Huawei Mate X: When Is This Android-Powered Foldable Phone Launching?

Richard Yu, who is in charge of Huawei's consumer business group, spoke at the international electronics fair IFA in Berlin AFP / Tobias SCHWARZ

Huawei has previously announced that it’ll also release its own foldable device along with its rival, Samsung. However, the company has been pushing back the release of their own Mate X foldable phone. When will Huawei release the Mate X for sure?

According to Huawei Chairman Richard Yu, the company is planning to release the Mate X in October. Other than just releasing a regular version, Yu also confirms that an improved Mate X with the company’s new Kirin 990 SoC chip for 5G capabilities would also be released as well. However, the chairman didn’t give any other details about the phone’s exact release.

Fortunately, Huawei has an upcoming reveal event this September. The company is planning to reveal the Mate 30 phone to public. Potentially, the company could also spare some details with the Mate X during the reveal event.

Earlier this year, Huawei was adjusting its release along with the developments of Samsung’s Galaxy Fold phone. When Samsung delayed its reveal due to the Galaxy Fold’s screen issues, Huawei also decided to postpone the Mate X to double check their own foldable phone.

As of now, Samsung fixed the issues that plagued their device and is planning to release the Galaxy Fold this Spetember. Meanwhile, Huawei has yet to nail down a release date. For now, those who aim to own the first wave of foldable phones will have to wait.

Even though Huawei has revealed a reveal month for the Mate X, the phone is unlikely to be available in U.S. stores. Due to the conclusion of the recent talks about the U.S.-China trade war, Huawei has been included in the U.S. government’s Entity List.

Companies included in this list are considered as potential security threat to the country and is barred from working with U.S.-based businesses. The ban also includes selling products as the U.S government also sees Huawei devices as security risks.

Potentially, the Mate X could also use Google’s Android 10 as they’re planning to do so with the Mate 30. The Mate 30 is expected to use the latest Android operating system albeit it won’t have access to Google Play. Huawei’s new devices will not be able to have Google apps preinstalled like it usual had.