Huawei Pura X Max Wide Foldable Launches Before Apple and Samsung
Quick Reads
- Huawei has revealed the Pura X Max, which it is positioning as the world’s first horizontally wide foldable smartphone.
- The device is set to officially launch in China on April 20, alongside the new Pura 90 smartphone series.
- When unfolded, it features a 7.69-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio closer to an iPad mini than a standard phone screen.
- Pre-orders are already open in China, with a starting price of around 6,999 yuan approximately $970.
- The launch beats both Apple and Samsung to a wide foldable design that both companies are widely expected to copy later this year.
Huawei Unveils a Wide Foldable That Looks Like Tomorrow’s iPhone
Huawei has officially revealed the Huawei Pura X Max wide foldable, a book-style phone that opens sideways instead of tall. The announcement came on April 13. Huawei describes the device as the industry’s first horizontally wide foldable smartphone, with an official launch set for April 20. The timing is deliberate. Both Apple and Samsung are expected to release nearly identical designs later this year. Huawei is shipping first.
What the Pura X Max Actually Looks Like
Think of a passport, not a scroll. Most foldable phones today open into a tall, narrow screen useful, but awkward for video and multitasking. The Pura X Max flips that entirely.
When unfolded, the device is expected to feature a screen of around 7.69 inches with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes it closer in usability to compact tablets such as the iPad mini, especially for multitasking, media consumption, and productivity. The outer screen measures around 5.5 inches, allowing users to handle everyday tasks without opening the device.
Huawei’s official images show a minimal visible crease, a triple rear camera system in a horizontal pill-shaped module, and selfie cameras on both the inner and outer screens. That is a meaningful design detail a visible crease has long been the most common complaint about foldable phones.
The device will be available in five colours: Interstellar Blue, Olive Gold, Phantom Night Black, Vibrant Orange, and Zero Degree White. Storage configurations run from 12GB RAM with 256GB storage up to 16GB RAM with 1TB.
The Specs: What Is Confirmed and What Is Still Rumoured
Huawei has not yet released a full specification sheet. Full details are expected at the April 20 launch event. What is confirmed from pre-order listings and Huawei’s own materials:
The device is expected to be powered by Huawei’s Kirin 9030 chipset and run HarmonyOS 6. It is also tipped to feature a Red Maple quad-camera system, a 5,500 mAh battery, and support for 100W wired fast charging. TechNode These figures have not been officially confirmed by Huawei and should be treated as reported specifications until the launch event.
One important note: HarmonyOS is Huawei’s own operating system. It does not run Google’s Android or include Google Play Services. This limits its appeal in Western markets The Gadgeteer and is a key reason why the device is expected to remain a China-only product.
How This Fits Into the Bigger Foldable Race
The Pura X Max does not exist in a vacuum. It arrives as three of the world’s biggest phone makers are converging on the same idea at the same time.
The Pura X Max is expected to feature a 7.69-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer screen, closely matching the dimensions of the so-called Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide. By launching first, Huawei has beaten Samsung and Apple to defining the next new foldable form factor.
Samsung’s version, the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, is reportedly set to launch on July 22, as confirmed by 9to5Google. Apple’s foldable iPhone expected to be called the iPhone Ultra is widely anticipated for the company’s usual September launch window, with pricing leaks suggesting it could .
For Huawei, getting there first is not just symbolic. It gives the company months of real-world feedback before competitors enter the market with their own versions. TrendForce estimates that Apple, leveraging its strong brand positioning and consumer anticipation, could capture nearly 20% of the foldable smartphone market in 2026, compressing the share of competitors such as Samsung and Huawei to around 30% each
