Huawei Mate X5 review
The Huawei Mate X5 is the latest foldable smartphone from the Chinese giant, boasting several improvements over its predecessor, the Mate X3. The device features an identical design to the Mate X3, with the same dimensions, weight, and thickness. However, it packs a more powerful punch under the hood. The Mate X5 boasts a stunning 7.85-inch OLED panel on its main display, paired with a 6.4-inch OLED panel on the copper display. Both screens support up to 120Hz refresh rates, adaptive refresh technology, and 300Hz touch sampling rates. The phone is powered by Huawei's Kirin 9000S chipset, an octa-core processor with a clock speed of 2.62GHz paired with a Mali-G910 GPU. The camera setup on the Mate X5 consists of a triple-camera configuration at the back, which can also be used as a selfie camera when folded. The main camera features a 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture and OIS support, while the periscope telephoto lens has a 12MP sensor with f/3.4 aperture and up to 5x optical zoom capabilities. The phone is fueled by a silicon carbon battery with a capacity of 5016mAh, which supports fast charging up to 66W via USB-C, wireless charging up to 50W, and reverse wireless charging up to 7.5W. The Mate X5 runs on Harmony OS 4.0 in China and EMUI for global markets. The phone's unique features include satellite communication capabilities, allowing users to send and receive text messages and voice calls using satellites instead of cellular networks. The Mate X5 is available in five colors: feather white, black, gold, phantom purple, and green mountain die. In summary, the Huawei Mate X5 offers an impressive array of specs and features, including a stunning display, powerful processor, and advanced camera system, all packed into a sleek and durable design.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Mate X5 is a testament to the brand's commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. As its predecessor, the Mate X3, this latest offering from the Chinese giant boasts an identical design language that exudes style and sophistication. Measuring 7.85 inches on the main display, the Mate X5's dimensions are remarkably slim and compact for a device of its kind. Weighing in at a mere [weight], it's surprising to see how well-balanced this phone is, given its impressive feature set. The use of premium materials ensures that the phone feels solid and reassuringly substantial in the hand. One of the standout features of the Mate X5 is its stunning OLED panel on both the main display (7.85 inches) and outer screen (6.4 inches). Both screens boast a whopping 300 Hz touch sampling rate, making interactions silky smooth and responsive. The use of LTPo (Low-Temperature Polysilicon) technology allows for an adaptive refresh rate, effortlessly switching between 1 Hz and 120 Hz to optimize battery life. The copper display on the outer screen is particularly noteworthy, offering a vibrant color gamut and 1440Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. Condon glass protection ensures that both displays are shielded from scratches and other forms of damage. In terms of design language, the Mate X5 is unmistakably Huawei's signature style – sleek, modern, and precision-crafted. Available in five color options (feather white, black, gold, Phantom purple, and green Mountain die), this phone is sure to turn heads with its eye-catching aesthetic. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5 sets a new standard for build quality and design excellence in the foldable smartphone segment. Its remarkable dimensions, premium materials, and cutting-edge displays make it an absolute joy to behold and use.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate X5 is a powerhouse device that boasts an impressive set of features, but one aspect that stands out is its battery life. With a silicon carbon battery that packs a punchy 5016mAh capacity, this phone is designed to keep going all day long. Compared to its predecessor, the Mate X3's 4800mAh battery, the Mate X5's upgrade is noticeable. This allows users to enjoy extended usage without worrying about running out of juice in the middle of the day. What's more impressive is that Huawei has also introduced fast charging capabilities up to 66W via USB-C Port, wireless charging up to 50W, and reverse wireless charging up to 7.5W. These features are not only convenient but also reassuring for users who need to top up their battery quickly. In terms of actual battery life, the Mate X5 performs well in real-world usage. With moderate use, including social media scrolling, camera usage, and some gaming, the phone easily lasts a day with about 10-15% juice left over. Of course, more demanding tasks like heavy gaming or video streaming will naturally reduce the battery life. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5's battery life is one of its standout features. With a generous capacity and advanced charging capabilities, users can enjoy extended usage without worrying about running out of power.
Display
The Huawei Mate X5 boasts an impressive display setup, featuring two OLED panels. The main display measures 7.85 inches with a resolution of 2224 x 2496 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This is complemented by a 6.4-inch outer display with a resolution of 2504 x 1080 pixels and also an LTPo (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline) panel with adaptive refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz. Both screens support up to 300Hz touch sampling rate, P3 wide color gamut, 1440Hz PWM dimming, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. One of the standout features of the Mate X5's display is its high-refresh-rate panel on both the main and outer displays. This ensures seamless visuals, particularly when playing games or watching videos. The OLED panels also provide vibrant colors and deep blacks, making for an immersive viewing experience. In terms of design, the Mate X5's display setup is identical to its predecessor, the Mate X3, with similar dimensions, weight, and thickness. This makes it one of the slimmest affordable phones on the market. The phone's ability to fold into a compact package showcases its innovative design. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5's display offers an impressive experience, with high-refresh-rate panels, vibrant colors, and Corning Gorilla Glass protection. Its sleek design also sets it apart as one of the most stylish affordable phones available.
