Originally unveiled in February 2019, the Huawei Mate X was poised to be one of the first folding phones on the market.
Slated for release in June 2019, the actual device saw delays following concerns regarding a competing folding phone from Samsung. When the Mate X finally did hit shelves in November of that year, it arrived to high acclaim.
While expensive, launching at the equivalent of $2,600, the device was lauded by specialists such as Techradar for its solid feel, consistent performance, and visual clarity. It would go on to be one of the best selling of the upmarket folding phones, shipping over 400,000 units so far. Despite this success, the Mate X never launched outside of China’s borders.
The next in this line of folding phones, the Huawei Mate XS is looking to extend its reach. Set for worldwide release in March 2020, the new Mate boasts an updated chipset and increased power, though other features are currently under wraps. Whether in China or abroad, many of our readers might have wondered about these new style of phones. Whether it’s the Mate XS or another folding phone, are they worth the upgrade?
A Matter of Use
As with any new device, the answer to this question comes down to the individual and their needs. For some, a folding phone could represent a boon for personal and professional uses. For others, such a costly investment could be largely misplaced or almost useless.
First of all, consider business use. For years now, mobiles have played an important part in business communications. This has massively expanded in the age of reliable mobile internet, but we inevitably come up against the wall of usability. Make calls or sending small messages or emails is quite possible with standard mobiles, but the limited space can make more involved uses less tenable.
Folding phones can effectively bridge the gap between a traditional mobile and a tablet, allowing for a far wider range of business uses without the cramped nature or uncomfortable controls which older devices require. As pointed out over at Android Central, they also tend to be more powerful, which makes multitasking and window-switching much more efficient.
In terms of entertainment uses, similar considerations are necessary. There are many games, like the online casino games from Cherry Casino, which are already perfectly suited to existing traditional mobiles – including their screen sizes and graphics power. Whether slots, table games, or something more unusual like Deal or No Deal Live, an upgrade is hardly necessary for online casino fans. That said, the larger screen size of folding phones might prove worthwhile for those with visual impairment, or those who simply find a larger screen more engaging.
Movies, Youtube, and television shows run into a slightly different set of concerns. The issue here is that modern video media sticks to a strict aspect ratio. If a folding phone ignores this ratio then a video might be stretched, or otherwise not entirely fit properly, ruining the effect. This is a known concern, however, that many devices have aimed to address, as noted by The Verge.
Only by understanding these components and measuring them against your own needs and budgets can you decide on whether or not a folding phone is right for you. It should also be noted that while these are likely to get much cheaper in the future, their increased view size will always render them more expensive than traditional devices.
At least new buyers can take their time as, so far, these devices appear to be here to stay.
Image source: “Huawei Mate 20 Pro” (CC BY 2.0) by Janitors
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