TECNO Phantom V Flip 5G review: using the cover display as a camera mirror for selfies. <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nThe main camera in the Phantom V Flip is a 64-megapixel shooter coupled with a 13-megapixel ultrawide shooter. It records 4k video, too. There is a 32-megapixel selfie camera on the main screen when opened up, but since I am able to use the cover display as a mirror for selfies via the much better main camera, I don’t bother with the selfie camera any more. I simply shoot all my selfies with the phone closed and using the main camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How good is the camera of the Phantom V Flip 5G? Quite good. Really good. But not as good as the camera of the Camon 20 Premier 5G. It falls just short of it in terms of picture quality. But overall, it is a really good camera. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Software <\/h2>\n\n\n\n It runs Android 13 and I am told that it will get two major software updates, so you can expect Android 14 and 15. How fast those will come is a different question. TECNO is not known for being speedy with their updates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully, and perhaps for the first time, here is a TECNO smartphone that didn’t assualt me with a barrage of notifications from random apps after I connected it to the Internet and set it up. That’s a breath of fresh air. More of this, TECNO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, a nunber of bloatware were present, some of which I was able to delete. In simple terms, bloatware is a term that refers to unnecessary software that comes pre-installed on a new phone by the manufacturer or the carrier. These software are not essential for the phone\u2019s core functionality, but they take up valuable storage space and may affect the phone\u2019s performance and battery life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Issues <\/h2>\n\n\n\n I have mentioned the limited functionality of the cover display. But even the main display has its issues. Widgets in the homescreen don’t always refresh properly, leaving me looking at stake information. The Always-on Display (AOD) clock does not update properly on the main screen. One night, it was two hours behind the current time. I eventually removed widgets and disabled the AOD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, I struggle to be able to read text or view images on the main screen when outdoors in direct sunlight. And I am talking about 10am sunlight in Lagos. Not that I spend a lot of time out in the sun, but when I do, it is a severe handicap. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fingerprint scanner is built into the power button on the right side of the phone. But it is located in the upper half of the fold, where it is out of reach of anybody’s thumb. I have big hands and long fingers, yet even I have to reach up to get to it. As far as usability is concerned, the power button should have been located on the lower half of the fold for easier reach. The volume buttons too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The V Flip has stereo speakers, but they don’t quite cut it in terms of quality. Volume is good, but the audio has a distinctive lack of bass. For comparison, the stereo speakers on the Camon 20 Premier have much better audio quality. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Network Connectivity <\/h2>\n\n\n\n The Phantom V Flip has good network connectivity. It holds on to a signal well, be it 3G, 4G, or 5G. Did I mention that this is the only TECNO smartphone I have seen in years that is single SIM? You read that right: the Phantom V Flip is NOT a dual-SIM phone. Don’t ask me why; I have no idea. Does it support e-SIM? Not at all. You are stuck with using a plastic nano SIM card. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My Phantom V Flip 5G Review Verdict<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The Phantom V Flip delivers on all counts except for the limited capability of the Cover Display. And that stings, because a cover display is a distinctive feature that is unique to foldable phones. TECNO needs to make it more functional. For now, only the main camera takes full advantage of it; everything else feels like they were added to the cover display as an afterthought. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What TECNO has done with the Phantom V Flip 5G<\/a> is impressive. This is a high-end mid-ranger in a premium body, and it costs about half the price of some of the competition. I like it and only wish that TECNO would fix the issues with the cover display and homescreen widgets and Always-On Display. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTECNO Phantom V Flip 5G Video Review <\/h2>\n\n\n\n Enjoy the video review: <\/p>\n\n\n\n