Vivo unveils premium Android phones X Fold5, X200 FE in India
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Vivo X200 FE series.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
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India Today
16 hours ago
- India Today
Gadgets: Foldable, unforgettable
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today Spice issue dated July 2025)Most foldable phones are either all show and no substance or so delicate you're afraid to sneeze near them. Enter the Vivo X Fold 5, a device that not only dares you to fold, unfold, and occasionally even drop it by mistake, but even survives to tell the tale. Skipping a 'Fold 4' entirely, Vivo's new foldable feels like that friend who missed a party but turns up next time with better FOR REAL LIFE, NOT THE MUSEUMForget the dainty prototypes of yesteryear. The Vivo X Fold 5 is slim (9.2mm folded, 4.3mm unfolded), featherlight (217g), and so tough it boasts IP58 and IP59 ratings, yes, you read that right. The hinge claims it can survive 6,00,000 folds; our accidental drop confirmed it's not just a claim. Vivo throws in a premium leather case for good measure, but we do wish the glossy edges had been matte for better grip and fewer fingerprints. BRIGHT ENOUGH TO ANNOY THE SUNWith an 8.03-inch inner and 6.53-inch cover AMOLED, both at 120Hz and 4,500 nits, you won't squint, no matter where you are. Colours pop, blacks go deep, and LTPO tech keeps things smooth yet power efficient. Some apps still wrestle with the foldable format (looking at you, Instagram), but that's an industry-wide growing pain, not a Vivo blunder. ZEISS KNOWS BEST (MOST OF THE TIME)Three 50MP cameras co-engineered with Zeiss deliver crisp detail and punchy colours in daylight. The Zeiss filter tries to keep things natural but sometimes over-brightens the scene. Portraits? Great detail, but skin tones can get a tad too rosy. Low-light shots are solid, though Samsung's Z Fold 7 has a slight edge. For videos, 4K at 60fps is the sweet spot—stable and sharp, ready for your next viral THE FASTEST, BUT DEFINITELY THE SMARTESTVivo sticks with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (last year's champ), and while spec-heads may scoff, real-world performance is smooth. With 16GB RAM and 512GB storage (plus LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0), multitasking is a breeze, and gaming is respectably smooth. Just don't expect console-level graphics. Software's covered by FunTouch OS 15 and the surprisingly useful Origin Workbench, letting you run five apps at once for full-on productivity chaos. Four years of Android updates and five years of security is decent, though the competition stretches it tad FINAL TAKEA huge 6,000mAh battery (biggest in a foldable yet) delivers a day and a half of solid use, charging fast at 80W (and wirelessly at 40W). Even after hours of video and gaming, you'll rarely be left hunting for a charger. The Vivo X Fold 5 delivers on design, durability, display, and who want less fragility and more function, it's the real Rs 1,49,999 Subscribe to India Today Magazine- Ends
India Today
2 days ago
- India Today
Galaxy Z Fold 7 is even thinner than Samsung claims, rivals found fudging numbers
A recent study conducted by the Korean Consumer-Centered Enterprise Association has revealed that Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is thinner than officially claimed, while competing foldable phones are not as slim as manufacturers advertise. This finding raises questions about the measurement methods used by smartphone manufacturers and their impact on consumer perception. The study used a micrometer to measure the thickness of various foldable phones, showcasing discrepancies in official claims and actual Galaxy Z Fold 7 has been found to be 8.82mm thick, slightly less than the company's official claim of 8.9mm. In contrast, other manufacturers like Honor, Vivo, Xiaomi, and HUAWEI have reported discrepancies which show their devices to be thicker than stated. The discrepancies, while sounding minimal, challenge these brands' claims of producing the thinnest foldable phones, a significant selling point in the competitive foldable phone Honor Magic V5, for instance, is advertised as the world's thinnest foldable phone. However, the study revealed it to be 0.54mm thicker than claimed. Similarly, the Vivo X Fold 5 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 4 were found to be 0.57mm and 0.62mm thicker, respectively, than their official measurements. The findings suggest a need for a more standardised approach to measuring foldable phones, particularly regarding the inclusion of inner protective film layers, which are often overlooked by manufacturers when declaring device thickness. The significance of accurate measurements goes beyond mere specifications. These numbers influence consumer decisions, especially when brands emphasise having the thinnest or lightest devices. Foldable phones, being relatively new to the market, often face additional scrutiny, and discrepancies in their advertised features might affect consumer trust. The study's results suggest that consumers should be cautious and well-informed about the methods used to measure such has been criticised for its measurement practices, which exclude the inner protective screen layers. This method has been deemed misleading, as these layers are integral to the phone's structure and functionality. The report