Tecno Phantom X2 vs Honor Magic Vs3: Which Foldable Delivers the Best Performance and Value?

The foldable phone market is heating up, with the Tecno Phantom X2 and Honor Magic Vs3 representing compelling options at different price points. The Phantom X2, leveraging the Dimensity 9000, aims for a balance of power and affordability, while the Magic Vs3, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, targets flagship performance and a premium experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right foldable for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Honor Magic Vs3 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers a significant performance advantage and superior thermal efficiency. However, the Tecno Phantom X2 remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers who value a respectable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Phantom X2 Honor Magic Vs3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, December 072024, July 12
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 09Available. Released 2024, July 19
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame, plastic back-
Dimensions164.6 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)Unfolded: 156.8 x 145.2 x 4.65 mm or 4.8 mmFolded: 156.8 x 74.0 x 9.8 mm or 10.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)229 g or 231 g (8.08 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusKing Kong Rhinoceros
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)2156 x 2344 pixels (~402 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~93.3% screen-to-body ratio)7.92 inches, 201.6 cm2 (~88.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120HzFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MC10Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, HIOS 12Android 14, MagicOS 8.0.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/1.3", 1.12µm, AF 2 MP50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps (10-bit), 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, (wide) Cover camera: 16 MP, f/2.2, 90˚, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LDAC
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging45W wired, 54% in 20 min, 100% in 60 min66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wired
Type5160 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsStardust Gray, Moonlight SilverVelvet Black, Snow, Tundra Green
ModelsAD8FLC-AN00
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 980 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 110h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 973623 (v9) GeekBench: 4027 (v5.1) GFXBench: 71fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Tecno Phantom X2

  • Competitive price point
  • Respectable battery endurance (110h)
  • Capable Dimensity 9000 chipset

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Limited camera information
  • Slower charging speeds

Honor Magic Vs3

  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Faster 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Potentially superior camera system

  • Likely higher price tag
  • Battery endurance rating unavailable
  • Potential for software bloat (Honor's history)

Display Comparison

The Tecno Phantom X2 boasts a 710 nits max brightness, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility, but the Honor Magic Vs3’s display specifications are currently unavailable. Given Honor’s history with high-quality panels, we anticipate a comparable or superior brightness level. Both devices feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED displays. Without knowing the Magic Vs3’s panel technology (LTPO or not), it’s difficult to assess power efficiency differences, but the Snapdragon’s superior ISP could contribute to more accurate color calibration on the Honor device.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the market positioning, we can infer that the Honor Magic Vs3 will likely feature a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is renowned for its superior noise reduction and dynamic range capabilities, potentially resulting in better low-light performance and more vibrant photos on the Magic Vs3. The lack of detail on the Phantom X2’s camera makes a direct comparison impossible, but it’s unlikely to match the flagship-level imaging expected from the Honor device.

Performance

The Honor Magic Vs3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Tecno Phantom X2’s Dimensity 9000 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, outperforms the Dimensity 9000’s Cortex-X2 at 3.05 GHz. Furthermore, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architecture, with its enhanced Cortex-A715 and A710 cores, provides a more efficient and powerful processing experience. The 4nm process node on both chips is similar, but Qualcomm’s optimizations generally result in better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This translates to smoother gaming and faster rendering times for the Magic Vs3.

Battery Life

The Tecno Phantom X2 offers an endurance rating of 110 hours, a solid figure indicating good battery life. It supports 45W wired charging, achieving 54% charge in 20 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes. The Honor Magic Vs3, however, boasts a more versatile charging solution with 66W wired, 50W wireless, and 5W reverse wired charging. While the Phantom X2’s endurance rating is respectable, the Magic Vs3’s faster wired charging and the convenience of wireless charging provide a more user-friendly experience. The absence of battery capacity information for both devices makes a direct comparison challenging, but the Magic Vs3’s charging speed advantage is undeniable.

Buying Guide

Buy the Tecno Phantom X2 if you need a capable foldable experience without breaking the bank, and are willing to accept slightly less processing power and potentially more thermal throttling during extended gaming. Buy the Honor Magic Vs3 if you prioritize top-tier performance for demanding tasks like video editing, high-end gaming, and multitasking, and appreciate the benefits of faster charging and potentially better long-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9000 in the Tecno Phantom X2 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 9000 is a capable chipset, it may exhibit some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions with graphically intensive titles like Genshin Impact. Expect playable frame rates, but potentially with some dips in performance over time. The Honor Magic Vs3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is better equipped to handle such workloads without significant throttling.
❓ How does the charging speed of the Honor Magic Vs3 compare to other flagship foldables?
The Honor Magic Vs3’s 66W wired charging is competitive with other flagship foldables, though some offer faster charging speeds (e.g., 80W or 120W). However, the inclusion of 50W wireless charging sets it apart, providing a convenient alternative to wired charging and a feature absent on the Tecno Phantom X2.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the Tecno Phantom X2 a major concern?
Yes, it is. In the foldable market, camera quality is a key differentiator. Without knowing sensor sizes, aperture values, or image processing capabilities, it’s difficult to assess the Phantom X2’s photographic performance. It’s reasonable to assume the Honor Magic Vs3 will offer a more refined camera experience.