TECNO, a Chinese smartphone brand that is known for its affordable devices, has recently launched its first flip foldable phone, the Phantom V Flip. The phone is a follow-up to the Phantom V Fold, which was unveiled at the MWC 2023 in late February. The Phantom V Flip aims to make foldable phones more accessible to the public with its competitive pricing and unique design.
Design and Display
The Phantom V Flip has a clamshell design that folds horizontally, similar to other flip foldables in the market. However, what sets it apart is its large circular module on the back, which houses a 1.32-inch AMOLED cover display, an LED flash, and two cameras. The cover display can show personalized avatars, notifications, and time, and also act as a viewfinder for selfies. The circular module gives the phone a retro-modern look that is eye-catching and stylish.
The phone has a plastic front (opened), plastic back, aluminum frame, and steel hinge. It weighs 194g and measures 171.7 x 74.1 x 7 mm when unfolded, and 88.8 x 74.1 x 15 mm when folded. It has a fingerprint scanner on the side and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. It does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack or a microSD card slot.
The main attraction of the phone is its 6.9-inch foldable LTPO AMOLED display, which has a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels and a refresh rate of 120Hz. The display is protected by UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) and supports variable refresh rate to save battery life. The display is also the largest among flip foldables, offering more screen real estate for multitasking and entertainment.
The hinge of the phone can handle multiple angles, enabling the phone to be folded in different ways for different scenarios. For example, the phone can be used in flex mode, where the display is partially folded and stands on its own, allowing users to take timed selfies, group shots, or watch videos hands-free.
Performance and Battery
The Phantom V Flip is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8050 5G chip, which is a 6nm octa-core processor with four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 3.0GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0GHz. The chip also has a Mali-G77 MC9 GPU and an integrated 5G modem that supports both SA (Standalone) and NSA (Non-Standalone) networks.
The phone has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage (UFS 3.1), which should be enough for most users. It runs on Android 13 with TECNO’s custom skin, HIOS 13.5, which is optimized for flip-styled smartphones. The phone also has an AI assistant called ELLAGPT, which can help users with various tasks and queries.
The battery capacity of the phone is 4000mAh, which is decent for a foldable phone. The phone supports 45W wired charging, which can charge the phone from zero to 50% in just 15 minutes, according to TECNO’s claims.
Cameras
The Phantom V Flip has two cameras on the back and one camera on the front. The main camera is a 64MP sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus). The secondary camera is a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.2 aperture and PDAF as well. The cameras can record videos up to 4K resolution at 30fps or 1080p resolution at 60fps.
The front camera is a 32MP sensor with an f/2.5 aperture and PDAF too. The front camera can also record videos up to 1440p resolution at 30fps or 1080p resolution at 60fps.
The cameras of the phone are decent for its price range, but they are not exceptional compared to other flagships or even mid-range phones in the market. However, the phone does have some interesting features such as LED flash for both front and rear cameras, HDR, panorama, and various modes and filters.
Price and Availability
The Phantom V Flip was launched on September 22 at an event in Singapore. The phone will be available in two color options: Iconic Black and Mystic Dawn. The price of the phone is about $560 USD, which makes it one of the most affordable flip foldables in the market.
TECNO also revealed some accessories for the Phantom V Flip, such as cases and wireless earbuds. One of the cases is a scented leather case with fragrant microcapsules that can last for over a year.
Conclusion
The Phantom V Flip is a bold move by TECNO to make foldable phones more mainstream and affordable. The phone has a unique design, a large display, a decent performance, and a reasonable battery life. However, it also has some drawbacks, such as the lack of a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, and a stellar camera performance.
The Phantom V Flip is not meant to compete with the likes of Samsung or Motorola in the flip foldable segment, but rather to offer an alternative option for those who want to try out a new form factor without breaking the bank. The Phantom V Flip is a flip foldable for the masses.
