Blackview HERO 10 Hands-on Review: A Worthy Try with Cheapest Price, but Not Cheap on Quality
China’s leading innovation-driven smartphone manufacturer, Blackview, has released its first foldable smartphone — HERO 10 this May. I was fortunate enough to receive a test version to review.
Upon receiving the phone, I unboxed it immediately and started my hands-on experience. My day-to-day interaction with this new phone hasn’t been totally different from my experience using other foldables.
However, the more I use it, the more I discover its features and nuances. I have to say HERO 10 is not perfect, but it’s certainly a top contender in the foldable market, not only because of its 1080MP main camera, 6.9-inch 2.5K AMOLED display coupled with a multifunctional cover screen, but also due to its split screen and dynamic Live View, let alone its affordable price at about $400.
-
Blackview HERO 10: At a First Glance
Dimension: 75.47*168.99*8.08mm
Weight: 198g
Display: 6.9 inches AMOLED main and 1.19 inches OLED cover screen
Display resolution: 2560*1080 pixels (443 PPI), 390*390 pixels cover screen
Processor: Octa-core MediaTek Helio G99
Storage: 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM, LPDDR4X +UFS2.2
Front camera: 32MP
Rear camera: 108MP(Samsung ® ISOCELL HM6)+ 8MP (120° Ultra-wide)
Operating system: DokeOS 4.0 (based on Android 13)
Battery: 4000mAh, 45W fast charging
Other features: face unlock, fingerprint unlock, NFC, navigation support
Blackview HERO 10: What Makes it Different
Appearance
Just looking at HERO 10 from the outside, it appears similar to other flip phone style foldables: compact enough to fit in your palm or slip into the pocket, ultra-portable, yet sleek. Minor design changes include a vegan leather back cover instead of a metal one, a small cover screen, and an exquisite frame made of aerospace-grade aluminum alloy. It doesn’t feel like a cheap phone in any way. It feels really solid but isn’t too heavy for everyday use.
The overall design makes this phone relatively soft to the touch, fingerprint-proof, wear-resistant, and comfortable to hold thanks to its rounded corners. Actually, this kind of foldable is more suitable for ladies, which can be easily tossed into their purses or handbags. Luckily, HERO 10 comes in two colors: Eclipse Black and Sakura Purple. Male or female, always one suitable out there.
While HERO 10 looks similar to other clamshell-style phones from the outside, many of its wonderful features like an advanced camera system, quality display tech, and a smooth operating system, are not obvious simply by looking at the phone. For people who want a super compact communicator with a lovely build, these features are largely insignificant. But those who depend heavily on their smartphone and consider photography or performance as the most vital aspects, these features shouldn’t be overlooked.
-
Hinge
When it comes to foldable smartphones, the hinge is as crucial as the display itself, if not more so. HERO 10, features an industry-leading teardrop-shaped hinge made from aerospace-grade high-strength steel that can withstand frequent daily folding and unfolding. According to the official data, the hinge is capable of withstanding up to 250,000 folds. I have used the phone for quite a long period, and I firmly believe what’s claimed is definitely true.
Moreover, the hinge can literally hold at angles from 30° to 150°. I like this feature a lot when no stand is nearby or I don’t want to hold my phone all the time. I can set it at the optimal angle for hands-free viewing, browsing, or capturing a timelapse or a group photo.
-
Main Display
HERO 10 is exceptionally well-designed, especially with the wonderful inside screen: 6.9-inch 2.5K AMOLED, 94.3% screen-to-body ratio, 443 PPI, 1300 nits of brightness, and eye comfort modes, elevating the user experience to the next level.
Going about my work or entertainment on this screen, it’s easy to forget I’m not using a typical slab phone, but a different kind of phone until someone notices I folding it.
-
When unfolded, there is, of course, a modest crease. It may be not that noticeable to the naked eyes since you can only see a very very shallow dent in certain angles. When you swipe your thumb across it, you can feel it. But in most situations, it’s quite hard to see unless you’re looking for it. So if you find that bothersome, this device may not be perfect for you. If not, it’s still an ideal choice as it doesn’t affect everyday use.
