The foldable smartphone market has seen significant progress in recent years, yet many buyers remain hesitant. Concerns about fragility, bulkiness, limited performance, and high price tags often discourage people from investing in foldable devices. Vivo, however, seems determined to change that perception with its latest launch — the Vivo X Fold 5. This device takes bold strides to address the issues that have held foldables back, proving that foldables can indeed be practical, durable, and premium all at once.
Why Foldables Struggle to Win Trust
Foldables represent cutting-edge technology and luxury design. They promise versatility by doubling as both a smartphone and a mini-tablet, but their reputation has been mixed. Many people worry about:
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Fragility – Foldable screens are seen as delicate compared to traditional smartphones.
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Bulk and weight – Carrying a foldable often feels like carrying two phones.
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Compromised hardware – Foldables sometimes cut corners on performance or camera quality.
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Price – With premium price tags, users expect a flawless experience.
These factors explain why foldables are not yet mainstream despite the excitement around them. Vivo aims to challenge this with the X Fold 5.
Design: Slim, Light, and Practical
The Vivo X Fold 5 redefines expectations in terms of form factor. At 4.3mm when unfolded and 9.2mm when folded, it is exceptionally slim for a foldable. It also weighs just 217 grams, lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This balance of thinness and weight makes it far more pocket-friendly and easier to handle.
Every aspect of the design feels deliberate. The fiberglass back has a smooth finish, while the rigid aluminum frame merges seamlessly into the hinge. The IP58/IP59 certification adds dust and water resistance, giving users confidence in durability. Even the camera bump has been cleverly designed, doubling as a resting spot for your index finger or stabilizing the phone when placed on flat surfaces.
Vivo has also worked on durability, with the foldable screen being 30% more puncture-resistant than its predecessor. Among current foldables, this one stands out for resilience.
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Displays: Bright, Fluid, and Immersive
The phone features a 6.53-inch cover display and a large 8.03-inch inner LTPO OLED screen, both offering 120Hz refresh rates. The inner display peaks at 4,500 nits brightness, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight.
The aspect ratio of the inner screen makes it closer to a square, which may result in letterboxing during video playback, but it’s a trade-off most users will accept for tablet-like productivity. The crease, while still present, is less distracting than in older models.
The outer display, meanwhile, feels just like a regular smartphone screen — responsive, crisp, and convenient enough to make you forget you’re using a foldable at times.
Performance: Strong but Not the Absolute Latest
The Vivo X Fold 5 runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. While it misses out on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, the optimisation makes up for it. Performance is fast, responsive, and smooth across daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
This chip choice also makes the device Rs 10,000 cheaper at launch compared to rivals, making it more accessible without sacrificing flagship-level capabilities. The X Fold 5 isn’t chasing benchmark records — instead, it focuses on practical, reliable performance where it matters most.
Productivity and Software Features
Foldables shine when it comes to multitasking, and Vivo has leaned into this strength. The X Fold 5 supports:
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Flex Mode and Continuity – allowing apps to switch smoothly between folded and unfolded screens.
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Split-screen and floating windows – enabling multitasking similar to tablets.
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Tent mode – where the outer screen remains active, letting users watch content hands-free without needing a case stand.
Perhaps the most impressive feature is Origin Workbench, Vivo’s PC-like multitasking system. It allows multiple windows to run simultaneously, with easy switching between apps. It feels fluid, polished, and reliable — something many other foldables struggle to execute.
AI features further enhance productivity, with tools like AI summaries, call transcription, and real-time translation. A dedicated shortcut button makes accessing these features quick and convenient.
Camera: Capable but Inconsistent
Cameras are an area where foldables often compromise, and the X Fold 5 is no exception. The setup includes:
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50MP Sony IMX921 wide lens (f/1.57, OIS)
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50MP Sony IMX882 3x periscope telephoto (OIS)
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50MP ultrawide lens
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Two 20MP selfie cameras (cover and inner)
Photos look vibrant and detailed on the phone’s display, with strong performance in daylight and portrait modes (enhanced by ZEISS optics). However, closer inspection on larger screens reveals inconsistent HDR and some softness in moving subjects. Low-light performance also struggles compared to top-tier flagships.
For casual photography and social media, the results are more than adequate. But those seeking the absolute best camera phone may prefer alternatives.
Battery: A Game-Changer for Foldables
Battery life is often a major drawback in foldables due to their dual displays, but Vivo has turned this around. The X Fold 5 packs a 6,000mAh battery, the largest ever seen in a foldable in India.
Even with heavy use — multitasking, gaming, and media consumption — the phone comfortably lasts more than a day. Charging is equally impressive, with 80W wired and 40W wireless charging, plus a bundled fast charger in the box. This puts the X Fold 5 ahead of many regular flagship phones, not just foldables.
Verdict: Worth Buying?
The Vivo X Fold 5 proves that foldables can be practical, durable, and desirable. It directly addresses concerns around bulk, fragility, and battery life, while offering polished software and strong everyday performance.
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Buy it if you want a slim, light, durable foldable with excellent battery life and productivity features.
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Skip it if your top priority is having the latest processor or best-in-class camera performance.
Vivo may not have perfected foldables yet, but with the X Fold 5, it has come closer than most rivals. It bends the rules in the right ways — and makes foldables a lot more trustworthy.
