Huawei Mate X3: The Next Leap in Foldable Smartphones?
Robert Cerff / 21-04-2023 / Tech
The Huawei Mate X3, the latest and most innovative foldable phone from the tech giant, is set to launch at a special event in Munich, Germany on May 9. Following its debut in China on April 13, the device is already turning heads in the tech industry. While its release in South Africa is uncertain, it's worth noting that its predecessor, the Mate X2, was not introduced to the local market. Instead, the more affordable Mate Xs 2 was made available to local consumers.
If the Mate X3 does make its way to South Africa, consumers can expect a groundbreaking device that sets a new standard for foldable smartphones. Boasting an impressive spec sheet, it’s one of the lightest foldable phones, weighing in at 10% less than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold. It's also the world's first quad-curve foldable, made from ultra-light and durable materials like aluminium and carbon fibre.
Is this the next exciting leap forward for folding phones? If the specs are anything to go by, the answer is yes!
Unfold the Future
The Mate X3 boasts a book-style form factor with a compact 6.4-inch cover screen that opens into a massive 7.85-inch “tablet” screen. It’s the first foldable smartphone to secure two TÜV Rheinland certifications for Colour Accuracy and Precise Colour Projection.
The cover and inner screens are ultra-high resolution at 2504x1080 and 2496 × 2224, respectively, and share the following high-end specs:
- OLED panel
- 20Hz adaptive refresh rate
- IPX8 rating (responsive even when the screen is wet)
- Eye protection in low light
- 426 ppi pixel density
- 1.07 billion colours
- Huawei X-True technology for an immersive, true-to-life visual experience
- Built-in anti-reflection layer in the screens’ interior for a clear view even under direct sunlight
There are three different ways to use the screen, including:
- Horizontal split-screen
- Vertical split-screen
- Customised split-screen combo
Durability: Leading the Pack with Swiss Certifications
The Huawei Mate X3 has set a new standard in the world of foldable smartphones by becoming the first of its kind to achieve Switzerland's SGS Five-star Reliability Certifications due to its cutting-edge build, including:
KunLun Glass on the exterior screen - a high-strength glass material 10 times more durable than its predecessor
- A multi-layered interior screen featuring a layer of non-Newtonian fluid materials that boosts impact resistance by an impressive four times when compared to its predecessor
Wedged in the centre of these premium quality screens is a new-generation, multi-dimensional hinge that's slim, winged-shaped, and sturdy. Huawei says it’s constructed from “state-of-the-art” materials to ensure the device is compact when folded and ultra-thin when open.
Durability and reliability take centre stage in the new Mate X3, placing Huawei’s new foldable in a class of its own.
Capture Life in Vivid Detail
The phone sports dual 8MP selfie cameras on each display, offering a convenient way to preview your perfect shot on the exterior. It’s equipped with a new portrait algorithm to enhance your selfies and a spot-blurring algorithm that makes you stand out from the background. The innovative design also allows for easy communication, whether the phone is open or closed.
The high-powered triple-camera setup on the rear includes the following features:
- A large 50MP main camera (f/1.8) with an RYYB sensor that can absorb 40% more light than the conventional RGGB sensor, allowing for vivid imagery even in dimly lit environments
- A 13MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2) that captures a 120° field of view for detailed landscape shots
- A 12MP telephoto camera capable of supporting 5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom. It uses periscope lenses to capture crisp, sharp shots even at the maximum zoom, making it ideal for macro and micro photography
Powering Ahead
The Mate X3 is powered by a robust 4800mAh battery, delivering top-of-the-line charging capabilities you'd anticipate from a flagship device. Its key features are 66W rapid charging, 50W wireless charging, and 7.5W reverse wireless charging. The device automatically activates Low-Battery Emergency Mode once the battery level plummets to 1%. This provides a window of 12 minutes for calling or three hours in standby mode, ensuring that critical communication remains available, especially during power cuts.
The Ultimate Powerhouse
The phone is equipped with the flagship mobile processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, coupled with a whopping 12GB RAM and three internal storage variants - 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. It's worth noting that the Mate X3's English webpage currently lists only the 512GB option. Additionally, the phone has expandable storage that can handle up to 256GB. This powerhouse configuration ensures lightning-fast response times, no-delay multitasking capabilities, and hassle-free access to your media.
Customise Your Experience
The device runs on the newly released EMUI 13.1, a software that's jam-packed with exciting features and functionalities. This version promises an unmatched user experience, complete with updated animations for a more immersive and engaging feel and revamped personalisation options that give users more control over their device's look and feel. With EMUI 13.1, the device is set to deliver a cutting-edge and customisable experience that truly sets it apart from the competition.
Mate X3: Will it be Worth the Price? A Look at the Latest Pricing Information
While the highly anticipated Mate X3 is still awaiting its global launch, here are the prices in China:
- 256GB: CNY 12,999 (approximately R34,000)
- 512GB: CNY 13,999 (approximately R36,800)
- 1TB: CNY 15,999 (approximately R42,000)
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