-
Cover Screen
As for the round outer touch screen, it’s quite small, measuring only 1.19 inches. Nevertheless, it offers the ability to check certain information like the weather, message notifications, and steps by swiping left or right. I really like using the screen to change the song, and answer or reject incoming calls when I don’t want to access the main screen or am in a hurry.
I can also customize its color, watch face, and background photo to show my style. Best of all, I can use it to take quicker and easier selfies with the sharper 108MP camera without even unfolding the phone.
-
Software
That’s the hardware you can see and feel from above, but what about the internals and software? Well, this is where it gets particularly intriguing. HERO 10 is equipped with the 6nm MediaTek Helio G99, a top-tier 4G chipset coupled with 12GB RAM and 256GB ROM. A bit disappointing that it doesn’t support 5G, but considering the price, this compromise is understandable.
If you’re gaming or doing intensive tasks, lag or inefficiency may happen occasionally. However, if you’re a light user, those problems are hardly a concern.
-
HERO 10 runs on Android 13 — not the latest version, but is enhanced by Blackview’s proprietary system: DokeOS 4.0. Really a joy for me to use. It offers cool Split View, convenient dynamic Live View, Atomized Memory 2.0, EasyShare and Workspace Apps, neat-looking fonts, and all kinds of wallpapers. I might even say it’s my favorite version of Android. I can use Split View to watch NBA games while chatting on social media or exercise along with the video while calling friends. Plus, a huge bonus for me is that users can have three-year Android version updates (from Android 14 to 16)!
-
Camera
In terms of the camera system, I would say it’s the most amazing part of this phone. One camera on the front and two on the back: a 32MP selfie cam, a 108MP Samsung® ISOCELL HM6 main camera, and an 8MP ultra-wide, and all support 2K video recording. I regularly use HERO 10 to take selfies or pictures of friends, the beautiful sunset, or just to grab a shot of my cat without having to get too close for fear that he’ll run off. For me, HERO 10 has done a good job in capturing more light in each photo, improving color saturation and low-light performance.
Better still, HERO 10 has added a FlexForm Mode (the small arrow on the far right of the camera), allowing you to take photos with the top part of the screen standing upright, eliminating the need for a stand. But it only has three levels of optical zoom: 0.6x, 1x, and 2x, so if you’re someone who prioritizes photography, HERO 10 may fall short in this aspect.
-
Sample photos taken with HERO 10
Here are some photos taken with HERO 10’s camera app. No alterations have been done to them. When captured on a sunny day, photos are crisp and vibrant while the last few shots were taken at dusk on a cloudy day. As the light fades, so does the brightness and detail in the photos.
-
Battery Life and 45W Fast Charging
Finally, speaking of battery, HERO 10 is advertised with a 4000mAh capacity and up to 288 hours of standby time, blowing the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Moto RAZR Plus out of the water. But actually, its battery performance doesn’t quite live up to my expectations.
While it doesn’t drain rapidly, heavy use such as extensive phone calls, or numerous videos watching can deplete it more quickly than expected. Yet, for typical daily use, it remains adequate, especially with the support of its 45W fast charging — better than a lot of the best “slab” phones out there, let alone many flippable foes. I’m used to charging my phone with it at the end of the day.
-
Blackview HERO 10: Final Verdict
Overall, HERO 10 has pros and cons like any other foldable.
Still, when you take the price into consideration, it’s probably the cheapest one while still delivering relatively good performance. The chart below proves this point. All models are flip phone-style foldables rather than notebook-style ones.
-
Who Should Buy It
After having used Blackview HERO 10 for a period of time, there is always a question popping out from my mind: who is this phone aimed at?
If you want the best foldable phone from inside and out, Blackview HERO 10 is clearly not for you.
If you’re less concerned about cutting-edge tech but still want something that’s capable and reliable, HERO 10 is a solid choice for you.
Still, if you’re on a tight budget, you can turn to HERO 10: a device with the lowest price in the foldable market yet offering excellent performance.
If you are interested in the Blackview HERO 10 folding smartphone, click here to learn more on their AliExpress store.
