Tecno Mobile Malaysia today has announced that its highly anticipated foldable smartphone, the Phantom V Fold, will be launching for the local market this week. According to the company’s Facebook post, the device is expected to debut in another three days from today, while its official Shopee page suggests that first sales will begin on 4 May 2023.
In case you missed it, the Tecno Phantom V Fold is the brand’s first-ever foldable smartphone, sporting a book-styled form factor ala the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold or the HONOR Magic V series. In its folded form, the phone offers a 6.42-inch LTPO AMOLED screen that comes with 1080 x 2550 pixel resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate, while on its back is a large circular camera island that sits on top of a rear panel that’s available in either a black sandstone or white brushed metal finish.
Opening the phone, we’re greeted with a larger 7.85-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 2000 x 2296 pixel resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. Tecno says the Phantom V Fold uses an “aerospace-grade innovative hinge”, featuring a self-developed exclusive fixed-axis rotate and slide technology as well as a durable reverse snap structure, which enables for a “virtually crease-free” viewing experience in its unfolded form.
Interestingly, its listing in Tecno’s official Shopee store reveals that featured under the hood is a MediaTek Helio G88 chipset instead of the flagship Dimensity 9000+ that’s equipped on the Indian release. This may very well be a typo, as the company’s Malaysian website still lists the phone to come with the latter processor.
Regardless, paired together with the chip is confirmed to be 12 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of internal storage. Meanwhile, powering the phone is a 5,000 mAh battery, which comes with 45 W fast charging via USB-C. According to Tecno, the phone can achieve a 40% charge in just 15 minutes, whereas a full top-up would take around 55 minutes.
For imaging, housed within the island on the back of the Phantom V Fold is a triple camera setup that consists of dual 50 MP sensors for the phone’s primary and 2x optical zoom telephoto shooters, as well as a 13 MP ultra-wide sensor. Its exterior display, on the other hand, comes with a 32 MP front-facing camera housed within a punch-hole cutout, while its interior screen features a 16 MP camera on the right half of the panel. Like some devices of its class, the front screen can also be used to preview shots taken with the rear cameras for selfies and so on.
For reference, the Tecno Phantom V Fold launched in India at INR 89,999 (~RM 4,894) for the 12GB + 256 GB trim, and INR 99,999 (~RM 5,438) for the 12GB + 512 GB. It is still unclear whether the upcoming Malaysian will see more than one memory configuration.
