Vivo X Fold 5 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7: Which Foldable is Better?
We compare Samsung’s most refined Fold yet against Vivo’s long-awaited Indian debut to see which one delivers more for its premium price.
The foldable phone market in India is looking a lot more interesting in 2025. A few days ago, Samsung dropped its sleekest Fold yet, the Galaxy Z Fold 7 which we first saw at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked July edition. But hot on its heels is the Vivo X Fold 5, which finally made its India debut this July too.
For years, Chinese brands like Vivo have led the foldable space in hardware finesse, but Samsung seems to be catching up fast with its 7th-gen refinement and tighter ecosystem.
At the ₹1.5–1.75 lakh ($1,790–$2,090) price range, though, these devices are no impulse buy. So, which one’s actually worth it? Let’s find out.
Kelechi Edeh
/1. Design & Display
Samsung’s biggest design win this year is finally catching up to the slim form factor of its Chinese rivals. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 unfolds to just 4.2mm and folds down to 8.9mm — a tad slimmer than the X Fold 5. That might not sound like a big deal on paper, but in hand, it makes for a more pocketable and balanced foldable.
Vivo, meanwhile, comes in at 4.3mm unfolded and 9.2mm folded, with slightly more weight. It’s not clunky by any means, but there’s a noticeable difference when switching between the two. Where Vivo claws back an edge is durability, its IP58 rating beats Samsung’s IP48, especially for dust and water resistance. That’s a big plus for anyone worried about long-term reliability.
On the display front, both phones deliver a premium experience. Vivo’s 8.03-inch QHD+ foldable AMOLED screen and 6.53-inch outer display both hit 120Hz refresh rates and 4500 nits of brightness. It’s stunningly sharp and incredibly bright, enough to cut through even harsh midday sunlight.
Samsung’s 8-inch AMOLED panel is also sharp, smooth, and protected by Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2. But at 2600 nits, it doesn’t quite hit Vivo’s brightness ceiling.
Verdict: Vivo edges ahead with its brighter, more durable build, though Samsung feels sleeker in hand.
/2. Performance & Software
Here’s where Samsung pulls ahead. The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a custom-tuned chip exclusive to Samsung that outperforms the regular Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 found in Vivo’s X Fold 5.
Whether you're juggling video editing apps, running AI-powered workflows, or gaming on max settings, Samsung’s chip is faster and more efficient.
But it’s the software support that seals it. Samsung promises 7 years of OS upgrades and security patches, which is unheard of in Android land. Vivo offers 4 years of Android and 5 years of security — solid, but not as future-proof.
Verdict: Samsung wins hands-down here with more power under the hood and longer-term software support.
/3. Cameras
Vivo brings a Zeiss-backed triple 50MP camera system that mirrors the flagship Vivo X200. The shots are sharp, balanced, and tuned for clarity and color accuracy. Whether you're zooming in at a concert or snapping wide-angle street shots, it handles it with finesse.
Meanwhile, Samsung counters with a 200MP main camera similar to the S25 Ultra, and while that sounds impressive, the supporting sensors (12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto) feel a little outmatched in this head-to-head.
Vivo also takes the lead on selfies, with a pair of 20MP front cameras that easily beat Samsung’s dual 10MP setup, especially noticeable on video calls or front-camera vlogs.
Verdict: Vivo wins on versatility and front-camera sharpness, even if Samsung packs more megapixels on paper.
/4. Battery & Charging
This one’s not even close. Vivo’s 6,000mAh battery is the largest on any foldable so far, and it powers through a full day (and more) without breaking a sweat. Its 80W wired and 40W wireless charging makes topping up feel effortless, a 30-minute break can easily take you from near-empty to nearly full.
Samsung’s 4,400mAh battery and 25W wired charging feel underwhelming for a phone in this price tier. It’s usable, but if you’re away from an outlet often or lean heavy on your phone, you’ll feel the gap.
Verdict: Vivo dominates with longer battery life and far faster charging.
/5. Price & Value
Vivo’s X Fold 5 comes in one maxed-out variant, 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, for ₹1,49,999 ($1,790). Samsung’s Z Fold 7 starts at ₹1,74,999 ($2,090) for the 12GB + 256GB model, with the 512GB version priced at ₹1,86,999 ($2,230).
That’s a significant price difference, especially considering Vivo offers more RAM, more storage, a bigger battery, and faster charging, all for less. Samsung still brings the edge in software updates and ecosystem perks like DeX and Circle to Search, but for someone stepping into the foldable space for the first time, Vivo’s value proposition is hard to beat.
Verdict: Vivo wins on pure specs-to-price ratio, though Samsung appeals to loyalists and long-term thinkers.
Conclusion
If you're choosing based on raw value, battery life, charging speed, and camera flexibility, the Vivo X Fold 5 is hard to argue with. It feels like the complete package, especially for its price.
But Samsung’s Z Fold 7 offers better software longevity, ecosystem features, and a sleeker design, making it a smarter choice if you're already deep in the Galaxy ecosystem or planning to hold on to your foldable for years.
Winner (Overall): Vivo X Fold 5. Unless software support or Samsung’s polished UI is a top priority for you, Vivo’s foldable is the better deal for most people in India.
Kelechi Edeh
