Category: Foldables

In the world of mobile editing, there’s always the ongoing debate about which device delivers the best performance—especially when it comes to multitasking and processing power. I’ve always loved using foldables for editing because of their larger screens and flexibility, but recently, I decided to add another contender to the ring: the iPad Pro M5. With its M5 chip promising to take mobile processing to the next level, I was eager to see how it would stack up against today’s top foldables, like the Honor Magic V5 and the Vivo X Fold 5. Could the iPad’s large, stunning display compete with the foldables’ multitasking capabilities? Let’s dive into the results!

The iPad Pro M5 vs. Foldables: Design and Multitasking

When it comes to design, the iPad Pro M5 has a clear advantage with its large, beautiful screen, which is perfect for multitasking and editing. But how do the foldables compare? The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both feature impressive foldable displays, which offer a larger surface for multitasking in tablet mode, giving them an edge in this area. But the iPad is known for its smooth workflow, and I wanted to see just how it compared when both the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 are unfolded.

Starting with multitasking, both foldables shine here. On the Honor Magic V5, multitasking is a breeze, allowing you to run multiple apps side by side with ease. Similarly, the Vivo X Fold 5 also offers smooth multitasking and supports up to four apps running at once when using Work Bench. The iPad Pro M5, however, requires a bit more effort. While you can run apps side by side, similar to that of Work Bench it isn’t as intuitive. It requires a long press and drag to place apps into split-screen mode, which, compared to the foldables, feels clunkier.

Performance: iPad Pro M5 vs. Foldables

Next, let’s talk about performance. The iPad Pro M5 is powered by Apple’s M5 chip, which is one of the fastest mobile processors around. So, I wanted to see how well it held up against the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5. To test this, I used a video editing app called InShot to process a 4K video and see how quickly each device could export it.

Surprisingly, the iPad Pro M5 didn’t blow the foldables out of the water as I had expected. Despite being equipped with Apple’s fastest chip, the iPad Pro was slower to process the video than both the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5, with the Vivo X Fold 5 finishing first. In fact, the iPad lagged behind, even with its superior chip. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both delivered excellent results, showing that they can handle demanding tasks just as well as, if not better than, the iPad.

Camera Performance: Apple vs. Android

When it comes to cameras, the iPad Pro M5 is undeniably impressive, but it’s not quite a match for the Honor Magic V5 or Vivo X Fold 5 when it comes to versatility. The iPad Pro M5 has good cameras for a tablet, but they aren’t designed for the same level of detail and precision as the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5. In my test shots, I found that the Vivo X Fold 5 performed better, offering clear and detailed images, especially in low-light conditions. The Honor Magic V5 came close, but the iPad Pro M5 still held its own with its crisp shots and improved image stabilization.

Customization and Flexibility

One of the key strengths of foldables like the Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 is their customization and flexibility. For example, the Honor Magic V5 allows you to stack widgets and customize the home screen extensively. The Vivo X Fold 5 offers a “workbench” feature that allows you to run four apps simultaneously, which is incredibly useful for those who need to juggle multiple tasks. The iPad Pro M5, on the other hand, offers limited customization options compared to these foldables, and apps are not as flexible in terms of layout.

Final Thoughts: Is the iPad Pro M5 Really Necessary?

After all of these tests, my conclusion is clear: while the iPad Pro M5 offers a beautiful, large screen and superb performance for certain tasks, it’s not necessarily the go-to device for mobile editing anymore. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 both provide incredible multitasking abilities and a smooth workflow for editing, which makes them great alternatives to the iPad for productivity on the go. That said, the iPad Pro would be preferred for is size and app compatibility for full form editing programs like DaVinci Resolve.

So, while the iPad Pro M5 is still a powerhouse in its own right, foldables might just be the future of mobile productivity. What do you think? Will foldables take the lead, or does the iPad Pro M5 still reign supreme? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

When it comes to foldables, two devices are standing out as my favorite daily carriers: the Honor Magic V5 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. They both offer impressive features, but what sets them apart? Let’s dive into the details of these devices and explore why they’re my go-to phones.

First, let’s talk about the look and feel of these foldables. When placed side by side, you’ll notice that the Honor Magic V5 is significantly thinner than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The thinner profile of the Honor makes it feel lighter and more comfortable to hold throughout the day. On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a heftier feel, but it’s still manageable. Both devices have large camera bumps, with the Honor Magic V5 sporting a notably bigger bump, which contributes to its bulkier feel.

In terms of screen size, both phones are pretty much identical with an 8-inch internal display. However, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a slightly wider design, giving it a bit more space to work with. But when it comes to actual usability, they feel quite similar in your hand. The experience is smooth on both devices, and they handle apps with ease. I love using the Google Keyboard on both phones, especially for accurate text-to-speech and typing.

