Vivo X Flip review: Holy mother of pearl

After spending a while with the Vivo X Fold 2, I used to be excited to fiddle and use the Vivo X Flip. This is Vivo’s first “flippable” smartphone, following within the footsteps of the Moto Razr Plus, Galaxy Z Flip 4, and others. Admittedly, that is the primary flip telephone that I’ve used for the reason that Galaxy Z Flip 3, as I’m extra of a foldable telephone sort of man. But the X Flip opened my eyes a bit to the enchantment that this smaller and extra compact type issue has in the marketplace.Vivo X Flip: Design and specs(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Getting the boring stuff out of the way in which first, the Vivo X Flip is principally a 2022 flagship in just about each manner. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, paired with 12GB of RAM and as much as 512GB of storage. It additionally sports activities a dual-camera setup, which is just about nearly as good because it will get on this phase of the market. Vivo additionally managed to squeeze in a 4,400mAh battery, one of many largest that we have seen on this type issue. This comes with 44W quick charging, blowing the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Moto RAZR Plus out of the water. But extra on that in a bit. As for the shows, you are greeted with a 3-inch AMOLED cowl display screen, wedged between the hinge and the digital camera module. Flip open the telephone and you will find a 6.7-inch FHD+ show with a variable refresh charge of as much as 120Hz. Swipe to scroll horizontallyVivo X Flip specsCategoryVivo X FlipMost important Display6.7-inch 120Hz OLED (LTPO), 2520 x 1080 (407 PPI)Cover Display3-inch AMOLED, 682 x 422 resolutionChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1Memory12GBStorage256GB, 512GBRear Camera 1 (principal)50MP, ƒ/1.8, 1.0μm, 1/1.49-inch sensor measurement, Dual PDAF, Laser AF, OISRear Camera 2 (ultrawide)12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 1/2.93-inch sensor measurement, 106-degree FoV, Dual Pixel PDAFFront Camera32MP, ƒ/2.5Video resolution4K/30FPS on rear cameras, 1080p/30 or 60fps on entrance cameraBattery4,400mAhCharging44W wired quick chargingPorts and SIMUSB Type-C, Dual SIMAudioStereo audio system, 3 microphones with noise suppressionWirelessBluetooth 5.3, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, 5GSecuritySide-mounted fingerprint sensorWeight198 gramsDimensions166.4 x 75.3 x 7.8mmWater and mud resistance❌ColorsRhombic Purple, Silk Gold, Diamond BlackSoftwareOrigin OS 3 based mostly on Android 13And this leads me to the very first thing price stating in regards to the X Flip courtesy of the waterdrop hinge. Basically, except you are actually in search of it, you’ll be able to’t see the crease in the midst of the display screen. You haven’t got to fret in regards to the display screen turning into an eyesore should you depart it open in your desk, or when utilizing it.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Taking a fast step again, I did wish to contact on the general design of the X Flip. I believe that Vivo completely nailed it, because the telephone is straightforward and cozy to carry, because of the rounded edges. I’m additionally an enormous fan of the side-mounted fingerprint scanner, which is embedded within the energy button. The X Flip simply feels actually strong however is not too heavy for on a regular basis use. It does not really feel like an affordable telephone in any manner, one thing that I used to be a bit involved about going into this assessment. Vivo X Flip: Performance and battery life(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Performance is true on par with what you’d count on out of a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 smartphone. It’s going to be fairly darn good and might deal with just about every part you’d wish to throw at it. You may discover that it will get a bit hotter in comparison with different telephones, however it’s actually nothing to be too fearful about.I’m additionally pleased to see 44W quick charging onboard, which is best than lots of the most effective “slab” telephones on the market, not to mention the X Flip’s flippable foes. I used to be capable of get 50% cost in nearly 30 minutes, which is greater than advantageous because it does not must have the 120W quick charging from the X Fold 2.However, I used to be additionally upset to be taught that regardless of utilizing glass and aluminum, there is not any wi-fi charging. It appears like this was extra of an oversight than the rest, and possibly Vivo is simply taking part in it protected with this clamshell machine. But it additionally offers the corporate room for enchancment within the occasion that there’s an X Flip 2 on the horizon.Vivo X Flip: Software(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)The X Flip is operating OriginOS 3, which is predicated on Android 13, however has loads of totally different tweaks so you’ll be able to personalize the interface to your liking. This consists of making the Quick Settings panel simpler to make use of because it slides all the way down to the underside half of the display screen, eradicating the necessity to play finger gymnastics to achieve the highest of the telephone.There’s actually not an excessive amount of to put in writing house about when the X Flip is totally open, because it’s principally the identical expertise you will discover on any Android telephone. The enjoyable begins whenever you wish to attempt to use totally different apps in a semi-folded state on the X Flip.Thanks to the waterdrop hinge design, the X Flip may be positioned at totally different angles ranging between 60 to 120 levels. This is nice for these occasions that you simply wish to watch a video whereas retaining the telephone propped up or if you wish to snap an image and wish to reap the benefits of the built-in tripod.