[News] Huawei Takes Early Lead in Horizontal Foldable Race vs Samsung and Apple, Eyes April Pura X Max Launch
Amid speculation that Apple’s first foldable iPhone could face delays, Huawei has moved early to stake its claim in the next wave of foldables. As Patently Apple notes, Huawei’s move is strategically significant—effectively setting the pace in the wide-format foldable race ahead of both Samsung Electronics and Apple, which are reportedly targeting launches as soon as July and September.
According to GIZMOCHINA, Huawei Pura X Max is already open for pre-orders in China, with an official launch set for April 20 alongside the Pura 90 lineup. Notably, the report suggests the model is rumored to be powered by the Kirin 9030 chipset, which is also expected to appear across the upcoming Pura 90 series.
Patently Apple notes that Huawei’s Pura X Max, billed as the world’s first horizontally “wide” foldable smartphone, signals a clear break from the long-dominant tall, narrow form factor. Closer to a compact tablet like the iPad mini, the device features a widescreen inner display with an approximately 4:3 aspect ratio, the report adds.
GIZMOCHINA suggests that when unfolded, the device is expected to feature a 7.6–7.69-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, delivering a more tablet-like experience. In comparison, CNET reports the iPhone Ultra is rumored to feature a 5.5-inch outer display that unfolds into a 7.8-inch main screen, with pricing expected to land in the $2,000–$2,500 range.
For more details, Patently Apple reports that Huawei’s official images show a strikingly wide foldable when unfolded, with a near-minimal crease and a triple-camera setup on the rear. The proportions reportedly echo the Google Pixel Fold, which also experimented with a wider internal display.
According to the official listing cited by GIZMOCHINA, Huawei’s Pura X Max will be offered in multiple configurations, including 12GB+256GB, 12GB+512GB, 16GB+512GB (Collector’s Edition), and 16GB+1TB variants. Color options are expected to include black, white, blue, gold, and orange.
However, as Patently Apple notes, the wider display could reduce video letterboxing and enhance immersion, but may also bring trade-offs in added bulk and less comfortable one-handed use.
Meanwhile, with Huawei absent from the U.S. market, American consumers will likely have to wait for what Apple and Samsung Electronics bring to the foldable segment later this year, according to CNET.
Samsung and Apple Foldable Plans
The other two smartphone giants, Samsung Electronics and Apple, are also advancing ambitious foldable strategies. According to Business Korea, Samsung is expected to unveil a wave of next-generation foldables this summer, including the “Galaxy Z Fold8” and a new “Galaxy Z Wide Fold,” with both models reportedly starting at around $1,999.
On the other hand, TrendForce’s latest research on the display industry reveals that the foldable smartphone market is expected to see Apple enter as early as the second half of 2026, drawing significant attention to related technological advancements.
TrendForce estimates that Apple, leveraging its strong brand positioning and consumer anticipation, could capture nearly 20% market share in 2026, compressing the share of competitors such as Samsung Electronics and Huawei to around 30% each.
Read more
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(Photo credit: Huawei)
