Huawei's New MateBook Fold Could Be Mistaken for Apple's Rumored Foldable iPad

[MacRumors]

Chinese company Huawei, a major Apple competitor in China, today introduced the launch of the MateBook Fold, an ultra light and thin folding computer. Huawei tends to be fond of Apple aesthetics, so the MateBook Fold and the marketing materials that go along with it have an Apple vibe.

Apple is rumored to be working on a device that's not too far off from what Huawei is showing off, with rumors suggesting that Apple will come out with some kind of dual-screen foldable that's around 13 inches. Some rumors call it an iPad, and some call it a MacBook, but it'll come down to operating system.

Huawei says that the MateBook Fold brings "ultimate aesthetics" and represents the "peak of creation" with an "amazing opening and closing" mechanism. The MateBook is 13 inches when it's closed, but it opens to a dual-layer 18-inch OLED display with a 3.3K resolution and 1600 nits peak brightness. It features what Huawei calls a "water drop" hinge, that's able to open up to lay flat or hover at different angles so the device can be used as a tablet in landscape or portrait mode or as a dual display notebook.

While the MateBook Fold comes with a separate keyboard, it also has an on-screen version that can be activated by touching eight fingers to the display. The virtual keyboard can be used when the device is flat or when it's folded in a notebook orientation.

The MateBook Fold is just over two and a half pounds, and it is 7.3mm when unfolded and 14.9mm when folded up. When open, it's thinner than an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but not as thin as Apple's 13-inch iPad Pro.

Huawei is selling the MateBook Fold starting at 23,999 Chinese Yuan, which equates to about $3,330. It's not for sale in the United States, and you can only get it in China right now.

As for Apple's foldable notebook or iPad, it's rumored to be coming sometime around 2027. It too is expected to have a screen that's over 18 inches when unfolded, and it will be able to function as either a display with an attached keyboard, or a more traditional notebook when folded in half. More rumors can be found in our Apple foldable iPad guide.

Article Link: Huawei's New MateBook Fold Could Be Mistaken for Apple's Rumored Foldable iPad

 

[senttoschool]

Chinese companies are seemingly way ahead of Apple and Google at making innovative devices. I've been really impressed with their phones. They seem like designs that Apple would release 2-3 years later.

 

[555gallardo]

It's sad to see how one of the most innovative chinese makers, even in terms of smart watches, went down on to copy existing or rumored Apple designs.

 

[Infinite Vortex]

I'm a little confused how a launching product may get mistaken for an Apple product that doesn't exist? 🤔

 

[senttoschool]

It's sad to see how one of the most innovative chinese makers, even in terms of smart watches, went down on to copy existing or rumored Apple designs.

I don't think they're copying rumor designs. That's silly and insulting. They're spending a ton of R&D to bring futuristic designs happen years before Apple.

You don't think Apple has all the Chinese folding devices in their labs to copy and study?

 

[840quadra]

it is a decent looking device, but not sold on that format personally. if it can lock open and not accident-a-fold on me while using in the field, could be nice for job walks or a quick Autocad mod.

I would 100% still use a mechanical keyboard via BT if I owned one of these. Lower half would be okay in a pinch (kinda like an iPad on screen keyboard), but just no for long term.

 

[TechWhisperer]

Amazing stuff by Huawei! Apple is no longer special, hope this will kick their innovative, lazy butt.

 

[dialogos]

I don't think they're copying rumor designs. That's silly and insulting. They're spending a ton of R&D to bring futuristic designs happen years before Apple.

You don't think Apple has all the Chinese folding devices in their labs to copy and study?

If fanboys believe that a Chinese company saw the rumors and, in a matter of weeks, managed to complete R&D ( a process that takes Apple years!! ) and release the product, then they should be congratulating them 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[LeeW]

I don't see how you could mistake it for something Apple does not have. That aside, Huawei is producing some incredible devices at the moment. Even if they were copying Apple, the reality is, it will be better. Hardware-wise, more than software.

 

[dialogos]

I don't think they're copying rumor designs. That's silly and insulting. They're spending a ton of R&D to bring futuristic designs happen years before Apple.

You don't think Apple has all the Chinese folding devices in their labs to copy and study?

