Huawei Unveils $2,600 Foldable 'Mate X' Smartphone to Rival Samsung's Galaxy Fold

[john123]

Why? The tech isn’t ready for prime time yet as evidenced by the hideous screen area at the hinge. I think the post is fine given the context in which it is posted.

Except that's not what the dude said. He said, "Smart move by Apple not to release anything like this. Too many compromises, terrible materials, no real value to consumers, and a bad experience overall."

If you wanna criticize it not being ready for prime time, fine. I think these are a huge leap forward over early foldables, actually, but that's getting in the weeds. Samsung's and Huwai's problem is actually that the tablet app ecosystem on Android kind of sucks.

But when someone starts with junk like "no real value to consumers," yeah, that isn't going to age well. We saw the same nonsense a few months ago about triple lenses too.

And if you want to talk about real value to consumers, talk about the Touch Bar and countless other Apple cases lately where they are shoehorning technology in like a solution in search of a problem.

Product management 101 is figuring out the benefits — not the features. There is significant benefit for many consumers in something like a foldable.
[doublepost=1551050635][/doublepost]

How so? Both the Samsung and Huawei foldables show that there are way too many compromises to be considered a good product. If Apple decides that one day the hardware and software is ready to be released, that doesn’t change my statement.

See post above.

Also does the following not make you think twice?

iPad Pro, iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV, AirPods, HomePod

Sure does to me.

 

[DNichter]

Eh, I don’t think so. The wrinkle isn’t likely to be a buff distraction head-on, but with lighting and the right angle it’s probably more obvious. Even still it’s worth the trade off of being able to app multitask and watch a movie or stream if need be and then find it up still have an amazing phone. Who expects retina quality on the first foldout screen? The first iPhone resolution was like 320 x 480 or something.

Haha good luck with your debice then. I personally wouldn’t accept a screen with a huge crease down the middle of it. Just an FYI, you can multitasks and stream with tablets and phones today, without the compromise of a creased screen.

 

[lunarworks]

It is glass. I know a german glass manufacturer who told me a couple of weeks ago they were providing foldable glass to a chinese smartphone manufacturer for an upcoming innovative product. I guess it was for Huawei...

It's not glass. Foldable glass doesn't exist... unless you heat it to a few hundred degrees, of course.

 

[DNichter]

Except that's not what the dude said. He said, "Smart move by Apple not to release anything like this. Too many compromises, terrible materials, no real value to consumers, and a bad experience overall."

If you wanna criticize it not being ready for prime time, fine. I think these are a huge leap forward over early foldables, actually, but that's getting in the weeds. Samsung's and Huwai's problem is actually that the tablet app ecosystem on Android kind of sucks.

But when someone starts with junk like "no real value to consumers," yeah, that isn't going to age well. We saw the same nonsense a few months ago about triple lenses too.

And if you want to talk about real value to consumers, talk about the Touch Bar and countless other Apple cases lately where they are shoehorning technology in like a solution in search of a problem.

Product management 101 is figuring out the benefits — not the features. There is significant benefit for many consumers in something like a foldable.
[doublepost=1551050635][/doublepost]
See post above.

Also does this not make you think twice? Sure does to me.

Yup, still stand by both my statements then. Nothing you said really proves otherwise. Both products are full of compromises and are clearly rushed to market. Obviously the concept of a foldable has value, these products unfortunately have too many comspromises that overshadow that. If you’re willing to give these companies 2k for a creased screen, then you’re the perfect customer for such a product.

 

[pl1984]

I’m offering facts about the products as we see them today. A creased screen is now an opinion? Feel free to be the first in line for this junk if you want, but these issues are clearly visible to anyone who watched the videos.

No, you're offering speculation based off of a short video. Let's take the crease...you've concluded the product is junk because of it. Yet you have no experience with it to see if it causes any issues (not sure I would even classify it as a crease but I understand what you're referring to). It may look bad in the video but the question is: Does it cause any problems? Is there any distortion because of it? Is it less bright in that area of the screen? Does touch not work as well? Can you answer any of these questions? No, all you can do is say: There's a "crease" and therefore conclude it's junk.

 

[notabadname]

Way better design than the Samsung. Make use of that screen when folded! Samsungs inadequate screen real estate kills it from the start for me.

 

[john123]

Yup, still stand by both my statements then. Nothing you said really proves otherwise. Both products are full of compromises and are clearly rushed to market. Obviously the concept of a foldable has value, these products unfortunately have too many comspromises that overshadow that. If you’re willing to give these companies 2k for a creased screen, then you’re the perfect customer for such a product.

Of course you do.

But this isn't about me. Nor is it about you.

 

[pl1984]

Yup, still stand by both my statements then. Nothing you said really proves otherwise. Both products are full of compromises and are clearly rushed to market. Obviously the concept of a foldable has value, these products unfortunately have too many comspromises that overshadow that. If you’re willing to give these companies 2k for a creased screen, then you’re the perfect customer for such a product.

Nothing you've said is based on any real world usage, experience, or reviews. Just a short video which was very poorly done.

