In truth, there has been plenty happening in the past two weeks, and that is why there was an extra week gap between Episode 7 and Episode 8. Still, we open the week with a leak and rumours from Samsung’s camp. There is a certain foldable tablet that is in the works in their labs. At the same time, the prices of their foldable devices have dropped quite significantly. In that case, does it make sense for you to consider getting a foldable smartphone for 2021? Does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 make more sense now that it is priced at only MYR 6,999, a whole MYR 1,000 less than before? What about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip that is now MYR 3,999? Should you bet your money on other folding devices even (save for laptops)?
We discuss this and more on this episode of Tech & Tonic Podcast.
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There has been plenty of rumours pointing toward HUAWEI moving toward their very own developed Harmony OS. They say 2021 is the year they will jump into their own Operating System (OS). According to the launch as well, we can expect to see the first smartphones with Harmony OS by April 2021.
But the launch is not about HUAEI’s upcoming smartphone interface. It is about a certain replacement for the elusive HUAWEI Mate Xs of 2020. Welcome to the HUAWEI Mate X2.
The HUAWEI Mate X2, as you would have guessed, is the HUAWEI Mate Xs. Funnily enough, it does not look anything like a replacement for the HUAWEI Mate Xs. It resembles a certain foldable flagship from its competitor, to be fair.
Source: HUAWEI
That may not necessarily be a bad thing though. That sort of standardises a foldable smartphone format that everyone can agree on. While it does lack a little innovative flair, it also means that we know what to expect from a certain type of devices in the future.
The HUAWEI Mate X2 is now a dual display wielding device instead of a single foldable display beast. It makes a little bit more sense in terms of device handling as well with this type of inside-outside display layout. It also justifies the pricing a little bit better than before. You are now paying for two displays instead of one.
While the HUAWEI Mate X2 looks like a “Me Too” device, HUAWEI has made every inch of improvement they think a foldable smartphone like its type should have. For one, visually, the 6.45-inch display is a proper Full HD display at 2,700 pixels by 1,106 pixels. Inside, you get an 8-incher with 2,480 x 2,200 pixels on board, that’s more than 1440p and almost square.
Source: HUAWEI
But that is not all, the front display is a 90Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling display worthy of any games you throw at it. It is an actual usable display that is not too narrow to enjoy, or too tall to work with. It looks like a proper smartphone display you can enjoy. The internal display is a fast-moving 90Hz refresh rate display too with 180Hz in touch sampling for near instant response times.
The device is not even that thick to begin with. The HUAWEI Mate X2 is only 14.7mm thick at the thickest when it is folded. There also seems to be no gaps when you fold the device, it is a flush device and looks like it will feel like a single device. When you unfold it, it is 8.8mm at its thickest point. We say that because the device is designed as a wedge and to be heavier at the bottom plate of the device. That is also the only way for the device to be completely evenly squared when you fold it.
Powering the device is a HUAWEI Kirin 9000 System on a Chip (SoC). It is also the same one that we can find in a HUAWEI Mate 40 series. Alongside the powerful SoC you also get 8GB of RAM to work with.
Source: HUAWEI
Unlike its rival, the HUAWEI Mate X2 only packs two camera modules, both outside the device. This way, the 8-inch internal display remains undisturbed and full. Out the front display then is a 16-Megapixel selfie camera. But there is also a quad-camera set up at the back that fires at 50-Megapixel, 16-Megapixel, 12-Megapixel, and 8-Megapixel.
The 50-Megapixel main camera is the same ones you will find on the HUAWEI Mate 40 series as well, so you are not getting anything less than the best. You get a single ultra-wide camera with the 16-Megapixel. The two others are zoom lenses at 3x optical zoom factor (12MP) and a 10x optical zoom factor (8MP). As with any modern flagship you can record videos at 4K resolution.
To cap it all off, the EMUI 11 device runs on an internal 4,500 mAh battery. That battery charges at 55W at the maximum. That is good news considering that it also supports 5G and WiFi 6+. Of course, it charges via USB Type-C.
Source: HUAWEI
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Source: HUAWEI
The biggest question is now, how expensive it will be. The HUAWEI Mate X2 will be available in China 25th February, 2021 onward and will come with a charger out-of-the-box. The get to choose between 256GB or 512GB variants at CN¥ 17,999 (MYR 11,270*) and CN¥ 18,999 (MYR 11,896*). There is no word yet on when the device will get to Malaysia. We are expecting them to mention the device’s local availability to be mentioned closer to the global launch of the HUAWEI P50 series. Still, keep watch of this space. For more information, you can head to HUAWEI.
*Approximately based on conversion rate of US$ 1.00 = MYR 4.04 on xe.com at 24/02/2021
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?
Source: HUAWEI
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.
Source: HUAWEI
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.
In this episode of Tech & Tonic, we have Isa Rodriguez of Isa Does Tech, her very own YouTube channel. As a tech reviewer, she is one of the more unique ones. She does not just review the tech, but also how it pairs with the lifestyle side of things. In that sense, it is a very unique and interesting approach to tech.
We spoke at length about the many smartphone launches that happened over the past week including the very anticipated and expensive HUAWEI Mate Xs. That is one eye catching device, since it is a foldable device and approaches the foldable device concept differently.
