Huawei Mate X

[tbayrgs]

Couple of hands on I've read said that the crease is present, but invisible if looking at the tablet straight on. Holding it at an angle you can just barely see a difference in light reflected and a subtle crease. If this is the case then the crease is NOT an issue for me at all.

Edit: Just viewed Ralfi's video, yeah definitely ripples there. I don't think they would bother me though, unless they interfere with the touch functions. I think we have to be realistic here and expect some limitations and not everything will be perfect.

The crease is just one element that bothers me. I’m just not excited about using a plastic display again. After using glass for so long, the prospects of having a plastic display really tempers any excitement I have for a device with a folding display. Hell, I hate the feel of plastic screen protectors and those are at least on top of a rigid, smooth surface...

 

[spinedoc77]

The crease is just one element that bothers me. I’m just not excited about using a plastic display again. After using glass for so long, the prospects of having a plastic display really tempers any excitement I have for a device with a folding display. Hell, I hate the feel of plastic screen protectors and those are at least on top of a rigid, smooth surface...

I don't blame you at all, I'm also not really looking forward to it either. Although a couple of the hands on mention that it's pretty rigid and doesn't feel that much different than glass. I guess we'll have to wait until we can actually feel one hands on ourselves.

 

[Ralfi]

Another vid...

User states the crease is unnoticeable, but he’s referring to it in a visual sense.

I’m still not sure if you’ll be able to feel the crease during use, which is potentially an equally bad flaw.

 

[Tsepz]

Huawei are hosting public demos of the Mate X, Huawei South Africa just announced on our local forum.

THIS is how you do it.

 

[Oohara]

The crease is just one element that bothers me. I’m just not excited about using a plastic display again. After using glass for so long, the prospects of having a plastic display really tempers any excitement I have for a device with a folding display. Hell, I hate the feel of plastic screen protectors and those are at least on top of a rigid, smooth surface...

I don't blame you at all, I'm also not really looking forward to it either. Although a couple of the hands on mention that it's pretty rigid and doesn't feel that much different than glass. I guess we'll have to wait until we can actually feel one hands on ourselves.

I'm not too hot on a plastic screen either. To be honest I'm not sure I need this kind of device at all. For the same money I'd rather have a "small" phone i.e. iPhone XS size, alongside a good 7-8" tablet. Only thing missing at the moment is a good tablet in that size category. Give me a 8" Galaxy Note tablet (doesn't need to have smartphone capabilities like 4G and fancy camera) with a flat screen and I'm basically set until the end of time.

 

[kdarling]

Weird. Never understood why people who claim to not be interested in such a device, would even post.

As for me, my problem is trying to justify getting one of each brand ! lol

 

[Tsepz]

Weird. Never understood why people who claim to not be interested in such a device, would even post.

As for me, my problem is trying to justify getting one of each brand ! lol

LOL! Right!?

 

[spinedoc77]

I'm not too hot on a plastic screen either. To be honest I'm not sure I need this kind of device at all. For the same money I'd rather have a "small" phone i.e. iPhone XS size, alongside a good 7-8" tablet. Only thing missing at the moment is a good tablet in that size category. Give me a 8" Galaxy Note tablet (doesn't need to have smartphone capabilities like 4G and fancy camera) with a flat screen and I'm basically set until the end of time.

I can respect having a small phone and a small tablet, but definitely that's not what I want. I want a huge phone and no tablet, or rather the hugest tablet I can fold into a phone. The largest tablet I can "easily" carry around is an ipad mini which fits into my back pocket, but it's still a struggle having to take it out when seated, having it look goofy in my pants, and only works if I have jeans on (forget dress pants or scrubs), plus I have to keep the devices synced, which may be more difficult if I had an Android phone. A tablet that folds down into a phone is the perfect solution, ignoring for a second the growing pains this segment will have such as plastic screens.

EVERYTHING is about compromise, for me the compromise of having to lug around a separate tablet and figure out what to do with it when I'm not using it is a MUCH bigger compromise than having a plastic screen (said with the disclaimer, of course, that I haven't physically fondled one of these units so have no idea how bad or good they might be). But you know what they say about cameras, the best camera is the one you have on you. I definitely think that applies to tablets as well, the best tablet is the one you actually have on you when you need it, otherwise my tablet sitting at home is quite useless to me.