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)Like the X Fold 2, Vivo has solely launched the X Flip in China, which means that it will not include Google companies obtainable out of the field. Instead, you will should sideload the Google Play Store, which solely takes a number of steps, then you’ll be able to obtain all your favourite apps and video games. As for the quilt display screen on the X Flip, I nonetheless have combined emotions about it. On one hand, it is nice to see a bigger display screen permitting you to simply reply to messages or use it as a viewfinder for the digital camera with no need to open the telephone.(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)But on the opposite, Vivo has some extreme limitations in relation to the apps that you should utilize. At the time of this writing, the one apps that you should utilize out of the field embrace a number of of the corporate’s personal apps, together with WeChat. Obviously, we’d like to see assist expanded for extra apps, even when they’re only for messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.Besides that, you’ll be able to nonetheless learn all your incoming notifications, and there is a customizable panel that permits you to see issues just like the date, steps, and climate. And there are a bunch of customization choices which might be obtainable inside the Settings app.Vivo X Flip: Cameras(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)As I discussed beforehand, the X Flip is “only” outfitted with a dual-camera setup, however I used to be recurrently stunned by the outcomes. I did not want to fret a few delay between tapping the shutter button and having the image really taken. Even the built-in Night Mode managed to impress, which is very enjoyable to make use of for the reason that X Flip doubles as its personal tripod. Image 1 of 7Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)That being mentioned, you actually will not be upset by the digital camera system provided by Vivo’s first flip telephone. It may even be the most effective digital camera system on this type issue, regardless of not utilizing the identical sensors present in Vivo’s glorious X90 Pro+.Image 1 of 3(Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip digital camera samples (Image credit score: Android Central)Vivo X Flip: The Competition(Image credit score: Derrek Lee / Android Central)The most evident competitors to the Vivo X Flip is Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5. Rumors counsel that Samsung is increasing the quilt display screen to be extra helpful whereas additionally implementing a brand new hinge design permitting it to shut utterly. Plus, the price shall be decrease, contemplating you will not must import it from China, on high of any launch offers that may be had.Motorola’s Razr Plus can also be a superb contender for the X Flip, as each of those are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Vivo features a bonus within the storage, RAM, and battery division, however once more, the Razer Plus is less complicated to get your arms on and has an even-larger cowl display screen. Vivo X Flip: Should you purchase it?(Image credit score: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)You should purchase this if:You need the most effective cameras in a clamshell foldable telephoneYou’re okay with importing and putting in Google companiesYou need glorious battery life on this type issueYou should not purchase this if:You wish to use this with an eSIMYou do not wish to fear about importing and putting in Google companiesYou’re thinking about what the Galaxy Z Flip 5 might supplyAs is the case with the Vivo X Fold 2, it is actually powerful to advocate the X Flip wholeheartedly. Vivo’s first clamshell foldable is kind of glorious, particularly after you get previous the dearth of Google companies out of the field. The digital camera is nice, the battery life is great, and it is comfy to carry regardless of being fairly slippery.Not solely is the Galaxy Z Flip 5 looming across the nook, however the Razr Plus is already obtainable and you may go to your native provider and seize one now. If there’s one factor that I do know for positive, it is that I’m excited to see what Vivo can do with a attainable successor. If you actually wish to decide up the Vivo X Flip for your self, it is obtainable by Giztop, and on the time of this writing, is definitely on sale for round $999. But you may be higher suited to attend a bit longer to see what the Z Flip 5 has to supply.