Huawei has unveiled its newest foldable device, the Pura X proving that the foldable smartphone market is still ripe for innovation. Unlike many foldable smartphones that tend to stick to familiar designs—either flipping vertically like the Galaxy Z Flip or folding like a book as seen with the Galaxy Z Fold—Huawei’s Pura X brings a unique twist. This smartphone stands out with its wide 16:10 aspect ratio, breaking away from the typical tall and narrow designs that have become commonplace.
A New Take on Foldable Displays
The first aspect that stands out about the Pura X is its unique folding direction. Unlike most clamshell foldable that open vertically, creating a tall display that can feel awkward for multitasking or watching videos, the Pura X takes a different approach. When opened, its 6.3-inch OLED screen is shorter yet much wider compared to rivals like the Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Motorola Razr 50 Ultra. This 16:10 aspect ratio resembles a small tablet or an iPad Mini more than a smartphone with awkward proportions. This design change significantly enhances the user experience, making activities like streaming, browsing, and document editing much more enjoyable.
The Pura X features a 3.5-inch square OLED display that allows for quick access to notifications, widgets, and camera controls without needing to open the device. The hinge, crafted from a titanium alloy with a basalt water drop structure, reflects Huawei’s dedication to durability, complemented by an IPX8 water resistance rating, which is still quite uncommon among foldable devices.
Better Cameras and Bigger Battery
Huawei continues to impress with its camera technology. The Pura X boasts a triple rear camera system that includes a 50MP main sensor, a 40MP ultra-wide lens capable of macro photography, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3.5x optical zoom. This innovative setup sets a new standard for flip phones, which typically sacrifice camera quality for compactness. For example, Samsung’s Z Flip series still does not feature any telephoto zoom, a void that Huawei has stylishly addressed.
Huawei has gone beyond merely enhancing the display’s functionality. The battery life has also received a significant boost. The Pura X is equipped with a 4,720mAh battery, which is a considerable improvement compared to the sub-4,000mAh batteries commonly found in many flip-style foldables. This increased capacity not only reduces the frequency of charging but also enables the Pura X to effectively power its large display and high refresh rates, with both the inner and outer screens supporting 1-120Hz LTPO adaptive refresh rates.
Performance and OS / UI
In terms of performance, Huawei hasn’t disclosed much about the chipset, but sources indicate that it features the Kirin 9020 paired with the HiSilicon Maleoon 920 GPU. With options for up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, the Pura X appears to be designed for demanding users.
Naturally, any recent Huawei device comes with its own set of considerations. The Pura X operates on HarmonyOS 5, specifically the HarmonyOS Next version, marking Huawei’s bold step away from Android. As a result, it lacks native Google services and does not support Android apps. Instead, the device relies on Huawei’s proprietary ecosystem, driven by its Pangu AI models and a new assistant named Harmony Intelligence. While this may be thrilling for users in China, it poses a considerable challenge for international users who are used to the Google app suite.
Pura X Pricing
The Pura X is priced at approximately $1,037 in China, showcasing Huawei’s bold approach. This foldable device is designed to be unique — it’s wider, more powerful, and distinctly original. In a marketplace filled with conventional concepts, the Pura X shines as a testament to innovative thinking, even if it comes without Google.
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