Let me explain. In my review of the first-generation PHANTOM V Fold, I said the phone has its shortcomings — software that needs optimising, hardware that needed to shave off several tens of grams, and a physical footprint that can be uncomfortable. Well, TECNO has fixed all that and some, all the while dropping the asking price by about ₹10,000.
The PHANTOM V Fold 2 is slimmer, lighter (down from 299 grams to a hair under 250 grams), beautifully designed and gives users without deep pockets a chance at using a foldable smartphone without spending an arm and a leg. From large, vibrant displays to stylus support and impressive battery life, this phone has a lot going for it. But, of course, no phone is perfect. So, does the PHANTOM V Fold 2 deliver where it counts? Let’s dive in.
Big, Bold, and Lighter Than Before
The Phantom V Fold 2 makes an impression right out of the box. TECNO partnered with Spanish luxury brand Loewe to refine the design, giving it a premium feel that’s unexpected for its price. The circular camera module from its predecessor has been replaced with a sleek rectangular setup housing three 50MP cameras.
But the real game-changer? The weight. At 249 grams, it’s 50 grams lighter than the first Phantom Fold. For comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 weighs 239 grams, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in at 258g. Despite being lighter, the Phantom V Fold 2 feels solid and premium in hand, with curved sides that make it easier to hold and unfold. It’s also rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, which is a nice touch.
That said, it’s still a big phone. The cover screen is a 6.42-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Unfold it, and you’re greeted with a massive 7.85-inch AMOLED display, also with 120Hz support. Both screens are sharp, bright, and colourful, though the folding display isn’t as bright as the cover screen. Still, it’s perfectly usable even in sunlight.
The bezels on the inner display are slightly larger than those of its competitors, but they’re not distracting. Plus, the phone supports the new Phantom V Pen for precise input and note-taking, though TECNO didn’t include the stylus with the review unit.
A Crease-Free Experience and a Sturdy Hinge
One of the standout features of the PHANTOM V Fold 2 is its almost invisible crease. You’ll only notice it if you actively look for it, which is a big win for a foldable in this price range. The hinge, made of “aerospace-grade high-strength” material, is rated for 400,000 folds. While it’s not as robust as the Galaxy Z Fold6’s hinge and doesn’t prop up easily at all angles, it gets the job done. There is, however, a slight creaking noise when folding and unfolding the phone — could have been just my unit, though.
TECNO also includes a good-quality case with a built-in kickstand in the box, which lets you prop up the phone when it’s fully unfolded—a thoughtful addition.
Packed With Features and a Battery That Lasts
Under the hood, the PHANTOM V Fold 2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.1 storage. That’s double the base storage of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold6. It runs on Android 14-based HiOS 14.5, which is loaded with features. While the interface could use some polish, you’ll keep discovering new tools as you explore the device.
Multitasking is where this phone shines. Running two apps side by side is seamless, and a simple swipe down the middle splits the screen. Whether you’re juggling work apps like Slack and Teams or scrolling through Instagram and WhatsApp, the PHANTOM V Fold 2 handles it all effortlessly.
Battery life is another highlight. The phone packs a massive 5,750mAh battery—the largest in a book-style foldable. It easily lasts a full day, even with heavy multitasking. And when you do need to charge, the 70W fast charging gets you up and running quickly. It also supports 15W wireless charging, a feature missing on some pricier competitors like the OnePlus Open.
AI-Powered Tools and Capable Cameras
TECNO has gone all-in on AI features. From the AI Cam mode in the camera app to tools like object removal and sticker creation in the gallery, almost everything feels AI-driven. There’s even a ChatGPT-powered assistant called Ella, along with sketch-to-image tools and quick text summaries.
As for the cameras, the Phantom V Fold 2 sports three 50MP sensors: a primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a portrait camera with 2x optical zoom, and an ultrawide-angle lens. On the front, there are 32MP selfie cameras on both the cover and folding displays.
The cameras perform well in daylight, delivering vibrant photos with decent dynamic range. Low-light performance, however, is a mixed bag, with details often getting smoothed out. Still, for the price, the camera setup holds its own against more expensive foldables.
What Could Be Better?
Look, the story here isn’t whether or not the PHANTOM V Fold 2 is the best foldable out there. The story is the fact that it is a foldable priced at ₹80,000, which is still less than you’d have to fork out for any other foldable selling at a deep discount during the festive season — for the uninitiated, this was the one-year-old OnePlus Open, which launched at ₹1.40 lakh and dropped to ₹99,999 this festive season.
The PHANTOM V Fold 2 gets a lot right, but there are a few areas where it falls short. For one, it’s running on a 2022 processor and a 2023 OS. The MediaTek Dimensity 9000+ chipset is capable for now, but it may struggle to keep up in the long run.
Then there’s the software update policy. TECNO promises only two Android updates and three years of security patches. Considering the phone already runs Android 14, you’ll only get updates until Android 16, which limits its longevity. If the hinge is rated for 400,000 folds, shouldn’t the software support last just as long?
The Verdict: A Foldable Worth Considering
At ₹79,999, the TECNO PHANTOM V Fold 2 is THE most affordable book-style foldable in the Indian market—and it delivers a lot for the price. From its big, vibrant displays and excellent multitasking capabilities to its lightweight design and impressive battery life, it’s a solid choice for productivity-focused users.
Now, whether you’d want to spend that much on this device or choose a safer smartphone is entirely between you and your wallet. Should you, however, want to dip your toes into the wonderfully weird world of foldable smartphones, the PHANTOM V Fold 2 is an excellent choice. It is the perfect gateway device, proving that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a capable, feature-rich foldable phone.
