The Huawei Mate X6 has taken the foldable phone market by storm with its innovative design and features. After using it for a couple of weeks, I’m here to share my honest experience, highlighting the good, the bad, and everything in between.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing I noticed about the Mate X6 was its stunning design. It’s incredibly sleek, with a vegan leather back that feels luxurious. The IPX8 water resistance and Kunlun Glass 2 offer durability that few foldables can match. However, the phone isn’t without flaws.
The camera bump is massive, making the phone wobble when placed on a flat surface. It looks stylish but adds unnecessary bulk. The crease on the internal screen is still visible, which detracts from the overall immersive experience. For a phone priced at 469,999 PKR, I expected a flawless design, but the wobbling issue and visible crease were disappointing.
Display: A Feast for the Eyes, or Not?
The Mate X6 features a 7.93-inch LTPO OLED display and a 6.45-inch cover screen, both with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The vibrant colors and brightness, peaking at 2500 nits, are impressive. Watching videos or playing games felt immersive.
However, I couldn’t help but notice the oversaturation in some scenarios. While adaptive refresh rates are great, the color calibration could be better. Competing devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 offer more accurate color tones, making the Mate X6 feel slightly overprocessed. Moreover, the RYYB color space on the camera may work wonders for low-light photography, but it causes discrepancies in color reproduction on the display.
Performance and Software
The Kirin 9020 chipset powers the Mate X6, delivering smooth performance for most tasks. Apps open quickly, and the multitasking features, like split-screen multitasking and floating app windows, are well-executed. The battery life is commendable, thanks to its 5110 mAh capacity and 66W fast charging.
Yet, the absence of Google Mobile Services (GMS) remains a significant drawback. While workarounds like GBox and AppGallery exist, they are inconvenient and unreliable. For instance, I struggled to sync my Google Workspace account, which severely impacted my workflow. Moreover, some apps wouldn’t function as intended, which is frustrating for a premium device.
Camera System: A Mixed Bag
Huawei boasts an impressive camera system on the Mate X6, featuring a 50 MP primary sensor, 48 MP telephoto lens, and 40 MP ultrawide camera. In well-lit conditions, the photos are crisp and detailed. The telephoto zoom (4x optical and 10x hybrid) captures impressive shots from a distance.
However, the oversharpening and oversaturation are hard to ignore. Low-light photos, while decent, sometimes appear unnatural due to aggressive image processing. The 8 MP front cameras take acceptable selfies but fall short of what’s offered by competitors like the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Overall, the camera system feels inconsistent, especially for the price.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the highlights of the Mate X6 is its long battery life. I managed to get through a day and a half with heavy usage. The 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging are convenient, with a full charge taking just under an hour.
However, the reverse charging speed is disappointing. At 7.5W wireless and 5W wired, it feels more like a gimmick than a practical feature. Competing devices in this price range offer faster and more efficient reverse charging, making Huawei’s implementation feel outdated.
Pricing and Value
At 469,999 PKR, the Huawei Mate X6 positions itself as a luxury foldable. While the design and build quality justify part of the cost, the lack of Google services and software limitations make it difficult to recommend over competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 or Honor Magic V3. The price-to-performance ratio simply doesn’t add up, especially when you consider the visible crease and camera inconsistencies.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Stunning design with vegan leather back.
- IPX8 water resistance and durable Kunlun Glass 2.
- Excellent battery life with 66W wired charging.
- Impressive telephoto zoom capabilities.
- Multitasking features are smooth and intuitive.
Cons:
- Visible crease on the internal display.
- Lack of Google Mobile Services, making productivity cumbersome.
- Overprocessed photos with oversaturation and oversharpening.
- Inconsistent app compatibility through AppGallery and GBox.
- EUR 469,999 PKR feels steep for the compromises.
Final Verdict
The Huawei Mate X6 is a beautifully designed foldable with some standout features, like its telephoto zoom and long battery life. However, the software limitations and visible crease hold it back from being a top contender. While it excels in some areas, it fails to justify its premium price against rivals like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold.
FAQs
Does the Huawei Mate X6 support Google apps?
Not natively. You’ll need to use workarounds like GBox, but these can be unreliable.
Is the crease on the display noticeable?
Yes, the crease is visible and can be distracting during use.
How does the Mate X6 perform in low-light photography?
Low-light photos are decent but can appear overprocessed due to aggressive image processing.
Can I use the Mate X6 for multitasking?
Yes, the multitasking features, like split-screen and floating windows, are excellent and user-friendly.
Is the Huawei Mate X6 worth the price?
While it offers premium design and features, the lack of Google services and software issues make it hard to recommend over competitors.
