Following several reports of faulty Samsung Galaxy Fold phones, Huawei has reportedly revealed its 5G foldable phone, the Mate X, will launch in July – for a notable $3,000+.
The Mate X was unveiled at this year’s CES, where spokespeople said it would be a “few years” before consumers got their hands on the device.
However, reports are circulating that 100,000 of the 5G enabled foldable Huawei Mate X will be available from July 2019, powered by the company’s Balong 5000 5G chipset.
The Australian did a hands-on review of a prototype of the device tipped to cost $3,600 — an exorbitant price Huawei admits is reserved for “curious tech types.”
It isn’t the only 5G handset the company is working on, the Mate 20 5G is expected to launch ahead of the foldable device and, according to Ausdroid, a 5G-enabled Mate 30 is rumoured to launch in October.
After the Galaxy Fold debacle, and the ongoing privacy saga waging against the Chinese telco, if reports prove accurate, this latest foldable device will be under even more scrutiny.
Unlike the Galaxy Fold, the Mate X doesn’t open up to reveal the inner tablet screen, when folded it has two outwardly facing screens that flatten out to the tablet screen.
After the negative reviews of the Galaxy Fold, it’s unlikely that everyday consumers are going to see the appeal of a foldable screen — especially as the phone manufacturers have excellent unfoldable handsets that more than perform.
