Mobile World Congress is set to start in a few days but as usual, just days before the official start, we have announcements. Huawei has taken the wraps off their Huawei Mate X, the company’s first folding smartphone. Of course, we know that 2019 is the dawning of this particular product category with many companies announcing or planning a folding phone.
Huawei’s big claim to fame is that the Huawei Mate X is the first “5G” folding smartphone. The device has what the company is calling a “Falcon Wing Mechanical Hinge.” It also includes a 7nm multi-mode modem chipset Balong 5000, a high-capacity 4500mAh battery which supports Huawei’s 55W SuperCharge ability.
When the Mate X is folded, you get a 6.6″ OLED screen and when it is unfolded the screen is an 8″ OLED. Like Samsung’s device, this is meant for productivity and portability. With a folding device, Huawei believes you won’t need a smartphone and tablet anymore.
Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei CBG, said, “The HUAWEI Mate X’s revolutionary form factor is achieved by Huawei’s relentless effort in R&D. It represents a voyage into the uncharted. As a new breed of smartphones, HUAWEI Mate X combines 5G, foldable screen, AI and an all-new mode of interfacing to provide consumers with an unprecedented user experience. The HUAWEI Mate X will be the first key for consumers to open the door to 5G smart living.”
Huawei Press Release
The Mate X is also fairly slim for what it is, sitting at 5.4mm thick. Huawei says this display is FullView and delivers a ton of clarity and detail. The company is also making a huge deal about its 5G capabilities.
Equipped with the world’s first 7nm 5G multi-mode modem chipset Balong 5000, the chipset has unprecedented 5G download speeds, at 4.6Gps on the Sub-6GHz band (theoretical). Balong 5000 is also the world’s first chipset to support both SA and NSA architectures; users will not need a device upgrade to continue enjoying 5G connectivity. The HUAWEI Mate X’s dual SIM feature supports both 4G and 5G. Additionally, there are four cutting-edge 5G antennas built into the compact body of the HUAWEI Mate X to enhance connection quality.
Huawei Press Release
The battery in the Huawei Mate X sits at 4,500mAh and the company says it has AI power saving technology built-in. The 55W Huawei SuperCharge tops the battery up quickly and in just 30 minutes, Huawei SuperCharge is able to charge the battery back to 85 percent.
No word on pricing or availability of the Huawei Mate X, though I am sure it is approaching the US$2000 range like the Samsung Galaxy Fold.
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Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
