vivo X Fold+ vs. Google Pixel Fold: A Deep Dive into Foldable Performance and Features

The foldable phone market is maturing, with the vivo X Fold+ and Google Pixel Fold representing distinct approaches. The X Fold+ prioritizes raw processing power with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, while the Pixel Fold leans into Google’s Tensor G2 and AI-driven features. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo X Fold+ emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers a clear advantage in demanding tasks. However, the Pixel Fold’s software experience and integration with Google’s ecosystem are compelling for those invested in the Google ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Fold+ 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, 32, 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, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 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
Announced2022, September 262023, May 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 29Available. Released 2023, June 27
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 162 x 144.9 x 6.3 mm Folded: 162 x 74.5 x 14.6 mmUnfolded: 139.7 x 158.7 x 5.8 mmFolded: 139.7 x 79.5 x 12.1 mm
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight311 g (10.97 oz)283 g (9.98 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant
Display
Resolution1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)1840 x 2208 pixels (~378 ppi density)
Size8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.3 cm2 (~82.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+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 (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Google Tensor G2 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G710 MP7
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB 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
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)-
Triple-48 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
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) Cover camera: 16 MP, f/2.5, (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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wirelessWired, PD3.0 Wireless
Type4730 mAhLi-Po 4821 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedPorcelain, Obsidian
ModelsV2229AG9FPL
PriceAbout 1450 EUR€ 670.87 / $ 389.26 / £ 899.99

vivo X Fold+

  • Faster 80W wired charging
  • More powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Software experience may not be as refined as Pixel
  • Brand recognition lower than Google

Google Pixel Fold

  • Seamless Google ecosystem integration
  • AI-powered camera features
  • Clean Android software experience

  • Slower charging speeds
  • Tensor G2 may throttle under sustained load
  • Potentially less powerful GPU

Display Comparison

While both devices feature foldable displays, specifics are missing. However, given vivo’s history, the X Fold+ likely employs an LTPO panel for variable refresh rates, maximizing battery efficiency. The Pixel Fold’s display, while likely excellent, may not achieve the same peak brightness as some competing foldables. Bezels are a critical factor in the foldable experience; a closer examination of real-world usage would reveal which device minimizes distractions more effectively. Color accuracy is expected to be high on both, but the X Fold+'s panel may offer a wider color gamut.

Camera Comparison

Details on camera sensors are absent, but both phones are expected to deliver flagship-level image quality. The Pixel Fold will heavily rely on Google’s computational photography prowess, leveraging the Tensor G2’s AI capabilities for features like Super Res Zoom and Magic Eraser. The X Fold+ likely focuses on hardware capabilities, potentially featuring larger sensors and more advanced optical image stabilization (OIS). The absence of a dedicated telephoto lens on the Pixel Fold is a potential drawback compared to what vivo might offer. Image processing styles will differ significantly – Pixel favoring a more natural look, while vivo often boosts saturation and contrast.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo X Fold+’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) boasts a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz, offering strong single-core performance. The Google Pixel Fold’s Tensor G2 (5nm) prioritizes AI and machine learning tasks with its Cortex-X1 cores at 2.85 GHz. While the Tensor G2 excels in on-device AI processing, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 generally delivers superior GPU performance and sustained CPU loads due to its more mature architecture and thermal design. The 4nm process of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Pixel Fold's A55 cores are less efficient than the X Fold+'s A510 cores, impacting sustained performance.

Battery Life

The vivo X Fold+’s 80W wired charging is a significant advantage, promising a full charge in just 35 minutes. The Pixel Fold’s charging speed is unspecified but likely slower, relying on PD3.0. The X Fold+ also offers 50W wireless and 10W reverse wireless charging, features not explicitly mentioned for the Pixel Fold. While battery capacity is unknown for both, the faster charging of the X Fold+ mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery, providing more convenient top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold+ if you need a foldable that can handle intensive gaming, video editing, or multitasking without significant throttling, and if fast charging is a priority. Buy the Google Pixel Fold if you value a clean Android experience, seamless Google integration, and a camera focused on computational photography, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Tensor G2 in the Pixel Fold overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Tensor G2 is known to prioritize AI tasks over sustained peak performance. While it can handle gaming, it's more prone to thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding sessions compared to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the vivo X Fold+. Expect lower frame rates over time in graphically intensive games.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the vivo X Fold+ and the Google Pixel Fold?
The Pixel Fold offers a stock Android experience with guaranteed updates directly from Google, emphasizing simplicity and AI-powered features. The vivo X Fold+ likely runs vivo’s Funtouch OS, which includes more customization options but may also introduce bloatware and a less streamlined user interface. The Pixel Fold will also receive exclusive software features leveraging Google's AI capabilities.
❓ Does the vivo X Fold+ support high refresh rate gaming?
Given the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1's capabilities and vivo's focus on performance, the X Fold+ likely supports high refresh rate gaming (90Hz or 120Hz) in compatible titles. However, sustained performance will depend on the game's optimization and the device's thermal management.
❓ What are the implications of the different CPU core configurations?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 utilizes a Cortex-X2 prime core for peak performance, while the Pixel Fold uses Cortex-X1. The X2 generally offers a slight edge in single-core tasks. The Pixel Fold's A55 cores are less efficient than the X Fold+'s A510 cores, potentially impacting battery life during sustained use.