Foldables are no longer futuristic gimmicks—they’re full-blown powerhouses. And in 2025, two big players are battling it out: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and the Vivo X Fold5. So, which one should you put your money on? Let’s break it down.
Design and durability
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold7 is its slimmest fold yet, measuring just 8.9mm when closed and weighing 215 grams. It’s super sleek in the hand and feels lighter than you’d expect. The hinge is more durable this time, though a bit stiff—likely a trade-off for longevity. What’s not ideal is the larger camera bump, which makes it wobble when laid flat. Still, the build feels premium with Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2, Armor Aluminium, and tight hinge engineering.
Vivo’s X Fold5 is slightly thicker at 9.2mm, but don’t let that fool you—it’s a beast when it comes to durability. With IPX8, IPX9, IP9+ water resistance, IP5X-like dust protection, and even minus 30°C cold tolerance, Vivo’s foldable is built for the elements. The added thickness gives it a solid grip, and its hinge feels smoother to unfold than Samsung’s.
Performance and software
Under the hood, Samsung packs the Snapdragon 8 Elite, a newer chip with custom Oryon cores that deliver faster speeds and better battery efficiency. Vivo uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3—still fast, but the same one it used in last year’s Fold3 Pro.
Software-wise, Samsung’s One UI 8 is clearly ahead. With smarter multitasking, Galaxy AI features, and 7 years of updates, it feels more mature. Vivo’s Funtouch OS 15 has made strides, but it’s still catching up.
Displays
Vivo goes all out with brightness. The 8.03-inch LTPO AMOLED main display hits a blinding 4500 nits, with Dolby Vision for that theatre-style HDR. Even the cover screen peaks at 5500 nits, making it the brightest foldable in the game.
Samsung’s 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X isn’t far behind in smoothness or vibrancy—it’s 120Hz and sharp—but maxes out at 2600 nits. The win here? Its wider outer screen finally feels like a proper phone, which is a big usability upgrade.
Cameras
Samsung leads on paper with a 200MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto. You also get 10MP selfie cams on both screens.
Vivo hits back with a triple 50MP ZEISS setup, including a 3x periscope telephoto. It may not win the megapixel war, but colours are richer, details are sharper, and zoom shots look cleaner.
Verdict
Go Samsung if you want the latest chip, polished software, and a sleek, lightweight design. But if brighter displays, rugged durability, and camera versatility matter more—Vivo’s X Fold5 is the dark horse worth betting on.
