Huawei finally launches its folded smart phone Mate X
(Photo : Reuters)

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd launches its newest foldable smartphone, the Mate X, in China on Friday after its delayed schedule of launching. As you may recall, it was supposed to be originally launched in June, then it was moved to September, and then moved again to an unspecifiied date in November. 

In a report from BBC News, according to Huawei's online store, just minutes after it was launched on Friday it was sold out immediately. The Mate X was sold on the market for 16,999 yuan only. Many went home sad because they were not able to buy the phone during its launching day. However, Huawei announced there is no need to worry because there will be another batch of the foldable phones that will be released on November 22. Huawei's Mate X is the second major foldable phone that hit the market following the Samsung Galaxy Fold. 

What's with the Mate X that makes it stand out from other foldable phones? 

  • According to an article published in the Verge, one of the reasons why it stands out from other foldable phones because its folding screen is on the outside of the phone compared to Galaxy's Fold and Motorola's Razr where its folding screen is inside.
  • When Mate X is folded, its front screen has 6.6 inches and 6.38 inches at the back. Its screen is 8 inches diagonally when unfolded.
  • Mate X is equipped with 5GKirin 980 processor, and a dual cell with 4,500mAh battery that gives it a longer battery life span.

For the meantime, aside from its second batch on November 22, it will only be available in Huawei's online store in China, the Vmall. It will be offered at the same price on Nov.22 amounting to 16,999 yuan or $2,400

When will this be available to other countries?

  • It is still not clear when this foldable phone will be available to other countries. However, Huawei told the Verge in a separate statement on October that a global launch of the Mate X is under review. Huawei is still under a heavy scrutiny and inquiry in U.S. This means that Mate X cannot be sold in any states in U.S.

In a recent report from Reuters, Washington alleges Huawei Mate X can jeopardized the national security of US government as this phone could be used by Beijing to spy once it is inside the US market. However, the Shenzhen-based company has adamantly denied the allegations. 

In September, Huawei launched its Mate 30, but it was put on hold immediately by the US government because it was found out that Huawei was not able to get a license of the latest version of Google. This drastically impacted the sales and revenue of the company.

However, once Huawei passes the review and scrutiny of the US government, it is expected that the Mate X will trend worldwide.  

Despite the fact that Huawei's products were included in the blacklist, it did not affect its revenue in the third quarter. The revenue of Huawei could increase to 27 percent this year compared to its revenue last year during third quarter. This is because of its fast importation and solid sales in China prior to its ban order in May.