• Tecno Phantom V Flip Review

    Tecno Phantom V Flip Review – A Compact and Stylish Foldable Contender

    Daven Klarsen Posted on

    In the world of smartphones, innovation knows no bounds. With each passing year, we witness new breakthroughs in technology, design, and functionality. Enter the Tecno Phantom V Flip, a recent entrant in the realm of foldable smartphones.

    While this niche market has been dominated by giants like Samsung and Motorola, Tecno aims to carve out its own space with the Phantom V Flip. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve deep into the device’s design, performance, camera capabilities, software features, and more to determine if it can stand toe-to-toe with the established players.

    Unboxing the Tecno Phantom V Flip

    Before we dive into the details, let’s start with what’s in the box. Tecno has thoughtfully bundled several accessories with the Phantom V Flip, ensuring you’re well-equipped right out of the gate. The package includes the phone itself, a SIM card ejector tool, a USB-C cable for charging and data transfer, a 45W power adapter with a nifty pop-up mechanism, and a unique protective keychain case that covers both the front and back of the phone.

    Additionally, you’ll find a set of random stickers, which might appeal to the TikTok generation. Tecno’s attention to detail even extends to the texture of the box, matching it with the phone’s back panel.

    Design and Build Quality

    One of the standout features of the Tecno Phantom V Flip is its compact design. When folded, this smartphone is a mere 15 millimeters thick, making it incredibly portable. It easily fits into shirt pockets, small purses, or even a cat’s curious curiosity. Comparing it side by side with other foldable contenders like the Oppo Find N2 Flip and Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5, you’ll notice similar dimensions and minimal gap in the fold. However, the Phantom V Flip has a unique charm of its own.

    Despite its petite frame, the Tecno Phantom V Flip proves to be quite durable. After two weeks of rigorous testing and some occasional mishandling, there were minimal signs of wear and tear. A few minor scratches on the metal edges were the only blemishes, and the leather-style surface remained pristine.

    The soft-touch finish not only feels great but also sets the Phantom V Flip apart from its foldable rivals. This textured pattern stretches across both the front and back, complemented by glossy metal accents and a sunblasted hinge cover. Unlike some competitors, the metal parts are not prone to collecting fingerprints, keeping the device looking clean.

    The Phantom V Flip is available in a delightful light violet color, sometimes referred to as “Mystic Dawn” or “Periwinkle Purple.” This color choice adds a touch of uniqueness to the device, and for those who prefer a more traditional look, it’s also available in black.

    While the Tecno Phantom V Flip lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it does withstand light rain without any issues. However, if water resistance is a critical feature for you, Samsung’s Z Flip 5 might be a better choice.

    Front Display: A Dinky Delight

    The front display of the Tecno Phantom V Flip is unlike that of most foldables on the market. Measuring at just 1.32 inches, it boasts a circular design, setting it apart from the competition. This small screen is reminiscent of smartwatch displays and adds a unique charm to the device. It features an AMOLED panel with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a sharp resolution of 466×466 pixels.

    Swiping down on this tiny screen reveals the control center, which includes essential toggles like Do Not Disturb and Airplane Mode. Swiping up presents a list of notifications, allowing you to interact with messages, respond with preset replies, or use emojis. The functionality, while limited, serves its purpose well. However, there’s room for improvement in terms of customization and additional features.

    One drawback is the absence of an always-on display for the front screen, meaning you must double-tap or shake the Phantom V Flip to check the time or notifications. Despite this minor inconvenience, you can personalize the cover screen with various themes and wallpapers, and it even includes a virtual pet feature for added amusement.

    Hinge and Internal Screen: Folding with Finesse

    The hinge of the Tecno Phantom V Flip strikes a balance between ease of use and sturdiness. It’s just stiff enough to allow for one-handed operation while maintaining a solid grip when propping the phone up at various angles. This range, from approximately 30 to 150 degrees, proves useful for video calls and media consumption.

    The 6.9-inch internal AMOLED screen is a standout feature, with subtle crease action only visible when the phone is tilted away from the user. The Full HD Plus resolution, vibrant colors, and stretched aspect ratio make it ideal for cinematic viewing and split-screen multitasking. The screen’s maximum refresh rate of 120 Hz ensures smooth navigation, although the slow refresh rate may be more noticeable on larger displays.

