TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 review

 

TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 review

Here's a detailed review of the TECNO Phantom V Fold 2, highlighting its specifications, design, performance, and unique features. This review covers everything you need to know if you're considering this foldable smartphone.

Design and Build Quality

The TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 sports an impressive design with a sturdy hinge mechanism that allows for smooth folding. When unfolded, it offers a tablet-like experience with a nearly seamless display. The build is premium, with metal edges and a glass back, giving it a refined look. It’s slightly thicker than a typical smartphone when folded but feels comfortable in hand.

Primary Material: Glass front (when folded), glass back, and aluminum frame.

Display Protection: The front display is reinforced with Gorilla Glass for added durability.

Display

The Phantom V Fold 2 has a dual-display setup. The cover display is smaller and designed for quick tasks, while the main screen unfolds to give an immersive experience with a high refresh rate.

Cover Display: 6.53 inches, AMOLED, Full HD+ resolution, ~90 Hz refresh rate.

Main Display: 7.85 inches, AMOLED, ~120 Hz refresh rate, ultra-slim bezels for a near-edge-to-edge experience.

Both displays are vivid, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors, ideal for watching videos or gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 is powered by a flagship-level chipset that ensures smooth multitasking, gaming, and general performance.

Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ (or equivalent high-performance chipset).

RAM: 12 GB, with virtual RAM support for additional multitasking efficiency.

Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB UFS 3.1 storage options, which are fast and spacious enough for most users.

The combination of a powerful processor and ample RAM makes the device a great performer for everyday use, heavy multitasking, and gaming.

Camera

TECNO has focused on delivering a versatile camera setup on the Phantom V Fold 2. It features a multi-lens rear setup, which includes a main sensor, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses.

Main Camera: 50 MP, with optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper images and low-light photography.

Ultra-wide Camera: 13 MP, ideal for capturing wide-angle shots.

Telephoto Camera: 12 MP, with 2x optical zoom for portraits and close-up shots.

Selfie Camera: 32 MP front-facing camera on the cover display; the main screen also supports a punch-hole camera for unfolded selfies.

The camera quality is impressive in both daylight and low-light conditions. The phone's AI-driven image processing enhances clarity, making it suitable for social media-ready photos.

Battery Life

The Phantom V Fold 2 packs a large battery, ensuring it can last through a full day with mixed usage. With an optimized power management system, the battery performs well, even with the high refresh rate enabled.

Battery Capacity: 5000 mAh

Charging: 45W fast charging, with support for wireless charging.

The battery life on this device is slightly better than most foldable phones, with power-efficient modes to extend usage.

Software and User Experience

Running on HiOS, based on Android 13, the TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 is optimized for the foldable experience. The software provides multitasking features that utilize both displays effectively. For instance, you can open two apps side-by-side on the main screen, ideal for productivity tasks.

UI: HiOS with multitasking options and split-screen capabilities.

Special Features: App continuity (app seamlessly transitions between cover and main display), multi-window, and stylus support for added functionality.

The UI feels intuitive, with smooth animations and minimal bloatware.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Stunning design and high-quality build.

Smooth folding mechanism and high durability.

Dual high-resolution AMOLED displays with high refresh rates.

Strong performance with a powerful chipset.

Impressive camera quality and versatile setup.

Long-lasting battery life with fast and wireless charging options.

Cons:

Slightly bulky when folded, typical of foldable phones.

Higher price point, as expected for foldables.

Limited app optimization for foldable displays.

Price and Availability

The TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 is positioned in the premium segment, priced around $1200 - $1300 USD, depending on the region and configuration. It’s available through TECNO’s official channels and select online and offline stores.

Verdict

The TECNO Phantom V Fold 2 is a standout option in the foldable phone market, offering a high-end experience at a more competitive price than some rivals. It’s a great choice for users who want a blend of smartphone and tablet functionality in a single device. While it does come with the bulkiness typical of foldable phones, the performance, display quality, and battery life make it a compelling choice.