Our Verdict
The TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 is not just one of the vital absolute best foldable telephones but additionally the most cost effective, making it onerous to not counsel it to any person taking a look to take a look at the shape issue for the primary time. The instrument is blank and simple to make use of, its efficiency is spectacular, and the design is each trendy and relaxed to make use of. For the reasonably priced pricing, what extra are you able to ask for?
- Least expensive foldable
- Surprising AMOLED presentations
- Graceful design
- Stellar efficiency
- Laborious to get in US
- IP ranking may well be upper
- Get just a little sizzling
Because the contemporary emergence of foldable telephones, few manufacturers have put affordability earlier than all else to attraction to shoppers. That used to be till TECNO entered the fray with the unique Phantom V Fold, a budget-busting smartphone. It had its flaws, admittedly, however it used to be a tight first try. Now, it’s time for the sequel, the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2, and spoiler alert: this factor is spectacular.
Whilst nonetheless a lot more somewhat priced than the likes of the Google Pixel 9 Fold Professional, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and OnePlus Open, the V Fold2 is a right kind competitor. The presentations, cameras, and instrument are significantly better than the unique, and a sumptuous really feel and shape issue would have you ever consider this factor is simply as dear as its foldable competition. So, the place does it rank on our record of the absolute best foldable telephones? Smartly, let’s get into it.
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Value and availability
Let’s get this out of the best way early and remind you that, sadly, TECNO telephones aren’t extensively to be had in the USA and Europe. The logo is these days focusing on rising markets, like Latin The united states, the Heart East, Africa, and past, with the V Fold2 arriving in Africa on September 23 for the similar of round $1,099. The PHANTOM V Pen, TECNO’s resolution to the Magic Pencil, is to be had one at a time.
For those who decide to import a V Fold2, you’ll be able to make a choice from two colorways: Rippling Blue and Karst Inexperienced. The telephone is available in one configuration, with 512GB of garage and 12GB of RAM. TECNO may be lovely beneficiant with its equipment, together with a beautiful pretend leather-based case, charging lead, charging plug, and different helpful bits within the field.
Specifications
Options and instrument
The TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 runs the logo’s personal HiOS Android 14 pores and skin, which, whilst no longer as visually spectacular as every other working techniques, is amazingly simple to make use of. It feels similar to Apple’s iOS, striking simplicity at first else, which I’m a large fan of. It’s at all times anxious having to spend days adjusting to a brand new working device, however it takes mere mins with the V Fold2. It’s additionally value citing that this handset could be very mild on bloatware, so there’s no time spent getting rid of apps you don’t use both.
Sooner than entering instrument options, we need to communicate concerning the PHANTOM V Pen. Sure, TECNO now has its personal S Pen similar, and it’s a lovely nifty addition to the V Fold2 providing. I’ve by no means been a large stylus man, prodding on the display with my arms, even in my Nintendo DS glory days. On the other hand, the V Pen is lovely great to make use of, and it’s a fast charger due to it having its personal USB-C enter at the facet. The one drawback is that, whilst the V Pen comes with a holster to stay onto your telephone, it doesn’t really feel like there’s any in particular handy position for it to head at the V Fold2.
Some of the large promoting issues of each this telephone and its sibling, the TECNO PHANTOM V Flip2, is TECNO’s new AI options. From my enjoy, those options are just a little of a blended bag. Some, like voice assistant Ella and are living translation, are unbelievable and are certain to get even higher with long term updates, however I’m no longer satisfied about others. AI Caricature to Symbol is amusing, however it doesn’t at all times appear to seize what I’m making an attempt to attract, continuously selecting turning virtually the rest into a tender girl. After I’m obviously sketching a pig, with a snout and twisty tail, I be expecting the telephone to understand what I’m searching for. On occasion it does, from time to time it doesn’t.
Whilst the V Fold2 stocks many options with its flippable sibling, it in reality comes into its personal whilst you’re multitasking. With the telephone spread out, splitting the display is easy, and I’ve already used this to my benefit. Lately, I lined a product release, and I may just watch the are living circulation on one part of my display whilst jotting notes down with the V Pen at the different part. All it takes is a faucet of the side-by-side button, which you’ll be able to to find by way of dragging from the ground of the display. You additionally to find the floating home windows possibility there, additional demonstrating how blank and simplified TECNO’s OS is. Whilst there are many causes I’m pondering of constructing this telephone my day-to-day driving force, its ease of use may well be the primary one.
Design
The V Fold2’s design is just a little of a coup for TECNO, as the item is one way or the other slimmer than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. It’s no longer relatively as skinny as the brand new Honor Magic V3, however it’s no longer a ways off, and bearing in mind how proud Honor is of its slimline telephone, TECNO must take pleasure in how shut it’s include one thing a lot more reasonably priced. At 249g, it’s just a little heavier than either one of the ones pricier foldables, however it’s no longer in reality noticeable, particularly whilst you spread the item.