    Outdoor visibility is good, even in bright sunlight, thanks to the screen’s 1000-nit brightness. The reflective surface does introduce some color distortion, but it’s generally manageable. However, the stereo speakers, while sufficient for casual media consumption, leave much to be desired when it comes to music playback. Using headphones or a Bluetooth speaker is advisable for a better audio experience.

    Software and User Experience

    The Tecno Phantom V Flip runs on Android 13, customized with HiOS. This operating system brings its own flavor to the Android experience, replacing Google’s Discover feed with Tecno’s own news aggregator. The control center offers a streamlined access point for essential toggles.

    HiOS has been adapted to suit the foldable form factor, allowing for split-screen multitasking, quick app minimization, and resizable floating windows. While not all apps are compatible with split-screen mode, the majority work seamlessly. Despite some minor software bugs encountered during the review period, it’s important to note that this is pre-launch software, and Tecno is likely to address these issues in future updates.

    One notable software addition is the Ella Voice Assistant, powered by Chat GPT. While not flawless, Ella provides some useful functionality, such as navigation and weather updates. It’s a welcome addition, especially for hands-free tasks.

    Performance and Gaming

    Under the hood, the Tecno Phantom V Flip is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 8050 chipset paired with 8GB of RAM. The Mali-G77 GPU handles games and creative tasks with ease. Games like Genshin Impact run smoothly, even on higher graphics settings. However, extended gaming sessions may cause the device to heat up and lead to slight performance dips. It’s worth noting that this behavior is observed in demanding titles and should not be a concern for regular usage.

    HiOS offers a comprehensive game mode with various performance and battery-saving options. You can fine-tune settings and enjoy a lag-free gaming experience. The Phantom V Flip proves to be a capable gaming device, provided you don’t push it to its limits for extended periods.

    Battery Life and Charging

    With a 4,000mAh battery, the Tecno Phantom V Flip delivers solid battery life. During daily usage involving media streaming, messaging, and occasional camera use, the device comfortably lasted a full day on a single charge.

    For those moments when you need a quick boost, the 45W charging support ensures a rapid recharge, taking around 45-50 minutes for a full charge. Unfortunately, wireless charging is absent, which may disappoint some users.

    Camera Capabilities

    The Tecno Phantom V Flip features a dual-lens camera system housed within the front display bezel. This setup includes a 64MP primary camera and a 30MP ultra-wide-angle shooter. The camera app offers a variety of features, including a cover screen preview, filters, and beauty mode.

    In auto mode, the 64MP camera produces 16MP photos using pixel binning, resulting in detailed and well-focused shots. The camera handles different shooting scenarios admirably, even close-ups. While the AI mode enhances colors, it’s essential to switch it off for a more natural look. The camera excels in capturing good dynamic range, maintaining saturation, and controlling contrast.

    The ultra-wide-angle shooter is serviceable but performs best in well-lit conditions. Indoor shots may appear softer and suffer from lower color vibrancy. For those seeking higher resolution, a 64MP high-resolution mode is available, which yields sharper images suitable for cropping.

    Video recording capabilities include 4K resolution, although image stabilization at this level is not the strongest suit. Nevertheless, video quality and audio capture are generally satisfactory.

    The 32MP selfie camera offers eye autofocus and can record up to 2K resolution video. While it’s more suitable for video chats, it can be used for selfies as well, with convenient hand gestures to capture shots. The camera app also provides a variety of shooting modes, including portrait and a unique Blue Sky mode for enhancing outdoor shots.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, the Tecno Phantom V Flip is a compelling addition to the foldable smartphone market. Its compact design, durable build, and unique front display set it apart from the competition. While the software may need some refinement, it offers a tailored experience for a foldable device. Performance is commendable, and the camera system is versatile enough for most users.

    Ultimately, whether the Tecno Phantom V Flip is the right choice for you depends on your priorities. If you seek a foldable phone with extensive functionality on the cover screen, other options like the Samsung Z Flip 5 might be more suitable. However, if you appreciate a compact, stylish design and are willing to wait for software updates to address minor issues, the Tecno Phantom V Flip is a worthy contender in the world of foldable smartphones.

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    Daven Klarsen
    Daven Klarsen is a technology writer and researcher. He's also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the LAL. When not working, you can usually find him tweaking his Android devices or watching soccer news.
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