The TechQuilt Foldable Face-Off: Vivo X Fold 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 – Which One Wins?
The world of foldable smartphones just got hotter! Two giants in the tech industry, Vivo and Samsung, have recently unveiled their latest innovations in India: the Vivo X Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7. Both devices promise to redefine how we use our phones, focusing on sleeker designs, powerful performance, and smart AI features. But when these two cutting-edge foldables go head-to-head, which one comes out on top for you?
Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which foldable masterpiece best fits your life.
Design & Durability: Thin, Light, and Tough
Both Vivo and Samsung have worked hard to make their new foldables slimmer and lighter, a common goal in the evolving foldable market.
Vivo X Fold 5
- Vivo X Fold 5:
- Thickness: 9.2 mm when folded, super-thin 4.3 mm when opened.
- Weight: 217 grams.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
- Thickness: Even thinner at 8.99 mm folded, 4.2 mm unfolded.
- Weight: Slightly lighter at 215 grams.
- Durability Bonus: Comes with an IP48 rating, meaning it offers good protection against dust and water immersion – a crucial feature for peace of mind. Its cover screen uses tough Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, and the back has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Key takeaway: The Galaxy Z Fold 7 wins slightly on thinness, lightness, and crucial IP rating for durability.
Displays: A Feast for Your Eyes
The screens on these foldables are where the magic truly happens, offering both a compact cover display and a large tablet-like main screen.
- Vivo X Fold 5:
- Cover Display: A generous 6.53-inch AMOLED screen.
- Main Display: An expansive 8.03-inch AMOLED main screen.
- Visuals: Both displays offer a super smooth 120 Hz refresh rate and an incredibly bright 4,500 nits peak brightness, making content pop even in direct sunlight.
- Protection: The cover screen is protected by second-gen Armor Glass.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
- Cover Display: A crisp 6.5-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X.
- Main Display: A vibrant 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display.
- Visuals: Both screens feature a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate and a bright 2,600 nits peak brightness.
Key takeaway: Vivo X Fold 5 boasts significantly higher peak brightness, making it a potential winner for outdoor visibility. Screen sizes are very similar.
Performance: Powerhouses for Productivity & Play
Under the hood, both foldables are packed with top-tier processors designed for seamless multitasking and demanding apps, enhanced by generative AI features.
- Vivo X Fold 5:
- Processor: Powered by the cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
- Memory & Storage: Up to 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512 GB UFS 4.1 storage.
- Software: Runs on Funtouch OS 15, based on the latest Android 15.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
- Processor: Features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite processor.
- Memory & Storage: Up to 16 GB RAM and an enormous 1 TB storage option.
Key takeaway: Both offer top-tier performance. Samsung offers a larger storage option, which can be a plus for heavy users.
Cameras: Capture Every Moment
When it comes to photography, these foldables offer different strengths in their camera setups.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7
- Vivo X Fold 5:
- Rear Cameras (Triple Setup):
- Main: 50 MP VCS bionic camera.
- Telephoto: 50 MP ZEISS lens with 3x optical zoom (up to 100x HyperZoom for incredible detail).
- Ultrawide: 50 MP ultrawide lens.
- Front Cameras: 20 MP lenses on both the cover and main displays.
- Rear Cameras (Triple Setup):
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
- Rear Cameras:
- Main: A massive 200 MP main camera.
- Ultrawide/Macro: 12 MP ultrawide lens that also cleverly doubles as a macro camera.
- Telephoto: 10 MP telephoto lens.
- Front Cameras: 10 MP selfie lens on the cover screen and a 10 MP inner display front camera.
- Rear Cameras:
Key takeaway: Vivo offers higher megapixel counts and a dedicated telephoto lens with impressive zoom capabilities, especially with ZEISS optics. Samsung provides an incredibly high-resolution main sensor and a versatile ultrawide that handles macro shots.
Battery & Charging: Powering Your Day
Battery life and fast charging are crucial for any smartphone, especially a powerhouse foldable.
- Vivo X Fold 5:
- Battery: A larger 6,000 mAh battery.
- Charging: Supports blazing-fast 80 W wired charging and convenient 40 W wireless charging.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7:
- Battery: Comes with a 4,400 mAh battery.
- Charging: Supports 25 W wired charging along with wireless charging.
Key takeaway: The Vivo X Fold 5 clearly leads in battery capacity and charging speeds, promising longer usage and quicker recharges.
Price & Availability in India
Both of these premium foldable phones have recently made their debut in India.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Launched on July 9, starting at ₹1,74,999.
- Vivo X Fold 5: Arrived shortly after, on July 14, starting at a more accessible ₹1,49,999.
Key takeaway: The Vivo X Fold 5 offers a significant price advantage, making it a more budget-friendly premium foldable.
The Verdict: Which Foldable is for You?
Choosing between the Vivo X Fold 5 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 really comes down to what you value most in a foldable.
- Choose the Vivo X Fold 5 if you prioritize:
- A larger battery with much faster charging.
- Higher peak screen brightness for outdoor use.
- A versatile ZEISS-branded camera system with high optical zoom.
- A more attractive starting price.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 if you prioritize:
- Top-tier durability with an IP48 rating.
- A slightly thinner and lighter design.
- A potentially massive 1 TB storage option.
- A super high-resolution 200 MP main camera.
- The established Samsung ecosystem and software experience.
Both are exceptional devices pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology. Your ultimate choice will depend on which set of features aligns best with your daily needs and budget.
