Introduction
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Huawei Mate Xs Review: Is It Worth the Investment?
The foldable phone market remains a niche, a playground for technological innovation and extravagant pricing. Huawei, a company that has consistently pushed boundaries in mobile technology, entered this arena with the Mate X in 2019 and followed up with its successor, the Mate Xs, in 2020. This review delves deep into the Mate Xs, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately, whether it justifies its hefty price tag even years after its release.
Design and Build:
The Mate Xs’s most striking feature is its outward-folding design. Unlike Samsung’s inward-folding Galaxy Z series, the Mate Xs’s screen wraps around the device, effectively creating a single, expansive display when unfolded and a smaller, more manageable screen when folded. This design choice offers a unique aesthetic, but also presents unique challenges.
The 8-inch OLED display, when unfolded, is a marvel. Its vibrant colors, sharp resolution (2480 x 2200 pixels), and high brightness make it a pleasure to consume media on. The viewing experience is truly immersive, surpassing even many larger tablets in terms of portability and image quality. However, the folding mechanism, while robust, is a noticeable point of contention. The hinge, while improved from the original Mate X, still feels slightly less refined than some competitors. A subtle creak is audible during unfolding, and there’s a noticeable crease down the center of the screen when unfolded. This crease is less intrusive than some other foldable phones, but it’s undeniably present.
The folded form factor is undeniably sleek. The device feels solid and premium in the hand, thanks to its aluminum chassis and the protective layer covering the display. However, the folded screen is significantly smaller than other flagship phones, making one-handed use challenging. The placement of the power button and volume rockers also takes some getting used to.
The design, while innovative, also presents practical concerns. The exposed screen when folded makes it incredibly susceptible to scratches and damage. Huawei included a protective case, but even with this added layer of protection, the user must exercise extreme caution to avoid damaging the delicate display. This inherent fragility is a significant drawback, especially considering the high repair costs associated with foldable devices.
Performance and Software:
Powered by Huawei’s Kirin 990 5G chipset, the Mate Xs boasts impressive performance. Even years after its release, it handles demanding tasks with ease, thanks to its powerful CPU and GPU. Multitasking is smooth, and apps launch quickly. The 5G connectivity ensures fast download and upload speeds, although its availability depends on your region’s network infrastructure.
However, the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) remains a significant issue. Huawei’s HarmonyOS, while a capable operating system, still lacks the breadth and depth of the Google ecosystem. Access to popular apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and YouTube requires workarounds, such as using third-party app stores or alternative apps. This limitation can be a deal-breaker for many users, particularly those heavily reliant on Google services.
The Mate Xs comes with a generous 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. This ensures ample space for apps, photos, and videos. However, the lack of expandable storage is a minor drawback for users who consume a lot of multimedia content.
Camera:
The Mate Xs boasts a Leica-branded quad-camera system, featuring a 40MP main lens, a 16MP ultra-wide lens, an 8MP telephoto lens, and a 3D depth-sensing camera. The camera system produces high-quality images, with excellent detail and dynamic range. The telephoto lens offers impressive zoom capabilities, while the ultra-wide lens allows for creative shots with a wider field of view.
However, the camera performance can be inconsistent in low-light conditions. While the night mode helps, it doesn’t always produce the same level of detail and clarity as other flagship phones.
The outward-folding design also offers a unique advantage for selfies. The main camera system can be used for taking selfies, resulting in higher-quality images than those taken with the front-facing camera on traditional smartphones.
Battery Life:
The Mate Xs features a 4500mAh battery, which provides adequate battery life for a day of moderate use. However, heavy users may need to recharge the device before the end of the day. The fast-charging capabilities help to mitigate this, but it’s still not as long-lasting as some competitors.
Overall and Verdict:
The Huawei Mate Xs is a technological marvel, a testament to Huawei’s innovation in the foldable phone market. Its expansive display, powerful performance, and impressive camera system offer a compelling user experience. The outward-folding design, while risky, provides a unique aesthetic and functionality.
However, the lack of GMS, the fragile screen, and the relatively high price point present significant hurdles. The crease on the display, while less noticeable than on some competitors, is still present and a reminder of the device’s unconventional design. The potential for damage to the exposed screen is a major concern, adding to the already high cost of ownership.
Ultimately, the question of whether the Mate Xs is worth the investment depends heavily on individual priorities and tolerance for risk. If you’re a tech enthusiast seeking a cutting-edge device with a unique design and powerful performance, and you’re willing to work around the lack of GMS and accept the inherent fragility of the device, then the Mate Xs might be a worthwhile purchase. However, for most users, the high price, the risk of damage, and the limitations imposed by the lack of GMS make it a difficult recommendation. The device’s innovative design and impressive specifications are overshadowed by its practical limitations and the availability of more robust and user-friendly alternatives in the market, even years later. Consider carefully whether the unique selling points outweigh the significant drawbacks before making a purchase. The Mate Xs is a fascinating piece of technology, but not necessarily a practical everyday phone for the average consumer.
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