Explore the in-depth Vivo X Fold 5 review, featuring its slim foldable design, Zeiss camera system, 8-inch AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance, and 6000mAh battery. Discover why the Vivo X Fold 5 is one of 2025’s best foldable smartphones with unbeatable multitasking, charging speed, and durability.
Table of Contents
Vivo X Fold 5 Review Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Display (Cover/Main) | 6.53-inch AMOLED (Cover), 8-inch AMOLED (Main), HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Camera System | Triple 50MP setup (Wide, Ultrawide, Telephoto), Zeiss branded |
| Battery | 6000mAh silicon-anode battery |
| Charging | 80W wired, 40W wireless |
| OS | Android 15 with FunTouch OS |
| Storage | 512GB internal storage |
| Foldable Features | Flex Mode, Smart Screen Shift, Workbench Multitasking |
| Durability | IP58 & IP59 rated, second-gen Armor glass |
| Biometrics | Edge-mounted fingerprint sensor |
Vivo X Fold 5 Detailed Review
A Foldable Revolution in July
If you’re the kind of person who gets excited about massive, bendy smartphones, then July 2025 is your lucky month. It’s like Christmas came early—minus the awkward family dinners and overcooked turkey. While Samsung and Honor already made waves with their latest foldable phones, Vivo just slid in with the Vivo X Fold 5, and it’s one slick piece of tech.
This new foldable isn’t just another flashy gadget. It’s a feature-packed powerhouse boasting serious camera tech, a sleek design, and a gorgeous AMOLED display. But is it enough to pull your attention away from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Honor Magic V5?
After spending a full week with the device, using it as my daily driver, juggling apps, gaming, multitasking, and even squeezing it into the tight corners of my jeans pocket, I’ve got plenty to share. If you’re wondering whether this new bendy wonder deserves a spot in your tech arsenal, let’s dig in.
Design and Build Quality
Slimmer Than Ever Before
The first thing you’ll notice about the Vivo X Fold 5 is just how slim it is for a foldable. When folded, it measures just 9.2mm thick—a smidge thicker than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, but not by much. That’s actually slimmer than some non-folding phones from just a couple of years ago. It fits easily in your pocket, feels balanced in the hand, and doesn’t scream “brick” the way some foldables do.
There’s a camera bump on the back, but it’s not obnoxious. In fact, it acts like a little finger shelf, giving you a bit of grip when the phone is folded or unfolded. That bump is home to some serious Zeiss-branded camera gear, which we’ll dig into later. But aesthetics-wise, Vivo has opted for a clean, professional look.
The one downside? The color options. Or rather, the lack thereof. Titanium Gray is the only shade available, which doesn’t exactly get pulses racing. It’s businesslike and inoffensive, but if you’re after something flashy, you’re out of luck.
Hinge Engineering and Ergonomics
The hinge mechanism on the X Fold 5 is one of the best out there. It’s smooth, silent, and feels incredibly robust. There’s none of the creaking or grinding you might get from cheaper or older foldables. It opens and closes with a satisfying fluidity that inspires confidence every time you use it.
You can open the hinge partway and prop the phone like a mini-laptop, perfect for hands-free video calls, watching YouTube, or reading while eating lunch. However, if you try to push the angle too far back, it does eventually give out. Still, it’s well-balanced for most use cases.
The phone itself weighs just over 200g, which is relatively light for a foldable. It feels solid but not overly heavy. However, the smooth matte finish, while lovely to the touch, can be a bit slippery. Keep a case handy if you’re prone to fumbles.
Material Choice and Durability
Vivo didn’t skimp on materials. You get second-gen Armor glass on the front, a pre-installed screen protector, a sturdy metal frame, and more scratch-resistant glass on the back. It’s a tough little beast.
Over the past week, I carried the phone in my pocket with other devices, keys, and random bits of pocket junk. Not a single scratch or scuff to be seen. That matte finish does pick up smudges, but a quick wipe restores it to its pristine state.
What’s really impressive is the IP58 and IP59 rating. That means it’s resistant to both water and dust—more so than the Samsung Galaxy Fold 7. So yes, it can survive a splash or even a quick dunk, and it’s more resistant to pocket lint and sand than most foldables. That kind of durability is rare in this category and gives the X Fold 5 an edge.
Display Technology
Cover Screen Experience
Unfolded or not, this phone’s got serious screen appeal. The cover screen is a 6.53-inch AMOLED panel, narrow but perfectly usable. It doesn’t feel cramped when typing or scrolling, which is often a problem with foldables. Browsing, messaging, and app navigation all feel fluid and natural.
