Vivo’s X Fold 6 accidentally feels like a throwback

Foldable phone designs are converging on a wider, squarer inner display and a more usable cover screen.

Vivo's X Fold 6 is launching globally with a design that feels outdated compared to newer foldables. Its 6.51-inch cover display maintains a standard 20:9 aspect ratio, and it opens to an 8.02-inch panel that is nearly square. This form factor and its noticeable crease contrast with recent pivots by Apple and Samsung towards shorter, wider aspect ratios on their foldable devices. Despite the design's throwback feel, the X Fold 6 boasts a strong camera system, featuring a 200-megapixel main sensor, along with 50-megapixel telephoto and ultrawide lenses. It also includes a substantial 6,900mAh battery and a custom MediaTek Dimensity 9500 chip. The device offers an IP59 rating for water and dust resistance. Specific pricing and market availability were not disclosed at the time of this report.

The X Fold 6's design, particularly its aspect ratio, positions it as a device that missed the recent trend toward wider foldable screens. This suggests that while Vivo is capable of high-end hardware like a 200MP camera, its product design cycle may be lagging behind market shifts, potentially impacting its competitiveness outside of China. Competitors have successfully adopted shorter, wider screen formats that offer a more familiar smartphone experience when closed and a more immersive one when open. The success of the X Fold 6 globally may depend heavily on whether its camera prowess can overcome its perceived design anachronism.

The significant emphasis on camera hardware in the X Fold 6, featuring a large main sensor and capable secondary lenses, highlights a key battleground for foldable phones. As other specifications like screen technology and processing power become more commoditized, camera performance emerges as a differentiator. This move by Vivo, alongside others focusing on photographic capabilities, indicates a market strategy that prioritizes distinct advantages to capture consumer attention in a crowded and rapidly evolving foldable segment. Attention will be paid to whether this camera-centric approach can offset the less-than-modern design in consumer purchasing decisions.