After years of skepticism, I’ve finally found a foldable phone that I’m happy to use every day. Spoiler alert: it’s not a Samsung or a Pixel. As a tech reviewer, I’ve been exposed to foldable phones for a long time, starting with the first Galaxy Z Fold, which initially left me impressed. However, over time, I avoided using one as my primary device. My reasoning was simple: none of the foldables I came across felt superior to the flagship phones I was used to. There was always something off about them-be it unsightly screen creases, poor battery life, lackluster cameras, or just a strange user experience. Nothing compelled me to use a foldable full-time… 
until I stumbled upon this ‘older’ device, released in 2024.
The phone that finally changed my mind is the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro, and it stands out as one of the best foldables on the market today. In fact, it’s more complete than any Galaxy Z Fold model. Here’s why I rate this phone above the competition.
The Best Foldable So Far
Let’s start with the design, which immediately caught my attention. The Vivo X Fold 3 Pro is impressively thin, measuring 4.7 mm when unfolded and 10.2 mm when folded. It’s not the thinnest foldable around, but it feels sleek and lightweight. At 236 grams, it’s lighter than some iPhones I’ve used. I particularly love the 21:9 aspect ratio, which makes the phone easy to use even in its folded state, unlike the narrower screens on other foldables. The crease on the inner screen is barely noticeable-yes, you can see it under certain lighting, but it’s not something you feel when using the phone. The hinge is rock solid, far superior to the flimsy ones found on some competing devices
. Plus, there’s a handy hardware mute switch that’s always useful.
My Favorite Android Interface
Now, let’s talk about the software. I know Funtouch OS might not have the best reputation, but I genuinely believe it’s one of the best Android skins. It’s packed with features, yet still manages to maintain a clean, non-trendy design. Unlike other Chinese brands with overly iOS-inspired skins, Vivo’s approach feels fresh, offering stock-like Android with plenty of useful customizations. The Dynamic Effects feature is a standout, letting you tweak animations and other small details to make the interface truly yours. As someone who loves customizing my phone, I can spend hours adjusting everything. There are some AI features, but they don’t stand out for me. I rely more on tools like Gemini and ChatGPT, so I don’t need much else. What I do love are the foldable-specific features, like swiping up an app for split-screen or floating window mode. There’s even a dock at the bottom for quick access to apps, and you can customize the standby clock when the phone is half-open. These features make the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro an absolute joy to use.
Performance That Shines
In terms of raw power, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro doesn’t disappoint. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is still one of the top-performing processors available. Sure, it doesn’t have the Snapdragon 8 Elite, but the 8 Gen 3 is more than enough for any task, and I’ve been able to emulate PC and PS3 games with solid frame rates. The phone comes with 16GB of RAM, and thanks to Vivo’s clever use of up to 16GB of storage as virtual RAM, you get a whopping 32GB of available memory. This means I can keep numerous apps open without worrying about them reloading. The 5,700mAh battery is impressive, and with the help of a second-gen carbon-silicon battery, the phone easily lasts a full day of moderate use. 
Fast 100W charging is another major plus. A quick 20-minute charge can get you to 80%, which is more than enough to keep you going. Plus, there are two ultrasonic fingerprint scanners-one for each display, which is a nice touch.
Display and Camera Excellence
The display is top-tier, featuring colorful OLEDs with excellent peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate. You can fine-tune the color temperature and tone to your liking, ensuring a great visual experience. As for the camera, it’s not the best in terms of pure quality, but it’s certainly one of the most feature-rich on a foldable. The 50MP main camera, 50MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto lens with 3X optical zoom offer great versatility. I regularly take shots at 6X to 10X zoom, and the quality remains solid. The camera app is packed with features like tilt-shift photography, astrophotography, and cinematic video modes. It’s not perfect, but it’s more than sufficient for most of my needs.
What I Don’t Like
There are a few things that bug me. While the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro can shoot 8K video at 30fps, the quality is just okay. The video switching between cameras isn’t always smooth, and I’ve seen better performance elsewhere. The Live Photo feature, which works on newer Vivo phones, is missing in most camera modes here. You only get it in Snapshot mode, which feels like a wasted feature. The phone is also IPX8-rated, meaning it’s water-resistant but not dustproof, which would’ve been nice. The outer glass is durable but prone to scratches. It’s a small issue, but I’ll probably need a screen protector. Finally, while the dual stereo speakers are okay, they’re not as loud or rich as what you’d get from a Galaxy or iPhone.
Conclusion
Despite these minor drawbacks, the Vivo X Fold 3 Pro remains a fantastic foldable that I’ll continue using. It’s a complete phone that can stand toe-to-toe with traditional flagships. If you’ve been hesitant about foldables, don’t just look at Samsung or Google. Chinese manufacturers like Vivo are leading the charge, and I’d never trade the X Fold 3 Pro for any other foldable. It’s easily worth the price.