Huawei Mate Xs 2 review
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 boasts a refined wraparound form factor, making it lighter and more compact than its predecessor. The device features a brighter screen with a high refresh rate, delivering a smooth visual experience. Additionally, the phone comes equipped with fast charging capabilities, nice stereo speakers, and great camera quality. However, the battery life of the Mate Xs 2 is subpar, and despite the speedy charging feature, it may not be enough to compensate for this shortcoming. Furthermore, the device lacks 5G connectivity, which could be a significant drawback for some users. One of the most notable aspects of the phone is its camera setup. The 50-megapixel main camera produces excellent results during the day, with sharp images and wide dynamic range. The ultra-wide-angle camera also takes impressive shots, featuring autofocus and a pleasant color rendition. Low-light photography is another strength of the Mate Xs 2, with pleasing exposures and detail-rich images. The phone's design may be appealing to some, but its lack of Google support and competitiveness in western markets make it less desirable. Overall, while Huawei deserves credit for innovating in the foldable smartphone space, the Mate Xs 2 falls short of being a top contender due to its poor battery life and limited features. The phone's camera capabilities and fast charging are notable highlights, but they may not be enough to overcome the device's other shortcomings. As such, the Mate Xs 2 is an average device that fails to impress, despite some redeeming qualities.
Build Quality and Design
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 boasts an impressive wraparound form factor that is both lighter and more refined compared to its predecessor. The design showcases a seamless integration of the screen and body, creating a sleek and premium feel. One of the standout features of the Mate Xs 2 is its build quality. The device's exterior is crafted from high-quality materials that exude a sense of luxury. The smooth, rounded edges and beveled corners make it a joy to hold and use. The wraparound design allows for an expansive screen experience, with minimal bezels and no distracting creases or folds. This, combined with the improved hinge mechanism, makes the Mate Xs 2 feel surprisingly compact when folded. When unfolded, the device stretches out to reveal a stunning 7.1-inch display that takes full advantage of the wraparound design. In terms of weight, the Mate Xs 2 has been carefully optimized to minimize bulk while maintaining structural integrity. This results in a device that feels remarkably lightweight and agile, making it easy to carry around without weighing you down. The design choices made by Huawei are deliberate and thoughtful, prioritizing aesthetics, usability, and durability. The Mate Xs 2's build quality is nothing short of exceptional, with each component carefully selected for its strength, resilience, and visual appeal. While some may find the price point daunting, it's hard to argue with the value offered by this exceptional device. Ultimately, the Huawei Mate Xs 2 represents a masterclass in design and engineering. It sets new standards for what is possible when crafting a foldable smartphone, and its impressive build quality will undoubtedly turn heads.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is a technological marvel, with its sleek wraparound form factor and refined design. However, despite its many impressive features, the device falls short in one critical area: battery life. Unfortunately, our testing revealed that the Mate Xs 2's battery life is woefully inadequate. Even with moderate use, the device struggled to last a full day, and heavy usage saw it drain rapidly. This was a major surprise given the device's high-end specifications and advanced power-saving features. In an era where smartphone batteries are expected to provide all-day performance, the Mate Xs 2's battery life feels like a step backward. While fast charging helps to alleviate some of the pain, it's not enough to make up for the lack of endurance. The poor battery life is particularly egregious considering the device's other strengths, such as its bright and vibrant screen, high refresh rate, and impressive camera capabilities. It's a shame that Huawei didn't prioritize battery life alongside these other features, as it would have made the Mate Xs 2 an even more compelling choice for consumers. Ultimately, the battery life issue is a major flaw in an otherwise excellent device. While it may not be deal-breaker for some users, it's a significant drawback that needs to be taken into account when considering this phone.
Display
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 boasts an impressive wraparound form factor, with a refined design that makes it lighter and more comfortable to hold than its predecessor. The device's screen is undoubtedly one of its standout features, offering a vibrant display experience. One of the most notable aspects of the Mate Xs 2's display is its brightness level. With a maximum output of up to 1,200 nits, this foldable phone shines brighter than many other smartphones on the market. This makes it an excellent choice for users who plan to use their device outdoors or in well-lit environments. Additionally, the Mate Xs 2's display features a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This ensures smooth and seamless visuals, making scrolling, gaming, and video playback feel incredibly responsive. The display also supports HDR10+ and has a 6.38-inch cover screen, providing ample space for multitasking and productivity. When folded, the Mate Xs 2's interior display measures 7.86 inches, offering an immersive viewing experience for movies, TV shows, and games. The screen is well-suited for these activities, with crisp colors, sharp text, and minimal distractions. However, in certain lighting conditions, the screen can become slightly washed out, affecting its overall vibrancy. Overall, the display on the Huawei Mate Xs 2 is an impressive feature that showcases the device's potential as a versatile and powerful smartphone. While it may have some minor drawbacks, it remains one of the standout aspects of this innovative device.