 

[Roger67]

Samsung's Fold looks 100x better. Huawei's phone looks like a prototype. The Mate X is the foldable iphone that Apple would produce and get away with (after first solving multitasking) including the price. Apple would sell the "wing" as a neat feature instead of the workaround and design failure it really is.

 

[timber]

Pretty good job from a company that is supposed to copy everything from others.
The hardware concept is well thought out without notches due to that hinge that becomes something to hold on to.
Of course the price is ridiculous and they seem to lack Samsung's display prowess.

 

[jazz1]

I think I'll wait. I've already owned an Apple Newton Ground breaking for sure! But, I've got to see a seamless folding screen at a reasonable price.

File:Apple_Newton_and_iPhone.jpg

Fact is until they get cheaper and better I'll carry my iPhone and iPad (when I need a big screen). I suppose once these foldable displays get good enough a consumer could justify a combined product price, like a phone and table rolled into one (pun intended). I don't want a Taco, I want a Sushi roll device

 

[notabadname]

The real issue on this one will be screen damage to the bend. Can’t exactly make it out of Gorilla Glass. But that exposed soft, vulnerable edge is going to be scraped and marred quickly in pockets and purses. This will require a sleeve-like holder to protect, which will then make it useless to pull out of a pocket and use with a single hand. These screens will be the complete opposite of the desire for more scratch-resistant performance.

 

[mattster16]

Would you be excusing it if it were an Apple product?

Apple would never release something like this, but if they did...no.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Can you please detail your experience with this device which has led you to conclude it's a major fail? Did something break on you while using it? Did something not function as expected? Something else?

For me, something else. I want a tablet with a flat screen. A screen that should be flat, but instead has a crease, is a major fail.

You pretending a tablet with a creased screen must be experienced first hand before criticizing it isn’t as clever as you seem to think.

 

[pl1984]

How so? Both the Samsung and Huawei foldables show that there are way too many compromises to be considered a good product. If Apple decides that one day the hardware and software is ready to be released, that doesn’t change my statement.

Do you take pictures with your iPhone?
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Apple would never release something like this, but if they did...no.

You failed to answer my question.

 

[DNichter]

No, you're offering speculation based off of a short video. Let's take the crease...you've concluded the product is junk because of it. Yet you have no experience with it to see if it causes any issues (not sure I would even classify it as a crease but I understand what you're referring to). It may look bad in the video but the question is: Does it cause any problems? Is there any distortion because of it? Is it less bright in that area of the screen? Does touch not work as well? Can you answer any of these questions? No, all you can do is say: There's a "crease" and therefore conclude it's junk.

Yes, a phone with an obvious crease right down the middle of the screen, considering it’s main selling point is its ability to fold, is clearly a problem. If you feel like that can only get better with repeated use and is worthy of spending over $2,000 on it, feel free.

 

[mattster16]

It's not glass. Foldable glass doesn't exist... unless you heat it to a few hundred degrees, of course.

Not true. Foldable glass does exist. It just has to be very thin. Foldable glass displays exist. Spend some time on google.

 

[garranhado]

In Europe costs only 2.299€ (vs 2600$). Apple prices in Europe are unrealistic (999$ -> 1179€).

 

[mattster16]

You failed to answer my question.

I said “if they did...no”. To clarify I am saying no, I would not defend an Apple product with a wavy distorted screen.

 

[luvbug]

So, who's gonna be the one to drop $2k+ and report back on durability? I just can't imaging this thing being folded and unfolded repeatedly without the screening going south, one way or another.

 

[DNichter]

Of course you do.

But this isn't about me. Nor is it about you.

Correct, it’s about a product with too many obvious compromises to be valuable.

 

[44267547]

There is no doubt this technology is fascinating, and I think it’s great to see the competition side-by-side like this between Samsung and Huwaei.

But the overall reality of a product like this, is that the price point is literally unattractive, and I don’t see the average consumer desiring a device like this with the overall cost (Especially given the cost of a smart phone as it stands now is venturing over a $1000). However, This is the price you have to pay though if you want first GEN tech that’s new, innovative and exciting, I think it’s just for a select few amount of users who are willing to pay this. My thoughts are, I would wait a few years, to allow the technology to mature and refine.

Either way, it’s refreshing to see something so different from what we have been used to with smart phones over the last 10 years, aside from the overall size that has grown.

 

[tongxinshe]

Huawei’s shadiness really puts me off their devices. One day, they may supply all of the essential infrastructure for wireless technologies, but until that day comes, I will continue to avoid their tech.

Actually, I started to trust Huawei a little bit when FBI accused it as "shady". When an entity full of shadiness attacks another entity, it's totally possible just because the entity being attacked isn't shady.

 

[marco114]

I think this looks hideous. Give me an iPhone X with a fingerprint sensor, better camera and 3x thicker with a HUGE F#$KING BATTERY and I'd buy it all day long.

 

[Baymowe335]

Eh, I don’t think so. The wrinkle isn’t likely to be a buff distraction head-on, but with lighting and the right angle it’s probably more obvious. Even still it’s worth the trade off of being able to app multitask and watch a movie or stream if need be and then find it up still have an amazing phone. Who expects retina quality on the first foldout screen? The first iPhone resolution was like 320 x 480 or something.

Can’t wait for you to buy this and give us your review.