Beijing, China — Huawei has officially unveiled its latest flagship foldable smartphone, the Pura X, marking a bold stride into the competitive high-end foldable market.
Design to challenge Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series and Honor Magic V3 the Pura X combines cutting-edge hardware a sleek form factor and Huawei’s homegrown Kirin 9020 chipset—a statement of technological resilience amid ongoing U.S. sanctions.
Pura X Foldable Phone with Ultra-Thin design and Specifications
The Pura X, Huawei’s first foldable under the rebranded “Pura” lineup, introduces several industry-first features:
Ultra-Thin Design: At just 9.9mm thick when folded (rivaling the Galaxy Z Fold 6’s 10.2mm), the device uses a titanium alloy frame and carbon fiber hinge to reduce weight while enhancing durability.
Dual LTPO OLED Displays: A 7.8-inch inner screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 6.5-inch outer display, both rated for 2,500 nits peak brightness—ideal for outdoor use.
Kirin 9020 Chipset: Built on SMIC 5nm process, the chipset features an integrated 5G modem and a next-gen Da Vinci NPU for AI-driven camera enhancements and multitasking.
Quad-Camera System: Co-engineered with Leica, the setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP periscope telephoto lens (5x optical zoom), and a 40MP ultra-wide lens, plus an 8MP macro camera for close-ups.
Huawei aims to capture 15% of China premium foldable market within six months, leveraging its domestic supply chain and HarmonyOS ecosystem. The Pura X is priced aggressively at ¥12,999 CNY (≈$1,790 USD), undercutting rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 (¥14,999 CNY) while offering comparable specs.
“This isn’t just a phone—it’s a showcase of Huawei’s ability to innovate without Western component” said tech analyst Mei Chen of Canalys. “The Kirin 9020 performance and 5G capabilities will resonate with Chinese consumers especially patriots and tech enthusiasts.”
Software and Ecosystem
The Pura X runs HarmonyOS 4.2, featuring:
- Seamless Multi-Device Pairing: Instant connectivity with Huawei tablets, laptops, and EVs.
- AI Productivity Tools: Real-time document translation, split-screen multitasking and AI-generated photo enhancements.
- Satellite Connectivity: Emergency SOS and messaging via China’s Beidou system a first for Huawei foldables.
Challenges
Despite its ambitions, Huawei faces hurdles:
- Global Sanctions: The lack of Google Mobile Services limits appeal outside China.
- Production Scalability: SMIC 5nm yields remain unproven for high-volume orders.
- Samsung’s Dominance: The South Korean giant holds 70% of the global foldable market.
Huawei plans to offset these risks by focusing on domestic sales and partnerships with Chinese carriers. Pre-orders in China begin July 1 with a global rollout tentatively slated for late 2024—pending geopolitical developments.
Samsung and Apple have yet to comment, but analysts speculate Huawei’s push could force rivals to accelerate foldable innovations. “The Pura X proves Foldable can be both premium and practical,” said Ben Wood, CCS Insight’s chief analyst. “If Huawei nails durability. It’ll pressure Samsung to rethink its pricing.”
The Pura X foldable represents Huawei’s dual mission: reclaiming its stature in premium tech and advancing China’s semiconductor independence. While global adoption remains uncertain, its success in China could redefine the foldable landscape—and signal Huawei’s resurgence as innovation leader.
Huawei confirmed the Pura X will debut at its July 10 launch event in Shanghai. Stay tuned for hands-on impressions and performance benchmarks.
