vivo X Fold5 vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the vivo X Fold5 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 represent the cutting edge. While both aim to deliver a premium foldable experience, they take different approaches to performance, battery life, and charging speed. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right foldable for your needs.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and display brightness, the vivo X Fold5 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and significantly brighter display offer a noticeable advantage. However, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s endurance rating and faster wireless charging are compelling considerations for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo X Fold5	Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2025, June 25	2023, August 14
Status	Available. Released 2025, July 02	Available. Released 2023, August 14

Body
Build	Glass front (closed), aluminum alloy frame, fiber-reinforced plastic back	Glass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
Dimensions	Unfolded: 159.7 x 142.3 x 4.3 mmFolded: 159.7 x 72.6 x 9.2 mm	Unfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	217 g or 226 g (7.65 oz)	255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)

Display
Resolution	2200 x 2480 pixels (~413 ppi density)	1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size	8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)	8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	Foldable LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 5280Hz PWM, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak)	Foldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)	Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 750	Adreno 740
OS	Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 15 (International), OriginOS 5 (China)	Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM	256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM

Main Camera
Features	Color spectrum sensor, Laser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panorama	Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad	-	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
Triple	50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.1, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF	-
Video	8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS	8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	20 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/3.6", 0.7µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.4, 21mm (wide), 1/3.6", 0.7µm	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
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30/60fps

Sound
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Display Port	USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band or tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer

Battery
Charging	80W wired 40W wireless Reverse wired 5W reverse wireless	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
Type	Si/C Li-Ion 6000 mAh	Li-Po 4800 mAh

Misc
Colors	Titanium Gray, Green, White	Black, Gold
Models	V2436A, V2429	2308CPXD0C
Price	₹ 149,998	About 1150 EUR
SAR	0.86 W/kg (head) 0.85 W/kg (body)	-

vivo X Fold5

Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Significantly brighter display for outdoor use
Faster wired and wireless charging speeds

Active use battery life is shorter than Xiaomi's endurance rating
Potentially higher price point

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

Excellent battery endurance rating
Faster wireless charging than many competitors
Potentially more affordable price

Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
Dimmer display compared to the vivo X Fold5

Display Comparison

The vivo X Fold5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1916 nits, significantly outshining the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s 1277 nits. This difference translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely employ LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates (though not explicitly stated), the vivo’s higher brightness is a clear advantage. Bezels are comparable, but the color accuracy and calibration will require separate testing; however, the higher peak brightness suggests a more vibrant and dynamic viewing experience on the vivo.

Camera Comparison

The provided data for both devices is limited regarding camera specifics. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is noted for its 'Photo / Video' capabilities, suggesting a focus on overall imaging quality. However, without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a direct comparison is difficult. We can assume both will feature multi-camera systems, but the vivo’s newer chipset may offer improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, potentially leading to better low-light performance and faster image processing. The absence of details on the Xiaomi’s camera system makes it difficult to assess its strengths beyond a general expectation of quality.

Performance

The vivo X Fold5’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset represents a generational leap over the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The 8 Gen 3 features a new CPU architecture with the Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, compared to the 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 at 3.36 GHz. While clock speeds are similar, the architectural improvements in the 8 Gen 3, built on a 4nm process, deliver enhanced efficiency and performance. The CPU core configuration also differs, with the vivo utilizing a 1+3+2+2 setup versus Xiaomi’s 1+2+2+3, potentially impacting multi-core performance. The vivo will likely exhibit less thermal throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s reported endurance rating of 117 hours suggests excellent battery optimization, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity than the vivo. The vivo X Fold5 achieves 13:21h of active use, which is a different metric than endurance. The vivo’s charging speeds are faster, offering 80W wired and 40W wireless, compared to the Xiaomi’s 67W wired and 50W wireless. The Xiaomi’s 40-minute 0-100% wired charge and 55-minute wireless charge are competitive, but the vivo offers a quicker top-up. The inclusion of reverse wired and wireless charging on the vivo adds further versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold5 if you need the absolute fastest performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you prioritize long-lasting battery life and appreciate the convenience of faster wireless charging, even if it means a slight performance trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?

While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a powerful chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the vivo X Fold5 offers a performance advantage. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 will likely handle Genshin Impact at high settings, but may experience more noticeable thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions compared to the vivo.

❓ How does the 40W wireless charging on the vivo X Fold5 compare to the 50W on the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 in real-world usage?

Although the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 has a higher wireless charging wattage, the difference in real-world charging times may not be substantial. The vivo’s overall faster charging ecosystem (80W wired) and efficient power management could offset the wireless charging disparity.

❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?

Yes, the 639-nit difference in peak brightness is significant, especially when using the phone outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The vivo X Fold5’s display will be much easier to see in these conditions, providing a more comfortable viewing experience.

❓ Given the limited camera details, what can we infer about the image quality of each device?

Without specific sensor information, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, the vivo X Fold5’s newer ISP, coupled with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, likely offers improved image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 will likely deliver solid image quality, but may not match the vivo in challenging conditions.