Tecno, you're winning now! I'm sold now! I didn't really see the purpose of clamshell foldable phones before. Yes, I had previously used flip phones, such as the Sanyo Katana and others, but I didn't feel sentimental about it. Clamshell phones, then, just didn't catch my attention. I subsequently had the chance to review the Tecno Phantom V Flip.
In case you were unaware, Transsion is the owner of the Shenzhen, China-based smartphone manufacturer Tecno. The company's first clamshell foldable, the Phantom V Flip, goes up against devices like the Motorola Razr+ and the Galaxy Z Flip 5. It's reasonable to question whether foldables belong in the sub-$1,000 price range given the intense competition. It costs about $870 less than most of the competitors.
But is it good? Is this Flip a success or is the Phantom V Flip a poor substitute for the more costly foldable phones? In this review, let's investigate.
I was amazed by Tecno's design efforts in creating one of the most attractive foldable phones available. One of the classiest-looking phones I've ever examined is this one, really. This, in my opinion, is due to the leather appearance the materials produce. It nearly gives the impression that it is one of those special edition phones produced in association with esteemed businesses.
I believe Tecno intended for it to look nearly like a luxury clock because of the round outside display. It stands in contrast to similarly attractive gadgets like the Motorola Razr+ and the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Because of their larger screens, they appear more utilitarian, yet the Phantom V Flip prioritizes "fashion over function." Does that impact this phone's overall usability? Indeed, in a word! However, we'll talk about that later in the review.
The use of color in this design is something else I enjoy. The Phantom V Flip is available in two colorways: Iconic Black and Misty Dawn, which is the color of the device under review. A shiny metal frame is included in both hues, and it is colored to match the phone's color.
The Phantom logo engraved on the hinge and the little circle with the word "V" on the reverse are two more small features. It demonstrates how much time and work Tecno invested in creating a visually appealing phone. Even if foldables are becoming more and more popular, I believe the Phantom V Flip has a better refined overall appearance.
This phone's build quality is an odd tale. the first time I used this phone. I had no idea what to anticipate. Although none of the Tecno phones I've reviewed so far were cheaply made, they didn't exactly feel like high-end devices either. That's the reason I was so amazed the first time I handled the Phantom V Flip.
It feels like a $1,000 foldable phone, even though it isn't. The device felt satisfyingly heavy, and that was the first thing I noticed. While it's important to avoid having a phone that is too light, you also don't want it to be too big. The Phantom V Flip is exactly the ideal weight—not too heavy, not too little.
The metal frame and the leathery material both have a pleasant tactile quality. This phone fully invests in luxury materials, unlike other of the less expensive Tecno phones that used less expensive materials to keep the price down.
That is crucial, in my opinion, especially for Tecno more than for other businesses. Since Tecno phones are often priced in the low- to mid-range, it is reasonable to suppose that the Phantom V Flip's build quality will lag behind that of its competitors. Admittedly, I also assumed so, but thankfully, I was shown to be mistaken.
Things become a little strange at the hinge. No matter how many times I open and close it, the folding always feels flawless and well-made. The hinge holds in place at a variety of angles, so I can adjust it. I would guess that it will hold in place between 20° and 165°. If you push it past that point, it will slide completely open or closed.
That being said, everything feels good. However, this is untrue in terms of sound. Sure enough, a sound has been made! When using a foldable phone, ideally there should be no noise produced when you open or close it. I didn't notice any noises from the hinge at first, but soon after I started using it, I did.
Sometimes, when I would pick up the phone It's somewhat unnerving, to be honest, to hear this disturbing crackle coming from the hinge. Therefore, I believe that Tecno will need to work on their hinge if this is something that occurs with every item. One of the most crucial components of a foldable phone is the hinge. It's not a good omen if it is creating sounds.
I have never used a Tecno gadget that didn't have an amazing screen. Although the Phantom V Flip's display went a long way toward meeting my expectations, there is one thing that really lets it down—that of a folding phone.
Except for the Tecno Camon 20 Pro, all of the Tecno phones I evaluated had good camera performance. I wasn't really sure what to anticipate from the Phantom V Flip's camera, though, as foldable phones aren't typically recognized for having excellent cameras. I was pleased with the outcome when I finally started using this phone's camera.
Original Story by Arthur Brown, Android Headlines