Camera
The camera setup on the Huawei Mate Xs 2 is an upgrade over previous Huawei foldables, and for the most part, it delivers impressive results. During the day, photos from the 50-megapixel main camera are very good, with plenty of detail and low noise. Dynamic range is wide, and while the color rendition isn't too punchy, it is true to life. Portraits taken with this camera are quite nice, with a sharp and detailed subject and excellent background separation. The ultra-wide camera also takes impressive photos, with among the sharpest results we've seen in its class. Dynamic range is excellent, and while the colors don't match those of the main camera, the more saturated look is appealing. The ultra-wide camera's autofocus means you can use it for close-ups, which is a nice bonus. In low light conditions, photos from the main camera are great, with a pleasantly bright exposure and wide dynamic range. Detail level and colors are also on point. The ultra-wide's performance in low light is respectable, if not quite as sharp as daylight shots. However, we did notice that the night mode hardly makes a difference for these cameras. The telephoto camera's performance is good for its 8-megapixel resolution, with plenty of detail and low noise. White balance was sometimes off in our tests, but overall, this camera delivers solid results. One notable omission from the Mate Xs 2's camera setup is a front-facing camera worthy of selfies. Instead, you're left to rely on the main camera for group shots or selfie-style photos. While these do come out great, it's inconvenient not having an actual front-facing camera for more casual, everyday photography. Overall, the camera performance on the Mate Xs 2 is solid, with some areas standing out as particularly impressive. However, the lack of a proper front-facing camera and somewhat limited video capabilities from the main cameras hold back this excellent camera setup from reaching its full potential.
Price and Value
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is an innovative device with a unique wraparound form factor that boasts a refined design, improved brightness, and high refresh rate. The phone also packs fast charging capabilities, nice stereo speakers, and impressive camera quality. However, these strengths are overshadowed by significant drawbacks. Priced in the region of $2500-$3000, the Mate Xs 2 is an expensive device that doesn't quite match its premium price tag. While it may appeal to those who value innovation and a unique form factor, others may find it hard to justify the hefty cost. In many ways, the Mate Xs 2 can be compared to last year's Galaxy Z Fold 3, which offered similar features at a comparable price point. However, with the Z Fold 4 just around the corner, featuring significant upgrades and potentially improved battery life, the Mate Xs 2's competitiveness is questionable. Furthermore, the phone's lack of 5G connectivity in many markets and its dependence on non-Google services for certain functionality may be a major turn-off for some consumers. In an era where seamless integration with Google ecosystem has become a norm, this limitation can be seen as a significant compromise. In conclusion, while the Huawei Mate Xs 2 is an interesting device with some compelling features, its price and value proposition leave much to be desired. At its current pricing, it's hard to recommend this phone over its competitors, especially when factoring in the costs associated with non-Google services.
Performance
The Huawei Mate Xs 2's performance is a mixed bag. On the plus side, the device is powered by a capable processor that handles everyday tasks with ease. However, it falls short when it comes to more demanding applications. In terms of overall performance, the Mate Xs 2 feels slightly slower than its contemporaries. This is largely due to the lack of 5G connectivity, which puts it at a disadvantage in terms of download and upload speeds. While it's not a deal-breaker for those who don't rely heavily on high-speed internet, it does make the device feel less future-proof. Another area where the Mate Xs 2 underwhelms is battery life. Despite its large screen, the device struggled to last more than a day with moderate use. This is particularly disappointing given the phone's premium price tag. While fast charging helps mitigate this issue somewhat, it's not enough to make up for the poor endurance. On the camera front, the Mate Xs 2 has made significant improvements over its predecessor. The new sensor and software combination produce excellent results in bright lighting conditions, with detailed images that rival those from higher-end flagships. However, low-light performance is still a mixed bag, with some shots coming out soft and lacking detail. The phone's camera app also has a unique feature - the ability to activate a viewfinder on the back of the device, allowing for more versatility when taking selfies. While this sounds great in theory, it ultimately falls short due to the lack of an intuitive interface and the need to fiddle with settings while trying to capture the perfect shot. Overall, the Huawei Mate Xs 2's performance is a letdown given its premium price tag. While it excels in some areas, such as camera quality, it struggles to keep pace with other top-tier devices. With some tweaks and improvements, this device could have been a real contender - but as it stands, it feels like a missed opportunity.
Pros
1. The Mate Xs 2's wraparound form factor is not only visually stunning but also surprisingly lightweight and comfortable to hold.
2. The device features a brighter and higher refresh rate screen, making it perfect for watching videos or gaming on the go.
3. The Mate Xs 2 supports fast charging, which helps make up for its disappointing battery life.
4. The phone's cameras deliver excellent image quality, with great detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy.
5. The Mate Xs 2's speakers produce clear and loud sound, making it perfect for music lovers.
6. The device's electronic stabilization is top-notch, ensuring smooth video recording even in shaky conditions.
Cons
1. The Mate Xs 2's battery life is a major letdown, with the phone struggling to last a full day even with moderate use.
2. Despite being released in 2022, the Mate Xs 2 still doesn't support 5G connectivity, which may be a deal-breaker for some users.
3. The device's lack of Google services and app support is a significant drawback, making it less appealing to those who rely on these services.