Vivo has introduced the Vivo X Fold 6, a folding smartphone developed in cooperation with Zeiss that will be available in Europe starting October 1. The device features a Zeiss teleconverter accessory, which attaches to the 70-millimeter lens to achieve an equivalent focal length of 200 millimeters. A case with a bayonet adapter is included with the converter.
Size and Weight
The X Fold 6 measures 9.4 millimeters when closed, making it only slightly thicker than standard flagship phones. The manufacturer’s X300 Ultra model is 1.2 millimeters thinner. The folded device weighs approximately 230 grams, almost identical to the X300 Ultra. The external display measures 6.5 inches diagonally, while the interior panel offers an 8-inch screen with a resolution of 2504 by 2312 pixels. Both screens support a 120-hertz refresh rate and reach a brightness of up to 5000 nits.
One practical benefit of the folding design is how it handles selfies. Users can utilize the three rear cameras for self-portraits instead of just the front-facing unit. This setup allows for shots at 15 and 23 millimeters, or a crop up to 50 millimeters, providing better quality and more flexibility. The trade-off is that holding the device open for a selfie is difficult, making a stand or tripod necessary.
Camera Performance
The X Fold 6 includes multiple Zeiss imaging features, such as virtual aperture settings up to f/0.95 for portraits. This allows the phone to simulate the bokeh of different Zeiss lenses, including Biotar and Sonnar. Portrait videos are also possible with a virtual aperture of f/2. The phone uses artificial intelligence for various tasks, including removing people from group shots during capture and generating environments like rainbows or northern lights. These AI images carry a watermark to comply with EU regulations on Artificial Intelligence Generated Content.
Performance in the ultra-wide camera section relies on a small 1/2.75-inch sensor with 50 megapixels. Standard images are saved at 12.5 megapixels, though a high-resolution mode captures 50 megapixels with improved detail. Adobe Lightroom does not fully correct the distortion found in 15-millimeter shots, though the JPEGs are corrected to some extent.
While the main camera uses a 200-megapixel sensor from Samsung, the ultra-wide camera lacks the larger sensors found in some competitors. The ultra-wide shots are sharp overall, with a noticeable drop-off at the edges, though noise has been largely eliminated even at the maximum ISO 3200 setting.
Without the teleconverter, the 70-millimeter camera supports crop zoom up to 140 millimeters with minimal quality loss. The included Zeiss converter extends this reach to 200 millimeters, matching the quality of the base lens. Digital zoom beyond 400 millimeters degrades the image significantly.
While the X Fold 6 offers a solid camera system, it does not quite match the quality of Vivo’s X300 Ultra. The flagship uses larger sensors, providing a slight advantage in image detail. The official price for the European model has not been announced, though the Chinese version is listed at 1127 euros for the 256-gigabyte model. German prices are expected to be higher, likely starting around 1500 euros.
Video Capabilities
The X Fold 6 supports various video formats for different cameras. The two ultra-wide lenses record up to 8K at 30 frames per second. Slow motion is possible with 4K footage at 120 frames per second. The 70-millimeter camera captures video at 4K resolution with 60 frames per second. The front-facing selfie camera records at Full HD with 30 frames per second.
Users can activate the Dualview mode to record simultaneously with two cameras. This feature is useful for product demonstrations or commentary. For instance, one camera can record a presentation while the other records the speaker. The system allows pairing the front-facing unit with a rear camera or two rear cameras together.
Final Verdict
The Vivo X Fold 6 merges the benefits of a folding device with good to very good camera quality. Competitors like the X300 Ultra still utilize larger sensors. The official price for the European model has not been set at the time of writing.