Performance-wise, AI integration on both devices is top-notch. Both phones handle AI-powered tasks like rephrasing text and proofreading with ease. You’ll notice that the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is just a hair faster at processing these tasks, but overall, they perform identically. This makes both devices very efficient for my daily needs, whether I’m responding to comments or typing out emails.

Moving to the internal screens, the Pixel’s 8-inch display feels more secure when placed flat, whereas the Honor Magic V5 is a bit wobbly. However, the Honor wins points for its customizability. The Magic V5 offers more flexibility with app sizes and widgets, allowing for a more tailored user experience. This is where the Honor Magic V5 pulls ahead, giving me greater control over my interface compared to the more rigid Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Camera performance is where the two really start to differ. Both devices have impressive sensors, but the Honor Magic V5 tends to add more saturation to images, whereas the Pixel 10 Pro Fold leans toward a more natural, subdued look. The Pixel’s camera tends to perform better in terms of clarity, especially in low-light conditions. However, if you prefer brighter, more vibrant photos, the Honor Magic V5 might be the way to go.

As for the user interface, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has a cleaner, simpler approach, but the lack of customization can feel limiting. In contrast, the Honor Magic V5’s more flexible UI lets you stack widgets and move apps around with ease, providing a more dynamic experience. It’s little touches like this that make the Honor Magic V5 more enjoyable for long-term use.

When it comes to battery life, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold comes with a 4600mAh battery, while the Honor Magic V5 has a slightly larger 5000mAh battery. Both foldables perform well for a full day of use, but the Honor Magic V5 gives me a bit more peace of mind when it comes to lasting through the day without needing to top-up. Both phones support fast charging, with the Pixel offering a 30W wired charging speed, and the Honor Magic V5 supporting 40W wired charging.

Finally, let’s talk about security. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has face ID recognition, which is super convenient for unlocking your phone, especially when accessing sensitive apps like banking or passwords. In comparison, the Honor Magic V5 relies on a fingerprint scanner, which is just as secure but doesn’t offer the convenience of facial recognition.

Service and support are another consideration. Since the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is readily available in the U.S., it comes with excellent warranty support and customer service from Google. Unfortunately, the Honor Magic V5 isn’t as widely available outside of China, meaning support might be harder to come by, especially if you run into issues with your device.

At the end of the day, both the Honor Magic V5 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold are excellent choices for daily use. They each have their strengths: the Honor offers a more customizable experience and better battery life, while the Pixel excels in camera clarity, ease of use, and security features. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. For me, both devices fit perfectly into my daily routine, and I carry both with me everywhere I go.

Which foldable do you prefer? Are you team Pixel 10 Pro Fold, or do you lean towards the flexibility of the Honor Magic V5? Let me know in the comments!

When the Pixel 9/10 Pro Fold finally hit the market, I couldn’t wait to see how it stacked up against my daily driver — the Honor Magic V5. I’d been using the V5 for months, loving its mix of power, polish, and almost sci-fi multitasking. The question was simple: could Google’s latest foldable compete?

Well, after spending a lot of time flipping between the two, I’ve got some thoughts — and maybe a few surprises.

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Design & Feel: Two Very Different Takes on Premium

Let’s start with what you feel first — the build. Both phones feel solid and high-end, but the Honor Magic V5 just has that extra touch of refinement. It’s got a more elegant color finish and thinner bezels that make it look futuristic next to the Pixel. Even the hinge feels smoother and more balanced.

Now, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold does have one advantage — it’s a bit wider, making it easier to type on when closed. The Honor, on the other hand, is slightly taller. Its 6.4-inch external display feels just right in the hand, while the Pixel’s 6.3-inch outer screen feels comfortable but more conservative.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold (which I skipped this year) trims down the bezels slightly, but honestly — Honor’s been doing that level of design for years. Even compared to the OnePlus Open, the Magic V5’s bezels are thinner, cleaner, and more immersive. And when it comes to that dreaded crease in the middle? The Pixel’s is still clearly visible, while the Honor’s is barely noticeable.

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Weight, Hinge, and Handling

The Honor Magic V5 is not only thinner — it’s lighter too. You feel that difference immediately when holding it for long periods. Both phones have side-mounted fingerprint sensors that are lightning fast, and both sound fantastic with true stereo speakers on either side. But the Pixel’s slightly thicker body gives it a deeper, bassier sound.

So, yes — the Pixel’s got the edge in audio, but for pure comfort and portability, the Honor Magic V5 wins hands down.

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Software: Freedom vs. Familiarity

Here’s where the real separation begins.

