Huawei Unveils Mate Xs: A Refined Take on Foldable Design

Huawei Unveils Mate Xs: A Refined Take on Foldable Design

The foldable smartphone market continues to gain momentum, with manufacturers racing to perfect the technology. Following Samsung's recent Galaxy Z Flip launch, Huawei has responded with the Mate Xs, a successor to its original Mate X model. While the overall design remains similar, Huawei has focused on improving durability and hardware performance.

Design and Display

Huawei has maintained its signature outward-folding design, differing from the clamshell approach used by Samsung and Motorola. The Mate Xs features a 6.6-inch OLED main screen that expands to 8 inches when unfolded, with a secondary 6.38-inch OLED display. Unlike other foldables, users can view content on the outer screen without fully opening the device. The back panel is mostly flat, with a slight protrusion to accommodate the camera module.

Enhanced Protection and Durability

A major change in the Mate Xs is the introduction of a bi-layer polyamide protective film on the screen, designed to shield it from everyday hazards exposed by the outward-folding mechanism. Huawei strongly advises against removing this film or applying third-party screen protectors. Underneath this protective layer, a polymer sheet separates the display from the internal components, and notably, no glass is used in the screen assembly.

To further improve longevity, Huawei has implemented a hinge made from a liquid metal compound based on zirconium. This interlocking hinge mechanism aims to make folding and unfolding smoother and more reliable. The company recommends keeping objects, including liquids, away from the hinge area to preserve the device's lifespan.

Performance and Connectivity

Inside, the Mate Xs boasts notable hardware improvements over its predecessor. It is powered by the octa-core Kirin 990 5G processor, which includes an integrated 5G modem known as Balong 5000. Graphics are handled by the Mali-G76 GPU, and the device also incorporates Huawei's Da Vinci neural processing unit for AI tasks. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and a substantial 512GB of internal storage. Huawei has also developed a special cooling system for foldables, utilizing flexible bionic graphite to manage heat distribution effectively.

Software and User Interface

The Mate Xs runs on Android 10 with Huawei's EMUI 10.0.1 interface. However, due to ongoing US trade restrictions, it does not include Google Mobile Services. Instead, users will rely on Huawei Mobile Services. The software allows for displaying one application on each screen segment, with a third app available as a floating window.

Camera and Battery

In terms of photography and power, the Mate Xs carries over the same specifications from the original Mate X. It features Leica-tuned quad-camera setup includes a 40MP primary sensor, an 8MP telephoto lens, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, and a 3D depth sensor. The device retains the 4500mAh battery and supports 55W fast charging. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor remains positioned on the right edge of the phone.

Availability and Pricing

Although the original Mate X was limited to China, Huawei plans a global release for the Mate Xs. The device is currently priced at around 2,500 Euros, approximately NPR 3,12,000, making it pricier than both the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the newer Galaxy Z Flip. Pre-booking for the Mate Xs will commence in China on March 5 via Huawei's Vmall.com e-commerce platform, priced at 16,999 Yuan (approximately NPR 2,76,320).