2019 will be the year when 5G and foldable smartphones will debut. A few models are expected this year, but the brands we’re most looking forward to returning are Samsung and Huawei. After the officialization of the Samsung Galaxy Fold on February 20, 2019, Huawei’s turn to lift the curtain on the Mate X, the star of the MWC conference, its first foldable smartphone awaits the officialization of the P30s and P30 Pro at Huawei. March.
Now the question everyone is asking is: Which of the Huawei Mate X and Galaxy Fold won the most successful foldable smartphone battle?. Here’s our comparison focusing on their design, their whitepaper while we wait for more information.
Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X: design
Before considering the components at the heart of both devices, most users’ choices are based on design. Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold rely on quite different delivery mechanics and design. The difference between the two views can be seen at first glance.
Screen and thinness: the Huawei advantage
most Mate X looks much thinner. Smartphone mode, with its 19.5:9 ratio, is more on the trend of current mobile phones. In this mode, screen 6.6 inches diagonal and offers a definition of 2480 x 1148 pixels. The sheet occupies almost the entire front and has fairly hidden edges. When the device is turned on, a “second screen” with a 25:9 ratio and a definition of 2480 x 892 pixels of 6.38” is added to form the tablet mode. Two combined screens (once opened) available It’s an 8-inch diagonal and still shows a definition of 2480 x 2200 pixels.
Samsung’s Galaxy Fold also uses two screens. The first is a 4.6 external display inch, which is enabled for smartphone mode when the device is folded like a book. It has a very specific 21:9 ratio and offers a definition of 1960 x 840 pixels. When the device is turned on, its screen takes the form of a tablet, this time with a diagonal. 7.1 inches with 5:7 ratio and 2152 x 1536 pixel definition.
In both modes, Samsung’s foldable smartphone looks thinner than its rival, with more prominent edges. Smartphone mode is more compact and thinner. Moving away from the traditional mobile format Even if we look at Sony, the new XZ4 / Xperia X1 with its 21:9 ratio still manages to convince despite its exotic format. To compare the thinness, tell yourself that when folded, the Mate X is 11mm and the Galaxy Fold is 17mm.
Finally, let’s mention that the Galaxy Fold has a notch on the side to make room for the sensors on the front in tablet mode. Looking at the Huawei Mate X, it doesn’t appear to have any sensors on the front, but the latter is actually on the right edge, positioned slightly upwards when in device mode.
Interface and ergonomics: Galaxy Fold looks very successful
For those who are into software-level design, we were able to take a look at the Galaxy Fold’s interface and some of its features, including in particular. multi window mode. This is one of the advantages of this type of device. Ability to use an app in smartphone mode and much more by deploying tablet mode.
During the demo at the Samsung conference, several apps can be run simultaneously on the Galaxy Fold’s large screen. In the effect, large folding sheet supports three multitasking applicationsallows you to have three instances at the same time. The App Continuity feature allows you to continue using it uninterrupted as you switch between tablet and smartphone modes. We expect to be able to consider the device for more in-depth analysis of the software and UI-level design.
As for the Huawei Mate X, although the MWC 2019 demo was done with the screen on, we couldn’t actually see it in action; Therefore, we can see the presentation of the home screen along with the application icons. It’s probably a design based on the manufacturer’s EMUI 9.0 interface. So, nothing too catchy on this side as we wait to explore in detail the ergonomic features the device has to offer.