Both phones run Android, but the Honor Magic V5 runs MagicOS 9.0 over Android 15, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold runs Android 16 (with the 10 Pro Fold on Android 16). And that version difference doesn’t matter nearly as much as how each company uses Android.

On the Pixel, the software is clean, simple, and… well, pretty plain. You can’t resize widgets much, rearrange the layout freely, or do the kind of multitasking that the Honor can. MagicOS gives you true desktop-like freedom — you can open up to three apps at once, freely resize or move them, and even have floating mini-apps that pop up when you get a text.

The Pixel? Two apps at a time, max.

You can add a sidebar app on the Pixel using a third-party app, but it’s nowhere near as fluid. With Honor’s built-in multitasking, I can literally pull another app onto the screen mid-conversation, or drag-and-drop photos straight into another window. It feels alive — Pixel feels safe.

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Brightness, Displays & Real-World Use

On paper, both have incredible displays — but Honor takes it up a notch.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold offers 2000 nits typical brightness with 3000 nits peak on the cover screen, and 1800 nits on the inside (up to 3000 peak). The Honor Magic V5, however, goes up to a blinding 5000 nits peak brightness on both screens. Outdoors, the difference isn’t massive, but indoors, the Honor’s screen just feels more vibrant and less reflective thanks to its anti-glare coating.

Open both up side-by-side, and you’ll instantly notice the Pixel’s screen catching light while the Honor stays easy on the eyes. That’s a huge deal if you use your foldable for long editing sessions, media, or reading.

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Cameras: Pixel’s Reputation vs. Honor’s Reality

Okay, let’s talk cameras — because this is where everyone expects the Pixel to dominate. And honestly, it’s closer than you’d think… but not quite a win for Google.

Both have great image processing, but the Honor simply has better hardware. The main sensor is 50 MP versus the Pixel’s 48 MP, but the real gap appears with zoom and ultra-wide.

• Pixel 9/10 Pro Fold: 48 MP main, 10.8 MP ultra-wide, 10.8 MP 5× telephoto
• Honor Magic V5: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, 64 MP 3× telephoto

Even though the Pixel’s telephoto technically zooms farther (5×), its low 10 MP resolution can’t compete with the Honor’s 64 MP lens. The Honor’s shots come out crisper, with better color and contrast — especially when cropping in.

The Honor also gives you 20 MP selfie cameras on both screens, versus the Pixel’s 10 MP. And for videographers? Both are great, but the Honor’s interface saves your last camera mode — something the Pixel still doesn’t do. Small detail, big frustration.

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Battery Life, Charging & Power

The Honor Magic V5 houses a massive 5820 mAh silicon-carbon battery — and it shows. It easily lasts longer than the Pixel 9 Pro Fold’s 4600 mAh pack. Even the newer Pixel 10 Pro Fold only goes up to around 5015 mAh, still not enough to catch up.

And when it comes to charging, it’s not even close:

• Honor Magic V5: 66 W wired / 50 W wireless
• Pixel 9 Pro Fold: 30 W wired / ~15 W wireless
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 30 W wired / 15 W wireless

The Honor can fully recharge from 0 to 100% in about 45 minutes, while the Pixel takes nearly double that. The one neat trick Pixel has going is the new Pixel Snap magnetic ring for wireless charging — but you can add a $2 magnetic ring to the Honor and get the same functionality.

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Performance: Snapdragon Power vs Tensor Struggle

Inside, the Honor Magic V5 runs the Snapdragon 8 Gen Elite, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold uses the Tensor G4 and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold uses the new Tensor G5. The difference? Noticeable — especially in heavy multitasking, photo processing, and heat management.

The Tensor chip is fine for casual users, but it’s not built for efficiency or sustained performance. The Honor simply flies through demanding apps and keeps cool doing it. Benchmarks back that up, but even day-to-day usage tells the story: the Honor just feels snappier.

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Final Thoughts — Who Wins?

If you love a clean, minimal interface and don’t mind slower charging or limited customization, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold (and the 10 Pro Fold) are solid options. The cameras are good, the design is refined, and it’s pure Android.

But if you want a truly next-gen foldable experience — powerful charging, huge battery, crazy multitasking, customizable software, and a near-invisible crease — the Honor Magic V5 is the clear winner.

I wanted the Pixel to surprise me. Instead, it reminded me that Google’s foldable story is still catching up. Honor, meanwhile, is writing the next chapter.

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Your turn: Would you upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold for the slimmer bezels and Pixel Snap, or would you stick with a powerhouse like the Honor Magic V5? Let me know in the comments — and check out my video comparison for all the side-by-side footage and camera samples.

