Huawei launches gapless Mate X2 foldable 5G phone with top-end specs! Upgradable to HarmonyOS!

Huawei today launched the highly-anticipated follow-up to its Mate X and Xs foldable 5G smartphones in China called the Mate X2.

The best foldable implementation yet?

Huawei Mate X2 comes with an innovative folding design and powerful specs. The Galaxy Z Fold2 killer?

2x screens

Instead of the outward folding design from the older-gen Mate X phones, Huawei opted for the inward folding for the Mate X2. AND, the company claims this implementation is so much better than the competition.

The Mate X2 features a stronger Multi-Dimensional Hinge Design made out of high-intensity steel, the zirconium-based liquid metal that's 3x harder than metal, and a carbon fiber panel that lowers its weight by 75 percent.

Gapless design versus the competition

This new tech allows for a gapless design for a slimmer and better look compared to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold2 with a noticeable gap.

On the slimmest side, it is just 4.4mm thick when unfolded.

Less crease design

Huawei claims that this also addresses the problem of creasing by 40 percent making its surface smoother than competing products.

When unfolded, the device goes with a large 8-inch OLED screen with FHD+ 2480 x 2200 resolution at 413 ppi. This is an 8:7:1 panel with a 90Hz smooth refresh rate and 180Hz touch sampling rate.

When folded, you will be able to take advantage of its second screen. This uses a 6.45-inch OLED panel with 2700 x 1600 resolution at 456 ppi. It's a 20:9 panel with a 90Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch response.

Unlike other inward folding foldable phones, Huawei made it look like a regular smartphone when folded. This is larger than any other foldable smartphone and it is not the awkward-looking implementation of a second front screen for smartphone mode. 

The Chinese tech giant also shared that this is the industry's first display with a magnetically-controlled nano-optical layer that can be used to minimize reflection and protect the users' eyes. It is said to feature a light reflection that is less than 1.5 percent. This is way higher than the typical 5 percent from most smartphones today.

Inside, this is powered by the beastly  3.13GHz 5nm+ EUV Kirin 9000 5G octa-core processor with Triple NPU (Dual BigCore + Tiny Core) and Mali-G78 MP24 with GPU Turbo (New-Gen) technology. Of course, this has an advanced type of 5G.

Huawei also highlighted that it uses a 4,500mAh battery with USB-C 55W SuperCharge tech, a side-mounted fingerprint reader, Dual Speakers with a large and ultra-thin diaphragm, Smart Antenna Design for the best connectivity experience, and dual SIM slots.

For cameras, it sports a Leica-tuned 50MP f/1.9 RYYB sensor with OIS, 16MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera with 2.5cm macro mode, 12MP f/2.4 RYYB OIS shooter with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP f/4.4 periscope OIS camera with up to 10x optical zoom, 20x hybrid zoom, and 100x zoom.

In front, it sports a dual front shooter (16MP + 3D camera) with ultra-wide-angle mode.

For software, this has multi-window support, floating windows, MeeTime, and other multitasking features. This also has a feature that allows users to use the main camera for selfies.

Huawei also noted that this will be one of the first with HarmonyOS soon. The company also announced that HarmonyOS is coming to Huawei flagship smartphones in April 2021.

Huawei Mate X2 colors

This phone is available in Crystal Blue, Crystal Pink, and two more colorways in Black and White.

With some of the best software and hardware innovations at its core, HUAWEI Mate X2 represents a giant leap forward and sets the bar for future foldable devices, said Richard Yu, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Huawei Consumer BG.

China price with direct to PHP conversion (no taxes and duties yet):

Huawei Mate X2 8GB/256GB - CNY 17,999 (around PHP 135K)

Huawei Mate X2 8GB/512GB - CNY 18,999 (around PHP 143.1K)

The device will be available starting February 25 in China for both offline and online channels. It'll come with a FREE case worth CNY 299.

Different protective cases

During the launch, Huawei also showcased several protective cases and accessories for the Mate X2 like the protective cover with a foldable magnetic stand and stand that you on the dashboard of your car among others.

There is no info on when will be available in other parts of the world yet.

Source: Huawei