Huawei Mate X3 smartphone

Photo: X-SHLIED via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Huawei

Huawei Mate X3

March 23, 2023 (China), May 9, 2023 (International) 8/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Huawei Mate X3 is a premium foldable smartphone known for its remarkably thin and lightweight design, IPX8 water resistance, and powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset. It features dual 120Hz OLED displays and a versatile triple camera system, offering a compelling experience for productivity and multimedia.
DisplayDual 120Hz OLED (7.85" inner, 6.4" outer with Kunlun Glass)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G
Main Camera50MP OIS Wide + 12MP 5x OIS Periscope Telephoto + 13MP Ultrawide
Battery4800 mAh (Global) with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
Starting from $3,399

💰 Huawei Mate X3 Price

The Huawei Mate X3 lowest price is $3,399, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

Main Display TypeFoldable OLED, 120Hz, 1B colors, HDR
Main Display Size7.85 inches, 2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density), 8:7.1 aspect ratio
Cover Display TypeOLED, 120Hz, 1B colors, HDR, Kunlun Glass protection
Cover Display Size6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels (~426 ppi density)

Platform

OSEMUI 13.1 (Global), HarmonyOS 3.1 (China) - No Google Play Services for global version
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPUAdreno 730

Memory

RAM12GB
Internal Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Card SlotNM (Nano Memory) up to 256GB (uses shared SIM slot)

Main Camera

Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS, RYYB sensor; 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, RYYB sensor; 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie Camera

Dual8 MP, f/2.4 (wide) - one on cover display, one on inner display
FeaturesHDR, panorama
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Battery

TypeLi-Po 4800 mAh (Global), Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only), non-removable
Charging66W wired, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless

Body

Dimensions Unfolded156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm
Dimensions Folded156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm
Weight239g (Feather-Sand model 241g)
BuildGlass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or eco-leather back, aluminum frame
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
DurabilityIPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
ColorsBlack, Green (Vegan Leather), Gold, Silver, Purple

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, SBC, AAC, LDAC, L2HC
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
NFCYes
Infrared PortYes
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG

Launch

AnnouncedMarch 23, 2023
ReleasedApril 8, 2023 (China), May 22/26, 2023 (International)

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Extremely thin and light for a foldable
  • Excellent IPX8 water resistance
  • High-quality, smooth 120Hz OLED displays
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
  • Fast wired and wireless charging
  • Versatile camera system with periscope zoom

Cons

  • No 5G connectivity for the global version
  • Lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) outside China
  • Very high price point
  • Camera module protrudes, causing wobble on flat surfaces
  • Limited availability in some markets, notably the US
★ Our Verdict

The Huawei Mate X3 excels in design, display quality, and camera performance for a foldable, but its lack of 5G and Google services for global users, coupled with a premium price, slightly detract from its overall appeal.

The Huawei Mate X3 is an excellent choice for users prioritizing a sleek, durable, and high-performance foldable smartphone, especially if you are comfortable with Huawei's ecosystem or alternative app stores. Its IPX8 rating and thin profile set it apart from many competitors. However, potential buyers outside of China must consider the absence of 5G connectivity and Google Mobile Services, which can impact app availability and overall user experience. If these limitations are not deal-breakers and the premium price fits your budget, the Mate X3 offers a top-tier foldable experience with impressive displays and camera capabilities.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Huawei Mate X3 Phone (with built-in battery)
  • Charger (66W)
  • USB Type-C Cable
  • Clear Case
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Eject Tool

Standard manufacturer's warranty applies, typically 1-2 years depending on region and local consumer laws.

❓ Questions & Answers

Does the Huawei Mate X3 support 5G connectivity?

The global version of the Huawei Mate X3 supports 4G LTE connectivity. 5G support is available-specific model.

Does the Huawei Mate X3 have Google Mobile Services (GMS)?

No, the global version of the Huawei Mate X3 does not come with Google Mobile Services (GMS). It runs on Huawei's EMUI 13.1, relying on Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) and the AppGallery for applications.

Is the Huawei Mate X3 water resistant?

Yes, the Huawei Mate X3 boasts an IPX8 rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes.

What kind of displays does the Huawei Mate X3 feature?

The Mate X3 features dual 120Hz OLED displays: a 7.85-inch foldable inner screen and a 6.4-inch cover screen protected by durable Kunlun Glass.

What is the main camera setup on the Huawei Mate X3?

The main camera system includes a 50MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom with OIS, and a 13MP ultrawide lens.

What processor powers the Huawei Mate X3?

The Huawei Mate X3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset, providing strong performance for demanding tasks and applications.