This is the matchup everyone’s been waiting for — Honor Magic V5 vs VIVO X Fold 5. Two of the most advanced foldables ever made, both thin, sleek, and ridiculously powerful. I spent several days putting them through my real-world daily routine — from unlocking screens and checking notifications to editing videos, snapping photos, and even doing my morning coffee scroll. So, how do they stack up head-to-head? Let’s dive in.

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Design and Build

Right away, you’ll notice the VIVO X Fold 5 stands a little taller and slimmer, with softer rounded corners. The Honor Magic V5, on the other hand, has a slightly wider stance, which actually fits my hand better. It’s more comfortable to type on and easier to reach across the display — a subtle but meaningful win for Honor.

Both phones are impressively thin — around 9mm folded — but the Magic V5 does have a larger camera bump. In my “level test,” they were nearly identical in thickness, but when it came to the camera module, the V5 clearly sat higher off the table. Minor detail, but it’s noticeable.

VIVO adds a bonus feature: a programmable side button. It’s not a toggle like on the OnePlus Open, but you can assign it to mute, launch an app, or even trigger the camera. Handy touch, and I actually grew to like it.

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Software & Daily Use

I’ll start with the disclaimer — my VIVO X Fold 5 is the Chinese version, while the Honor Magic V5 I used is global. So yes, there are some quirks. For instance, on the VIVO, your lock screen wallpaper mirrors your home screen, and you can’t change them separately. Small annoyance, but one that bugged me. Honor, thankfully, gives you full customization freedom.

Both phones unlock quickly with their side-mounted fingerprint readers. I used to think Samsung’s ultrasonic sensor was faster, but these two are lightning quick. No hesitation.

On the inside, both run Android 15, but they take different approaches.

• Honor Magic V5: MagicOS 9, Snapdragon 8 Elite, 16GB RAM, 5820 mAh battery.
• VIVO X Fold 5: ColorOS-based OriginOS 4, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16GB RAM, 6000 mAh battery.

That means the VIVO technically has a bigger battery, but Honor’s new silicon-carbon cell makes up the difference with better efficiency.

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Stylus & Connectivity

Here’s where Honor pulls ahead: stylus support on both screens. That’s right — you can use the Magic Pen on the cover and the inner display, and it’s great for note-taking or even thumbnail artwork (yes, I’ve made a few that way). The VIVO doesn’t have stylus support at all.

In my Wi-Fi speed test, the Honor Magic V5 hit 444 Mbps down and 8.3 Mbps up — basically maxing out my home internet plan. The VIVO X Fold 5 came close at 340 down and 9 up, but the edge went to Honor. However, on cellular, VIVO flipped the results — its signal speeds were almost triple Honor’s. So Wi-Fi lovers will lean Honor, while road warriors might prefer VIVO.

Now, about carrier compatibility — I called AT&T and Verizon, and both told me these devices weren’t officially supported. Yet dozens of users in my comments say they’re using both phones just fine. So your mileage may vary, but the reality is — they do work on U.S. networks.

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Software Experience & Widgets

Both phones let you multitask beautifully, but they do it differently.
Honor uses a swipe-from-side gesture to open split-screen apps, while VIVO uses a three-finger swipe up. On Honor, you can go wild — even run three full-size apps simultaneously. Add “Workbench” mode, and you can technically juggle four. Perfect for research, notes, or — in my case — running Bible study tools side by side.

VIVO’s widget system is elegant, with interactive “stackable” cards for things like recorder, notes, and earbuds — though you’re limited to the pre-installed apps in the Chinese version. Honor’s widget options are more limited overall, but at least you get access to Google’s official widgets from the Play Store.

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Camera Showdown

Time for the fun part — cameras.

Both devices deliver flagship-quality photos, but they take different approaches.
The Honor Magic V5 tends to produce brighter, more colorful shots — perfect for sharing right out of the camera. The VIVO X Fold 5, with its Zeiss optics, gives a more natural and cinematic tone.

At night, the story flips. Honor’s dedicated night mode keeps images clean and well-lit, while VIVO relies purely on its lens tuning — which can make shots look softer, though sometimes more realistic. I’ll say this: Honor wins for consistency, but VIVO’s camera feels more “pro” when lighting is good.

Zoom? Honor takes a slight lead up to 20x, but VIVO pulls ahead at extreme zoom (50x and beyond) with sharper details.

Portrait mode? Easy — VIVO wins. Its bokeh looks natural, while Honor’s portrait mode doesn’t always blur the background properly.

Macro photography is a toss-up — Honor captures great detail, but VIVO’s colors pop more.

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Performance & Video Editing

Here’s where specs meet sweat. Both have top-tier chips — Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs 8 Elite — but the real-world difference is minimal. To test this, I edited and exported the same 4K video on both using PowerDirector.

