The foldable smartphone market is witnessing a significant shift with the introduction of the Pura X, a device that breaks away from traditional foldable designs.
Priced starting at ¥7,499 (~$1,030), this innovative smartphone offers flagship-level performance and features at a more accessible price point.
The Pura X boasts a unique “wide-fold” design with a 16:10 aspect ratio display, running on HarmonyOS 5. This foldable device combines elements of both flip and book-style foldables, challenging conventional design paradigms.
Key Takeaways
- Innovative “wide-fold” design with a 16:10 aspect ratio display
- Flagship-level performance at a budget-friendly price
- HarmonyOS 5 operating system for a seamless user experience
- Unique hinge mechanism for practical daily use
- Competitive pricing starting at ¥7,499 (~$1,030)
Redefining Foldable Design
The Huawei Pura X is making a significant impact in the foldable smartphone market with its innovative design and unique form factor. With its latest offering, Huawei is challenging traditional smartphone design conventions by introducing a hybrid between flip and book-style foldables.
Unique Form Factor and Build Quality
The Pura X boasts an impressive build quality, featuring a robust Xuan Ting hinge that minimizes screen creasing, a common issue in foldable devices. The phone’s exterior is available in a premium matte finish, with color options like “Zero Degree White.” When closed, the device measures 91.7mm in width, 74.3mm in height, and 15.1mm in thickness, weighing 196g.
The inner display’s 16:10 aspect ratio provides a key advantage, making it suitable for various user activities. The phone opens to the side like a book foldable but requires a 90° turn as the UI is optimized for portrait orientation.
Size Comparison with Other Foldables
When comparing the Pura X with other foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 (85.1mm width) and Huawei Pocket2 (87.8mm width), it’s evident that the Pura X is slightly larger when folded. However, it offers significant advantages in screen real estate when unfolded, achieving a remarkably slim 7.2mm profile.
The Pura X’s design sparks debate due to its wider profile compared to traditional flagships, but its portrait-oriented user interface represents a thoughtful design choice, optimizing the smartphone experience while allowing for landscape usage during specific activities.
Huawei Pura X Review: Display and Performance
With its cutting-edge display technology and powerful Kirin 9020 chipset, the Huawei Pura X is redefining the foldable smartphone experience. The device’s inner display is a 6.3-inch 120Hz LTPO panel with a 1,320 x 2,120px resolution and a 16:10 aspect ratio, capable of boosting to 2,500 nits.
The 16:10 Aspect Ratio Advantage
The 16:10 aspect ratio of the Huawei Pura X’s main display provides a significant advantage for media consumption, eliminating most letterboxing when watching standard 16:9 videos. This unique aspect ratio offers approximately 13% more surface area than typical 6.7-inch displays found in competing devices, making it ideal for watching videos and working with documents.
Cover Display Functionality
The cover display is a highly functional 3.5-inch square screen with a 980 x 980px resolution, 120Hz LTPO panel, and 10-bit colors. It enables users to perform essential tasks without opening the device, including responding to messages, navigating, controlling media playback, and even taking calls through the secondary speaker.
Kirin 9020 Chipset Performance
The Kirin 9020 chipset delivers smooth everyday performance for standard applications and multitasking. Although it may not match the raw processing power of flagship Snapdragon or Dimensity chips for intensive gaming scenarios, it handles daily tasks effortlessly.
HarmonyOS 5 Experience
The HarmonyOS 5 experience on the Huawei Pura X introduces sophisticated AI features, including the conversational Xiaoyi assistant. This revamped AI assistant offers natural interactions with context-aware suggestions and lifelike voice responses, enhancing the overall user experience. For more information on Huawei’s latest OS, you can learn more about Huawei’s innovations.
The Huawei Pura X’s display and performance capabilities make it a compelling choice in the foldable smartphone market. With optimized popular apps taking full advantage of the unique 16:10 aspect ratio, users can enjoy a seamless experience across various applications.
Camera System and Battery Life
Huawei’s Pura X model stands out with its sophisticated camera capabilities and long-lasting battery performance. The device is equipped with a versatile triple camera system and a substantial battery that supports fast charging.
Triple Camera Setup
The Huawei Pura X features a 50MP main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 40MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom. This configuration enables users to capture a wide range of scenes with exceptional detail.
Main Camera Performance
The 50MP main camera delivers vibrant and detailed photos, even in challenging lighting conditions, thanks to its OIS feature.
Ultra-Wide and Telephoto Capabilities
The 40MP ultra-wide lens excels at capturing expansive scenes with minimal distortion, while the 8MP telephoto camera offers 3.5x optical zoom, allowing for natural perspective and detail preservation.
Battery Performance and Charging
The Huawei Pura X is powered by a 4,720mAh battery that comfortably lasts a full day with moderate use. The device supports 66W wired fast charging and 40W wireless charging, ensuring quick replenishment of the battery when needed.
Unique Camera Features for Foldables
The Pura X leverages its foldable design with features like Dual-Screen Preview, allowing subjects to adjust their poses via the outer display. The innovative hinge design also enables a “hover mode” for creative photography applications, including stable timelapses and low-angle shots.
Conclusion: Is the Huawei Pura X Worth It?
As we conclude our Huawei Pura X review, it’s clear that this device is a trailblazer in the foldable market. The Huawei Pura X isn’t for everyone, as its bold design demands adaptation, and the Kirin 9020’s gaming limitations may deter power users.
Yet, for content creators and early adopters, it’s a compelling choice. The 16:10 display redefines media consumption, HarmonyOS 5’s AI innovations set a new standard, and the camera system punches above its weight. At ¥7,499 (~$1,030), it’s pricier than conventional flagships but justifies the cost with cutting-edge engineering and niche versatility.
The Pura X successfully delivers on its promise of flagship-level performance for everyday tasks. For content creators and media consumers, the device’s standout 16:10 aspect ratio display provides a genuine advantage over conventional smartphones, offering a more immersive viewing experience.
The absence of Google services remains a consideration, though Huawei’s HarmonyOS ecosystem has matured significantly. For users willing to adapt to its unique form factor and software ecosystem, the Huawei Pura X review reveals a device that delivers exceptional value through innovative features, solid performance, and distinctive design.
