Foldable phones have been trying to go mainstream for a few years now, but most of them still feel like beta hardware with a luxury price tag. vivo, however, has been quietly refining its approach behind the scenes, and with the X Fold5, it might have finally nailed the balance between form, function, and everyday practicality.
I’ve been using the vivo X Fold5 as my primary device for the past two weeks, and here’s the simple truth: this foldable actually feels like a phone I’d stick with long-term—not just test out and return to a slab phone.
First Impressions: Sleek, Solid, and Surprisingly Normal
The design hasn’t changed drastically from the previous generation, but that’s a good thing. The hinge is now thinner and smoother, and when folded shut, the device feels like a slightly chunky regular phone—not a weird science experiment. The outer display is a 6.53″ AMOLED panel, tall and usable, while the unfolded inner screen stretches to a beautiful 8.03″ AMOLED canvas.
It’s a little heavier than your average phone, sure, but not by much—and the materials feel high-end across the board. No creaks, no flex, just a solid foldable that doesn’t scream “fragile.”
What’s Under the Hood?
Here’s a quick rundown of the specs that matter:
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- RAM: 16GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 512GB or 1TB UFS 4.0
Displays:
- Outer: 6.53″ FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz
- Inner: 8.03″ 2K+ AMOLED, 120Hz
- Battery: 5400mAh
- Charging: 80W wired, 50W wireless
Cameras:
- Rear: 50MP main + 64MP telephoto (3x optical) + 50MP ultra-wide
- Front (outer): 32MP
- Front (inner): 16MP
Basically, it’s flagship-grade in every way—whether you’re gaming, snapping photos, or multitasking like a beast.
Everyday Performance: Smooth as Butter
What stood out right away is how polished everything feels. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 absolutely flies, and combined with the 120Hz refresh rate on both screens, everything from scrolling through Instagram to switching apps to launching Genshin Impact is buttery smooth.
Multitasking, of course, is where foldables shine. You can run two apps side by side on the big inner screen with ease—think YouTube on one half, notes or email on the other—and it actually feels useful, not cramped or awkward.
Even better, vivo’s software (OriginOS 4) is surprisingly optimized for the foldable form. No weird aspect ratio bugs or janky transitions—everything just works.
The Cameras: Not an Afterthought Anymore
Foldables usually sacrifice camera quality to focus on the design, but vivo went in the opposite direction here. The camera array on the X Fold5 is genuinely great. The 50MP main sensor captures clean, detailed shots in almost every lighting condition, and the 64MP telephoto with 3x zoom is crisp and color-accurate.
What impressed me most is how well the ultra-wide performs—it doesn’t feel like a step down in sharpness or exposure, which is rare. Portrait mode is excellent too, with that Zeiss tuning bringing in subtle background blur and color accuracy without looking artificial.
Bonus: You can fold the phone halfway and use it as its own tripod. Handy for night mode shots or quick selfies without a stand.
Battery Life & Charging: No Compromises
With a 5400mAh battery, the vivo X Fold5 easily lasts a full day, even with heavy use on the big screen. And if you do run low, the 80W wired charging will top you off in under 40 minutes. Wireless charging at 50W is faster than some phones’ wired charging, which is wild.
The Foldable Question: Is It Finally Worth It?
Honestly? Yes.
This is the first foldable I’ve used where I didn’t feel like I was constantly compromising—on weight, on battery life, on durability, or on camera quality. The vivo X Fold5 feels like a phone first, and a foldable second. That’s a huge shift in mindset.
If you’re someone who values multitasking, media consumption, and just wants something different from the same glass slab that everyone carries, the X Fold5 delivers.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros:
- Gorgeous, high-refresh AMOLED screens (both inner and outer)
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Versatile, high-quality cameras with Zeiss tuning
- Excellent battery life and super-fast charging
- Refined foldable design with minimal crease
❌ Cons:
- Still a bit bulky compared to regular flagships
- Premium pricing (not surprising)
- Not yet available in all regions globally
