Huawei Mate X5

The price for the 12GB RAM and 512GB storage variant starts at QAR 6,831. The 16GB RAM and 512GB storage model is priced at QAR 7,350, while the top-tier 16GB RAM and 1TB storage version costs QAR 7,870.

These prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and any ongoing promotions.

Huawei Mate X5 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Display	7.85-inch Foldable OLED, 2224 x 2496 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate
Processor	Kirin 9000S (7 nm)
RAM	12GB / 16GB
Storage	512GB / 1TB, expandable via NM card
Main Camera	50MP (wide) + 12MP (periscope telephoto) + 13MP (ultrawide)
Front Camera	8MP
Battery	5060 mAh, 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging
Operating System	HarmonyOS 4.0 (China), EMUI (Global)

Release Date and Availability

Huawei unveiled the Mate X5 on September 8, 2023, in China. The global release, including Qatar, followed shortly after. The phone is now available for purchase from major electronics retailers and Huawei’s official stores in Qatar.

Design and Build

The Huawei Mate X5 boasts a sleek and premium design. When unfolded, it measures 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm, and when folded, it becomes 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm. The device weighs 243 grams for the glass back version and 245 grams for the eco-leather back version. It comes in five color options: Black, White, Purple, Dark Green, and Gold.

The phone features a glass front, with either a glass or eco-leather back, and an aluminum frame. The cover display is protected by Huawei’s Kunlun Glass for added durability. The Mate X5 also boasts an IPX8 rating for water resistance, making it capable of withstanding submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

Display Technology

The Huawei Mate X5 features a 7.85-inch foldable OLED main display with a resolution of 2224 x 2496 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 426 ppi, ensuring sharp and crisp visuals. The display supports 1 billion colors and offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for fluid scrolling and animations.

The cover display is a 6.4-inch OLED panel with a resolution of 2504 x 1080 pixels. It also supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 1 billion colors, providing a consistent user experience whether the device is folded or unfolded.

Both displays incorporate advanced features such as a 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming for reduced eye strain and up to 240Hz touch sampling rate for improved responsiveness.

Camera System

The Huawei Mate X5 comes equipped with a versatile triple camera setup:

1. Main Camera: 50MP wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture
2. Periscope Telephoto: 12MP lens with an f/3.4 aperture and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
3. Ultra-wide: 13MP lens with an f/2.2 aperture

This camera system offers 5x optical zoom and up to 50x digital zoom, allowing users to capture distant subjects with clarity. The main camera uses a large sensor for improved low-light performance, while the periscope telephoto lens enables high-quality zoom shots.

For selfies and video calls, the Mate X5 features an 8MP front-facing camera with an f/2.4 aperture. This camera is housed in a small punch-hole cutout on the cover display, ensuring it doesn’t interfere with the main foldable screen.

The camera system supports various features including Leica optics, LED flash, panorama mode, and HDR. It can record 4K video at 30/60fps and offers slow-motion video recording at up to 960fps in 1080p resolution.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the Huawei Mate X5 is the Kirin 9000S chipset, manufactured using a 7nm process. This octa-core processor features:

• 1x Taishan Big core clocked at 2.62 GHz
• 3x Taishan Mid cores clocked at 2.15 GHz
• 4x Cortex-A510 cores clocked at 1.53 GHz

The GPU is a Maleoon 910, which handles graphics processing for smooth gaming and UI animations.

The Mate X5 comes in three memory configurations:

1. 12GB RAM with 512GB storage
2. 16GB RAM with 512GB storage
3. 16GB RAM with 1TB storage

All variants support expandable storage via Huawei’s proprietary NM (Nano Memory) card, which can add up to 256GB of additional space.

Battery and Charging

The Huawei Mate X5 is powered by a 5060 mAh silicon-carbon battery. This advanced battery technology offers improved energy density and longevity compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

The device supports fast charging capabilities:

• 66W wired fast charging
• 50W wireless fast charging
• 7.5W reverse wireless charging

With the 66W wired charging, the Mate X5 can reach a full charge in approximately 30 minutes, ensuring users spend less time tethered to a power outlet.

Software and User Interface

The Huawei Mate X5 runs on HarmonyOS 4.0 in China, while global versions use EMUI. Both operating systems are based on Android but lack Google Mobile Services due to ongoing restrictions.HarmonyOS and EMUI offer a range of features optimized for the foldable form factor, including:

• Multi-window support for enhanced multitasking
• Flex Mode for using the device in various folded positions
• Seamless app continuity between folded and unfolded states
• Customized user interface elements for the large foldable display

Connectivity Options

The Huawei Mate X5 offers a comprehensive set of connectivity features:

• 5G support for high-speed mobile data
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6) for fast wireless internet
• Bluetooth 5.2 with A2DP and LE support
• NFC for contactless payments and device pairing
• USB Type-C 3.1 port with DisplayPort 1.2 support
• Dual-frequency GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, and NavIC for accurate location services

The device also features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication and supports facial recognition using the front camera.

Comparison with Other Foldable Phones

When compared to its predecessor, the Huawei Mate X3, the Mate X5 offers several improvements. The new Kirin 9000S chipset provides better performance and energy efficiency. The battery capacity has been increased from 4800 mAh to 5060 mAh, offering longer usage times between charges.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, the Mate X5 offers a larger main display (7.85 inches vs 7.6 inches) and a higher resolution cover display. However, the Galaxy Z Fold5 has the advantage of Google Mobile Services support and a more established ecosystem of apps optimized for foldable devices.

The Huawei Mate X5 also competes with the OPPO Find N3, which offers a similar foldable design but with a slightly smaller main display. The Find N3 uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which may offer better performance in some scenarios compared to the Kirin 9000S.

In the same price range, consumers might also consider non-foldable flagship devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Google Pixel 9 Pro. These phones offer excellent camera systems and robust app ecosystems but lack the versatility of a foldable display.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

1. Large, high-quality foldable display
2. Versatile camera system with 5x optical zoom
3. Fast charging capabilities (both wired and wireless)
4. Durable build with water resistance
5. Ample storage options with expandability

Cons:

1. High price point
2. Lack of Google Mobile Services
3. Limited availability of optimized apps for the foldable form factor
4. Bulky when folded compared to traditional smartphones

Who Should Buy the Huawei Mate X5?

The Huawei Mate X5 is ideal for tech enthusiasts and early adopters who want to experience the latest in foldable smartphone technology. Its large display makes it suitable for users who frequently consume media, multitask, or need a portable device for productivity tasks.

The device is also well-suited for photography enthusiasts, thanks to its versatile camera system and large viewfinder when unfolded. However, potential buyers should be aware of the limitations regarding Google services and consider whether the available app ecosystem meets their needs.

Business professionals who require a device that can serve as both a smartphone and a small tablet might find the Mate X5 particularly useful. Its ability to switch between a compact phone and a larger display for presentations or document editing can be a significant advantage.

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