To my surprise, VIVO initially exported faster — until thermal throttling kicked in. Then Honor’s Elite chip surged ahead, finishing just seconds faster. So while they’re nearly neck-and-neck, Honor Magic V5 ultimately wins in long, sustained performance.

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Final Thoughts: Which One Do I Prefer?

Both are incredible foldables — and either could be your daily driver — but for me, the Honor Magic V5 edges out the win. It’s wider, easier to use, has stylus support, faster Wi-Fi, and a slightly better balance between camera brightness and consistency.

The VIVO X Fold 5, however, still shines with its Zeiss camera tuning, build quality, and great signal strength. If you prefer a slimmer feel and more natural photography, VIVO might be your pick.

But for everyday usability, the Honor Magic V5 is the foldable that keeps winning me over.

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Would you pick width and stylus, or slim design and Zeiss lenses?
Join the discussion — I want to hear what you’d choose between these two powerhouses.

Hello and welcome back to GOT! Today we’re diving into the long-awaited battery drain test — a real-world showdown between some of the top smartphones out right now. This lineup is stacked: the Honor Magic V3, Honor Magic V5, Vivo X Fold 5, Samsung Z Fold 7, Samsung S25 Ultra, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10 Pro.

Now before we jump in, let’s get something out of the way — this kind of testing is not an exact science. Everyone’s results may vary, depending on your settings, apps, and how you use your phone day-to-day. My goal here isn’t to crown a “perfect” winner but to see which phone drops out first when they all face the same set of draining obstacles.

Is this testing “fair”? Not by a long shot. There’s really no such thing as a perfectly fair comparison unless you’re testing multiple copies of the exact same phone. Every phone here has unique hardware, software, and optimizations, which means they’ll perform differently under identical conditions. That’s what makes this so interesting — seeing how each brand’s design decisions translate into real-world endurance.

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The Setup

To keep things as level as possible, I removed the SIM cards from all devices so they’d run on Wi-Fi only — that way, they’d still receive notifications like a typical user setup without cellular variation. Brightness levels were manually adjusted to match as closely as possible (no fancy light meters here — just the old-fashioned eyeball test).

We started the day fully charged — well, almost. The Z Fold 7 wasn’t plugged in overnight and started at 23%, so I gave it a full top-up before kicking things off. Once everything hit 100%, the test began.

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The Plan

This wasn’t just a simple “play a video until they die” test. We ran a mix of daily use and stress scenarios to reflect real-world battery drain:

• Video streaming: Hours of YouTube playback (looping my channel, of course)
• Benchmarking: 3DMark Extreme tests to simulate heavy gaming
• 4K video recording: 30-minute clips to generate heat and workload
• Rendering: Exporting 4K footage on each device
• Standby time: A few hours idle to track passive drain

Every step was timed, logged, and checked for heat using an infrared thermometer.

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Early Results: Holding Strong

After the first few hours of video playback, most phones were still in the mid-to-high 90% range. As usual, iPhones stayed at 100% longer than most before dropping quickly later — typical Apple behavior.

When we hit the standby phase, two phones surprised me: the iPhone 17 Pro dropped 4%, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold dropped 7% — quite a bit for doing absolutely nothing.

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Mid-Test Performance & Heat

Next came 4K video rendering — something I do often when editing content. This phase really separates the cool-running phones from the hotheads. The S25 Ultra hit 99°F, while both iPhones ran hot, peaking over 106°F, and slowing down their render speeds significantly.

By the halfway mark:

• Vivo X Fold 5 led with 65% remaining
• Honor Magic V5 followed at 63%
• Z Fold 7 impressed at 61%
• iPhones trailed around 49–58%

The real shocker? The Pixel 10 Pro fell behind its older sibling, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold.

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The Final Stretch

As hours ticked by, the weaker batteries began to fade:

• iPhone 16 Pro tapped out first at 8 hours, 5 minutes
• Pixel 10 Pro followed at 8 hours, 22 minutes
• Honor Magic V3 held strong at 8 hours, 44 minutes
• S25 Ultra exited at 8 hours, 46 minutes
• Z Fold 7 stunned everyone, surviving 9 hours, 44 minutes

That’s right — the Z Fold 7, often criticized for average endurance, outlasted its Ultra sibling by nearly an hour!

Then came the top contenders. The iPhone 17 Pro lasted 9 hours, 26 minutes, while the Vivo X Fold 5 made it to 11 hours, 11 minutes. But the Honor Magic V5 pushed just a bit further, taking the win at 11 hours and 22 minutes — an incredible performance considering its slightly smaller 5820 mAh battery versus Vivo’s 6000 mAh.

