Tecno Phantom V Flip2 review

The competition

The Tecno Phantom V Flip2 is one of the most affordable flip foldables around. Its MSRP is just $699. The phone just recently entered the Indian market as well, with a limited-time promotional price tag of INR34,999 ($415/€390). While definitely not "budget" in absolute terms, that's still quite affordable when it comes to a flip. You're generally going to have a hard time matching the value proposition. Still, some devices do come to mind.

The Infinix Zero Flip is very similar hardware-wise. Its MSRP is around EUR 580 and might be available in slightly different markets than Tecno. With the Infinix, you get a very similar 6.9-inch foldable inner display, though not necessarily exactly the same one since the panel in the Infinix seems to be a bit brighter. The cameras are pretty similar across both phones. The Infinix is a dual-SIM device, which can be an advantage. It also has JBL-tuned speakers and an FM radio receiver. So there are some minor differences, mostly in favor of the Infinix.

Infinix Zero Flip • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 • Motorola Razr 50

Depending on where you live, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 could either be priced surprisingly similarly to the Phantom V Flip2 or be quite a bit more expensive. With it, you arguably get a much more premium device, though. Some of its highlights include IP48 ingress protection, a flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and more RAM. Plus, an arguably more-capable camera system, better speakers and more versatile charging options.

Motorola has the pretty great Razr 50 on its roster. It has an IPX8 rating, a brighter, HDR-certified display, a better chipset than the Tecno and wireless charging.

There are many more interesting flip foldables to consider, but most tend to be more expensive than the Tecno. Of course, you could always go for a slightly older model from, say, last year and save money that way, too.

Our verdict

If you're looking for an affordable flip foldable, the Tecno Phantom V Flip2 should be high on your list. Tecno has built a reputation for delivering great value, and this device is no exception.

It has a pretty great main display. It's not the brightest around, but it's still plenty usable and is powered by LTPO tech to help save on battery. And the battery life here is very good for the form factor as Tecno has managed to cram in 4,720 mAh worth of battery capacity under the hood.

The 70W proprietary charging is class-leading among the flip foldables. We also found the cameras quite dependable, even if they are short of impressive. Autofocus is great to have on the ultrawide and the selfie, which did especially well in our testing.

All this being said, some corners were definitely cut here. Certain things are frankly easier to live with, like the lack of HDR support or the absence of ingress protection or wireless charging. However, the weakest link in the entire package is the Dimensity 8020 chipset, which has a pretty meager performance. The chipset still delivers a smooth OS experience and modern connectivity features but is at the bottom of the performance charts of all flip foldables we've tested.

Overall, the Phantom V Flip2 is a solid choice if you can live with a few trade-offs. It's an excellent way to test the waters and see if a flip foldable is the right type of smartphone for you without breaking the bank.

Pros

• Pretty rich accessory package.
• Appealing, modern and durable design, now with a larger and more functional cover display.
• Solid battery life for the form factor.
• Class-leading fast charging speed.
• Decent all-around camera performance with autofocus on both the selfie and ultrawide.

Cons

• Lower speaker loudness compared to the previous model.
• The Dimensity 8020 offers pretty modest performance.
• Virtual proximity sensor.