vivo X Fold+ vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, and the vivo X Fold+ arrives as a direct competitor to Samsung’s established Galaxy Z Fold4. Both devices leverage the power of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, but diverge in charging speeds, battery optimization, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects the nuances to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing rapid charging and potentially longer sustained performance, the vivo X Fold+ emerges as the winner. Its 80W charging significantly outperforms the Z Fold4’s 25W, and while both share the same chipset, subtle CPU clock differences *could* translate to a slight edge in demanding tasks. However, Samsung’s software ecosystem and established foldable design remain compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Fold+ Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
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, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, September 262022, August 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, September 29Available. Released 2022, August 25
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: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mmFolded: 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight311 g (10.97 oz)263 g (9.28 oz)
 -IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus support
Display
Resolution1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
Size8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 -Cover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratio
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 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 12L, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panoramaLED 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-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 66mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) Cover camera: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 35 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
Type4730 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedGraygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, Burgundy
ModelsV2229ASM-F936B, SM-F936B/DS, SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W, SM-F9360
PriceAbout 1450 EUR$ 457.00 / € 511.80 / £ 485.00 / ₹ 73,899
SAR-0.96 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 101h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 964530 (v9) GeekBench: 3981 (v5.1) GFXBench: 43fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X Fold+

  • Significantly faster 80W wired charging
  • Potentially better sustained performance due to higher clocked CPU cores
  • 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging
  • Competitive hinge design reported

  • Less established software ecosystem for foldable devices
  • Limited camera specification details available

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

  • Refined foldable design and hinge mechanism
  • Proven durability and reliability
  • Mature software experience optimized for foldable use
  • Strong integration with the Samsung ecosystem

  • Slow 25W wired charging
  • Lower clocked CPU cores compared to X Fold+
  • Slower wireless and reverse wireless charging speeds

Display Comparison

Both the vivo X Fold+ and Galaxy Z Fold4 feature large, foldable displays powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The Z Fold4 is measured at 1000 nits peak brightness, suggesting a vibrant outdoor viewing experience. While the X Fold+’s brightness isn’t specified, it’s reasonable to expect similar performance given its flagship status. Both utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The key difference lies in the hinge and crease management, where Samsung has a significant head start in refinement, though the X Fold+ is reported to have a very competitive hinge design. Contrast ratios are infinite (nominal) on the Z Fold4, typical of OLED panels.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information for the X Fold+ is currently limited. The Z Fold4’s camera is described as 'Photo / Video' without specifics, indicating a versatile setup. The focus should be on image processing algorithms and low-light performance. Given vivo’s strong camera reputation, the X Fold+ is likely to deliver competitive image quality, potentially with a different color science preference. The absence of detailed camera specs for the X Fold+ makes a direct comparison challenging, but it’s safe to assume both phones will excel in most common photography scenarios.

Performance

Both devices are equipped with the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) chipset, but a crucial difference lies in the CPU configuration. The Z Fold4’s Cortex-A510 cores are clocked at 1.80 GHz, while the X Fold+ boasts a higher 2.0 GHz clock speed. This seemingly minor difference, combined with potentially more aggressive thermal design in the X Fold+, *could* lead to sustained performance gains during extended gaming or video editing sessions. Both utilize LPDDR5X RAM, ensuring fast memory access. However, without detailed thermal testing, it’s difficult to definitively declare a performance winner.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Z Fold4 has an endurance rating of 101 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, the X Fold+’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Z Fold4’s 25W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 50%. The X Fold+ also offers 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, while the Z Fold4 provides 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless. While the Z Fold4’s endurance rating suggests comparable overall battery life, the X Fold+'s charging speed offers a substantial convenience advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X Fold+ if you need blazing-fast charging, value potential thermal advantages from a slightly different CPU configuration, and are comfortable exploring a less-established foldable software experience. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 if you prioritize a refined software experience, a proven track record of durability in foldable designs, and integration with the broader Samsung ecosystem. The Z Fold4 is the safer, more polished choice, while the X Fold+ is the riskier, potentially more rewarding one.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the vivo X Fold+ throttle under sustained load, and how does it compare to the Z Fold4?
While both phones use the same chipset, the X Fold+’s slightly higher CPU clock speeds and potentially more aggressive thermal design *could* result in less throttling during prolonged gaming or video editing. However, without independent thermal testing, it’s impossible to say definitively. Samsung’s Z Fold4 has a well-established thermal profile, but may be more prone to throttling under extreme conditions.
❓ How does the software experience on the vivo X Fold+ compare to Samsung's One UI on the Z Fold4, particularly regarding multitasking and app optimization?
Samsung’s One UI is highly optimized for foldable devices, offering features like app pair and a refined multitasking interface. vivo’s software experience on the X Fold+ is less established, and may require more refinement to fully leverage the foldable form factor. Users prioritizing a polished and feature-rich software experience will likely prefer the Z Fold4.
❓ What are the real-world benefits of the 80W charging on the vivo X Fold+ compared to the 25W charging on the Z Fold4?
The 80W charging on the X Fold+ allows for a full charge in approximately 35 minutes, while the Z Fold4 takes significantly longer. This means less downtime and more time using your phone, especially beneficial for power users who frequently deplete their battery.