What They Say
Android Authority reviewed the new Huawei Mate X2 foldable smartphone and was very impressed. It likes the fact that when folded, the phone has a traditional 21:9 aspect ratio with a 6.45″ 90Hz OLED with 2700 x 1160 resolution.
The main 8.01″ 2480 x 2200 pixels (413ppi) and the display is ‘flat. Like, really flat’ and although there is a crease it is said to be barely visible when open, although it can be felt with a finger. There is no flex from the fold when it is open and the hinge is said to feel solid.
What We Think
The tiny details that should make this kind of form factor really work seem to be dropping into place. Ever since I saw the first demos of folding smartphone concepts, years ago now, I have been convinced that the technology would be the key change to drive the smartphone market to the next step. Originally, I liked the idea of a ‘trifold’, with two outer panels folding in, but it looks as though a single fold will be the dominant form factor, with alternatives of vertical and horizontal folding.
DSCC has reported that the Huawei device uses CPI from Kolon rather than the UTG used by Samsung, with a hard coat from DNP as well as a special nano-optical layer to reduce reflections.
It must be frustrating for Huawei to have developed such a good product but unable to really market its brand strongly overall. Over the years, Samsung has been one of the best at developing a ‘hero’ product that lifted the brand overall, and using that to give a kind of halo effect to its sales of more standard products. Without the chips it needs, Huawei will not be able to do this using the Mate X2. (BR)
