vivo X Fold+ vs. Huawei Mate X3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the vivo X Fold+ and Huawei Mate X3 represent compelling options for those seeking a premium, large-screen experience. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but diverge in key areas like charging technology, display characteristics, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to help you determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X Fold+ emerges as the slightly stronger choice. Its significantly faster 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging provide a substantial convenience advantage over the Mate X3’s 66W and 50W respectively, offsetting the identical core performance. While both offer excellent battery endurance, the X Fold+’s charging speed makes it the more practical daily driver.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Fold+ Huawei Mate X3
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, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, September 262023, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 29Available. Released 2023, April 08
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 162 x 144.9 x 6.3 mm Folded: 162 x 74.5 x 14.6 mmUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight311 g (10.97 oz)239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)
 -IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Kunlun Glass (cover display only)
Resolution1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
 -Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanHarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
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-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) Cover camera: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
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
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeter
 -BDS Satellite Message
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless
Type4730 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, Gold
ModelsV2229AALT-AL00, ALT-L29
PriceAbout 1450 EURAbout 1500 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 81h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X Fold+

  • Significantly faster 80W wired charging
  • Faster 50W wireless charging
  • 5G connectivity (full Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
  • Potentially more convenient charging ecosystem

  • Display peak brightness data unavailable
  • Camera specifications largely unknown

Huawei Mate X3

  • High measured display brightness (926 nits)
  • Excellent battery endurance (81h)
  • Potentially refined software experience (region dependent)
  • Efficient power management

  • Limited to 4G connectivity
  • Slower 66W wired charging
  • Slower 7.5W reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

Both foldables utilize large, immersive displays, but the Huawei Mate X3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 926 nits, suggesting a potentially more visible outdoor experience compared to the X Fold+, where peak brightness data is unavailable. While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the real-world difference will likely hinge on color calibration and viewing angles, data for which is currently limited. The absence of refresh rate information for both devices makes a direct comparison difficult, but both are expected to offer smooth scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both the vivo X Fold+ and Huawei Mate X3 are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). This makes a meaningful camera comparison impossible based on the provided data. Huawei historically excels in computational photography, but without knowing the sensor specifications, it’s impossible to determine if this advantage translates to the Mate X3. The absence of information regarding video recording capabilities (resolution, frame rates) further hinders a comprehensive assessment.

Performance

At the heart of both devices lies the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). Critically, the Mate X3 utilizes a 4G variant of this chipset, limiting its 5G connectivity. Both CPUs share the same core configuration – 1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 – meaning raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the 4G limitation on the Mate X3 is a significant drawback for users in areas with robust 5G infrastructure. Thermal management will be key to sustained performance, and without specific cooling system details, it’s difficult to predict which device will throttle less under heavy load.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 81 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the charging capabilities are where a significant difference emerges. The vivo X Fold+ supports 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes, alongside 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging. The Huawei Mate X3, in contrast, offers 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and a slower 7.5W reverse wireless charging. This faster charging speed on the X Fold+ provides a substantial convenience advantage, especially for users who frequently deplete their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold+ if you prioritize rapid charging and a consistently fast user experience. Its 80W wired charging is a game-changer for power users. Buy the Huawei Mate X3 if you value a potentially slightly more refined software experience (depending on region and preference) and are less concerned with minimizing charging times. The Mate X3’s endurance rating suggests efficient power management, but the slower charging is a trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the 4G limitation on the Huawei Mate X3 significantly impact its usability in 2024?
For users in areas with widespread 5G coverage, the 4G limitation on the Mate X3 is a substantial drawback. It will result in slower download and upload speeds, and potentially a less responsive online experience compared to the vivo X Fold+ which supports full 5G connectivity.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the vivo X Fold+ compared to the 66W charging on the Huawei Mate X3 in real-world scenarios?
The 80W charging on the X Fold+ can realistically shave off 15-20 minutes from a full charge compared to the Mate X3’s 66W charging. This difference is particularly noticeable when quickly topping up the battery during short breaks.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, what can we infer about the camera performance of these two devices?
Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, it's difficult to make definitive claims. However, Huawei has a strong reputation for computational photography, potentially giving the Mate X3 an edge in image processing. The X Fold+ may rely more on hardware capabilities, which remain unknown.