Vivo has announced the international debut of its X Fold3 Pro smartphone after an initial launch in China in March. The smartphone promises pro-level imaging thanks to Vivo’s longstanding Zeiss collaboration.
The XFold3 Pro also features a thin and lightweight design — a relative rarity in the foldable smartphone space. The device weighs 236 grams (8.3 ounces), compared to the Galaxy Z Fold5 that weighs 253 grams (8.9 ounces), for example. The OnePlus Open, lauded for its lightweight design, weighs 239 grams (8.4 ounces).
When unfolded, the XFold 3 Pro sports an 8.03-inch display with 2,200 x 2,480 resolution. When folded, users can take advantage of the cover screen, which is 6.53-inch and has a 1,172 x 2,748 resolution. All displays over 120Hz refresh rate, 4,500-nit peak brightness, and HDR (HDR10+ and Dolby Vision).
The smartphone also includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, up to 1TB of storage, and 16GB of RAM. The XFold3 Pro is a flagship device in every sense of the word.
That carries over to the camera system. Vivo has leveraged its ongoing partnership with Zeiss to co-engineer a suite of high-end photo features. The handheld includes a VCS True Color main camera, Zeiss telephoto camera, and ultra wide-angle camera powered by the custom Vivo V3 chip.
The main camera has a Type 1/1.3 image sensor and includes Vivo’s next-generation Camera-Bionic Spectrum, which promises improved light efficiency and image quality. The 50-megapixel sensor is paired with a 23mm (equivalent) f/1.7 lens, and it includes phase-detect autofocus and optical image stabilization (OIS).
The Zeiss telephoto camera includes a 3x optical zoom 64-megapixel Type 1/2 image sensor, 70mm equivalent focal length, and f/2.6 aperture. The ultra-wide camera has a 50-megapixel Type 1/2.76 sensor, 119-degree field of view, and f/2 aperture. Given the wide-angle nature of the camera, the lack of OIS is not especially concerning or unusual.
The phone also has a front-facing 32-megapixel f/2.4 camera. Well, two of them, to be precise. One for use when unfolded, and the other on the cover side of the device.
“X Fold3 Pro has also been optimized for excellent telephoto photography. Users can unleash their creativity and capture natural solar scenes with Telephoto Sunshot or explore the microscopic world with the powerful Telephoto Macro, supporting a minimum focus distance of 0.15 meters and a magnification ratio of 1:1. For nighttime photography, AI Night View and Vivo Origin Imaging Engine work together to capture rich and delicate colors despite the complex nightscape lighting,” Vivo adds.
The device also features Zeiss Multifocal Portrait mode, which promises “professional-grade” portraits at various selectable focal lengths, including 24mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and 100mm. There are also half a dozen Zeiss Style Portrait modes with different simulated bokeh patterns based on Zeiss lenses, like Zeiss Distagon, B-Speed, Biotar, Sonnar, Planar, and Cine-Flare styles.
Like other foldables, the X Fold3 Pro can also be used in a tripod mode. By folding the device halfway, users can stabilize it on a flat surface and take long-exposure photos or shoot more stable video.
Beyond its collaboration with Zeiss, Vivo has also worked with Google on the X Fold3 Pro, implementing Google’s Gemini AI models into the device.
The Vivo XFold 3 Pro will arrive next week in India and Indonesia, making it slightly more accessible to users in North America and Europe. However, an official launch on either continent has yet to be announced. Indonesian pricing hasn’t been unveiled, but in India, the device starts at 160,00 rupees, about $1,916 at current exchange rates. Complete details are available on Vivo’s Indian website.
Image credits: Vivo