Talking of no longer in reality noticing issues, let’s transfer onto the sticking level of many a folding telephone: the crease. Like with the V Flip2, TECNO does an ideal task of hiding the V Fold2’s crease, and with content material at the display, it’s virtually invisible. It’s just a little more straightforward to peer in case you weirdly perspective your telephone or have a clean display, but if it counts, you’ll be able to rarely see it. If you desire to perspective your tool like a bit computer, the choice is there, with an adaptive positioning of 30-120 levels, which is perfect for streaming video content material if you wish to pass hands-free.
As a complete, the V Fold2’s design feels extra subtle than the unique, and the curvature of the sides makes it easy sufficient to spread the tool with out feeling such as you’re prying it open in opposition to its will. I’m additionally a large fan of the redesigned digicam module. It’s just a little chunky and oblong, however it sits properly throughout the wider aesthetic of the tool with out making for an uncomfortable shape issue to carry both folded or spread out, and there’s no wobble issue with the telephone mendacity on its again.
On the subject of sturdiness, this factor is IP54-rated. That ranking isn’t terrible for a foldable tool. It’s underneath the extent of coverage we’d be expecting for the standard smartphone, with IP68 the gold same old, however it’s a lot more commonplace for foldable telephones to go with the flow across the IP54 ranking. TECNO additionally assures us that the V Fold2 is in a position to 400,000 folds, even though I couldn’t test that myself (I gave up after 100).
Show
The PHANTOM V Fold2 boasts no longer one however two surprising LTPO AMOLED presentations, which might be each in a position to providing 120Hz refresh charges. This makes for silky easy and well-defined visuals, whether or not you’re enjoying a recreation, streaming content material on YouTube, or simply surfing the internet. I’ve attempted all of the big-name foldables, and in truth, the V Fold2 is as spectacular as any of them in the case of display high quality.
Top brightness is a bit decrease at the major show than I’ve noticed on different units, at simply 900 nits. Thankfully, in case you’re suffering underneath direct daylight, the 1,600 nits height of the quilt show is certain to polish via. I’d have examined this myself, however it’s September and I’m in England, so I’ve forgotten what the solar looks as if. Each presentations additionally be offering PWM dimming, so you’ll be able to dial down the brightness in case you’re susceptible to complications from taking a look at monitors.
My simplest factor with the V Fold2’s presentations is they’re smudge magnets. Whilst I may pass round with a few microfiber cloths, most often to de-smudge my Steam Deck, no longer everybody does, so this can be a little anxious in case you at all times need a glowing display. It’s indubitably just a little frustrating for any individual who needed to take a number of great photos of the item for this overview earlier than finding after a 15-minute photoshoot that there’s a mark proper down the middle. Nonetheless, I should be honest and say this isn’t an issue distinctive to this tool, and I had an identical problems with the Honor Magic V2.
Cameras
The digicam division is some other space that highlights the V Fold2’s glow-up, with the triple digicam setup at the again of the item masses in a position to top of the range captures. You’ve were given a 50MP major lens, 50MP telephoto, and 50MP ultrawide to play with, and in case you’re one thing of an novice smartphone photographer, that are meant to duvet you on all bases. As ever, I’ve used an image of my beautiful doggy Floyd to supply a snapshot of the primary digicam’s high quality, which you’ll be able to see underneath.
I’ve to mention, I’m in reality happy with the effects. The standard is the extent I’d be expecting from a flagship, in order that’s a large win. It’s extra spectacular as a result of how a lot inexpensive this telephone is in comparison to Samsung and OnePlus’ foldable possible choices, with little to split the 3 telephones in the case of the caliber of major cameras. It struggles a bit extra with shifting topics, however thankfully, Floyd stayed nonetheless. The results of our little photoshoot is a collection of photographs with spectacular colour definition, particularly the darkish blacks of his coat. Ultrawide photographs are in a similar way stellar, shooting even the smallest of main points off within the distance.
On the other hand, whilst the V Fold2’s cameras are nice for probably the most section, there are a few sticking issues. For some explanation why, the bokeh impact in portrait mode could be very invasive, missing the subtlety it’s possible you’ll be expecting whilst making use of extra like a blur impact on the entirety however the matter of the picture. The 20x zoom is a pleasing method to have, however the zoomed photographs lack the standard I’ve noticed from different cameras at 30x or 40x zoom, so there may well be just a little of labor to do there for the V Fold3.
