by Foldable phones have been searching for their Goldilocks moment. Too small? You’re squinting at content. Too large? Your pocket protests. Huawei’s Pura X shatters this binary thinking with a bold 16:10 wide-screen approach that dares to ask: Why choose between compact and spacious when you can have both? This fresh take reimagines what foldable phones can be through thoughtful proportions and practical features that address real user needs.
The Pura X weighs just 193.7 grams for the eco-leather version (or 195.9 grams for the glass version), making it surprisingly light for daily use. The composite layered structure combines titanium alloy support with UTG glass, balancing strength and flexibility in a way that makes sense for a device you’ll open and close multiple times daily. When unfolded, it measures 143.2 x 91.7 x 7.15mm – shorter but significantly wider than conventional smartphones. Folded, it transforms into a compact 91.7 x 74.3 x 15.1mm square-like form.
The 6.3-inch inner flexible OLED display with its 16:10 aspect ratio creates a noticeably different experience. With a resolution of 2120 x 1320 pixels (~396 ppi density) and approximately 87.5% screen-to-body ratio, this LTPO2 OLED panel supports 1 billion colors. E-books display more text on each page. Movies feel more cinematic whether viewed vertically or horizontally. Browsing websites show more content without constant scrolling. The technical specifications complement this design well – LTPO 2.0 adaptive refresh rates that adjust between 1-120Hz, 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming to reduce eye strain, 2,500 nits peak brightness for excellent visibility outdoors, P3 wide color gamut coverage, HDR Vivid support, and a responsive 300Hz touch sampling rate.
Exterior Design With Purpose
Huawei offers the Pura X in five distinct colorways. Pattern Red and Pattern Green feature textured eco-leather with precise 0.05mm embossing that adds tactile interest. For those preferring minimalism, Moon Shadow Gray, Zero White, and Fantasy Night Black use transparent glass for a cleaner aesthetic. Each option has its own character and appeal.
The 3.5-inch exterior square OLED display (980 x 980 pixels) makes quick tasks genuinely convenient. It features a perfect 1:1 aspect ratio with an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate, 2500 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, and HDR Vivid support. While some foldables treat the outer screen as an afterthought, this one enables real functionality without opening the device. Answer calls, respond to messages, follow navigation directions, check workout stats, control music, and play quick games – all from the exterior display. This approach reduces wear on the main hinge while speeding up common interactions.
Durability gets serious attention through thoughtful engineering. The Xuanwu teardrop hinge uses high-strength space-grade materials rated at 1900 MPa rocket steel for structural strength. IPX8 water resistance protects against splashes and brief immersion (up to 2 meters for 30 minutes). The phone has been designed for improved drop resistance without excessive bulk. These features address practical concerns that matter in everyday use.
Huawei backs its product with practical protection policies, offering free protective film replacement within 90 days for non-user damage, plus four additional free replacements over two years. The screen’s protective film serves as an integral component rather than temporary protection, and Huawei advises normal precautions like avoiding excessive pressure on sensitive areas and keeping sharp objects away from the display.
HarmonyOS 5: Practical AI Applications
Running HarmonyOS 5.0.1, the Pura X implements AI in ways that solve actual problems. The system integrates DeepSeek and Huawei’s Pangu large language models for intelligent functions. The Xiaoyi voice assistant uses breathing visual effects and natural tones that improve the interaction experience. The AI eye movement page turning function detects when you’ve finished reading and automatically advances to the next page – particularly useful when your hands are occupied.
AI eye protection monitors fatigue signs and adjusts display settings to reduce strain during extended use. Xiaoyi Time Machine organizes photos into travel narratives automatically. Smart call answering adapts responses based on who’s calling. These features focus on enhancing daily tasks rather than showcasing technology for its own sake.
Content consumption benefits from several thoughtful touches. AI Intelligent Cache pre-downloads videos for offline viewing. The Ark engine keeps interface performance smooth. One-touch sharing simplifies transferring files between compatible devices. Intelligent payment automatically highlights QR codes for faster transactions. Each improvement addresses small friction points that add up to a better overall experience.
Photography That Embraces Foldability
The Pura X camera system takes advantage of the folding form factor with an impressive quad-camera array arranged in a horizontal line on the back panel. The main 50MP camera features an f/1.6 aperture, RYYB sensor, PDAF, and optical image stabilization for exceptional low-light performance. The ultra-wide angle 40MP camera with f/2.2 aperture also uses an RYYB sensor and offers macro capabilities for versatile shooting. A telephoto 8MP lens with f/2.4 aperture, OIS, PDAF, and 3.5x optical zoom (extendable to 30x digital zoom) handles distance photography with impressive clarity. Completing the array is a dedicated 1.5MP multi-spectral sensor focused solely on accurate color reproduction.