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Final Rankings

Rank	Device	Battery Size (mAh)	Total Runtime
🥇 1st	Honor Magic V5	5820 mAh	11 hrs 22 min
🥈 2nd	Vivo X Fold 5	6000 mAh	11 hrs 11 min
🥉 3rd	Samsung Z Fold 7	4400 mAh	9 hrs 44 min
4th	iPhone 17 Pro	~3998 mAh (est.)	9 hrs 26 min
5th	Samsung S25 Ultra	5000 mAh	8 hrs 46 min
6th	Honor Magic V3	5150 mAh	8 hrs 44 min
7th	Pixel 9 Pro Fold	4650 mAh	8 hrs 22 min
8th	Pixel 10 Pro	4870 mAh	8 hrs 22 min
9th	iPhone 16 Pro	~3582 mAh (est.)	8 hrs 05 min

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Takeaways

This test reinforced one big truth: real-world battery life isn’t just about capacity. Optimization, cooling, and software efficiency make a massive difference. The Honor Magic V5 and Vivo X Fold 5 showed that foldables can go the distance, and the Z Fold 7 shocked me with how far it’s come in endurance.

Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhones, while efficient, seem to struggle under extended heavy use, especially when heat builds up. And Google’s latest Pixel still has some catching up to do.

But again — your mileage may vary. Different settings, apps, or usage patterns will lead to different results. This was one creator’s attempt to simulate a demanding day across multiple flagship devices — not a lab test, just a real-world stress test to see who survives the grind.

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So what do you think — were you surprised by the outcome? Which one do you think deserves the battery crown? Drop your thoughts below, and stay tuned for my next video: the charging speed test to see which of these phones powers back up the fastest.

If you bounce between Apple and Samsung (like half the U.S. tech world), this one’s for you. I put the iPhone 17 Pro up against Samsung’s Z Fold 7 and S25 Ultra, covering design, day-and-night cameras, real-world performance, battery, and everyday usability. Spoiler: each phone lands solid punches—but not always where you’d expect.

Design & in-hand feel

Side by side, all three look premium, full stop. Apple stretches a camera bar across the back of the 17 Pro; Samsung keeps the familiar trio of circles on the Ultra and a stacked column on Fold. The Fold’s hinge makes it look chunkier, but a quick “level test” (resting a level across both phones) showed an interesting twist: with the camera humps out of the equation, Z Fold 7 came off slightly thinner than iPhone 17 Pro; add camera stacks back in and the Fold becomes the thiccc boi. Weight-wise, 17 Pro feels the most svelte in the pocket; S25 Ultra, being a big slab, feels every millimeter.

Button layouts matter more than we admit. Apple splits controls—Action + volume on one side, power + camera key on the other—while Samsung clusters power/volume together. If you swap platforms often, your thumbs will need a week to re-learn muscle memory. Also, corners: Apple is rounder this year; Samsung keeps its squared shoulders. My palms prefer Apple’s softened edges; your mileage may vary.

Displays, layouts & quality-of-life

On a lock screen, Apple’s 3D “over/under” clock effect is still the cleanest trick in town. Once unlocked, both platforms now do widgets, stacks, and customizable controls. Samsung still gives you more freedom to size and place folders, sprinkle empty grid space, and tune quick settings; iOS counters with gorgeous “liquid glass” animations and tighter coherence.

Brightness outdoors? All three punch hard in sunlight. Foldables used to be glare magnets; with a proper screen protector, Z Fold 7 stays highly usable. And yes, you can just tap the Fold’s side fingerprint/power key and you’re straight in—no swipe. Small win, big daily feel.

The camera face-off (day, night, and zoom)

Daylight, standard lens. Z Fold 7 carries a 200 MP main; iPhone 17 Pro runs 48 MP across its trio; S25 Ultra brings the usual “everything and the kitchen sink.” In wide shots with complex detail (grass, bark, bricks), the iPhone often looks cleaner at a glance—crisp micro-contrast and balanced HDR. Crop deep and the Fold can sometimes claw back detail thanks to that huge sensor, but it doesn’t consistently look sharper in whole-image viewing.

Mid zoom (4–10x). Apple’s 4x tele this year is the surprise hero. At 4x and 10x, signage edges, roof tiles, and window lines stayed better defined on the 17 Pro than on the Fold’s 10 MP tele. The S25 Ultra’s 10x dedicated optic does well but still doesn’t look as clean as Apple’s 48 MP tele pipeline in several shots. Color science? Samsung leans warmer or more saturated depending on scene; Apple’s a touch bright but keeps edges tidy.

