TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 review: applaudable and affordable

For the reason that current emergence of foldable telephones, few manufacturers have put affordability earlier than all else to enchantment to customers. That was till TECNO entered the fray with the unique Phantom V Fold, a budget-busting smartphone. It had its flaws, admittedly, however it was a good first try. Now, it’s time for the sequel, the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2, and spoiler alert: this factor is spectacular.

Whereas nonetheless way more fairly priced than the likes of the Google Pixel 9 Fold Professional, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and OnePlus Open, the V Fold2 is a correct competitor. The shows, cameras, and software program are a lot better than the unique, and an expensive really feel and type issue would have you ever consider this factor is simply as costly as its foldable opponents. So, the place does it rank on our record of one of the best foldable telephones? Effectively, let’s get into it.

Value and availability

Let’s get this out of the best way early and remind you that, sadly, TECNO telephones aren’t extensively accessible within the US and Europe. The model is at the moment concentrating on rising markets, like Latin America, the Center East, Africa, and past, with the V Fold2 arriving in Africa on September 23 for the equal of round $1,099. The PHANTOM V Pen, TECNO’s reply to the Magic Pencil, is obtainable individually.

When you choose to import a V Fold2, you’ll be able to select between two colorways: Rippling Blue and Karst Inexperienced. The telephone is available in one configuration, with 512GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. TECNO can be fairly beneficiant with its equipment, together with a stunning fake leather-based case, charging lead, charging plug, and different helpful bits within the field.

Specs

Options and software program

The TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 runs the model’s personal HiOS Android 14 pores and skin, which, whereas not as visually spectacular as another working techniques, is extremely straightforward to make use of. It feels similar to Apple’s iOS, placing simplicity in the beginning else, which I’m an enormous fan of. It’s all the time annoying having to spend days adjusting to a brand new working system, however it takes mere minutes with the V Fold2. It’s additionally value mentioning that this handset may be very gentle on bloatware, so there’s no time spent eradicating apps you don’t use both.

Earlier than stepping into software program options, we now have to speak in regards to the PHANTOM V Pen. Sure, TECNO now has its personal S Pen equal, and it’s a fairly nifty addition to the V Fold2 providing. I’ve by no means been an enormous stylus man, prodding on the display with my fingers, even in my Nintendo DS glory days. Nevertheless, the V Pen is fairly good to make use of, and it’s a fast charger because of it having its personal USB-C enter on the aspect. The one draw back is that, whereas the V Pen comes with a holster to stay onto your telephone, it doesn’t really feel like there’s any significantly handy place for it to go on the V Fold2.

One of many huge promoting factors of each this telephone and its sibling, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2, is TECNO’s new AI options. From my expertise, these options are a little bit of a blended bag. Some, like voice assistant Ella and dwell translation, are unbelievable and are positive to get even higher with future updates, however I’m not satisfied about others. AI Sketch to Picture is enjoyable, however it doesn’t all the time appear to know what I’m making an attempt to attract, typically deciding on turning nearly something right into a younger lady. After I’m clearly sketching a pig, with a snout and twisty tail, I anticipate the telephone to know what I’m on the lookout for. Typically it does, generally it doesn’t.

Whereas the V Fold2 shares many options with its flippable sibling, it actually comes into its personal while you’re multitasking. With the telephone unfolded, splitting the display is simple, and I’ve already used this to my benefit. Just lately, I lined a product launch, and I may watch the dwell stream on one half of my display whereas jotting notes down with the V Pen on the opposite half. All it takes is a faucet of the side-by-side button, which yow will discover by dragging from the underside of the display. You additionally discover the floating home windows choice there, additional demonstrating how clear and simplified TECNO’s OS is. Whereas there are many causes I’m pondering of constructing this telephone my day by day driver, its ease of use may be the principle one.

Design

The V Fold2’s design is a little bit of a coup for TECNO, because the factor is one way or the other slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s not fairly as skinny as the brand new Honor Magic V3, however it’s not far off, and contemplating how proud Honor is of its slimline telephone, TECNO ought to take pleasure in how shut it’s include one thing way more reasonably priced. At 249g, it’s a bit heavier than each of these pricier foldables, however it’s probably not noticeable, particularly while you unfold the factor.