Foldable tablets will evolve, there is zero doubt in my mind. Every single person who says they would never get one, I will bet anything they will eventually have one, although that may take years just as smartphones took years to have universal penetration. Maybe not 100% of people though, my step father still carries around an old 1990's flip phone and there will always be consumers like that. But it's really tough to deny the utility of having a larger screen in a smaller package for anyone who uses computers and/or smartphones to any degree.
[doublepost=1552590995][/doublepost]

Weird. Never understood why people who claim to not be interested in such a device, would even post.

As for me, my problem is trying to justify getting one of each brand ! lol

Lol, same problem. I've actually caught myself almost subconsciously rationalizing why I would buy both the Mate X and the Samsung Fold. I suppose it's the same sickness that explains why I carry a XS Max every day, but still have a Pixel 3 XL sitting on my nightstand. I've honestly not decided which one and keep going back and forth, but the Fold will be out much sooner so I have a feeling I will pick that up until the Mate comes out.

 

[Tsepz]

Got to give the Mate X a go today, and have to say I am absolutely impressed.

Early impressions:
- it's hefty in hand and feels VERY solid
- When Folded it actually feels like a normal flagship smartphone, due to the reduced Bezels the phone is actually not at all large, it just feels very expensive.
- Screen is smooth, and I can honestly say you can use the phone Folded 95% of the time, that 6.6inch Display is just glorious.
- When unfolded it looks incredible yet looks like a small tablet, again due to small bezels, the entire device takes less space and is quite compact.

By the way, the Crease, yes the crease exists, however you barely feel it and looking at the device Head-On you cannot see it.

Please ask any questions you may have, I had about 10 minutes with the device, there were about 10 other people who wanted a turn so could not take my time

 

[spinedoc77]

Got to give the Mate X a go today, and have to say I am absolutely impressed.

Early impressions:
- it's hefty in hand and feels VERY solid
- When Folded it actually feels like a normal flagship smartphone, due to the reduced Bezels the phone is actually not at all large, it just feels very expensive.
- Screen is smooth, and I can honestly say you can use the phone Folded 95% of the time, that 6.6inch Display is just glorious.
- When unfolded it looks incredible yet looks like a small tablet, again due to small bezels, the entire device takes less space and is quite compact.

By the way, the Crease, yes the crease exists, however you barely feel it and looking at the device Head-On you cannot see it.

Please ask any questions you may have, I had about 10 minutes with the device, there were about 10 other people who wanted a turn so could not take my time

WOW really great! Did you see any software enhancements over stock Android in tablet use? I'm just curious how Huawei will fare vs Samsung in terms of software. Samsung always seems to make nice improvements to the OS. How did the plastic feel vs glass?

Also did anyone mention availability in the US?

 

[Achillias]

Got to give the Mate X a go today, and have to say I am absolutely impressed.

Early impressions:
- it's hefty in hand and feels VERY solid
- When Folded it actually feels like a normal flagship smartphone, due to the reduced Bezels the phone is actually not at all large, it just feels very expensive.
- Screen is smooth, and I can honestly say you can use the phone Folded 95% of the time, that 6.6inch Display is just glorious.
- When unfolded it looks incredible yet looks like a small tablet, again due to small bezels, the entire device takes less space and is quite compact.

By the way, the Crease, yes the crease exists, however you barely feel it and looking at the device Head-On you cannot see it.

Please ask any questions you may have, I had about 10 minutes with the device, there were about 10 other people who wanted a turn so could not take my time

So the multitasking is vertical instead of horizontal, you can actually put any app on the left side of the crease and browse or do other things on the right side? Well that's a good way of using multitasking. On a regular phone it's always horizontal and you can barely browse and use a second app.

 

[Tsepz]

WOW really great! Did you see any software enhancements over stock Android in tablet use? I'm just curious how Huawei will fare vs Samsung in terms of software. Samsung always seems to make nice improvements to the OS. How did the plastic feel vs glass?

Also did anyone mention availability in the US?