Long zoom (20–40x). Nobody buys a phone for 40x, but we tested anyway. iPhone remains the most pleasant at 40x—with fewer AI squiggles—while the Fold softens. The Ultra can reach farther, of course, but “reach” isn’t the same as “usable.” Count this category closer than spec sheets suggest.

Night shots. On a backyard portrait under warm lights, Pixel-peepers will see 17 Pro stay bright and clean; Z Fold 7 darkens more, with less micro-detail; S25 Ultra usually splits the difference. Street scenes showed Apple keeping blinds, bricks, and tree needles a bit tidier at identical focal lengths, while Samsung sometimes added flare or mush in deep shadows. Bottom line: 17 Pro is the safer pick after dark; Ultra improves on Fold but doesn’t outshine Apple consistently.

Video & microphones

Walking shots at 4K look steady across all three; transitions from shade to sun are smooth. Mic behavior differs: sometimes Samsung grabs more ambience, Apple tends to prioritize voice clarity. You can tune this in post either way; out-of-camera I’d pick 17 Pro for a “shoot and send” clip and Samsung if you plan to sweeten in editing.

Real-world performance (rendering test, not synthetic scores)

Benchmarks are fun; exports pay the bills. I used the same 4K clip and exported from InShot on all devices, matching settings (the iPhone compresses more by design, so the MB target was smaller there). Results were…spicy:

• Z Fold 7 finished first.
• S25 Ultra was a close second.
• Honor Magic V5 (my wild card) followed shortly.
• iPhone 17 Pro came in last—over twice the Z Fold’s time on this run.

Before the pitchforks: background apps were closed; this was the same footage, same timeline. Apple used to dominate creator exports; modern Android silicon with aggressive thermal envelopes and AI assist is flying right now. If rendering time matters to you, Samsung has an edge.

Battery life

• iPhone 17 Pro: the efficiency king. Smaller pack, bigger endurance. I routinely finished with ~70% in my use.
• S25 Ultra: big battery, strong finisher (~60% left for me).
• Z Fold 7: the price of two displays—expect to plug in nightly (~30% by bedtime). If you live in split-screen, carry a charger.

Entertainment & speakers

YouTube on the Fold’s outer screen already feels roomier; open it up and it’s a mini-tablet. Landscape or portrait, the Fold’s speaker separation is excellent because they’re on opposite sides of that big canvas. Volume? S25 Ultra is the loudest; iPhone 17 Pro is close, with the most balanced tonality; the Fold does well considering its skinny chassis.

Multitasking and “living with it”

This is where the Fold flexes—literally. Split screen on the cover display, floating windows inside, app pairs on a sidebar, and quick drag-overs make messaging while browsing dead simple. Apple’s single-app focus is elegant, but when you actually work on your phone, Samsung’s multitasking is a quality-of-life upgrade.

So…which should you buy?

Pick iPhone 17 Pro if you want:

• Consistently clean photos (especially at night and mid-zoom)
• The best battery efficiency here
• Refined haptics, UI polish, and that new telephoto that punches above its spec

Pick S25 Ultra if you want:

• A big canvas without folding, the loudest speakers, and “everything” cameras
• Excellent all-day battery with Samsung’s customization power

Pick Z Fold 7 if you want:

• Real multitasking, a pocketable tablet for video and productivity, and shockingly fast 4K exports
• A unique experience you simply can’t get from a slab—period

If you’re a creator or power user, Samsung’s speed and split-screen superpowers may sway you. If you value camera reliability in tough light and unbeatable battery, the iPhone 17 Pro is still a rock. And if you’ve ever wanted to replace “phone + iPad” with one device, the Fold makes a compelling case. Your move.

Some of you are already shaking your heads—“A foldable competing with an iPhone? Please.” I get it. Foldables earned an early reputation for being chunky, delicate, and a step behind on cameras. But the landscape has changed fast. To prove it, I put Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro (sleek unibody aluminum) up against the Honor Magic V5 (titanium frame)—a current-gen book-style foldable that doesn’t flinch at flagship comparisons. In a bunch of real-world tests—from photo zoom and night shots to app exports and everyday usability—the iPhone wins some, but it absolutely doesn’t run the table.

Design & everyday feel

Both phones feel premium, just in different ways. The 17 Pro keeps things classic with a cool-to-the-touch aluminum body and Apple’s clean lines. The Honor leans “statement piece”: bigger camera island, titanium frame, and that party trick hinge. Thickness? With the Honor folded it looks beefier, but on paper the gap is tiny—8.9 mm (Honor) vs 8.8 mm (iPhone). The iPhone packs more external buttons—including the new camera button and the programmable Action button—which I like in theory but occasionally press by accident. The Honor’s power-button unlock on the outer display is instant in-pocket convenience; tap, boom, you’re in.