For selfies, a 10.7MP f/2.2 front-facing camera is housed in a punch-hole cutout in the main display, though many users will prefer using the main camera system with the external display as a viewfinder for superior self-portraits.
The Red Maple Primary Color Image system, with over 1.5 million spectral channels, captures accurate colors across different lighting conditions. Using the main camera for selfies produces detailed results with accurate makeup reproduction. The outer screen provides preview functionality so you can check your framing before taking the shot.
Additional camera features include laser autofocus and a color spectrum sensor for precise focusing, AI-enhanced portrait mode, and video recording at 4K and 1080p with gyro-EIS stabilization and HDR Vivid support.
The foldable design enables creative photography options. Hover photography uses the partially folded configuration as a built-in stand for group shots or time-lapses. AI portrait refinement optimizes lighting, background blur, and composition automatically. The dual-screen display makes photography more interactive, with the outer screen showing animations that can help capture natural expressions from subjects.
Action photography benefits from AI Hero Moment, which can blur crowds to focus on primary subjects and motion trajectory features. The system can track subjects in busy scenes and create split-body artistic effects. These capabilities show how the folding design can enhance photography beyond what conventional smartphones offer.
Technical Foundation
While Huawei traditionally does not disclose specific processor details, some sources suggest the Pura X is powered by a Kirin 9020 processor. Memory configurations are generous, with the standard model offering 12GB RAM paired with either 256GB or 512GB storage. The premium Collector’s Edition steps up to 16GB RAM with either 512GB or 1TB storage options. No expandable storage is available, as the device lacks a memory card slot.
The Pura X houses a 4,720mAh dual-cell battery that supports multiple charging options. The 66W wired fast charging gets you back to full power quickly, while 40W wireless fast charging offers convenient cord-free replenishment. The device also supports 7.5W reverse wireless charging, and 5W wired reverse charging to help friends with depleted devices.
Heat management uses a three-dimensional heat dissipation system with a graphite plate featuring 2,000 W/m·K thermal conductivity stosene material to maintain comfortable temperatures during intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.
Connectivity options are comprehensive, including cutting-edge Wi-Fi 7 support with dual-band capability and Wi-Fi Direct. Bluetooth 5.2 with A2DP, LE, and L2HC ensures stable wireless audio and accessory connections. NFC functionality enables contactless payments and quick device pairing. The USB Type-C 3.1 port supports OTG and DisplayPort 1.2 capabilities for external displays. An infrared port allows the phone to function as a universal remote control.
Navigation is handled by comprehensive satellite support including GPS (L1+L5), BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, GLONASS, and NavIC for accurate positioning worldwide. The Collector’s Edition models also feature Tiantong satellite communication capabilities, though these are currently limited to Chinese satellites.
The device includes a side-mounted fingerprint reader, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, compass, hall sensor, ambient light sensor, and color temperature sensor to support its various smart functions.
A Different Approach to Foldables
The Huawei Pura X is available in several configurations to suit different needs and budgets. The standard 12GB RAM model with 256GB storage starts at 7,499 yuan (approximately $1,035/€955), while stepping up to 512GB storage raises the price to 7,999 yuan (approximately $1,105/€1,020). The Collector’s Edition with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage commands 8,999 yuan (approximately $1,240/€1,145), and the top-tier 16GB RAM with 1TB storage version reaches 9,999 yuan (approximately $1,380/€1,270). In the UK market, the device is listed at £949.00. Sales began in China on March 21, 2025, with international availability yet to be confirmed.
Huawei offers three optional accessories – a three-dimensional hand-held protective case, a geometric plain leather protective case, and an ultra-thin plain leather protective case – that provide additional protection while complementing the device’s design.
What makes the Pura X interesting isn’t the specifications alone but its different approach to the foldable concept. The wide-screen format creates distinctive experiences for reading, video, gaming, and productivity.
While many competitors focus on either ultra-compact designs when closed or tablet-like experiences when opened, the Pura X optimizes content consumption while maintaining good portability. This philosophy influences everything from the display proportions to external screen functionality to camera implementation.
For anyone who has found existing foldables limiting due to their inherent compromises, the Pura X offers an alternative vision. Its 16:10 widescreen, lightweight construction, thoughtful cameras, and intelligent software create an experience that explores new possibilities for the category. Whether this approach resonates widely with consumers remains to be seen, but it represents genuine exploration in a category that benefits from fresh thinking.
The Pura X demonstrates that even as foldable phones mature, there’s room for different approaches that question basic assumptions. Meaningful innovations often come from reconsidering fundamental questions about how technology should serve users. By exploring alternative proportions for foldable, Huawei has created something distinctive in an increasingly crowded market.
Disclosure: The information in this article was translated from Chinese sources. We apologize in advance for any potential inaccuracies that may have occurred during the translation process. Source: Huawei’s product page for the Pura X.