The Software is not that different from what we have on Mate 20 Pro, except it is now all optimized for a Foldable. What is insane is how the phone just figures out which orientation and which side you are looking at, it very fast at switching between the screen states. They have also added some features in the Camera to take advantage of the rear display when Folded.

Also, for people who are left handed the UI supports holding the device the other way around, basically upside-down

The software itself feels very much final, however, they did say that this is an Engineering unit, so not everything is absolutely final, they also couldn't reveal screen resolution and a few other things.

The Plastic felt good, not as bumpy as the old Resistive displays but not quite as hard as Gorilla Glass we are used, but you quickly get over this. When Folded the screen feels like glass, you would not say it's plastic, it seems to sort of stretch out when Folded so it's really flat.

 

[ramram55]

"Huawei is stealing technology that others do not have!" Go Huawei.

 

[spinedoc77]

Hmm, what do you guys think will the situation in the US? Are we going to have to import these, and if so I wonder if all the necessary bands will be present. From what I understand the pricing includes VAT so should be a bit cheaper without that. Another concern is all the flack Huawei has received lately for spying.

 

[tbayrgs]

Hmm, what do you guys think will the situation in the US? Are we going to have to import these, and if so I wonder if all the necessary bands will be present. From what I understand the pricing includes VAT so should be a bit cheaper without that. Another concern is all the flack Huawei has received lately for spying.

Yup, I'm personally not buying anything from Huawei so as great as one of their products may be, I won't be getting it.

 

[Tsepz]

So the multitasking is vertical instead of horizontal, you can actually put any app on the left side of the crease and browse or do other things on the right side? Well that's a good way of using multitasking. On a regular phone it's always horizontal and you can barely browse and use a second app.

Yep, you can happily use both apps, e.g. GMaps and WhatsApp, both have enough space, it kind of feels looks like you are using to 2 phones in 1.

The puny bezel really is the highlight for me in this phone, it has addressed all the crap we have seen with Notchs and Punch Holes these days, it being Outward folding with the Cameras sitting in a Sidebar, means the Displays are undisturbed and so they have minimal bezels, making the device look incredibly futuristic while also making it compact to be a daily Phone and Tablet in 1.

The Outward Fold design is probably the Design most OEMs will eventually go with, it makes much more sense, and solutions to protect the display at the Back when Folded are already in full swing with all types of screen protectors being made, you are going to see some incredible stuffcoming up, that's all I am allowed to say

The people who crapped on the Mate X design may end up eat their words..... If they don't decide to back peddle when their favourite OEMs brings a Foldable with a similar design.

 

[jamezr]

Yup, I'm personally not buying anything from Huawei so as great as one of their products may be, I won't be getting it.

My thoughts as well. In a lot of ways this looks better than the Fold. But I won't be getting a Huawei device in the near future

 

[Tsepz]

Hmm, what do you guys think will the situation in the US? Are we going to have to import these, and if so I wonder if all the necessary bands will be present. From what I understand the pricing includes VAT so should be a bit cheaper without that. Another concern is all the flack Huawei has received lately for spying.

Until I see actual evidence of all these US claims, I will happily buy across Huawei, Samsung and Apple.

People are hilarious, being scared of the fact that they may be being spied on while they use a Google or Apple product seems Edward Snowden didn't teach them anything really.

I have been in Digital Marketing long enough to know that your Cellphone Networks are amongst the biggest data resellers, they have the deep access to your device and the information you transmit, (Voice and data) even long before even Google was doing this. Most of these networks sell the Data or have partnerships with Big Data companies e.g. Verizon and Vodafone have a partnershio with Yahoo under the Gemini, Programmatic Media Buying platform that involves highly targeted display and video advertising on the web amongst other things.

If you are worried about the people who made the phone or OS, why not worry about the people who actually Carry the data you share daily, amazing what a Smear campaign can do.

Device security these days is one big Fallacy, but I have to say, the US government is doing a great job of creating this doubt around Huawei and Apple does a great job of creating this doubt around Android but people don't seem to connect the dots, just spew what they are told.

