Samsung and Google can learn a lot from these affordable foldables

There ’s something very square about using a pair of folding telephone set where I do n’t have to first consider the cost before talking about anything else . Tecno ’s Phantom V Fold 2 and Phantom V Flip 2 are n’t gimcrack , but they can be considered affordable in today ’s luxuriously - price smartphone world .

Despite that , neither is horribly compromised or obviously make on a strict budget . There ’s a lot to like — and also a lot that other brand can watch from these two playfulness foldables .

Truly affordable foldables

Tecno does n’t sell its smartphones in the U.S. or the U.K. and or else focalise on other region around the world where low-priced sound are big business . I love that Tecno has opted to make desirable foldable devices when it could just stick to reasonable mid - level non - folding earpiece to catch sales . We bonk the company is n’t afraid of pushing the envelope when it comes to new technical school , as demonstrated by its tri - foldPhantom Ultimate 2phone let out latterly .

If you want to grease one’s palms the expectant - screen Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 , it ’ll cost you about $ 1,100 , which is at least $ 500 less than the majority of the competition .

For this , you get a 6.42 - inch 120Hz cover version screen , a 7.85 - inch 120Hz unfold CRT screen , a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 + processor with 12 GB of RAM , a treble photographic camera consisting of a 50 - megapixel main photographic camera with 2x optical zoom , a 50MP portrait , and a 50MP wide - angle camera , plus there are two 32MP selfie cameras — one for each blind . Inside is a 5,750mAh barrage fire with wired and wireless charging , and at just under 12 mm thick when shut down , it ’s reasonably slender for a big folding phone but still heavy at 249 grams .

A photo taken with the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2’s main camera.

Tecno Phantom V Fold 2Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Tecno Phantom V Flip 2 is cheaper at around $ 700 . It ’s 196 grams and 16 mm deep when folded up , with a simple 3.64 - column inch cover screen and a 6.9 - inch chief screen door when flip subject . A MediaTek Dimensity 8020 mainframe with 8 GB of RAM is used to power the headphone , along with a 4720mAh bombardment with 70W wired charging .

The camera module has a twain of 50MP cameras , one for wide - angle duty , plus a 32MP television camera at the top of the overt screen . The Phantom V Flip 2 is n’t as good value as the V Fold 2 , but it is still less than you ’d devote for aSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 .

It all hinges on this

The specifications of each phone are absolutely satisfactory for the cost , but folding phones have one hardware component that do them apart from others : the flexible joint . We ordinarily expect to discover compromise in the flexible joint , as less - refined hinges can have an dissatisfactory motion , unpleasant sounds or sensations , and a ecumenical feeling that they wo n’t defy any harsh treatment .

Neither the Phantom V Fold 2 or Phantom V Flip 2 have flexible joint that rival theGoogle Pixel 9 Pro Foldor the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 , but they do maintain their own against devices like theMotorola Razr 2024and theVivo X Fold 3 professional . For instance , the Phantom V Fold 2 ’s flexible joint has varying horizontal surface of resistance and a detectable sound when you fold and unfold it , but I do like the dampened piece of cake when it full come together . Sadly , it does n’t unfold all flat either , which does diminish the otherwise gamey - timber tone .

The Phantom V Flip 2 has a significantly more linear level of resistance and is really rather loose for my liking , even out of the boxful , while the final windup snap is quite harsh . Neither hinge feels like it ’s blend to break , though , and Tecno has tested both phones ’ hinge to an telling 400,000 folds . Plus , the Phantom V Fold 2 has an IP54 detritus and piss resistance rating . The design mean both phones are easy to open , which voice like it should be a sacrifice , but Samsung and Google ’s current predilection for vapid incline means it ’s not .

A photo taken with the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2’s wide-angle camera.

Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 wide-angleAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

What about the rest of the hardware?

