World's Cheapest Foldable Smartphone: Should You Ditch Your Galaxy Z Flip3?

At present, you can snag an impressive deal on a foldable phone priced under $400 on Amazon, provided you apply a particular discount code. The Blackview Hero 10, a new entrant in the foldable market, offers a competitive price that's quite attractive compared to other foldables like the Nubia Flip 5G ($430) and the Motorola Razr 2023 ($500). These figures are approximations converted to US dollars for simplicity. Note that pricing and deals fluctuate, making direct comparisons challenging.

It has been over half a decade since Samsung introduced the first widely available foldable phone, the original Galaxy Fold. Now, Blackview enters the arena with the Hero 10, standing as a challenger to Samsung's Galaxy Flip series. But is the Hero 10 ready to take on established names in the market? It's making headway, yet it still needs to close the gap with industry giants.

The foldable phone sector has experienced significant growth since the release of the Galaxy Z Fold, marking the entry of brands like Motorola, OnePlus, Google, and others into the foldable scene. Despite many players joining the field, Apple remains a prominent tech brand still absent from the foldable market, leaving room for companies like Blackview to innovate.

Despite its relatively short history, Blackview has established itself as a prominent figure in the rugged smartphone market. They have built a name for producing durable devices fit for adverse conditions. Although the brand's smartphones and tablets are appreciated, skepticism remains around the longevity and post-purchase support offered by these lesser-known brands from the Far East.

Blackview Hero 10: Specifications and Performance

The Hero 10 comes equipped with a 6.9-inch AMOLED foldable display, serving as its main attraction. Backed by a MediaTek Dimensity 1000 system-on-chip, it promises potent performance but trails behind the well-established Snapdragon 888 found in Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3. Its hardware specifications also highlight a robust 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, although it uses the relatively slower UFS 2.2 storage technology.

While the Hero 10 offers a compelling value proposition with its sizable 108-megapixel main camera and an ample 32-megapixel selfie shooter, it lags slightly behind in terms of connectivity options, lacking Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support. The battery on the Hero 10 is larger than Samsung's offering and supports faster charging capabilities, providing 45W versus the competitor's 15W.

Blackview Hero 10: Real-World Use

Using the Hero 10 reveals a device that, while not flawless, excels in craftsmanship. The folding mechanism has a less noticeable crease compared to older models, landing it in favorable territory against similar devices. However, the durability of parts such as hinges raises questions about their resilience under prolonged usage, making potential buyers cautiously optimistic.

The device presents robust competition among foldables, yet falls short in certain key areas. As long as consumers are okay with missing features like 5G, wireless charging, and advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, the Blackview Hero 10 offers a compelling, budget-friendly choice for those entering the foldable phone realm.

The Blackview Hero 10 opened up

In summation, the Blackview Hero 10 showcases a notable stride for the company into the foldable ecosystem. With enhancements around its usage and brand visibility, it might entice those looking for novel folding phones. Yet, without the inclusion of crucial features by contemporary standards, some users may continue to lean toward more established options like Samsung Galaxy’s foldable series.