HUAWEI

Mate X3: the foldable smartphone that outperforms the competition

In Munich, Huawei presents its new high-end smartphones to European markets. The Chinese manufacturer has lost none of its pride, its Mate X3 is its most successful model.

Time passes, sanctions remain, and HUAWEI copes. Now far from the market leaders, the firm with the red petals does not give up and delivers always spectacular smartphones. The Mate X3 is no exception to the rule and has impressive specs. It reflects the company's progress in design, becoming the thinnest and lightest folding “fold” on the market. The HUAWEI Mate X3 measures just 5.3mm when unfolded and 11.08mm when folded, weighing 239 grams.

A thin and light foldable smartphone...Thinner than many tablets, it fixes one of the main flaws of foldable smartphones. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is 6.3mm thick (unfolded) or 14.2-15.8mm when folded. The Mate X3 is also lighter than an iPhone 14 Pro Max (240g), a classic large-format smartphone.

However, HUAWEI makes no concessions and offers a resolutely top-of-the-line device. It has a 7.85-inch OLED internal screen, with a resolution of 2,496 x 2,224 pixels and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. On the outside, there's a secondary 6.4-inch OLED panel displaying a resolution of 2,504 x 1,080 pixels, still at 120Hz. The two screens offer a pixel density of 426 dpi and make the Mate X3 the first foldable device to obtain two TÜV Rheinland certifications. It's about color accuracy and accurate color projection.

Despite its delicacy, the smartphone is very resistant thanks to its Kunlun glass. As for the hinge, the brand evokes the presence of a new generation multidimensional solution. It features aluminum alloy construction and a cam drive system. Note that the smartphone is water resistant (IPX8), like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4.

This smartphone is powered by a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 from the American Qualcomm. HUAWEI remains on the sidelines and has yet to settle for a 4G version of this high-performance SoC, even if it's not the latest. In this Mate X3, it is supported by 12GB of RAM and 256, 512GB or 1TB of internal storage. Recognized for the photographic quality of its smartphones, HUAWEI no longer has its partnership with Leica, which now partners with Xiaomi.

Camera...The Mate X3 wants to be very comfortable in photography, an area that still resists folding models. This new model has a 50 Mpx main sensor, a 13 Mpx ultra wide angle and a 12 Mpx periscope telephoto lens, with x5 optical zoom. A promising trio that does not fully compete with the configuration of the P60 Pro, the new flagship of the brand. Still, it positions the Mate X3 among the best equipped foldable smartphones on the market.

Photo processing relies on a new texture engine in XD Fusion Pro. It comes with a new portrait algorithm, and HUAWEI claims a blur algorithm capable of providing "DSLR-level blur". In addition, the XMAGE in-house solution is present and offers users three styles: Original, Vivid and Bright. For selfies, you can also count on two 8 Mpx modules on the front and inside.

A 4,800 mAh battery, compatible with 66 W fast charging and 50 W wireless, completes the setup. Once again, Google services are conspicuous by their absence and the manufacturer tries to compensate with its HUAWEI Mobile Services. The AppGallery replaces the Google Play Store while unofficial solutions allow you to take advantage of the American giant's services.

Price and availability...The HUAWEI Mate X3 arrives in France today, priced at 2,199 euros. It lands privately on Amazon, SFR and the Chinese manufacturer's store in black or green. For the purchase of this model between May 8 and June 5, 2023, HUAWEI offers a Watch GT 3 in 46 mm Active or Watch GT 3 in 42 Classic Connected Watch.

by Thomas Estimbre