On the subject of selfie cameras, TECNO has provided each the outer and internal presentations with 32MP selfie cameras. As I discovered with the V Flip2, the V Fold2’s front-facing cameras haven’t any industry being this spectacular. All too continuously I to find that even flagship cameras generally tend to clean the colour out of a picture, however there are not any such issues right here. In my opinion, I’d nonetheless use the primary digicam for selfies, however it’s at all times excellent to have choices.
Efficiency
On the subject of day by day efficiency, not anything in reality stages the V Fold2. It handles web surfing, speedy messaging, or even video calling with taste. Admittedly, that is what you must be expecting from any tool over $1,000, however it’s nonetheless a reduction, as, with out naming any names, I’ve noticed costlier units battle with elementary duties.
So, onto gaming. Whilst the V Fold2’s little sibling, the V Flip2, can’t relatively muster the efficiency energy to run not easy video games like Honkai Megastar Rail or Zenless Zone 0 at top settings, the V Fold2 is a lot more succesful. The boosted efficiency over the unique V Fold is just a little of a marvel, for the reason that each use the similar MediaTek Dimensity 9000+, however given I will be able to play HSR at 60fps, I’m no longer asking any questions. That’s greater than excellent sufficient for me.
The one drawback within the efficiency division is that the digicam island at the again of the telephone has a tendency to get a bit toasty in case you’re enjoying with the tool spread out. It’s no longer so sizzling that you need to forestall enjoying, however it will get a bit hotter than I’d like, and it spreads throughout the remainder of the telephone’s again panel through the years. Whilst I admire how skinny this tool is, it may well be value sacrificing the ultra-slender design to squeeze in additional cooling tech, however that’s coming at it from a gamer’s standpoint. For those who’re no longer a lot of a gamer your self or simplest dabble in just a little of Sweet Overwhelm or Surprise Snap, you shouldn’t understand an greater temperature.
Battery
As I’ve come to await with TECNO telephones, each the battery existence and charging speeds of the V Fold2’s 5,750mAh battery are spectacular. For those who use it sporadically, it might simply make it via a complete day, continuously with a bit juice left to spare. It drains just a little sooner in case you play video games or circulation content material, dropping the rest between 10-20% battery an hour. It could possibly lose fee sooner nonetheless in case you’re enjoying one thing not easy, so remember to dial down the settings if you need a six-hour Genshin Affect consultation with just a little of battery existence respiring room when you end.
For those who idea the battery existence used to be a promoting level, the V Fold2’s 70W charging pace is much more exceptional. I controlled to get from flat to 100% in round 50 mins, because of this you’ll be able to get a forged spice up of 25% from just below quarter-hour. For those who continuously omit to fee your telephone earlier than mattress, as I do, this is a actual lifesaver. No longer simplest does this factor be offering fast charging, but additionally 15W wi-fi charging, which, whilst no longer extremely rapid, is at all times an ideal possibility in case you sprint out of the home with out your charger.
Will have to you purchase the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2?
Whilst I’ve virtually at all times had an stress-free enjoy trying out a TECNO tool, the V Fold2 may well be probably the most spectacular but. Its presentations are unbelievable, its efficiency is as much as scratch, and the design may well be the envy of bigger-name manufacturers with extra sources at their disposal. That is all earlier than you bear in mind how a lot inexpensive this factor is than maximum foldable telephones in the marketplace, providing an alternate that doesn’t really feel like the cheap model or a downgrade.
Certain, it’s no longer very best. One of the crucial AI options aren’t there but, and it might get a marginally too sizzling whilst operating not easy video games, however I’ve noticed different manufacturers clear up each the ones problems with instrument patches, in order that’s a chance. My simplest plea to TECNO is to make this other thing extensively to be had. I will be able to’t let you know what number of people have informed me they’d get a foldable if it wasn’t for the $1,500+ pricing. I’d like to counsel the V Fold2 to them, however no longer everybody desires to import a telephone. So in case you’re listening, TECNO…
Choices
If our TECNO PHANTOM V Fold2 overview hasn’t bought you at the new foldable, take a look at some tips for possible choices underneath.
Samsung Z Fold 6
Samsung is the massive canine of the foldable market, which is smart given it’s the logo that in reality introduced the other shape issue into the highlight. The massive caveat here’s that the Z Fold 6 is a lot more dear than the V Fold2, however for the additional spend, you’re getting an important efficiency improve and one of the most absolute best smartphone cameras in the marketplace. For extra in this one, see our Samsung Z Fold 6 overview.
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 forged telephone in comparison to its successor, with surprising presentations, a relaxed shape issue, and stellar efficiency due to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. Once more, it’s costlier than the V Fold2, however in case you are decided to pick out up a foldable, it’s some other robust possibility. To get the total lowdown, see our Honor Magic V2 overview.