Displays & outdoor visibility

“Foldable cover screens are cramped.” That used to be true. Not here. The Honor’s outer panel (≈6.4″) is a normal phone experience; open it up and you’re in tablet territory. The iPhone’s 6.3″ OLED is a beauty with Apple’s famous color tuning. Outside, both get very bright. Apple quotes 3,000 nits peak; Honor advertises 5,000 nits. In actual sun, the difference isn’t dramatic—both were readable pointed straight at the sky. If glare bugs you, a matte protector helps either phone.

Camera myths, meet reality

This is the part people don’t expect. I shot side-by-side daytime scenes, mid-range zoom, long-range zoom, and night mode.

• Daylight (main cameras): The iPhone’s 48 MP binned to 24 MP delivers the familiar crisp “Apple look.” The Honor’s 50 MP (and smart processing) kept up, often showing a touch more texture in bark, grass, and fine edges. Call it a draw for most shots.
• Mid-zoom (4–6×): The iPhone’s new 4× periscope is a welcome leap from last gen. The Honor’s 6× equivalent periscope, however, pulled slightly cleaner detail and richer micro-contrast on small objects—think siding, shingles, and tree needles.
• Long zoom (40×): This one shocked me. At 40×—the iPhone’s max—the Honor produced a more usable photo with straighter lines and less mush. The iPhone’s 40× looked more watercolor. If you love punching in on faraway subjects, the foldable has range.
• Night shots: Portraits and neighborhood scenes show Apple’s warmer bias and strong stabilization. The Honor often rendered finer texture (tree bark, gravel, window blinds) with more neutral color. Lens flare is still an iPhone quirk under streetlights; the Honor kept artifacts better controlled.

Bottom line: no, a bar phone does not automatically beat a modern foldable. In several camera scenarios—especially zoom—the foldable edged ahead.

Video & audio

All the standard stuff—4K/30, smooth stabilization, quick focus—looked great on both. Audio is where the form factors diverge. The iPhone’s slab gives you a slightly fuller, bassier sound. The Honor’s larger spread means wider stereo separation when it’s open, which is awesome for movies at arm’s length. I still use earbuds either way.

Real-world performance (not benchmarks)

Rather than synthetic scores, I ran my usual creator test in InShot:

1. Auto-cut the pauses in a ~4-minute clip.
2. Export in 4K.

The iPhone’s A19 Pro blitzed the pause-cut pass. But on the full 4K export, the Honor’s Elite-class chipset finished in a little over half the iPhone’s time—with both phones running only that app. File sizes and settings were matched as closely as the apps allow. Surprised? Me too. Moral: depending on the workload, the foldable can flat-out fly.

Big screen life (the secret sauce)

“Crease!” is the first word skeptics throw out. On good foldables, viewed straight-on, it fades into the content. The payoff dwarfs the nitpick:

• Video: A YouTube clip on the Honor’s inner screen is tablet-big without grabbing a tablet. The iPhone’s panel is lovely, just… smaller.
• Multitasking: This is the game changer. On the Honor I can snap two apps side-by-side in seconds, float a third as a resizable bubble, and keep a chat hovering while I browse. On iPhone, true split-screen between two different apps still isn’t a thing. If you live in calendars, docs, maps, and messages at once, the foldable’s workflow is addictive.

Durability & the “fragile” label

Modern foldables are nothing like Gen-1. Hinge gaps are gone, dust resistance is up, and the inner layer feels sturdier. You still shouldn’t treat it like a beach shovel, but normal phone life? It holds up. Plenty of owners are two or three foldables deep with zero failures.

“But Apple’s making one…”

Exactly. If foldables were a fad, Apple wouldn’t bother. Rumors peg a first-gen iPhone fold with a smaller inner display than today’s Android leaders and a compact outer screen. Specs are still murky—and first-gen Apple hardware is usually conservative—but the signal is clear: foldables are here to stay.

So… which should you buy?

• Choose iPhone 17 Pro if you want Apple’s ecosystem polish, slightly fuller speakers, class-leading one-hand slab ergonomics, and a big leap in iPhone zoom versus last year. It’s the safest all-around choice.
• Choose a flagship foldable like the Honor Magic V5 if you crave screen real estate, true multitasking, and long-range zoom that’s actually usable. The fact that it can out-export an iPhone in a creator workflow is the cherry on top.

The surprise isn’t that the iPhone 17 Pro is great—it is. The surprise is how often a modern foldable matches or beats it. If you wrote off foldables years ago, it might be time to take another look… or at least brace for Apple’s own hinge to swing open next year.