vivo X Fold3 vs Google Pixel Fold: A Deep Dive into Foldable Power and Features

The foldable phone market is maturing, with the vivo X Fold3 and Google Pixel Fold representing distinct approaches. The X Fold3 leverages Qualcomm’s flagship silicon for raw power, while the Pixel Fold prioritizes Google’s AI-driven software experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak performance and fast charging, the vivo X Fold3 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers superior processing power and efficiency. However, the Pixel Fold’s software integration and unique form factor appeal to those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Fold3 Google Pixel Fold
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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2024, March 262023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 03Available. Released 2023, June 27
Body
BuildCarbon fiber hingeGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 160 x 142.7 x 4.7 mmFolded: 160 x 72.7 x 10.2 mmUnfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight219 g (7.72 oz)283 g (9.98 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant
Display
Resolution2200 x 2480 pixels (~413 ppi density)1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density)
Size8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak)Foldable OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1450 nits (peak)
 -Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, HDR, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 5.8 inches, 1080 x 2092 pixels, 17.4:9 ratio, 408 ppi 1200 nits (HBM), 1550 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, (telephoto), 1/2.93", PDAF, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", PDAF48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10.8 MP, f/3.1, 112mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 10.8 MP, f/2.2, 121˚, (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.25µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide)8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Cover camera: 9.5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging80W wired Reverse wiredWired, PD3.0 Wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5500 mAhLi-Po 4821 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhitePorcelain, Obsidian
ModelsV2337A, V2303AG9FPL
PriceAbout 900 EUR€ 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99

vivo X Fold3

  • Significantly faster charging (80W)
  • Superior processing power with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Software experience may not be as polished as Pixel
  • Design may be less refined than Pixel Fold

Google Pixel Fold

  • Seamless Google software integration
  • More compact outer display for one-handed use
  • Excellent computational photography

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Less powerful Tensor G2 chipset
  • Potential for throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

While both devices feature foldable OLED displays, key differences exist. The vivo X Fold3 likely benefits from a higher refresh rate and potentially higher peak brightness, typical of vivo’s flagship displays, though specific nit values are unavailable. The Pixel Fold’s cover display is notably narrower, offering a more phone-like experience when folded, but potentially hindering multitasking. Both utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery, but the X Fold3’s panel is expected to be more color accurate due to vivo’s display calibration expertise.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, analysis focuses on brand tendencies. Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their computational photography, emphasizing dynamic range and realistic color reproduction. The Pixel Fold will likely excel in low-light scenarios and portrait mode. Vivo, on the other hand, often leans towards vibrant, saturated colors. The X Fold3’s image processing will likely prioritize detail and sharpness. Sensor size is crucial; if the X Fold3 features a larger main sensor (a common trend in vivo flagships), it will capture more light and detail, especially in challenging conditions. The Tensor G2’s image signal processor (ISP) is optimized for Google’s algorithms, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP is more versatile and capable of handling higher resolution sensors.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo X Fold3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a powerhouse, boasting a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz. This architecture provides a significant performance advantage over the Google Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2 (5nm). The Tensor G2, while optimized for AI tasks, features older Cortex-A78 cores and a less efficient manufacturing process. This translates to potentially noticeable throttling under sustained load on the Pixel Fold, while the X Fold3’s 4nm process and superior cooling (likely) will maintain higher sustained performance. The X Fold3 also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing responsiveness.

Battery Life

The vivo X Fold3’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in under 40 minutes. The Pixel Fold’s charging speeds are significantly slower, relying on PD3.0 and wireless charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the X Fold3 mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s superior power efficiency also contributes to longer battery life, especially during demanding tasks. The Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2, being less efficient, will likely require more frequent charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold3 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming or demanding tasks, and value the fastest possible charging speeds. It’s ideal for power users and those who want a foldable that can handle anything. Buy the Google Pixel Fold if you prioritize a seamless Google software experience, a more compact outer display, and a unique camera processing style, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Google Tensor G2 in the Pixel Fold experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Tensor G2’s 5nm process and less aggressive cooling solution make it more prone to throttling under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Expect performance to dip after 20-30 minutes of demanding games.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the vivo X Fold3 compare to the Pixel Fold's charging in real-world usage?
The vivo X Fold3 can charge from 0-100% in approximately 35-40 minutes, while the Pixel Fold takes considerably longer, likely exceeding 90 minutes with a standard charger. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the narrower cover display on the Pixel Fold a significant drawback for multitasking?
The Pixel Fold’s cover display is noticeably narrower, making it less ideal for side-by-side app usage or typing long messages. While convenient for one-handed operation, it compromises multitasking functionality compared to the wider cover display expected on the vivo X Fold3.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the two devices, and which is better for long-term updates?
The Pixel Fold offers a pure Android experience with guaranteed timely updates directly from Google. The vivo X Fold3 uses Funtouch OS, which, while improved, may have a different aesthetic and feature set. Google typically provides longer software support for Pixel devices.