The Vivo X Fold Puts The 'Wow' Back In Folding Phones

[INTO THE FOLD EPISODE 14: VIVO X FOLD REVIEW]

When I review a smartphone that isn’t offered in my part of the world, the question I’m usually trying to answer is: do I wish it *was*? Late last year, Oppo released a smartphone for which my answer was a resounding “yes:” a foldable called the Find N that blended the best of large- and small-format folding phones. For 2022, Oppo’s sister brand Vivo has gone the opposite direction – with a massive and extravagant smartphone called the Vivo X Fold. "Into The Fold" is all about exploring all the different kinds of flexible-display devices, and after a week with the Vivo X Fold I’ve found it gets so much right that if it were offered here in the United States … I believe it would become the new go-to in full-size foldables.

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[ABOUT INTO THE FOLD EPISODE 14]

This is the fourteenth in a series of episodes exploring the many facets of life on a folding screen. From the best foldable phones of 2022 to the bleeding-edge world of folding-screen laptops, Into The Fold is MrMobile’s showcase for the most exciting movement in mobile technology since 2007!

Into The Fold Episode 14 was produced following one week with a Vivo X Fold retail device purchased by MrMobile / Future PLC. Production device running retail software, tested on T-Mobile US and Google Fi in Brooklyn NY.

MrMobile does not accept compensation from the manufacturers of the products he reviews in exchange for producing content. No payment was provided and no manufacturer or carrier was afforded a preview, editorial input or copy approval rights concerning this review.

[PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO]

Vivo X Fold [TradingShenzhen]:

[MUSIC]

"Night Sky" by OBOY [Soundstripe]:

"Gotta Get It" by Famous Cats [Soundstripe]:

“No Major Delays” by Julian Bell, available at Premium Beat:

[CHAPTERS]

00:00 From Oppo to Vivo
01:05 Americans Need Not Apply
02:53 X Fold vs Galaxy Fold 3
05:08 Big Cameras, Big Results
08:02 You Get (More Than) What You Pay For

[SOCIALIZE]

[DISCLOSURES]

#vivoxfold #vivo #foldable #foldingphone #flexiblescreen #intothefold #smartphone #mrmobile #galaxyfold3

[BeardyYT]

Nice to see a folding phone that starts as a normal phone that gets bigger.

[ThisIsTechToday]

It really does look better and "right" compared to the Galaxy Fold. I love that the camera isn't a step down from a flagship, but on par with the top of the line. So good.

[pyrosdestiny]

I love the look of this fold phone. This is the first time I genuinely like the look of a folding phone and the screen crease doesn't seem so bad.

[mikaelsnake]

You can get around the aggressive battery life extender option by going into the battery settings for the apps, and make sure it doesn't go to sleep. Notifications will then come through. Huawei phones do this by default, so I got used to changing those settings.

[dannywinget]

Excellent video as usual! I really want to try this.

[redvivid]

Ever since your departure from PocketNow I've watched every episode you've ever made. You are the most consistent tech reviewer I've ever seen.

[ThePerradox]

Excellent video. If this had Samsungs software, s pen support and was optimised for my region I would be very tempted to try it. Hoping that Samsung can show some improvements with it's next fold.

[toysupra]

Great explanation on the pros and cons of importing this phone. Usually reviewers give these imports a stamp of approval knowing they come with lots of issues. I'm hopeful OnePlus will make a foldable comparable to the Find N.

[Langelmaki]

I just picked up the s22 ultra a few days ago. Came from note 10 plus. I love foldable, more so rollables. I'm just waiting a bit longer for the tech to mature.

[DrBagPhD]

This is what I want from a foldable, a 'normal' smartphone that can fold out to double its screen real estate.

[quinnoconnor]

great review! love to hear the balance and comparison. I really rate your reviewing style.

[trs]

Idk man. That Oppo Find N still has my heart just because of that sweet spot of size it hit. I love it. It's great to see Vivo and Oppo bringing real competition to Samsung after lukewarm showing from Xiaomi and just a sad show with Huawei because of the software (I'm not even going to mention Microsoft because they're not the same class of devices). Wish they launched it worldwide to spice up the game

[cassieandspencersdad]

Good review. Have been enjoying my Vivo X Fold..love the outer display, the cameras and the class leading 8 " inner display. No issues with notifications but did require a simple tweek....even saw another video where it can connect to a MacBook (phone mirroring) android to Mac pretty cool....again thanks for the vid.

[Johnathan]

I love my Z Fold 3 but I'm excited for the version that will have a nearly standard size front display when closed. Until then it's voice text.

[phaze]

Awesome to see you review this phone. Great video, great review. My only issue with Vivo phones is they don’t play nice with 3rd party launchers. I’d love to buy the X Note and just slap Lawnchair Launcher on it and call it a day.

[roberttranceedm]

You really focus often on the crucial parts with reviews, and comparisons are great as well.

[stevanb.]

I love what other companies, like Vivo, are doing. It got kinda boring with everything coming down to Samsung and Apple (and them using that fact to sell pretty much same phones year after year, even removing stuff like expandable memory and chargers)

[NigelMelanisticSmith]

I hope custom roms eventually come to foldables, since China has been making some great devices.

[ThatFoldableGuy]

Michael, I am hoping you will revisit this review at some point in the near future. I imported the Vivo X Fold to Canada and was able to overcome pretty much all the gripes raised in your video. The notifications being the biggest issue, but there are a few more settings to enable which have allowed me to get my Notifications delivered instantaneously and display on the lock screen. There is also a great guide by Greggles TV which outlines how to replace the default launcher. I have had no issues with 5G in my City, even with using Videotron as my WSP which is not nearly as prevalent as some of the other big names.

[varunaX]

He's right about the busted notifications. I've had 2 non brand androids before and they were awful at not showing notifications in real time. It was frustrating af