warns consumers against removing this film, which is intended to remain permanently affixed. Such practices highlight the need for clearer guidelines and transparency from manufacturers to ensure consumers have an accurate understanding of the products they study also noted that brands such as Huawei and Oppo, alongside Honor and Vivo, weigh their foldable phones without considering these inner films. This raises further queries about the integrity of claims regarding the lightest devices on the industry's measurement practices are now under scrutiny, with calls for more consumer-friendly and transparent methods. The discrepancies identified in the thickness of these phones could prompt manufacturers to revise the ways they present their product specifications. The push for transparency is seen as a step towards better consumer protection and fairness in marketing position in this study as the only manufacturer found to have understated the thickness of its foldable phone could influence consumer preferences and bolster its reputation for accuracy in product specifications. This development may place pressure on rival brands to reassess their measurement and marketing strategies to maintain credibility in the the foldable phone market continues to grow, consumers are encouraged to critically evaluate manufacturer claims and consider independent reviews and studies when making purchasing decisions. The findings of the Korean study serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accuracy in product descriptions, which play a crucial role in building consumer trust and satisfaction.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
4 days ago
- India Today
Vivo X200 FE review: Delightedly small, incredibly powerful, and brilliantly priced
It seems like just yesterday when I was singing the praises of the OnePlus 13s and already, we have a new phone called the Vivo X200 FE, vying for the same title. Compact flagship phones are clearly having a moment. As a pure smartphone user and enthusiast, I was biased towards the 13s, simply because, in a sea of tall slab phones, its petite form factor brought great comfort. It was short but not shortchanged unless you put its camera under the scanner, which is when some cracks started to become more obvious. The X200 FE is like the 13s but with a potentially better camera I dive in to give you my two cents, let me tell you right out of the gate that the X200 FE doesn't flat-out kill the 13s. The 13s has its own charm and strengths, which I'll try to highlight where necessary. But if you came here looking for a reason to diss OnePlus and its choices, better look elsewhere. I love the 13s for what it is, even if the X200 FE is testing my loyalty big time. I will say this though, writing this review is not easy. The X200 FE starts at Rs 54,999 for a version with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, while a variant with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage will set you back by Rs 59,999 – same as the OnePlus 13s. But the two couldn't be more different. Where OnePlus went for raw power, Vivo chose to go with something relatively more run-of-the-mill, possibly to cut cost, so it could focus on its core competencies. It is a smart move even if it makes the 13s look more powerful, and it is, given that it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite and faster UFS4.1 memory even as Vivo makes do with the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus and slower UFS3.1 the time of writing, the Dimensity 9300 Plus has been around for more than a year after breaking cover in early 2024. With how fast these things are getting updated, some might even call it dated. It is very fast, but it doesn't hold a candle to the Elite or even the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in some benchmarks. The numbers speak for themselves: 1,41,1507 on AnTuTu, 1,103 (single core) and 4,181 (multi-core) on Geekbench 6 and 3,426 on 3DMark Wildlife throttling often does not deliver promising results, and it gets hot when pushed. But it's more to do with the chip's flagship nature (being all-big core and all) than any technical bottlenecks. The GPU performance is comparatively better. High-end gaming isn't a concern. In day-to-day life, it almost feels like a 2025 flagship. It flies. But here's the thing: in the T4 Ultra the same chip felt too good to be true, but in the X200 FE, it leaves you wanting. That is just how perception comparison is also the thief of joy. Some things are just built differently. You know one's clearly better than the other, yet you fight all logic and choose the underdog. The heart wants what it wants. Maybe that is how special the X200 FE is, in my experience. For everybody else, it's a reminder that something can be more than the sum of its parts. If you're a stickler for getting the fastest chip in the market, that is okay Vivo compensates for these discrepancies by putting a bigger 6,500mAh Silicon-Carbon battery inside the X200 FE and claiming it can pull off more than 24 hours of YouTube playback and nearly 10 hours of gaming on a single charge. It is difficult to say who beat whom. There are various factors at play. The 13s has a smaller 5,850mAh battery but a more efficient chip. With Vivo, it is the opposite. It cancels out really. The X200 FE gets close, if not outright beat the 13s, which is to say, it, too, has great battery life. It can go the distance. On