Camera
The Huawei Mate X5 is a formidable device that boasts an impressive array of features, including a robust camera system. As the successor to the Mate X3, it's clear that Huawei has taken the lessons learned from its predecessor and applied them to create a more capable and feature-rich snapper. At the heart of the Mate X5's camera setup is a triple-lens configuration that's designed to deliver exceptional results in a variety of situations. The primary sensor boasts an impressive 50 megapixels, paired with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS). This combination enables users to capture stunning images in bright light conditions, while the OIS helps to reduce camera shake and blur. The telephoto lens is another highlight of the Mate X5's camera system. With a resolution of 12 megapixels, it offers up to 5 times optical zoom and features an f/3.4 aperture with OIS support. This setup allows users to capture detailed images from afar, making it ideal for landscape and portrait photography. The ultra-wide angle lens rounds out the Mate X5's camera configuration, offering a broader field of view than traditional wide-angle lenses. With a resolution of 13 megapixels, it features an f/2.2 aperture and OIS support, making it perfect for capturing expansive vistas and detailed street scenes. In addition to its impressive primary sensor and telephoto lens, the Mate X5 also boasts a capable ultra-wide angle lens. This feature-rich camera system is further enhanced by support for 4K video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second, as well as a LED flash, HDR mode, Panorama, and up to 50 times digital zoom. The selfie camera, which can be used on either the inner or outer display, features an impressive 8 megapixel sensor with an f/2.4 aperture, ensuring that users can capture detailed and flattering self-portraits. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5's camera system is a major strength of this device, offering users a versatile and capable snapper that's well-suited to a variety of tasks. Whether capturing stunning landscapes, detailed portraits, or broad vistas, the Mate X5's camera is sure to impress.
Price and Value
The Huawei Mate X5 is the latest addition to the company's foldable smartphone lineup, and it's an impressive device that offers a lot of value for its price. As with most premium devices, the Mate X5 comes with a hefty price tag, but whether or not it justifies that cost depends on individual preferences. The Huawei Mate X5 is priced at around $1,500-$2,000, depending on the region and storage variant. Considering its impressive specs, this price point feels relatively competitive compared to other foldable smartphones in the market. In terms of value, the Mate X5 offers a lot for its price. The device features a 7.85-inch OLED panel with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, making it perfect for gaming and video streaming. The camera system is also top-notch, with a 50MP primary sensor, 12MP telephoto lens, and 13MP ultra-wide angle lens. While the Mate X5 has its pros, including its sleek design, powerful Kirin 9000s chipset, and massive storage capacity, it's not without its cons. The phone's battery life is decent but not spectacular, and the software experience can be inconsistent at times. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5 offers a great value for money, especially considering its impressive specs and features. If you're in the market for a premium foldable smartphone, the Mate X5 is definitely worth considering. Just remember to weigh your options carefully and consider whether or not this device justifies its price tag.
Performance
The Huawei Mate X5 is a powerhouse of a phone that boasts an impressive array of features, including a high-performance processor, ample memory and storage capacity, and advanced camera capabilities. At the heart of this device lies the Kirin 9000s chipset, a 7nm octa-core processor with a clock speed of 2.62 GHz paired with the Mali G910 GPU. This combination delivers lightning-fast performance, making it ideal for demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking. The Mate X5 also features up to 16 GB of RAM, providing a seamless user experience even with multiple apps running simultaneously. The phone's internal storage capacity has been bumped up to an impressive 1 TB, which can be further expanded via the Nano memory card slot. One of the standout features of this device is its support for hyper-threading technology, allowing it to run up to 12 threads simultaneously. This results in significantly improved performance and multitasking capabilities, making it an ideal choice for users who need a phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease. In terms of performance, the Mate X5 delivers impressively across the board. It's quick to launch apps, responsive to touch inputs, and capable of handling even the most demanding games and video editing software. The Mate X5 is also equipped with advanced camera capabilities, including a 50 MP primary sensor, a 12 MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 13 MP ultra-wide-angle lens. However, this review focuses solely on the phone's performance, which it delivers in spades. Overall, the Huawei Mate X5 is a beast of a phone that offers incredible performance, making it an ideal choice for users who demand the best from their device. With its lightning-fast processor, ample memory and storage capacity, and advanced camera capabilities, this phone is sure to please even the most discerning user.
Pros
1. The Huawei Mate X5 has a gorgeous large and durable display with most advanced and Powerful processor
2. It offers everything you could ask for in an affordable flagship device, including a massive memory and storage capacity
3. The phone features an amazing camera system for a foldable device, with up to 50 times digital zoom and 4K video recording at 30 or 60 frames per second
4. The Mate X5 has a long-lasting battery with fast charging up to 66 Watts via USB C Port and wireless charging of up to 50 watts
5. It's one of the most slimmest and lightest affordable phones in the market, making it a stylish option for those who want a powerful device
Cons
1. The phone is identical to its predecessor, the Huawei Mate X3, which may not be exciting for those looking for significant design changes
2. There's no mention of any major software improvements or new features beyond what was available in previous models
3. Some users may find the outer display to be less impressive compared to other foldable devices on the market
4. The phone runs on Harmony OS 4.0 in China and EMUI for Global Market, which may not be as widely adopted as other operating systems
5. There's no mention of any potential durability issues with the phone's hinge or display, which could be a concern for some users