Today, I’m sharing my first impressions of a fascinating phone. I am currently in Shanghai to discover the Huawei Pura X. It’s a unique opportunity to get hands-on with this innovative product. The atmosphere here is incredible, full of life and discoveries. I hope you enjoy this feedback. Feel free to follow my adventures for more exclusive content. Besides, I might be one of the few French people talking to you about it directly. It’s exciting to see this product up close.

Currently, I’m walking through the bustling streets of Shanghai. It’s a perfect setting to test this new smartphone. You can also follow my trip on Instagram. I share moments and products there that we don’t often see in France. The atmosphere here is truly special.

A Reinvented Foldable Format: Wider, More Practical

So, what are my first feelings about this Huawei Pura X? It’s a device that immediately intrigues. First, let’s briefly recall its main technical specifications.

The External Screen: Size and Utility

This foldable phone has a 3.5-inch external screen. That’s a comfortable size for quick notifications. Furthermore, this external screen seems to offer many possibilities. I got the impression that it offers more default functions than a Z Flip. Its use might be closer to the Motorola experience. It’s almost like having a second full screen on the back. You can access many of the phone’s features.

The Internal Screen: Visual Comfort and Multimedia

Once unfolded, the Pura X reveals a large internal screen. It measures approximately 6.3 inches. Its aspect ratio is close to 16:10. The resolution reaches 2120 by 1320 pixels. This screen format is more traditional than on other foldables. It’s closer to classic formats. This is an advantage for viewing multimedia content. Watching videos or reading becomes more pleasant. The internal screen uses LTPO LED technology. The external screen does too. This allows for dynamic refresh rate variation. The display quality therefore seems excellent on both screens.

Comparison with Classic Flip Formats

My initial conclusion is clear. This format is ideal for a “flip” phone. It brings a real advantage compared to standard models. Compared to a Samsung Z Flip, the difference in width is noticeable. The Pura X is significantly wider. This makes it much more comfortable to use. The Huawei Pura X’s screen offers a better visual experience. This is a crucial point. Traditional flip formats, like those from Samsung or Xiaomi, are narrower. This wider format simplifies reading. It also makes navigation more pleasant.

Handling and Design: Huawei Elegance

Huawei always takes care with the finish of its products. The Pura X is no exception. It exudes quality.

Finishes and Materials

The design features curves all around the edges. The edges are not flat. The whole thing is quite shiny and elegant. Additionally, the phone feels rather light in hand. This is appreciated for daily use. The overall handling is therefore very positive.

Available Colors: Favorite is Red

I was able to see all the colors offered in a Huawei store. They are generally very successful. However, two colors particularly stand out. There is a yellow with a leather effect on the back. There is also a red, also with this leather effect. I admit I have a soft spot for the red version. The texture is very pleasant to the touch. This leather effect is really well done. It adds an undeniable premium touch. This red color is just incredible.

The Hinge: Apparent Robustness

Regarding the hinge, it adopts a waterdrop design. This has become standard on recent foldable phones. Based on my handling, it seems quite sturdy. You feel some resistance when folding or unfolding the device. This is a rather good sign regarding its durability. Of course, only long-term testing will confirm this. However, Huawei has solid experience in this area. I am therefore quite confident about the hinge’s reliability.

User Experience: Keyboard and HarmonyOS

Beyond the design, the user experience is paramount. The wide format has concrete advantages.

Typing Comfort Rediscovered

The virtual keyboard is much more comfortable. Thanks to the increased width, the keys are more spaced out. Thus, you make fewer typing errors. This is a common problem on narrower Z Flips. On the Pura X, typing text is simple and precise. To give you an idea, the width is close to that of an old Blackberry. This offers notable user comfort.

A Glimpse of HarmonyOS

I was able to briefly test HarmonyOS on this device. The experience is reminiscent of what we know from Huawei in France. However, there are additional features. The integration seems more advanced here. The salespeople gave me a few quick demonstrations. Even with the language barrier, I perceived the potential. HarmonyOS on this Pura X seems to offer many possibilities.

Photographic Capabilities: Versatility is Key

Huawei has often excelled in mobile photography. What about the Pura X?

Triple Sensor Configuration

On the back, there are three photo modules. This is somewhat reminiscent of the style of the excellent P30s of the past. The main sensor is a 50-megapixel wide-angle lens. It has an F/1.? aperture. (Note: the exact aperture is not specified in the transcript). Then, there is a 40-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. Finally, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens completes the setup. The latter offers a 3.4x optical zoom.

Image Quality and Zoom

My initial photo tests are very decent. The shots are true to the Huawei style. That is to say, close to reality. This is a quality I particularly appreciate. The color rendering is natural. The level of detail seems good. The 3.5x optical zoom (rounded) is effective. Up to a 5x zoom, the results remain very clean. For a folding phone, this is already excellent. More in-depth testing will be needed, but the start is promising. Selfie photos are also good. The quality is consistent.

Photo Comparison with the Z Flip

I think the Pura X is better than a Z Flip in terms of photos. Above all, it is much more versatile. The inclusion of a telephoto lens is a real advantage. Z Flips generally do not have one. Having three sensors offers more creative flexibility. This is an undeniable strong point.

Dimensions and Importation: What You Need to Know

Despite its large internal screen, the Pura X remains manageable.

Size and Weight: A Manageable Device?

Let’s look at the precise dimensions. Unfolded, it measures 143.2 mm high by 91.7 mm wide. Once folded, its dimensions are 91.7 mm by 73 mm wide. These figures show that it is not excessively large. Its format remains relatively compact when closed.

Can it be used in France?

I asked about importing and using it in France. A salesperson gave me some information. The phone would cost around €1200 here in Shanghai. According to him, it would be possible to use it in France. He mentioned the operators Orange, Free, and Bouygues. However, he specified an important limitation. 5G would probably not work in France. So, this information should be taken with a grain of salt. Using an imported phone can present challenges.

The Huawei Pura X, the Right Foldable Format?

After this first hands-on experience, my opinion is very positive. I think Huawei is on the right track with this format. It’s an excellent approach for “flip” type foldable phones. Usage is really pleasant. Having a wider screen changes everything. This is often the criticism aimed at classic Z Flips. Their internal screen is too narrow. The Huawei Pura X strikes an excellent balance. One could describe it as a mix between a Fold and a Flip. It might be the ideal sweet spot.