Huawei Mate X and Galaxy Fold: technical sheet
| Galaxy Fold spec sheet | Huawei Mate X spec sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7.3″ (internal) and 4.58″ (external) AMOLED | 8″ (tablet mode), 6.6″ (smartphone display), 6.38″ (secondary display) |
| Definition | QXGA+ 1536 x 2152 pixels, 16:10 (internal) HD+ 21:9 (external) | 2480 x 2200 pixels (8″ tablet); 2480 x 1148 pixels, 19.5:9 (6.6″ smartphone); 2480 x 892 pixels, 25:9 (6.38″) |
| SoCs | 7nm 64 bit octa-core (Snapdragon 855) | 7nm 64-bit octa-core (HiSilicon Kirin 980) |
| data store | 12GB | 8GB |
| to store | 512GB (UFS 3.0) | 512GB |
| Micro SD | Number | N/N |
| main camera | triple sensor 12MP f/1.5-2.4 OIS 12MP f/2.4 telephoto 16MP f/2.2 ultra wide angle |
Triple Leica sensor (not specified) |
| Secondary external camera (smartphone mode selfies) | single sensor 10MP f/2.2 |
N/N |
| Built-in camera (tablet mode selfies) | dual sensor 10MP f/2.2 8MP f/1.9 ToF |
N/N |
| fingerprint sensor | at the border | at the border |
| system | Android 9 Pie | Android 9 Pie |
| connection | Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, 4G | Bluetooth 5.0, 4G, 5G |
| NFC | Yup | Yup |
| Face recognition | Yup | N/N |
| water resistance | N/N | N/N |
| battery | 4380mAh | 4500mAh |
| charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Fast charging | Quick Charge 18W | 55W Super Charge |
| Wireless charging | Yup | |
| Price | around 2000 € | 2299 € |
After the details about the screens, we now come to the other technical features of the two smartphones. Huawei is not complete yet, so we do not have all the information regarding the Mate X’s technical data sheet.
Kirin 980 vs Snapdragon 855: 5G for Huawei Mate X, uncertainty for Galaxy Fold
For now, we know that the smartphone is equipped with the following. Kirin980 processor It will be 5G compatible thanks to Huawei’s Balong 5000 modem. The manufacturer offers it as the most powerful 5G chip on the market today and can reach speeds of 6.5 cm, taking advantage of the sub-6 GHz and mmWave frequency bands. 4.6Gbps also 6.5Gbps. powered by processor 8GB RAM and 512GB storage.
The Mate X is also a 4500mAh batteryA little bit more 4380mAh Galaxy Fold. The latter is equipped with the Snapdragon 855 SoC. We are not yet sure if the latter will pair with the Qualcomm X50 modem to be 5G compatible. If that were the case, Samsung would state that the manufacturer did not. However, we do know that the processor is backed by 12GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage.
Which is better in photos?
Another criterion that is very important when you want to choose your smartphone is the camera. Huawei seemed to excel in this space with last year’s Huawei P20 Pro and Mate 20 Pro, but Samsung has bounced back strongly this year with the Galaxy S10 Plus, which is largely on par with Huawei’s current flagships, according to DxOMark. It would even be better for selfies, as it has a score of 75 versus 93 for the Mate 20 Pro.
But as for the pairing between the Mate X and Galaxy Fold, no one has been able to test the two devices for now. Therefore, it is not possible to make a judgment. Moreover, Huawei is not talkative about the features of its sensors. We only know that its foldable smartphone will have three sensors on the back.
The Galaxy Fold offers a total of six sensors as far as it goes. We have a single 10 MP sensor at the front and three 16, 12 and 12 megapixel sensors at the rear. Finally, when the device is in tablet mode, there are two 10 + 10 megapixel photo sensors in the notch on the front.
Huawei Mate X vs Samsung Galaxy Fold: prices
This is one of the biggest discussion points regarding these two smartphones. The advertised prices are too high, assuming that the two manufacturers have made an effort in R&D to offer convincing products for the first approach to this segment. Huawei is getting stronger than its rivals for the first time, as the Huawei Mate X will be launched in mid-2019 for a price of €2,299. Therefore, it will be more expensive than others. Announced for $180 or around €2000, the Galaxy Fold.
all the same 300€ difference between the two models, even at this level, those who are truly willing to pay the price have little chance of choosing one model over another for a difference of a few hundred euros. The main thing will therefore be to know which of the two devices is the most convincing in terms of design, ergonomics and technical data sheet.
Opinions may differ from person to person. We objectively compared the two smartphones in key aspects with the information currently available. So it’s up to you to decide…