any given day, you can easily expect a full day's worth of use. When fully exhausted, it can top up faster at up to 90W (versus 80W in the 13s). Wireless charging isn't wonderThe maths and physics are impressive because the X200 FE is a smaller phone. It has a 6.31-inch screen that stretches from edge to edge. It sits flush so it feels like you're interacting directly with every element in real-time, rather than sifting through layers of distance and uncertainty. The panel is LTPO p-OLED with a resolution of 1.5K and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It can get brighter at up to 5,000nits (1,800nits in high brightness mode) though it tops out at HDR10+ whereas the 13s can play Dolby Vision as well. For protection, Vivo is using Schott Xensation displays are all the rage these days. Call it the iPhone effect or whatever. When they are smaller, handling becomes much easier. You're in full control and not the other way round. Using this phone has been an absolute joy, much in the same way the 13s was. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but these phones could really increase doomscrolling time if you're not X200 FE and OnePlus 13s try to mostly stay out of each other's way when it comes to overall design. The FE – which is short for fashion edition – looks more like the iPhone 16 with its pill-shaped camera deco and clean lines. It has more playful energy where the 13s feels more utilitarian. This is true about the colours as well. You can get it in gray, blue, and dual yellow/black shades. Vivo – like OnePlus – doesn't specify the type of glass it is using on the rear. The frame is made of metal. IP rating is better on the X200 FE. It is rated IP68 and IP69, so it can survive high-pressure water jets and immersion up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. The 13s is only you've come this far, I am sure you're beginning to get a sense of why the X200 FE is not an ordinary smartphone. In fact, I'll do you one better: I believe it could be one of the biggest sleeper hits of the year. Even more so than the 13s, despite OnePlus' bigger brand recall, because Vivo's value proposition with the X200 FE is simply hard to ignore. It is also unbeatable on many levels, particularly the biggest draw is that Vivo didn't remove the ZEISS branding. It could have. OnePlus didn't get you Hasselblad at this price, did it? It's not about good or bad. It is about actions. It is also about perception. The name ZEISS instantly catapults it to flagship status, makes you think and believe you are part of some elite group. Of course, this is subjective are two big takeaways when you consider the real-world implications. It gives you access to ZEISS colour science and a bunch of exquisite filters that simulate its many iconic lenses (even the phone's display is colour calibrated with help from ZEISS). Say what you will, but we're all suckers for dreamy bokehs and when it comes to fashioning larger-than-life portraits, Vivo commands authority and respect. It is something it does well consistently across different price you can't do it without good hardware. So, it is kind of mind-boggling that it was able to put not one, not two, but five different focal lengths (23- to 100mm), inside a 7.9mm phone. More than anything, it's the simplicity that steals the show. You don't have to be a pro to master portrait photography on this phone. Anybody can be one. The accessibility, whether it is the phone's form factor or how the camera controls are laid out, is addictive. The X200 FE is truly a point-and-shoot camera you can pocket around. The phone part is a those seeking the nitty-gritties, it has three cameras on the back. The wide and telephoto are both 50-megapixel with different sensors, Sony IMX921 and IMX882. The main camera is optically stabilised. It has an f/1.88 aperture. The f/2,65 zoom lens can go up to 100x, though it works best up to 6x (lossless) with 3x (optical) being the golden figure. Both offer fantastic output, even in low light. The detail and dynamic range are spot-on, while you're free to play around with vibe and tonality through colour modes that you can also switch on the out full camera samples below; Click to access more Everything works fast and fluidly, focus and shutter speed included. The third camera, which is an 8-megapixel ultrawide, is barely serviceable though. The X200 FE has another 50-megapixel camera on the front. It shoots well with a slight tendency to smoothen facial features, often resulting in less detail – though most people might find this a positive compromise. All in all, this is one of the most complete and capable camera setups on any phone, period, and while it isn't perfect, its sheer size and output should leave even some of the most die-hard critics sitting up and taking you buy?Truth be told, that seems to be the whole point of the X200 FE. It is out to challenge the status quo and make small phones great again. There is no dearth of small flagship phones in the market. They are a dime a dozen really. Most of them are one-trick ponies. Sometimes, they are good at a few more things. But none comes to mind when you seek an all-rounder. There is almost always a catch. More often, it's enough to nudge people into going for something else, something which is bigger and expectedly better. The X200 FE not just shows Vivo's engineering might, it proves conclusively that big things can come in small packages.- Ends