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

The Outward Fold design is probably the Design most OEMs will eventually go with, it makes much more sense, and solutions to protect the display at the Back when Folded are already in full swing with all types of screen protectors being made, you are going to see some incredible stuffcoming up, that's all I am allowed to say

The people who crapped on the Mate X design may end up eat their words..... If they don't decide to back peddle when their favourite OEMs brings a Foldable with a similar design.

I'm still iffy about the outward fold. It is a very nice looking device though.

Although I hate the small front display of the Galaxy Fold. They are already designing cases for it.
https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-fold-cases-961676/
So I look forward to a next gen when the front display is large enough.

 

[lavrishevo]

Hmm, what do you guys think will the situation in the US? Are we going to have to import these, and if so I wonder if all the necessary bands will be present. From what I understand the pricing includes VAT so should be a bit cheaper without that. Another concern is all the flack Huawei has received lately for spying.

No carrier will offer the device in the U.S. just like the P20 and soon to be released p30's. You will be able to source them via Amazon, eBay, and others without a warranty. I'm sure it will be just like the P20. Compatible with GSM only networks. No Sprint or Verizon in other words. Their hardware is nice but their software is suspect and the amount of personal data they collect is unsettling. Of course all of you with Facebook installed on your phones are constantly sharing tons of personal info as it is...

 

[Ralfi]

without a warranty

Loco risk then.

Got to give the Mate X a go today, and have to say I am absolutely impressed.

Forgot to ask, how did you get early access? Very lucky

 

[spinedoc77]

No carrier will offer the device in the U.S. just like the P20 and soon to be released p30's. You will be able to source them via Amazon, eBay, and others without a warranty. I'm sure it will be just like the P20. Compatible with GSM only networks. No Sprint or Verizon in other words. Their hardware is nice but their software is suspect and the amount of personal data they collect is unsettling. Of course all of you with Facebook installed on your phones are constantly sharing tons of personal info as it is...

That's too bad, man a $2500 device with no warranty. Really scary reading about them as a company and why they are having their current issues, some serious stuff above and beyond stuff like Google and Facebook.

 

[Tsepz]

Forgot to ask, how did you get early access? Very lucky

They are doing a sort of "roadshow" of the device in some countries, so they posted in our local forum that they will be around parts of the country with the device, just had to drop them an email and I was in.

 

[lavrishevo]

That's too bad, man a $2500 device with no warranty. Really scary reading about them as a company and why they are having their current issues, some serious stuff above and beyond stuff like Google and Facebook.

I think you would be surprised how much info Google and Facebook collect. With Facebook installed on your phone a lot of data is sent to their servers every 90 seconds about where you are, been, what you were looking at, searching, messaging, taking to, and on and on. Anything and everything they can collect about you. It's their business model. It's how they make money and lots of it at that. The social media platform is all ruse. And this is when you the app is not even open. Funny how people don't get it really. Or I guess they don't care. Facebook is all about collecting personal information about you and selling it. Delete the app off your phone and your get back like 25% of your battery life.

But yeah, a $2500 device with no warranty - no thanks. It's the reason why I returned my P20 Pro. That and also switching to Verizon.

 

[spinedoc77]

I think you would be surprised how much info Google and Facebook collect. With Facebook installed on your phone a lot of data is sent to their servers every 90 seconds about where you are, been, what you were looking at, searching, messaging, taking to, and on and on. Anything and everything they can collect about you. It's their business model. It's how they make money and lots of it at that. The social media platform is all ruse. And this is when you the app is not even open. Funny how people don't get it really. Or I guess they don't care. Facebook is all about collecting personal information about you and selling it. Delete the app off your phone and your get back like 25% of your battery life.

But yeah, a $2500 device with no warranty - no thanks. It's the reason why I returned my P20 Pro. That and also switching to Verizon.

I'm not necessarily concerned about the data collection (well I am, but I don't think that's what makes Huawei sketchy, at least more sketchy than Facebook/Google). If you do reading up on Huawei, on who their founder used to be, and also put that together with how China massively spies on it's citizens, how it imprisons them and uses that data to demand loyalty, heck they will publicly shame them for debt, and I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceberg. You have ENTIRE governments officially blacklisting them, not just the US. The CFO was just arrested for possibly covering up violating Iran sanctions. Their issues go far beyond just data collection for advertising revenue IMO.