People think Apple spends years on R&D, yet somehow believe Chinese companies see a rumor and magically develop the product overnight 🤣🤣

 

[AppleTO]

The whole “copying Apple” argument doesn’t really work here, considering Apple has no such product.

 

[jz0309]

I agree with others that this could be mistaken for an Apple device that might, or not, be available 2 years from now is a stretch, a long stretch.
I am struggling to see benefits in that from factor, personally a tablet that size would be too big for me, and a laptop with no keyboard attached, no thank you (and yes, I really it comes with an attachable keyboard.
Technology-wise, seems leading edge.

 

[akula1488]

It is all about the ecosystem....I think eventually Hauwei will complete the ecosystem for Chinese users.

 

[strayts]

If Apple comes out with a foldable that runs macOS before the put macOS on the iPad Pro, so help me.

 

[AlexESP]

Chinese companies are seemingly way ahead of Apple and Google at making innovative devices. I've been really impressed with their phones. They seem like designs that Apple would release 2-3 years later.

I wouldn’t define innovative devices as just impressive devices. Sure, these folding devices are impressive, just like any other R&D project. In the real world, people keep buying iPhones and iPads because they are, so far, better devices for the task. There will be a day when that will change, but Apple should not start copying other companies and releasing hundreds of devices with whatever technology they have at hand (they’ve already done it to some extent with the VP). That’s not being ahead to me.

 

[GioGiusi]

We've now come to a point with this technology where we are definitely making products just because we can, and not because anyone asked for them, or because they have any utility whatsoever, or because they fill any market segment.

 

[GioGiusi]

I wouldn’t define innovative devices as just impressive devices. Sure, these folding devices are impressive, just like any other R&D project. In the real world, people keep buying iPhones and iPads because they are, so far, better devices for the task. There will be a day when that will change, but Apple should not start copying other companies and releasing hundreds of devices with whatever technology they have at hand (they’ve already done it to some extent with the VP). That’s not being ahead to me.

That day will be when wearables, such as glasses, mature to the point where they can replace the need for a handheld. Until then, the standard handhelds we have today will continue to dominate. Foldables will not be it, and will eventually die out like the fad they are. Products need to have actual purpose and utility in order to stick around past the gimmick phase, and foldables have absolutely none.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

I’m a laptop! I’m a tablet! I’m a desktop computer! I think I can be a phone I guess…
What a MESS.

 

[Fuzzball84]

It's sad to see how one of the most innovative chinese makers, even in terms of smart watches, went down on to copy existing or rumored Apple designs.

Loads of companies have similar designs.

Cars, white goods, clothing.

Theres nothing inherently wrong with that. Unless you’re infringing on protected designs in the country you’re selling.

 

[sdwaltz]

I feel sorry for anyone who willingly buys anything from Huawei.

 

[Kottu]

Apple often introduces abstract concepts, offering hints to so-called “analysts,” and we all end up praising products that exist only in theory. Meanwhile, Chinese companies simply go ahead and release actual products. Whether those products sell in large volumes or perform exceptionally well doesn’t matter — the key point is that they make them. That is called innovation. Apple is still following advice from Steve Jobs; “Good artists copy; great artists steal,”

 

[sw1tcher]

It's sad to see how one of the most innovative chinese makers, even in terms of smart watches, went down on to copy existing or rumored Apple designs.

Could you show me what existing foldable tablet from Apple this is copying?

 

[Vaga8ond]

Chinese companies are seemingly way ahead of Apple and Google at making innovative devices. I've been really impressed with their phones. They seem like designs that Apple would release 2-3 years later.

Because they studied Apple and haven't gotten better at being Apple than Apple.

 

[jozero]

This headline is ridiculous. Given the quality and innovation of tech coming out of China recently, specially its spectacular Evs and also electronics, it's time to admit the Western world is simply getting way behind what China can make. I don't mean "make" thru rumours and fake renders, I mean actually deliver.

Pretzel twisting headlines aren't going to make us catch up, the first step is just admitting it

 

[svish]

Looks like a fantastic device. Waiting for Apple to release one. However considering the price of this device, Apple might be charging at least $3999. Still waiting to hear more rumors of Apple's foldable. Would like to see it run macOS, if not, then at least an advanced version of iPadOS