Affordable foldables are becoming more accessible, and the Blackview Hero 10 is leading the charge. Priced at just €429, it’s currently the most affordable foldable phone available. With enticing specs like a 6.9-inch foldable AMOLED display, a 108MP main camera, and 45W wired charging, it’s an intriguing option. However, some compromises have been made to achieve this price point. In this review, we’ll share our initial impressions of the Hero 10 and see how it measures up against the competition.
Blackview Hero 10 Unboxing Experience
The retail package includes:
- Two-piece plastic case
- 45W charging brick
- Double-sided USB-C cable
Design and Build Quality
The Blackview Hero 10 feels solid in hand, thanks to its brushed aluminum frame and subtly curved sides. Our review unit came in the elegant Eclipse Black color, but there’s also a Sakura Purple variant for those who prefer a more vibrant look.
Back Panel
The back of the Hero 10 features a leather-like surface, providing a good grip and a premium feel. It is expected to hold up well over time.
Cover Screen
The 1.19-inch OLED cover screen is relatively small compared to other clamshell foldables. It primarily serves as a display for notifications, media controls, and a camera viewfinder. Users can also choose from various watch face options.
Blackview Hero 10 Display
Main Screen
The Hero 10’s main screen is a 6.9-inch AMOLED with FHD+ resolution and up to 1,300 nits brightness. However, it only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, which is a drawback compared to other foldables, such as the Nubia Flip, which boasts a 120Hz panel.
Hinge
The phone uses a waterdrop hinge rated for 250,000 folds. The crease in the middle of the display is barely noticeable, and the phone can close completely flat.
Software
The Hero 10 runs DokeOS 4.0 based on Android 13 out of the box, which is somewhat outdated for mid-2024. However, Blackview promises an update to Android 14 later this year and three years of additional updates, extending support up to Android 16. Unfortunately, there are no extra features to take advantage of the foldable screen, which is a missed opportunity.
Blackview Hero 10 Performance
Powered by the Helio G99 chipset, the Hero 10 is limited to 4G connectivity. While we don’t expect blazing benchmark scores, this could be a bottleneck, especially since its key competitors are equipped with 5G chips.
Blackview Hero 10 Camera
The main camera setup includes:
- 108MP main sensor (Samsung ISOCELL HM6, 1/1.67”)
- 8MP ultrawide lens
- 32MP front-facing shooter
Conclusion
The Blackview Hero 10 is currently the cheapest foldable phone on the market, offering a solid build, decent display, and a high-resolution main camera. However, the lack of software optimizations for the foldable screen and the use of the Helio G99 chipset are notable downsides. Despite these shortcomings, the Hero 10 represents a significant step towards making foldable technology more accessible to the masses. We look forward to seeing how the market evolves and what future iterations will bring.
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