Huawei Mate X3 Full Review – The Foldable Flagship That Blends Innovation With Elegance

Enter the Huawei Mate X3.

And this isn’t just any foldable phone — it’s a statement. It tells you don’t have to choose between power and beauty. In between portability and productivity. Between tech and emotion.

This full review covers what you need to know about the Huawei Mate X3 — design, performance, cameras, battery life, and why it might just be the best foldable phone of 2025.

Beautiful Design – Elegance You Can Fold

The first time you lay eyes on the Huawei Mate X3, it is hard not to be smitten. When folded, it resembles a polished, premium flagship. When unfolded, it expands into a beautiful tablet. But here’s what’s really impressive:

• Weight: Only 239 grams. That’s lighter than a standard phone.

• Folded Thickness: Only 11.08 mm; Unfolded Thickness: 5.3 mm

• Durability: IPX8 water-resistance rating, and a reinforced ultra-light titanium hinge.

That hinge deserves a moment. The Mate X3 opens and closes smoothly and securely thanks to Huawei’s engineering. There’s no wobble. No crunch. Just precision. It features an aerospace-grade folding mechanism that is rugged yet lightweight.

It folds inward, which protects the main screen and makes it feel booklike. There’s something strangely satisfying — and even emotional — about opening your phone as if it were a journal.

Dual Display Experience – Visual Wonder

Outer Display:

• Size: 6.4-inch OLED

• Resolution: 2504 x 1080 pixels

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz

• Brightness: Up to 1200 nits

This outer display is just what every high-end smartphone display ought to be—bright, fluid, and otherwise superb for casual tasks like texting, calling, or checking your notifications.

INNER DISPLAY (LARGE FOLDABLE)

• Size: 7.85-inch OLED

• Resolution: 2456 x 2224 pixel resolution

• Refresh Rate: 120Hz

Unfold the device, and a near-square canvas opens up, ideal for reading, gaming, and, especially, multitasking. Working on documents or watching videos on this screen is a treat. It’s joyful — an emotion a lot of phones seem no longer capable of delivering.

And yes, the crease is there. However, Huawei has managed to make it less of an issue. You’re aware of it at first, but then you forget about it.

Performance — It’s Time to Engage Beast Mode

While 4G-only because of U.S. sanctions, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset provides flagship performance:

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage Options: 256GB 512GB 1TB

• OS: HarmonyOS 3.1 (China) / EMUI 13.1 (Global)

User experience-wise, everything is buttery smooth. While opening up sizeable files; running graphics-heavy games; and switching between several apps simultaneously in split-screen mode, the Mate X3 doesn’t even blink.

And HarmonyOS? It’s lightweight, pure, and designed for foldables. Multi-tasking is a dream—you can run two apps along the short edge of the phone simultaneously, float windows, and drag and drop content between apps. It’s like having a mini-computer in your pocket.

Camera — A Photography Heavyweight

Huawei’s mobile photography prowess comes through once more with the Mate X3. The rear camera setup consists of:

• 50MP Main Camera (f/1.8, OIS)

• Ultra wide camera: 13MP (f/2.2)

• 12MP Periscope Telephoto (5x Optical Zoom, OIS)

Images are sharp, colors are realistic, and the dynamic range is good. The results are professional-level, whether in daylight or low light. The periscope telephoto lens gives you up to 50x digital zoom, whereas the ultra-wide lets you shoot sprawling landscapes or a group.

Front Cameras:

• 8MP on the cover screen

• 8MP on the main display

The camera magic here is using the rear cameras for selfies. Simply open the camera, fold the phone halfway, and use the outer panel to frame your shot. The result? Selfies that appear straight out of a DSLR.

Battery Life – Designed for Extended Mileage

• Battery Capacity: 4800mAh

• Wired Charging: 66W

• Wireless Charging: 50W

• Reverse Wireless Charging: 7.5W

Huawei knows a foldable phone needs dependable power. The Mate X3 provides an all-day battery with heavy usage. Video calls, streaming, editing — no problem. And if you need a booster shot, 66W fast charging fills you from 0% to 100% in less than 40 minutes.

Wireless charging is equally speedy, and reverse charging is useful for giving your earbuds or smartwatch a boost.

Gaming and Entertainment — Made for More

Let’s talk fun. The Mate X3 is designed with entertainment in mind. The foldable screen makes playing games on the go immersive. However, titles such as Genshin Impact, PUBG, and Asphalt 9 work perfectly. You can even set it up however you like—joystick on the left and action buttons on the right.

Watching movies or YouTube? Fold it halfway and (Rick Farona/TNS) No need for a kickstand. The stereo speakers are full and clear, while the color reproduction of the screen brings visuals to life.

 CONNECTIVITY AND SOFTWARE: SMOOTH SAILING

You don’t have 5G, but the 4G LTE speeds are speedy enough for most people. More importantly, the software experience is tailored for foldable:

• App Continuity: Smooth transition from the outer screen to the inner screen

• The Multi-window feature allows for three apps to run simultaneously

• Smart Sidebar: Easily access apps you frequently use

• Yeah! Because you’re running with latency, gesture navigation with onscreen controls remains intuitive, fluid, and crisp.

Huawei's AppGallery has really matured. And by using Petal Search and GBox (which helps find Google apps), the majority of users can find what they need.

Smart Features You’ll Love

Huawei crammed the Mate X3 with thoughtful, emotional features:

• Do Not Disturb Mode: Silences notifications while someone else is using it

• Comprehensive Super Device Support: Seamless connectivity with Huawei Laptops, tablets, and earbuds

• Scan a Document: Your phone becomes a powerful office scanner

• Floating Windows: Ideal for jotting down notes quickly or using a calculator

Using the Mate X3 is not just functional — it’s joyful. You feel more productive, more creative, more in control.

FAQs

Q1: How Pro is the Huawei Mate X3 for daily use?

Yes. Built from strong materials, it’s IPX8 water-resistant and has a purpose-designed hinge mechanism rated for thousands of folds.

Q2: Is the Mate X3 having Google apps or not?

Although it doesn’t have Google services, you can still use plenty of apps through AppGallery, and Petal Search or set up GBox to access Google apps.

Q3: What makes the Mate X3 a better buy than the Galaxy Z Fold5?

The Mate X3 is also thinner and lighter and has better water resistance. The outer display also features a more comfortable 21:9 aspect ratio.

Q4: Will it replace the tablet or laptop?

For many everyday duties like browsing, emails, video calls, and entertainment — it certainly can. It’s a productivity juggernaut in your pocket.

Q5: For creators and professionals, is Huawei Mate X3 suitable to use?

Yes! Ideal for creatives, students, and professionals on the go, with its excellent camera, multitasking capabilities, and gorgeous display.

Final Thoughts – Who should go for the Huawei Mate X3?

This is not your regular phone, mind you, The Huawei Mate X3 is It’s a lifestyle upgrade.

For the tech lover, it’s the pièce de résistance.

It’s a mobile office for business professionals.

For the artistic spirit, it’s a canvas.

For the trailblazer, it’s a style statement.

The Mate X3 stands apart in a world of slabs that are all the same. It dares to be different. And it does so beautifully.

Fine, it’s a premium device with a premium price tag. But what you get in return is unrivaled versatility, beauty, and a sensation that can’t be explained — only felt.

If you’re in the mood to splurge on something uplifting, let the Huawei Mate X3 answer the call.