You get HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support out of the box, so content on Netflix, YouTube, and similar platforms looks vibrant and cinematic. Colors are deep, blacks are inky, and contrast is impressive. The default color profile is balanced and easy on the eyes, but if you want extra punch, there’s a Bright Mode that amps up saturation and vibrancy.
One of the standout features is outdoor visibility. During a quick stint in the blazing Dubai sun (while trying not to melt into a human puddle), the screen held up remarkably well. Brightness is excellent, and readability remains solid even in direct sunlight. That’s no small feat for a foldable screen.
Internal Display Brilliance
When you unfold the Vivo X Fold 5, you’re greeted by a massive 8-inch AMOLED display. This is where the magic happens. With a 2480 x 2200 resolution, the display is sharp, color-rich, and ideal for everything from multitasking to media consumption.
It’s nearly the same size as the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s main screen but has a slightly squarer aspect ratio, which isn’t great for watching modern widescreen movies. However, it’s a dream for productivity and apps that can take advantage of the extra space.
Yes, there’s a visible crease down the center, but it’s less distracting when viewed head-on—especially if you’re using light mode. That said, it’s still a thing, and it’s one of the few reminders that you’re not using a traditional smartphone.
There’s a selfie camera cutout in the corner, and a slightly noticeable pixelated circle where some rivals place an under-display camera. You probably won’t notice it unless you’re gaming or watching full-screen content, but it’s worth noting.
Outdoor Visibility and Reflections
Like the cover screen, the main display is very bright, and that helps counter any glare or reflections from the screen protector. Vivo’s done a great job here. You can actually use this screen outdoors without constantly hunting for shade.
Reflections are still present, sure, but they’re not a deal-breaker. And again, it’s all surprisingly usable even under harsh lighting. Whether you’re reading, editing photos, or binge-watching on the go, the experience is comfortably immersive.
Performance and Software
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Under the Hood
Powering the Vivo X Fold 5 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, not the newer 8 Gen 3 Elite chip. That might seem like a bummer on paper, but in everyday use, the performance is still fantastic. Apps launch quickly, multitasking is smooth, and gaming runs well enough for most users.
That said, when you stack it up against the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, which packs in the newer Elite chip, Vivo’s foldable does fall slightly behind in raw power. But you likely won’t notice unless you’re pushing the phone to the limits with AAA mobile games or heavy-duty editing apps.
Android 15 with FunTouch OS
Out of the box, the Vivo X Fold 5 runs on Android 15, but layered with FunTouch OS, which, despite its cheesy name, is actually pretty decent. It’s highly customizable, offering users full control over themes, colors, wallpapers, lock screen styles, and even charging animations. If you enjoy tweaking your phone’s appearance and functionality, you’ll have a blast.
One of the few downsides is the software update commitment. While Samsung now offers a whopping seven years of Android updates, Vivo is only promising four years. It’s decent, but not future-proof. Still, for many users, four years is plenty.
What FunTouch OS lacks in elegance, it makes up for in versatility. You’ve got loads of built-in tools, a solid gaming mode, and thoughtful features like Flex Mode, which optimizes certain apps when the phone is partially folded. There’s also a Smart Screen Shift feature that intelligently transitions apps between the inner and outer screens, maintaining context and fluidity.
Multitasking Magic and Foldable Features
Now, this is where the Vivo X Fold 5 really shines. The large, square inner display is tailor-made for multitasking, and Vivo’s UI makes full use of it. You can drag apps from the dock, launch them in split-screen, or pop open floating windows.
One of the standout productivity tools is Workbench Mode, which allows a main app to dominate the screen, while other apps can be quickly swapped in and out from a side column. It’s not as refined as Canvas Mode on OnePlus or Oppo foldables, but it’s functional and fast.
You also get a shortcut button on the edge of the device, which switches between ring and vibrate modes, or can be customized to launch a favorite app or feature. Double-tap it, and you could instantly pull up your audiobook, flashlight, or camera—whatever suits your workflow.
Battery Life and Charging
6000mAh of Pure Power
Battery life is one of the biggest surprises on the Vivo X Fold 5. It packs a massive 6000mAh silicon-anode battery, which absolutely stomps on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 4400mAh cell. And the difference is obvious from day one.
This thing just goes and goes. Even on a brutal day filled with streaming, comics, Spotify, navigation, and about an hour of intense gaming, the phone still had juice to spare after 22+ hours of use. It’s not just good for a foldable—it’s one of the best battery performers of any phone in 2025 so far.
You’ll almost never worry about plugging in, even if you’re running dual SIMs, which is fantastic for travelers, business users, and power users alike.
Wired and Wireless Charging Support
If you do manage to drain the battery, you’re not out of luck. The X Fold 5 supports 80W fast charging, which absolutely smokes Samsung’s standard 25W solution. It’ll go from zero to hero in about 30-35 minutes.
