“Chinese vendors are paving the way to a flexible future” – Kommersant FM

2023-12-19 17:32:11

Kommersant FM columnist Alexander Levi tells how the clamshell model was updated in China.

The flexible screen smartphone market is living its best life. The range of such devices is growing and will continue to do so for several more years. But the demand for the category is already quite stable, which is confirmed by the number of sales both worldwide and in Russia. The path to the “flexible” future is being paved mainly by Chinese vendors, many no longer with the first version of foldable devices. Vivo, for example, launched the second iteration of the X Fold 2 models this year. By the way, I did a review of it, it is on our website.

Now we have been able to test the debut version of the Chinese company in the clamshell form factor – X Flip. The design is good, and the build and materials look and feel solid. The combination of a rectangular external display with a round main block of cameras is in itself a matter of taste. But in their proportions, the elements seem to be closely related to each other, which is why visually their geometric nature conflicts especially noticeably. The body covering was chosen poorly. The pearlescent shimmer simply dissolves in hundreds of perfectly collected fingerprints.

Bold, but not a fingerprint, and the developers can give a plus for the lack of display creases. Of course, it is there, but it is so insignificant that it does not always reveal itself even tactilely. This is truly an engineering success. This is still rare in folding devices. Animated animals, which can be selected as screensavers for an external display, evoke approximately the same level of delight. The latter, by the way, is placed horizontally, which is functionally inferior to the vertical options, which, in fact, duplicate the folding display in a smaller size.

The main flexible screen supports up to 120 frames per second and is almost 6.74 inches diagonal, which is noticeably felt in its slightly excessive width. The clamshell is capable of excellent pictures thanks to a 50-megapixel IMX 866V main sensor with optical stabilization, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture and autofocus, as well as a 32-megapixel selfie camera. The Vivo X Flip is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor paired with 12 GB of RAM. The kit includes a 44 W lifesaver charger, but it’s too early to look for a wireless power option in such models.