No, please do not get the title wrong. The HUAWEI Mate Xs still does not have Google Play Store out of the box. Now that we got that out of the way, let us get right to it; HUAWEI’s very anticipated foldable smartphone is available for purchase in Malaysia today onward.
For the price of MYR 11,111, you are getting a piece of engineering marvel that is the HUAWEI Mate Xs starting from today. There is a problem, however. We are not technically allowed out of our homes to buy a smartphone. Even if do get outside, the shops are not even open. So, what is HUAWEI on about? How are they selling their new smartphones?
Online is the word. Of course, selling smartphones online is nothing new to HUAWEI. They have been doing it for years with their sister brand HONOR. Of course, they have their own curated web store as well.
Obviously at this state, where no one can be out and about doing their regular shopping, HUAWEI can only put the HUAWEI Mate Xs on sale on the web store. So here it is, no launch gambit, no fancy roadshows; just a simple product put online. A little underwhelming for the Mate Xs? Yes. Necessary? Yes as well.
The HUAWEI Mate Xs – As Weird as Interstellar
The HUAWEI Mate Xs comes only in one colour option; that is Interstellar Blue. As you can see in our hands-on video, with poor lighting, the device does actually look quite good. If you must ask as well (of course, you would) it really feels like a quality product like no other. The folding mechanism gives you a load of confidence with the device, it has a solid resistance that gives you a sense that this thing is meant to be folded in and out for a lifetime. Even the crease is barely noticeable on the HUAWEI Mate Xs, less pronounced than, let us say a Samsung Galaxy Fold.
Still, it is quite a different interpretation of what a foldable smartphone should look like. We like that about the HUAWEI Mate Xs. We also like the fact that it has a tonne of power and 5G connectivity thanks to the ultra-powerful HiSilicon Kirin 990 System on a Chip (SoC) with 8G of RAM and 512GB of storage. We like that the EMUI 10 (based on Android 10, by the way) that is on the device is optimised for multiwindow functionality.
We also like the fact that the device only features one display (8-inch to 6-inch), which is technically cheaper and simpler to maintain. Although, at this point, it is difficult to say thanks to the more ‘robust’ folding mechanism. Also, not too sure about the battery life because it only has 4,500 mAh squeezed into its tight body. We are not saying that this is not impressive; it is an impressive feat still.
As we mentioned before in our launch article as well, you only get a single array of cameras that you use for both main camera shots and selfies. That is, in our books, great as well; less things to worry about and you get a single camera quality instead of two different results on two different fronts. The HUAWEI Mate Xs has a main 40-Megapixel camera, a 16-Megapixel ultra-wide angle lens, an 8-Megapixel telephoto lens, and a Time of Flight sensor for even more stellar portraits and better auto focusing.
So, you can get your hands on the HUAWEI Mate Xs today for MYR 11,111 from HUAWEI’s one and only web store. With that purchase you get a free HUAWEI Freebuds 3 worth MYR 679. You also get an Envelope Leather Case for the device worth MYR 299. In the box itself you get a sort of shell to cover the sides of your new smartphone and a pair of USB Type-C earphones. Oh right, this thing does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. You also get HUAWEI’s three months warranty on your display, just in case. That warranty covers everything from drops to whatever sort of accidental collisions the device might face within the three months. It does not cover water damage though, and this is not an IP rated device, so keep it away from coffee, or even rain.
HUAWEI VIP Home Delivery Service
Beyond that, you get to choose on the method of your receipt of the device. Yes, you get to choose. You can be optimistic and tell the web store that you will collect your HUAWEI Mate Xs at your preferred HUAWEI Store. That is if you can find one that is open, or if you can wait until April for the device. If not, you can choose for the HUAWEI Mate Xs to be delivered right to your doorstep. They call it the HUAWEI VIP Home Delivery Service.
You can expect a man in tuxedos to arrive at your doorstep, mask ready of course (health and safety requirement), and gloves. They would ring your doorbell, and you answer the door greeted by an English accent and your smartphone on a silver tray. They will sanitise the device in front of you as well, just to add to the drama and show. Then you pick it up and feel like the most important man in the world.
No, we are kidding. The face mask and sanitation procedures are true though. Still, I would imagine that if you bought your smartphone you would not be able to wait for it to get a first glimpse and hands-on with it. I suggest you go for the delivery service, all you have to do is provide them with your contact and delivery details anyway.
The HUAWEI Mate Xs is now on sale at HUAWEI’s online web store. The highly anticipated smartphone will set you back MYR 11,111. The free gifts mentioned are available for all purchases of the HUAWEI Mate Xs until further noticed by HUAWEI. More information on their device can be found on HUAWEI’s Website.
