vivo X Fold vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the vivo X Fold and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 represent two distinct approaches to the form factor. The X Fold, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, offers a more established foldable experience, while the Mix Fold 3 leverages the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for a performance boost. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 emerges as the superior choice. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance uplift, and its brighter display enhances outdoor visibility. While the vivo X Fold remains a capable device, the Mix Fold 3’s advancements justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Fold Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, April 112023, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 22Available. Released 2023, August 14
Body
Build-Glass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 162 x 144.9 x 6.3 mm Folded: 162 x 74.5 x 14.6 mmUnfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight311 g (10.97 oz)255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)
Display
Resolution1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+Foldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 10 MP, f/2.9, 115mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) Cover camera: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired, 100% in 37 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
Type4600 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack, Gold
ModelsV2178A2308CPXD0C
PriceAbout 1300 EURAbout 1150 EUR

vivo X Fold

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
  • 66W fast wired charging

  • Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Likely dimmer display compared to Mix Fold 3
  • Less advanced thermal management

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

  • Superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Brighter 1277 nit display
  • Faster 67W wired charging

  • Higher price tag
  • Slightly longer wireless charging time (55 mins)
  • Potential for software bloat (Xiaomi)

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1277 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the vivo X Fold. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. Both devices likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life, but Xiaomi’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. Bezels are a critical aspect of foldable design, and while specific measurements aren’t provided, Xiaomi’s focus on minimizing these is evident in its marketing, suggesting a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are limited, but the focus should be on the main sensors and image processing. While both phones likely feature multi-camera systems, the quality of the primary sensor and the sophistication of the image processing algorithms are paramount. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, Xiaomi’s history of incorporating advanced camera technology suggests a potential edge in image quality and features. We can safely assume both phones will offer capable photography, but the Mix Fold 3 likely benefits from the improved ISP within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AC) represents a substantial upgrade over the vivo X Fold’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (SM8450). The Gen 2 features a newer Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.36 GHz versus the X Fold’s 3.00 GHz Cortex-X2. Furthermore, the Gen 2’s CPU configuration (1x3.36GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 3x2.0GHz) is more efficient than the X Fold’s (1x3.00 GHz, 3x2.50 GHz, 4x1.80 GHz). The 4nm process node used by both chips contributes to efficiency, but the architectural improvements in the Gen 2 deliver a tangible performance boost in demanding tasks and gaming. The Mix Fold 3 will exhibit less throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s endurance rating of 117 hours provides a baseline for real-world battery performance. While the vivo X Fold’s battery capacity is unknown, the Mix Fold 3’s 67W wired charging (PD3.0, QC4) is slightly faster than the X Fold’s 66W, completing a full charge in 40 minutes versus 37 minutes. Both offer 50W wireless charging, with the Mix Fold 3 taking 55 minutes to fully charge wirelessly. The faster wired charging of the Mix Fold 3 is a convenience advantage, offsetting any potential capacity difference.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and a well-rounded, if slightly less cutting-edge, foldable experience. It’s ideal for users who want a reliable foldable without needing the absolute latest in processing power. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you demand the best possible performance, a brighter and more vibrant display, and are willing to pay a premium for the latest Snapdragon technology. This is the phone for power users and multimedia enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the vivo X Fold struggle with sustained performance during demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a capable chip, but it's known to throttle under prolonged heavy load due to thermal limitations. While playable, you may experience frame drops or reduced performance after extended gaming sessions compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Mix Fold 3.
❓ How does the hinge durability compare between the vivo X Fold and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, considering long-term use?
Hinge durability is a critical concern for foldable phones. While both manufacturers claim robust hinge designs, Xiaomi has a longer track record with foldable devices, potentially indicating more refined hinge mechanisms. However, without long-term testing data, it's difficult to definitively assess which hinge is more durable.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on either device significantly slower than the wired charging, and is it affected by case usage?
Yes, 50W wireless charging is noticeably slower than the 66W/67W wired charging. Expect a full wireless charge to take over an hour. Case usage will also impact wireless charging speeds; thicker cases can significantly reduce efficiency, and some may prevent charging altogether.