Comparing the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5 in practical terms: Which foldable phone reigns supreme in real-world performance, not just theoretical specs?
The latest offerings in the foldable smartphone market, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5, showcase significant differences in design, display technology, performance, battery, and camera capabilities. Each device caters to distinct user preferences, offering a unique blend of features that sets them apart.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 boasts a thinner (8.9mm folded) and lighter (215 grams) form factor, with a refined, wider design that exudes a premium feel. On the other hand, the Vivo X Fold 5 sports a slightly curved frame and a sturdier hinge, maintaining a slim and light profile, although not as ultra-thin as Samsung's device.
Displays
The Vivo X Fold 5 features a larger 8.03-inch LTPO AMOLED inner display at 2K+ resolution (2480 x 2200) with a peak brightness of 4500 nits and a 6.53-inch outer AMOLED screen. Both displays run at 120Hz with TÜV Rheinland certification and Zeiss Master Colour calibration. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 sports a slightly smaller 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel inside with 2520 x 1080 resolution, supporting a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2600 nits, plus a polished 6.5-inch cover display also at 120Hz.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Elite chipset, offering superior gaming and multitasking performance. The Vivo X Fold 5, while running on an older Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, still handles high-end games well and shines in battery efficiency due to its 6000mAh battery.
Battery Life and Charging
The Vivo X Fold 5 boasts a massive 6000mAh battery, leading to impressive endurance. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7’s exact battery capacity isn’t specified, but it is noted for its slimness and lighter weight, which may imply a smaller battery. The Vivo X Fold 5 supports faster charging, with 80W wired, 40W wireless, and reverse wired + 5W reverse wireless charging, compared to the Galaxy Z Fold 7’s 25W charging.
Cameras
Samsung's camera system emphasizes high-resolution and versatility, featuring a 200MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, plus dual 10MP front cameras. In contrast, the Vivo X Fold 5 sports a triple 50MP setup including main, ultrawide, and ZEISS telephoto lens with 3x optical and up to 100x digital zoom, as well as 20MP front cameras.
In terms of imaging quality, Samsung's shots preserve the haze, the smog, and the subtle gradient of light across glass in cityscape shots, while Vivo's images are full of energy with punchy skies, saturated reds, and brightened shadows. However, Samsung's 30X shot is legible, clean, and usable in zoom photography, while Vivo's is softer, watercolour-like with visible noise and less clarity after about 30X.
Best Suited For
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 is ideal for users desiring a premium, ultra-thin foldable with top-notch performance and a megapixel-heavy camera system, who prioritize a compact and polished form factor. The Vivo X Fold 5, on the other hand, suits users looking for excellent battery life, a brighter and larger display, strong camera optics from Zeiss collaboration, and solid multitasking capability at a relatively lower price.
In summary, Samsung leads in slim design, flagship performance, and camera resolution, while Vivo excels in display brightness, battery capacity, and value for price—making their choice dependent on user priorities between portability and endurance or camera richness and screen brilliance.
[1] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Specifications
[2] Vivo X Fold 5 Specifications
[3] Vivo X Fold 5 Review
[4] Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 Review
- If you're looking for a product with a thinner and lighter design that offers a premium feel, consider the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, one of the latest gadgets in the foldable smartphone market.
- For those who value a larger display and impressive battery life, the Vivo X Fold 5, another of the recent offerings, sports a larger 8.03-inch LTPO AMOLED inner display and a massive 6000mAh battery.
- If you're a tech-savvy shopper interested in reading product-reviews, consider checking out the detailed reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Vivo X Fold 5, twoinnovative devices that showcase significant differences in design, display technology, performance, battery, and camera capabilities.
