Tech Blog #117 | Tecno Phantom V Flip - A Foldable Under 750$ !!

Foldable smartphones are a real thing now. But it wasn't a few years back. So, all smartphone manufacturers try to get into to foldable smartphone market. Tecno's first clamshell foldable, the Phantom V Flip, brings an innovative style to the flip phone form factor. It combines a unique design with powerful internals and a versatile camera system. Let's get into it..

The Tecno Phantom V Flip immediately stands out with its circular external OLED screen, which is encircled by two cameras and an LED flash which is quite unique in look. This design choice is distinct and adds a signature look to the device. The exterior is covered with vegan leather, enhancing the premium feel, while the metal hinge adds durability. The device is also IP68-rated, providing resistance against dust and water. And there's a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for secure and convenient unlocking.

Inside, you'll find a 6.9-inch foldable LTPO AMOLED display. This high-quality panel offers a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling, and HDR10 support. With a 1080P resolution, it delivers sharp visuals and vibrant colors. Being only 1080P and LTPO technology will save battery. The external 1.32-inch AMOLED display is also a thoughtful addition, offering notifications and quick access to widgets.

The Phantom V Flip is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8050 chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU with clock speeds up to 3.0 GHz. Paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage, it ensures smooth multitasking and app performance. Additionally, Tecno offers an "Extended Memory" feature, allowing for an extra 8GB of RAM from Internal Memory.

The device boasts a capable camera system. On the exterior, there's a 64MP primary camera with a large sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide-angle shooter with autofocus, which can also capture macro shots. The inside houses a 32MP front-facing camera. These cameras should deliver impressive photography results, especially considering Tecno's focus on camera quality.

With a 4,000mAh battery and support for 45W wired charging, the Phantom V Flip offers good battery life and rapid charging capabilities. Tecno claims that just 15 minutes of charging can fill the battery halfway, ensuring you stay powered throughout the day. The device runs on Android 13 with Tecno's HiOS 13.5 skin on top. It's included a custom personal assistant called EllaGPT, to enhance the user experience with AI features.

Tecno has priced the Phantom V Flip at INR 49,999 (approximately $605/€555). While pricing for European markets is around €700 and may vary in other regions with early-bird promotions. I mean, it's like a midrange price for a foldable smartphone. I hope this would do better in some regions.

In summary, the Tecno Phantom V Flip impresses with its outstanding design, strong camera hardwares, and solid processor. The inclusion of a circular external screen make it a unique choice in the market. It's an exciting option for those seeking a blend of style and functionality in a flip phone form factor for a half price of a Samsung foldable.