Talking of probably not noticing issues, let’s transfer onto the sticking level of many a folding telephone: the crease. Like with the V Flip2, TECNO does an important job of hiding the V Fold2’s crease, and with content material on the display, it’s nearly invisible. It’s a bit simpler to see in the event you weirdly angle your telephone or have a clean display, however when it counts, you’ll be able to hardly see it. When you favor to angle your machine like somewhat laptop computer, the choice is there, with an adaptive positioning of 30-120 levels, which is good for streaming video content material if you wish to go hands-free.

As an entire, the V Fold2’s design feels extra refined than the unique, and the curvature of the sides makes it easy sufficient to unfold the machine with out feeling such as you’re prying it open in opposition to its will. I’m additionally an enormous fan of the redesigned digicam module. It’s a bit chunky and rectangular, however it sits properly throughout the wider aesthetic of the machine with out making for an uncomfortable type issue to carry both folded or unfolded, and there’s no wobble issue with the telephone mendacity on its again.

When it comes to sturdiness, this factor is IP54-rated. That ranking isn’t terrible for a foldable machine. It’s beneath the extent of safety we’d anticipate for the standard smartphone, with IP68 the gold normal, however it’s way more frequent for foldable telephones to drift across the IP54 ranking. TECNO additionally assures us that the V Fold2 is able to 400,000 folds, although I couldn’t examine that myself (I gave up after 100).

Show

The PHANTOM V Fold2 boasts not one however two gorgeous LTPO AMOLED shows, that are each able to providing 120Hz refresh charges. This makes for silky easy and well-defined visuals, whether or not you’re taking part in a sport, streaming content material on YouTube, or simply shopping the net. I’ve tried all of the big-name foldables, and truthfully, the V Fold2 is as spectacular as any of them by way of display high quality.

Peak brightness is somewhat decrease on the principle show than I’ve seen on different units, at simply 900 nits. Happily, in the event you’re struggling beneath direct daylight, the 1,600 nits peak of the quilt show is certain to shine by. I’d have examined this myself, however it’s September and I’m in England, so I’ve forgotten what the solar seems like. Each shows additionally supply PWM dimming, so you’ll be able to dial down the brightness in the event you’re liable to complications from screens.

My solely concern with the V Fold2’s shows is that they’re smudge magnets. Whereas I would go round with a few microfiber cloths, normally to de-smudge my Steam Deck, not everybody does, so this could possibly be somewhat annoying in the event you all the time desire a glowing display. It’s definitely a bit irritating for somebody who needed to take a bunch of good photos of the factor for this evaluation earlier than discovering after a 15-minute photoshoot that there’s a mark proper down the middle. Nonetheless, I’ve to be truthful and say this isn’t an issue distinctive to this machine, and I had comparable points with the Honor Magic V2.

Cameras

The digicam division is one other space that highlights the V Fold2’s glow-up, with the triple digicam setup on the again of the factor a lot able to high-quality captures. You’ve obtained a 50MP predominant lens, 50MP telephoto, and 50MP ultrawide to play with, and in the event you’re one thing of an novice smartphone photographer, that ought to cowl you on all bases. As ever, I’ve used an image of my beautiful pup Floyd to supply a snapshot of the principle digicam’s high quality, which you’ll see beneath.

I’ve to say, I’m actually happy with the outcomes. The standard is the extent I’d anticipate from a flagship, in order that’s an enormous win. It’s extra spectacular due to how less expensive this telephone is in comparison with Samsung and OnePlus’ foldable options, with little to separate the three telephones by way of the caliber of predominant cameras. It struggles somewhat extra with shifting topics, however thankfully, Floyd stayed nonetheless. The results of our little photoshoot is a choice of photos with spectacular colour definition, particularly the darkish blacks of his coat. Ultrawide pictures are equally stellar, capturing even the smallest of particulars off within the distance.

Nevertheless, whereas the V Fold2’s cameras are nice for probably the most half, there are a few sticking factors. For some purpose, the bokeh impact in portrait mode may be very invasive, missing the subtlety you would possibly anticipate whereas making use of extra like a blur impact on the whole lot however the topic of the picture. The 20x zoom is a pleasant choice to have, however the zoomed photos lack the standard I’ve seen from different cameras at 30x or 40x zoom, so there may be a bit of labor to do there for the V Fold3.

When it comes to selfie cameras, TECNO has outfitted each the outer and internal shows with 32MP selfie cameras. As I discovered with the V Flip2, the V Fold2’s front-facing cameras don’t have any enterprise being this spectacular. All too typically I discover that even flagship cameras have a tendency to clean the colour out of a picture, however there aren’t any such issues right here. Personally, I’d nonetheless use the principle digicam for selfies, however it’s all the time good to have choices.

