Tecno Phantom V Fold vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

Foldable phones are no longer a futuristic fantasy; they're a reality. The Tecno Phantom V Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G represent two distinct approaches to this innovative form factor. But which one offers the better experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Tecno Phantom V Fold boasts significantly better battery life and a faster charging speed, alongside a powerful chipset. However, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G offers a brighter display and a more refined software experience, along with a more established ecosystem. The Phantom V Fold provides exceptional value, while the Z Fold3 delivers a premium, polished experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Phantom V Fold Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - Europe
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2023, February 282021, August 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 12Available. Released 2021, August 27
Body
BuildGlass front folded (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 159.4 x 140.4 x 6.9 mmFolded: 159.4 x 72 x 14.2-14.5 mmUnfolded: 158.2 x 128.1 x 6.4 mmFolded: 158.2 x 67.1 x 14.4-16 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight299 g (10.55 oz)271 g (9.56 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus support
Display
Resolution2000 x 2296 pixels (~388 ppi density)1768 x 2208 pixels (~374 ppi density)
Size7.85 inches, 196.9 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 179.9 cm2 (~88.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak)Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 Cover display: LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1100 nits (peak), Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 6.42 inches, 1080 x 2550 pixels, 431 PPICover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 6.2 inches, 832 x 2268 pixels, 25:9 ratio
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MC10Adreno 660
OSAndroid 13, HiOS 13 FoldAndroid 11, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm Cover camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, PDAF 50 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm Cover camera: 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm4 MP, f/1.8, 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm
Video1080p@60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging45W wired, 40% in 15 min, 100% in 55 min25W wired 11W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhitePhantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Green, Thom Browne Edition, Wooyoungmi Edition
ModelsAD10SM-F926B, SM-F926B/DS, SM-F926U, SM-F926U1, SM-F926W, SM-F9260, SM-F926N
PriceAbout 1030 EUR€ 453.57 / $ 367.74 / £ 449.99
SAR-0.73 W/kg (head)     1.22 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.04 W/kg (head)     1.44 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 92h Endurance rating 75h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -24.3 LUFS (Very good) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 999348 (v9) GeekBench: 3963 (v5.1), 3748 (v6) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 635918 (v8), 752218 (v9) GeekBench: 12719 (v4.4), 3239 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Tecno Phantom V Fold

  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Fast Charging (45W)
  • Powerful Dimensity 9000+ Chipset
  • Competitive Pricing
  • Large Display

  • Lower Display Brightness
  • Software Optimization May Be Lacking
  • Less Established Ecosystem

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

  • Brighter Display (922 nits)
  • Refined Samsung Software Experience
  • Established Ecosystem
  • Wireless Charging (11W)
  • Reverse Wireless Charging (4.5W)

  • Slower Charging (25W)
  • Lower Battery Life
  • Higher Price
  • Snapdragon 888 Performance (Less Powerful)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G takes a clear lead in display brightness, measuring 922 nits compared to the Phantom V Fold's 492 nits. While the Phantom V Fold's contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' (likely a nominal value), the Z Fold3's display offers better outdoor visibility. Both feature foldable AMOLED panels with high refresh rates, providing a smooth viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is subjective and requires more in-depth testing. Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but the Z Fold3 benefits from Samsung's established camera software and image processing. The Phantom V Fold's camera hardware is competitive, but software optimization is key.

Performance

The Tecno Phantom V Fold's Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 888 5G in the Z Fold3. The Dimensity 9000+ generally offers faster processing speeds and better graphics performance, making it ideal for demanding games and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Tecno Phantom V Fold absolutely dominates in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 92 hours compared to the Z Fold3's 75 hours. The Phantom V Fold also charges significantly faster with 45W wired charging (55 minutes to 100%) versus the Z Fold3's 25W (estimated 1.5-2 hours).

Buying Guide

The Tecno Phantom V Fold is ideal for users prioritizing battery life, performance, and value. It's a great choice for those new to foldables or seeking a feature-rich device without breaking the bank. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is best suited for users deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem, who value a brighter display, refined software, and a more premium build quality, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Tecno Phantom V Fold durable?
Like all foldable phones, the Phantom V Fold's durability is a concern. While Tecno has implemented protective measures, it's still more susceptible to damage than a traditional smartphone. Careful handling is recommended.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Samsung generally offers longer software update support and a more polished user experience on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G. Tecno's software support is improving, but it's not as established.