And yes, you also get 40W wireless charging—provided you have a compatible dock. That’s still leagues better than many flagship devices that top out at 15W or 20W wirelessly. So whether you’re at your desk, in the car, or running low while watching videos in bed, charging is quick and easy.
Audio and Entertainment
Stereo Speakers and Multimedia Playback
Sound on the X Fold 5 is solid. The stereo speaker setup delivers loud, clear, and crisp audio whether the phone is folded or unfolded. It’s more than enough for Netflix, YouTube, or catching up on podcasts.
That said, it’s not going to replace your Bluetooth speaker. There’s a slight tinny quality at higher volumes, and bass is predictably lacking. Still, it gets the job done for most media consumption scenarios.
There’s no headphone jack, which isn’t surprising in 2025, but it’s still worth mentioning. Thankfully, Bluetooth connectivity has been seamless, with no dropouts or syncing issues during testing.
Security and Biometrics
Edge-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor
Security-wise, the Vivo X Fold 5 keeps things simple and effective. It uses an edge-mounted fingerprint sensor that’s built right into the power button. It’s fast, reliable, and works whether the phone is folded or open.
Even with slightly moist fingers, it still unlocks quickly—no annoying delays or false negatives. And because it’s a physical sensor, it works better than some under-display readers in challenging conditions.
There’s also face unlock, but it’s less secure and doesn’t work in low light or from odd angles. The fingerprint reader is the way to go for speed and accuracy.
Camera Capabilities
Triple 50MP Camera Setup
This is where Vivo really flexes. The Vivo X Fold 5 sports a triple 50MP camera system, including:
- IMX921 wide lens
- 50MP ultrawide
- IMX882 telephoto with 3x optical zoom
On paper and in practice, this setup rivals some of the best non-folding flagships.
Photos look natural and punchy in Zeiss Natural Mode, with good HDR handling and dynamic range. If you prefer extra vibrance, there’s a Vivid Mode for richer colors. And even in low light, this phone handles motion well, reducing blur and noise more effectively than many competitors.
Zeiss Branded Optics Explained
The Zeiss branding isn’t just for show. Vivo’s collaboration brings advanced lens coatings, better light capture, and improved image processing. It shows, especially in challenging lighting. Portraits pop, and colors stay true-to-life without overprocessing.
The telephoto zoom works well up to around 10x. Beyond that, images get a bit mushy, but for macro, tourist shots, or zoomed-in portraits, it’s excellent.
The ultrawide performs admirably too, even in softer lighting. Detail remains strong, and color consistency between lenses is impressive.
Video and Selfie Performance
Video can be captured at up to 8K resolution at 30fps, or 4K at 30/60fps. There’s no HDR video support, sadly, but daytime clips look great. Audio capture is also surprisingly clean.
Both the cover screen and main screen have 20MP selfie cameras, perfect for video calls. But the real trick? Using the main rear cameras with the outer display as a viewfinder. This lets you vlog in 4K or 8K with pro-level clarity. It’s a game-changer for creators.
Final Verdict: Vivo X Fold 5 Review
Is the Vivo X Fold 5 Worth It?
The Vivo X Fold 5 is easily one of the most impressive foldables of 2025. It doesn’t have the absolute top-tier processor or seven years of updates, but it nails almost everything else:
- Slim and durable design
- Big, bright AMOLED screens
- Powerful cameras
- Monster battery life
- Excellent foldable features
If you’re considering a foldable smartphone this year, the Vivo X Fold 5 is 100% worth your attention. It’s practical, powerful, and most importantly—fun to use.
FAQs: Vivo X Fold 5 Review
What makes the Vivo X Fold 5 different from its predecessor?
The X Fold 5 is slimmer, lighter, and offers better battery life, improved hinge durability, and an upgraded camera system compared to the X Fold 4.
How does the hinge durability compare?
Thanks to improved materials and engineering, the hinge is smoother, quieter, and more robust than before. It supports semi-open modes and resists wear better than many rivals.
Can it handle gaming and multitasking well?
Absolutely. With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, Gaming Mode, and Workbench multitasking, performance is smooth, even during heavy multitasking or graphically intense games.
Is the camera good for professional photography?
Yes. With Zeiss optics, a triple 50MP system, and great software tuning, it’s one of the most versatile camera setups on a foldable phone today.
Should you buy it over the Galaxy Fold 7?
If you prioritize battery life, design, and camera versatility, the Vivo X Fold 5 is a better value. If you want long-term software support and slightly better gaming, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 may be your pick.
Please don’t forget to leave a review.
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