In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, innovation is key. Among the most exciting breakthroughs in recent years has been the emergence of foldable smartphones, with Huawei leading the charge with its Huawei Mate X. The device, first unveiled at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019, captured the attention of tech enthusiasts and industry leaders alike. With its sleek design, innovative display, and powerful performance, the Huawei Mate X stands as a testament to what the future of mobile technology may look like.
Design and Build
One of the most defining features of the Huawei Mate X is its design. Unlike traditional smartphones, the Mate X boasts a foldable screen that allows the device to be compact and portable, yet expansive when unfolded. The device features a 8-inch OLED display when fully extended, which offers a seamless and immersive experience for users who want to watch movies, play games, or browse the web.
The Mate X uses an innovative Falcon Wing hinge, which allows the phone to fold inwards without compromising on durability. This hinge design has been one of the most challenging aspects of foldable phones, but Huawei’s engineering team has put significant effort into perfecting it. The folding mechanism is smooth, and the display folds with minimal gap between the two halves. The phone can fold to a compact size, making it easier to carry around in a pocket or bag, but when unfolded, the display extends into a large screen that offers impressive clarity and color accuracy.
The device is constructed with a metal frame and glass back, offering a premium feel and durability. Additionally, Huawei uses its signature MIM (Metal Injection Molding) technology to make the frame more robust while maintaining the lightweight nature of the device.
Display Technology
The Huawei Mate X comes equipped with an 8-inch OLED display when fully extended, offering a 2480 x 2200 pixel resolution. The display delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and stunning contrast levels, making it perfect for media consumption. When folded, the phone offers a 6.6-inch front screen and a 6.38-inch rear screen, giving users flexibility to interact with the device in different ways depending on their needs.
The ability to seamlessly fold the screen without compromising the visual experience has been a major accomplishment in display technology. The Mate X’s OLED panel is one of the first to combine flexibility with high-quality visuals, ensuring that the user experience remains smooth and uninterrupted. This display quality makes the Mate X a formidable competitor to other foldable devices, such as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold, offering superior viewing angles and a more immersive experience.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Huawei Mate X is powered by the company’s flagship Kirin 980 chipset, which is built using a 7nm process. The Kirin 980 has become one of the best-performing mobile processors, and it provides the Mate X with impressive performance across tasks ranging from everyday browsing to demanding applications like gaming and multitasking.
The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage, providing ample space for users to store apps, media, and other data. Additionally, the Mate X supports Huawei’s proprietary fast charging technology, which can charge the device to 85% in just 30 minutes thanks to its 55W SuperCharge technology. This is a significant advantage in a foldable phone, as larger batteries are often required to power such large screens.
While it does not feature a microSD slot for expandable storage, the internal storage is more than sufficient for most users. The Mate X also comes with dual-SIM support, making it a great choice for frequent travelers who need to use multiple networks simultaneously.
Camera Capabilities
The camera system on the Huawei Mate X is another highlight of the device. Unlike traditional smartphones with separate front and rear cameras, the Mate X uses a single camera array on the rear, which can be used for both standard photography and selfies. This design is made possible by the foldable screen, which can serve as both the front and rear viewfinder, depending on whether the device is unfolded or folded.
The camera setup consists of a 40MP wide-angle lens, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. This configuration allows the Mate X to capture sharp, high-resolution photos across a wide range of scenarios, from close-up shots to expansive landscape photography. The telephoto lens offers 3x optical zoom, which helps in capturing distant subjects with clear detail.
Huawei’s advanced AI software further enhances the camera experience by optimizing scenes, adjusting settings, and improving image quality based on the environment. The Mate X also supports 4K video recording, allowing users to capture high-quality videos with smooth stabilization.
Software and User Experience
The Huawei Mate X runs on EMUI 9.1, which is based on Android 9 Pie. As with other Huawei devices, EMUI offers a customizable and intuitive user interface with a range of features, such as enhanced privacy controls, advanced multitasking features, and a variety of gesture-based controls. The foldable form factor is fully integrated into the software, enabling a seamless transition between the front and rear screens, whether you’re folding or unfolding the device.
One of the standout features of EMUI on the Mate X is its ability to deliver a multi-screen experience. This allows users to run apps simultaneously on both the front and rear screens, providing an experience that’s akin to having a mini tablet in your pocket. This is especially useful for multitasking, such as browsing the web while watching a video or responding to emails while checking social media.
The Mate X also includes Huawei’s AppGallery as the primary app store, replacing the traditional Google Play Store. Due to the trade restrictions placed on Huawei by the United States, the device does not have access to Google services, such as Gmail, YouTube, and the Play Store. While this may be a disadvantage for some users, Huawei has made significant strides in developing its own ecosystem of apps and services, and the AppGallery continues to grow with more developer support.
