S Pen compatibility, which the X Fold 3 Pro lacks.
6. Battery Life and Charging
The X Fold 3 Pro packs a larger 5700mAh battery compared to the Z Fold 5’s 4400mAh battery. This translates to potentially longer usage time on a single charge, especially for heavy users.
Additionally, the X Fold 3 Pro supports a blazing-fast 100W wired charging solution, significantly faster than the Z Fold 5’s 25W wired charging. Even wireless charging is faster on the Vivo phone, offering 50W compared to the Z Fold 5’s 15W.
7. Pricing
In terms of pricing, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro delivers significant bang for your buck. Starting at 9,999 yuan ($1385) for the 16GB/512GB variant, it undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5’s starting price of $1799.99 (256GB) by a sizable margin. Even the higher-tier 1TB X Fold 3 Pro comes in at 10,999 yuan ($1524), considerably cheaper than the top-of-the-line Z Fold 5 (1TB) priced at a hefty $2159.99.
8. Conclusion
While both the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 are impressive foldable smartphones, the X Fold 3 Pro comes out on top in almost every category. Its larger, brighter display, sleeker and more durable design, powerful performance, versatile camera system, bigger battery, faster charging, and additional features make it a clear winner in this head-to-head comparison.
If you’re in the market for a high-end foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is definitely worth considering. However, it’s important to note that it’s currently only available in China, so availability may be a limiting factor for some users.