We also discussed about the Sony Xperia 1 Mk. II that really caught our eyes. We think that it is one heck of a device for creators. It is really Sony’s premium smartphone reloaded.
The war between proper cameras and smartphones continues though. Is it better to buy a super high-end smartphone, or is it better to spend some of that money to buy a camera, an interchangeable lens camera maybe. We all agreed that it really depends on what we are looking for in our smartphones or even cameras. Which is superior? Find out with Tech & Tonic Podcast.
Here’s the TechENT Download for the week of 24th February. Boy was it an eventful one for tech! Here’s run down of some of the most pertinent tech news of the week!
AMD Feels the heat from ASUS as the Strix RX 5700 overheats after the company’s recommended settings didn’t cut it for cooling.
Sony releases a slew of devices spearheaded by the Xperia 1 II to usher in a new age of mobile with a focus on Content Creators. Together with the Xperia 1 II, they also announced a new Xperia 10 II and Xperia L4 completing their offerings for the mobile segment.
HUAWEI showed the world how to fold with its Mate Xs. The new foldable spearheaded a whole line up of MateBook D and the new MateBook X Pro laptops and the new MatePad Pro. While HTC is making a come back with its new Wildfire.
More updates as we’re hearing more developments around the COVID-19 impact on the tech industry. This time, it looks like it’s Microsoft saying that its being affected.
We’ve started a new Podcast, techENT’s Tech & Tonic! The new podcast will see us talk about some of the most interesting news and topics in tech with some of our friends in the industry. It is available on Spotify, Anchor, Google Podcast, Apple Podcast, Breaker, and other podcasting host channels! If we are not yet on your favourite channel yet, let us know in the comments so that we can work our way there!
HUAWEI showcased the interestingly complex and advanced
HUAWEI Mate X, a foldable smartphone that is unlike anything that we could
imagine a foldable smartphone would be. Instead of folding inward, the display of
the Mate X folds outward. That also means that when the HUAWEI Mate X is
folded, the display wraps around the side to the back.
We did not actually see the HUAWEI Mate X making it into the
smartphone market mix in Malaysia. Which also means we did not even get to see
it in person. Still, it made the foldable smartphone market a little bit more
interesting than what it already is. It gives the foldable smartphone market
something to think about, because it was an unconventional solution to a conventional
problem.
This year is still about foldable smartphones apparently. Of
course, there was the Samsung Galaxy Fold that came in with a large display
that folds in. There is an external display of course when the display is folded
in. Then there is the Motorola RAZR and most recently the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
that was just announced two weeks ago. Oh yes, the Z Flip is going to make it
in Malaysia.
Of course, HUAWEI is not going to be the only one missing
out. For this year they are launching their brand-new HUAWEI Mate Xs. Like the
Mate X we saw in CES 2019 last year, the HUAWEI Mate Xs features the familiar
Falcon Wing Hinge. The one found on the HUAWEI Mate Xs is supposed to be sturdier
than the original Mate X though, at least that is what they are claiming.
Like the Mate X of 2020, it also features a display that
folds out into a larger display instead of folding in. Which also means that
the Mate Xs will have a wrap-around display as well. Folded in, the main
display measures in at 6-inch. That extends to 8-inch once popped out. Yes, it
is a spring loaded mechanism, only for the first part of the unfold though.
As one of the leaders in 5G infrastructures and technology,
the HUAWEI Mate Xs comes with 5G capabilities too. While it does have dual SIM
capability, the other SIM tray can only support up to 4G connectivity, understandably
as well.
Of course, a new flashy flagship has to come with a flashy
processor. For that, the HUAWEI Mate Xs gets a HiSilicon Kirin 990 System on a
Chip (SoC). Of course, that also means that the HUAWEI Mate Xs is perfect for
multitaskers with multi-window capabilities built-into the User Interface (UI).
You can even open two instances of a single app if the app supports App Multiplier
feature. Imagine having two instances of WhatsApp running at the same time.
Instead of having two or even three camera arrangements though,
HUAWEI has gone quite conventional with a single camera array. The single camera
array is still a system of HUAWEI’s proven SuperSensing 40-Megapixel quad camera
set-up. Supporting the main camera is a 16-Megapixel ultra-wide shooter, 8-Megapixel
telephoto lens, and a 3D depth sensor for better Bokeh photos.
A large screen, as usual, needs a large battery. The HUAWEI
Mate Xs packs a 4,500mAh battery. While that may not sound that big compared to
equivalent 8-inch tablets, you must remember that HUAWEI smartphones do come
with some very impressive battery life, according to user testimonies anyway. If
that is not enough for you in a day though it charges at 55w; that is as fast as
some notebook PC these days. The notebook that typed out this release, for
example, charges at minimum of 40W. With 55w charging, the HUAWEI Mate Xs
charges from empty to full within 40 minutes.
teThe HUAWEI Mate Xs is said to be sold globally next month, March 2020. Earlier in the presentation Richard Yu did say that the new smartphone will be expensive. How expensive? EU€ 2,499 expensive. That is about MYR 11,500 and that is for the 8GB RAM and 512GB storage variant. Yes, it does come with 5G connectivity. The HUAWEI Mate Xs comes with their very own EMUI 10.0.1 and HUAWEI Mobile Services based on the Android operating system. It does not support Google’s Play Store though.
