A few days after the Mate 60 5G and Mate 60 Pro 5G, Huawei unveiled a new folding smartphone: the Mate X5 5G. However, contrary to what its name suggests, this is not a new phone, but a variation of the Mate X3 that the firm launched in May 2023 and which we tested this summer. Is 5G the only change? Answer.
In China, Huawei is benefiting from excellent momentum. An interesting indicator to illustrate this trend: the brand has increased its smartphone sales in China by 58% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. There are several explanations. But one of them is the launch of the excellent Huawei P60 Pro that we had the opportunity to test. A smartphone that we now use for some of our tests and reports.
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To capitalize on this great trend, Huawei is focusing heavily on high-end smartphones. We had proof of this a few months ago with the Huawei Mate X3. This folding smartphone was, at its launch, the thinnest and lightest of the “Fold” type models. We tested it. And the result is generally positive, even if we found some faults, particularly in terms of pricing. Especially since the release of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 was very close at the time.
Huawei discreetly launches the Mate X5
Four months later, the Chinese firm is making headlines again. On the one hand by presenting the Mate 60 5G and Mate 60 Pro 5G. A formalization which did not take place during a keynote or a press release. And on the other hand by very quickly renewing its high-end folding model, still without an official announcement, but a simple appearance on the Chinese version of the brand’s website. So here is the Mate X5 which replaces the Mate X3.
From the first moment, we realize a gap between what the name of the product suggests and the reality of its proposition: it is not a new product. It’s a technology update. In fact, there is practically no no ergonomic and technical difference between the Mate X3 and the Mate X5. We find the same very thin design, the same two screens, the same battery 5060mAh (exclusive to the Chinese version of the Mate X3), the same charging power (wired or wireless), the same photographic configuration, the same symmetrical speakers and the same finishes in terms of materials.
The Mate X5 is above all a 5G version of the Mate X3
So what are the differences? There are three precisely. The most important is the platform: the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is replaced by a “ Kirin 9000s “. Yes, a Kirin. We knew that Huawei was preparing the return of Kirin in its smartphones. It’s official with the Mate X5 and the Mate 60 and 60 Pro. It is an octa-core engraved in 7nm. It is less powerful than the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. But its advantage concerns 5G connectivity that Qualcomm cannot provide to Huawei. It is therefore the great return of 5G at Huawei thanks to the Mate X5 and the Mate 60 and 60 Pro. In addition, the Kirin 9000s benefits from an internally developed GPU: the Maleoon 910.
Second difference, the configuration. The Kirin 9000s integrates 12 or 16 GB of RAM depending on the version (compared to 12 GB in the Mate X3). And it is accompanied by 512 GB or 1 TB of internal storage (expandable with an NM Card format memory card, as always). Last difference, the weight. It goes from 240 grams on average (one gram less or more depending on the shell material) to 244 grams on average. The price and availability of the Mate X5 have not yet been revealed. But marketing should not take long in China.