Considering the price , the hinge feel fine , and I particularly like the V Flip 2 ’s covert concealment , which takes up the majority of the front panel and even extends around the television camera modules when used as a viewfinder . It runs apps without any motivation to rig it up , and even apps like YouTube , which are n’t formatted for the projection screen , seem to go without a problem . It ’s not a high - resolution screen , but the size prevent you from doing anything very intensive on it anyway , so it does n’t really weigh .

Tecno ’s design for the Phantom V Fold 2 is less successful , mostly due to the 249 - gram weight , which is a slew compare to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Vivo X close up 3 Pro — I really discover it . It ’s less well - balanced than the even heavier Pixel 9 Pro Fold , and I found it less comfortable to apply for extensive periods because of it . I also do n’t wish the boxlike camera module , which ruins the otherwise sleek body and contributes to the top - heavy nature of the twist .

However , the Phantom V Fold 2 ’s curving sides make it easy and born to launch the speech sound promptly , and I ’ve had no problem with the side - mounted fingerprint detector despite it being set flush with the case . Face unlock on both phone is even faster than the fingerprint sensor and deserving activate during the put - up appendage . Money has been save by using old versions of Gorilla Glass Victus and fiberglass for the rear panel , but few will really care , and even fewer will actually mark .

A photo taken with the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2’s 2x zoom.

Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 2x zoomAndy Boxall / Digital Trends

What about the cameras ? The camera app is not the immediate I ’ve used when switching between Lens , but the handful of sample pic I took reverse out well . The fivesome Fold 2 has respectable color balance and dynamical cooking stove , while the V Flip 2 amps the intensity for punchier photo you ’ll desire to divvy up .

The 2x visual zoom on the V Fold 2 is importantly good than the V Flip 2 ’s 2x mode , which can shin with exposure . I ca n’t give a complete verdict after so few photos , but nothing spells complete tragedy for either tv camera at this stage . Neither Phantom mannequin feels significantly “ gimcrack ” than more expensive rival phones , and the difference are only really exposed after comparing them directly or by going spec - by - spec on newspaper publisher . Do n’t bother doing it , and instead , just be impressed with what you do get for the money .

Is the software the downside?

Both Phantom foldables have Android 14 and Tecno ’s own HiOS interface , and it does take some getting used to , visually , compared to the more familiar region of Android on a Samsung or Google phone . Spend some meter tailor-make the home screen , and it can soon look much more familiar . On the V Fold 2 , the MediaTek chip has the power to ensure the computer software is liquid and responsive . regrettably , the Phantom V Flip 2 ’s performance is observably less alert than the V Fold 2 ’s .

Both phones have comprehensive , easy - to - activate split up - screenland and multitasking app feature , include when look at YouTube . Watch a video , and the control automatically appear on the depressed section of the screen , and run another app alongside a video on the Phantom V Fold 2 does n’t slow the software down . set up a third floating app on the V Fold 2 is a bit convoluted , though . However , it ’s otherwise an easy multitasking system to learn and use .

What other companies can learn from Tecno

Both the Tecno close down telephone set be less than the flagship foldables from Google , Samsung , Motorola , and most others . While it ’s potential to find where corner have been cut to get the Leontyne Price down , none of them will affect you daily , provided your expectations align with the phone ’s public presentation and ability .

We ’re used to close down telephone set , particularly big screen poser like the Phantom V Fold 2 , sitting close to the top of smartphone ranges , but Tecno proves these coolheaded two - in - one devices can come down a step and still be desirable and adequate to . The Phantom Z Flip 2 is slightly less telling , and I ’d struggle to commend it over the Razr 2024 or even an olderGalaxy Z Flip 5if you find one at a discount , just because the mainframe and RAM fail to give the software program the zip it needs to be a comfortable phone to use every twenty-four hour period .

What Tecno ’s new Phantom phone do best is cue me that we do n’t always involve to pass M to love the latest and most exciting mobile drift , and other brands would do well to enter their own cut - price models for more of us to enjoy .

A photo taken with the Tecno Phantom V Fold 2’s main camera.