Efficiency

When it comes to day-to-day efficiency, nothing actually phases the V Fold2. It handles web shopping, on the spot messaging, and even video calling with type. Admittedly, that is what you need to anticipate from any machine over $1,000, however it’s nonetheless a aid, as, with out naming any names, I’ve seen dearer units battle with fundamental duties.

So, onto gaming. Whereas the V Fold2’s little sibling, the V Flip2, can’t fairly muster the efficiency energy to run demanding video games like Honkai Star Rail or Zenless Zone Zero at excessive settings, the V Fold2 is way more succesful. The boosted efficiency over the unique V Fold is a little bit of a shock, on condition that each use the identical MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, however given I can play HSR at 60fps, I’m not asking any questions. That’s greater than adequate for me.

The one draw back within the efficiency division is that the digicam island on the again of the telephone tends to get somewhat toasty in the event you’re taking part in with the machine unfolded. It’s not so scorching that you must cease taking part in, however it will get somewhat hotter than I’d like, and it spreads throughout the remainder of the telephone’s again panel over time. Whereas I respect how skinny this machine is, it may be value sacrificing the ultra-slender design to squeeze in additional cooling tech, however that’s coming at it from a gamer’s perspective. When you’re not a lot of a gamer your self or solely dabble in a little bit of Sweet Crush or Marvel Snap, you shouldn’t discover an elevated temperature.

Battery

As I’ve come to anticipate with TECNO telephones, each the battery life and charging speeds of the V Fold2’s 5,750mAh battery are spectacular. When you use it sporadically, it will possibly simply make it by a full day, typically with somewhat juice left to spare. It drains a bit faster in the event you play video games or stream content material, dropping something between 10-20% battery an hour. It could lose cost quicker nonetheless in the event you’re taking part in one thing demanding, so make sure to dial down the settings in order for you a six-hour Genshin Influence session with a little bit of battery life respiratory room when you end.

When you thought the battery life was a promoting level, the V Fold2’s 70W charging pace is much more outstanding. I managed to get from flat to 100% in round 50 minutes, which suggests you may get a strong increase of 25% from slightly below quarter-hour. When you typically neglect to cost your telephone earlier than mattress, as I do, this could be a actual lifesaver. Not solely does this factor supply fast charging, but in addition 15W wi-fi charging, which, whereas not extremely quick, is all the time an important choice in the event you sprint out of the home with out your charger.

Must you purchase the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2?

Whereas I’ve nearly all the time had an pleasant expertise testing a TECNO machine, the V Fold2 may be probably the most spectacular but. Its shows are unbelievable, its efficiency is as much as scratch, and the design could possibly be the envy of bigger-name manufacturers with extra assets at their disposal. That is all earlier than you have in mind how less expensive this factor is than most foldable telephones available on the market, providing another that doesn’t really feel like a finances model or a downgrade.

Positive, it’s not excellent. Among the AI options aren’t there but, and it will possibly get a contact too scorching whereas working demanding video games, however I’ve seen different manufacturers resolve each these points with software program patches, in order that’s a chance. My solely plea to TECNO is to make this factor extra extensively accessible. I can’t let you know how many individuals have instructed me they’d get a foldable if it wasn’t for the $1,500+ pricing. I’d like to advocate the V Fold2 to them, however not everybody desires to import a telephone. So in the event you’re listening, TECNO…

Alternate options

If our TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 evaluation hasn’t offered you on the brand new foldable, take a look at some ideas for options beneath.

Samsung Z Fold 6

Samsung is the large canine of the foldable market, which is sensible given it’s the model that basically introduced the choice type issue into the highlight. The large caveat right here is that the Z Fold 6 is way more costly than the V Fold2, however for the additional spend, you’re getting a big efficiency improve and among the finest smartphone cameras available on the market. For extra on this one, see our Samsung Z Fold 6 evaluation.

Honor Magic V2

With the discharge of the Honor Magic V3, the V2 is now extra reasonably priced than ever, and it’s nonetheless a strong telephone in comparison with its successor, with gorgeous shows, a cushty type issue, and stellar efficiency because of its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Once more, it’s dearer than the V Fold2, however in case you are decided to select up a foldable, it’s one other robust choice. To get the total lowdown, see our Honor Magic V2 evaluation.