Battery Life and Charging
The Huawei Mate X is equipped with a 4500mAh battery, which is relatively large for a foldable phone. The large battery is necessary to power the massive display when unfolded, and the device is capable of lasting a full day of usage under moderate conditions. Huawei’s 55W SuperCharge technology allows users to charge the device quickly, providing 85% charge in just 30 minutes, which is impressive by any standard.
However, since foldable devices tend to require larger batteries due to their displays and additional components, the battery life on the Mate X may not be as long-lasting as that of traditional smartphones with smaller screens. That being said, the fast charging technology compensates for the larger battery’s consumption, making it possible to charge the device quickly during short breaks.
Price and Availability
The Huawei Mate X was initially priced at €2,299 when it launched, making it one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. The high price point reflects its cutting-edge technology, foldable screen, and premium hardware. While the device may not be accessible to the average consumer due to its cost, the Mate X is an important step in the evolution of smartphones, showcasing the potential of foldable technology.
At the time of its release, the device was available in select markets, primarily in China. Due to the ongoing trade restrictions, the global availability of the Huawei Mate X has been limited, especially in countries where Google services are crucial for users. However, Huawei’s efforts to create its own ecosystem have helped mitigate some of these challenges, and the company continues to push forward with its foldable technology.
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| Huawei Mate X Specifications |
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| Display |
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| Main Display (Folded) |
| – Size: 6.6 inches |
| – Type: OLED |
| – Resolution: 2480 x 1148 pixels |
| – Aspect Ratio: 19.5:9 |
| – Features: Edge-to-edge, narrow bezel |
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| Secondary Display (Unfolded) |
| – Size: 8.0 inches |
| – Type: OLED |
| – Resolution: 2480 x 2200 pixels |
| – Aspect Ratio: 8:7.1 |
| – Features: Foldable, vibrant color reproduction |
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| Build & Design |
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| – Frame: Metal with MIM technology |
| – Back Panel: Glass |
| – Hinge: Falcon Wing (smooth folding mechanism) |
| – Dimensions (Folded): 161.3 x 78.5 x 11mm |
| – Dimensions (Unfolded): 161.3 x 146.2 x 5.4mm |
| – Weight: 295g |
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| Processor |
|—————————————————–|
| – Chipset: Huawei Kirin 980 (7nm process) |
| – CPU: Octa-core (2x Cortex-A76, 2.6 GHz; 2x Cortex-A76,|
| 1.92 GHz; 4x Cortex-A55, 1.8 GHz) |
| – GPU: Mali-G76 MP10 |
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| RAM and Storage |
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| – RAM: 8GB |
| – Internal Storage: 512GB |
| – Expandable Storage: No (no microSD slot) |
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| Camera |
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| Rear Camera (Main Module): |
| – 40MP (Wide, f/1.8, PDAF) |
| – 16MP (Ultra-wide, f/2.2) |
| – 8MP (Telephoto, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom) |
| – Video: 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, HDR, panorama |
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| Selfie Camera: |
| – Uses rear camera system when unfolded |
| – Features: AI-enhanced photography, low-light optimization |
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| Battery |
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| – Capacity: 4500mAh |
| – Fast Charging: 55W SuperCharge (85% in 30 mins) |
| – Wireless Charging: No |
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| Operating System |
|—————————————————–|
| – Software: EMUI 9.1 (based on Android 9.0 Pie) |
| – App Store: Huawei AppGallery |
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| Connectivity |
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| – 5G: NSA & SA support |
| – 4G LTE: Dual SIM, Dual Standby |
| – Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot |
| – Bluetooth: 5.0 |
| – GPS: A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| – USB: USB Type-C 3.1, USB On-The-Go |
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| Sensors |
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| – Fingerprint: Side-mounted (power button) |
| – Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light |
| – Compass, Barometer |
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| Additional Features |
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| – Audio: Stereo speakers (no 3.5mm jack) |
| – NFC: Yes |
| – Water Resistance: No official IP rating |
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| Price |
|—————————————————–|
| – Launch Price: €2,299 |
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| Colors Available |
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| – Interstellar Blue |
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Conclusion
The Huawei Mate X represents a significant leap in smartphone technology. With its innovative foldable display, premium design, powerful hardware, and impressive camera capabilities, the device offers a glimpse into the future of mobile technology. While its high price and limited availability may make it out of reach for many consumers, the Mate X is a key milestone in the development of foldable smartphones. As Huawei continues to refine its foldable designs, it is likely that we will see more advanced versions of the Mate X in the coming years, further pushing the boundaries of what smartphones can do.