- Huawei Pura X Max beats Apple and Samsung with the first wide foldable phone, featuring a 4:3 screen for media and productivity.
BEIJING: The race is on for the latest smartphones, with Huawei making its move in a unique way. Although tech lovers are anticipating new foldable models from the Western brands, the Chinese firm has taken the lead with the official release of the Pura X Max, which is the world’s first wide horizontal foldable phone.
A Passport-Sized Powerhouse
Unlike the vertical and slim design of today’s folding phones, such as those in the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold family, the new Pura X Max takes a different path and uses what it calls a “passport” form factor.
While most other folding smartphones go from the conventional smartphone format to the near-square tablet form factor, Huawei thought out of the box in designing its new folding phone. The emphasis is on width rather than height; thus, the Pura X Max gives off a Google Pixel Fold vibe but a sleeker one.
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Huawei Pura X Max Redefines Foldable Design
This change in aspect ratio is not merely superficial – it is also a practical improvement in terms of the needs of a media-oriented user base. Foldable screens have traditionally been poor at supporting video content because of their tall shape, forcing viewers to watch movies or videos while black bars filled the screen above and below the action.
With a 4:3 aspect ratio, the Pura X Max gains the following benefits:
- Immersive viewing. Movies and streaming shows occupy the screen more effectively.
- Better reading experience. The wide screen format imitates the shape of a regular book or small tablet, suitable for reading eBooks.
- Increased productivity. Users have more space horizontally for splitting apps.
Nevertheless, any innovative feature requires compromises. In this case, it means that the smartphone becomes bigger than its “tall” competitors. Users who prefer one-handed operation will find it challenging to grip.
Edging Out Apple and Samsung
Huawei’s timing is surgical. Industry insiders suggest that both Samsung and Apple are developing “wide” form factors of their own. Samsung reportedly plans to launch a “Wide Fold” device as early as July 2026. Meanwhile, rumors suggest Apple may finally debut its first foldable also featuring a wide screen in September.
As the smartphone market reaches a point of saturation, brands are searching for “ultra-premium” categories to drive growth. Apple continues to be a financial powerhouse, earning more than 55% of its total revenues of $143.8 billion in Q1 fiscal year 2026 from the iPhone. On the other hand, due to its agility in China, Huawei manages to set the trends in hardware long before the iPhone enters the foldable segment.
Specs and Availability
Official images shared on Weibo showcase the Pura X Max as a sleek, sophisticated device. The device has a three-camera setup at the back and an almost seamless screen with only a tiny seam. There are three different colors for the Huawei device, including white, orange, and purple.
Although Huawei is expected to release all of the technical details on April 21, Chinese customers can currently reserve their devices. By the time Apple and Samsung release their versions later this year, Huawei will already have valuable market data and a head start on the “wide” foldable revolution.
