Apple iPhone Fold vs Huawei Mate X3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and long-term software support, the Apple iPhone Fold likely holds the edge thanks to the efficiency of the 3nm A19 Pro. However, the Huawei Mate X3 counters with exceptional battery life and faster charging, making it ideal for power users who demand all-day usability.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPhone Fold | Huawei Mate X3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE |
| - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | Exp. announcement 2026 | 2023, March 23 |
| Status | Rumored | Available. Released 2023, April 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Amorphous alloy frame | Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | - | Unfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mm |
| SIM | eSIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz) |
| - | IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Kunlun Glass (cover display only) |
| Resolution | 1920 x 2713 pixels (~428 ppi density) | 2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.76 inches, 183.2 cm2 | 7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz |
| - | Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 730 |
| OS | iOS | HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play Services |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.8, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) * camera details are illustrative, no rumored information is available | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec. | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS | 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeter |
| - | BDS Satellite Message | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | Wired | 66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless |
| Type | 5500-6000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, White, Violet, Dark Green, Gold |
| Models | - | ALT-AL00, ALT-L29 |
| Price | About 2500 EUR | About 1500 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 81h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.3 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Apple iPhone Fold
- Potentially superior processing power with the A19 Pro.
- Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
- Likely long-term software support and updates.
- Charging limited to wired only.
- Battery capacity and endurance currently unknown.
- 4G connectivity limitation on the Mate X3 is a significant disadvantage.
Huawei Mate X3
- Exceptional battery life with an 81-hour endurance rating.
- Fast 66W wired and 50W wireless charging.
- Brighter display (926 nits) for outdoor visibility.
- Uses the older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G chipset.
- Software updates may be less frequent and long-lasting.
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
The Huawei Mate X3 boasts a measured peak brightness of 926 nits, a significant advantage for outdoor use compared to the iPhone Fold (brightness data unavailable). While Apple is likely to employ LTPO technology for variable refresh rates on the Fold, Huawei’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a high-quality OLED panel. The absence of bezel details for the iPhone Fold necessitates further investigation, but Huawei’s established foldable design minimizes the crease, a common concern for this form factor. Color accuracy will be a key differentiator, with Apple typically prioritizing calibration.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature capable photo and video systems, but specifics are limited. The iPhone Fold’s camera system will likely leverage Apple’s computational photography prowess, focusing on natural-looking images and excellent video stabilization. The Mate X3’s camera performance will depend heavily on sensor size and lens apertures, which are currently unknown. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance or zoom capabilities. The absence of details regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device is a critical omission.
Performance
Apple’s A19 Pro, built on a 3nm process, represents a substantial leap in efficiency and performance over the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) powering the Mate X3. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s octa-core configuration (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2, 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710, 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) is capable, but the A19 Pro’s architectural improvements and tighter software integration will likely translate to superior real-world performance, especially in sustained workloads. The iPhone Fold’s likely use of LPDDR5X RAM will further enhance memory bandwidth, benefiting multitasking and demanding applications. The 4G limitation of the Mate X3’s Snapdragon chipset is a significant drawback for users in areas with 5G coverage.
Battery Life
The Huawei Mate X3’s endurance rating of 81 hours is a standout feature, indicating exceptional battery life. This is complemented by 66W wired charging, 50W wireless charging, and 7.5W reverse wireless charging – a comprehensive charging solution. The iPhone Fold’s charging is limited to wired only, and its battery capacity is currently unknown. While the A19 Pro’s efficiency may mitigate the need for a large battery, the Mate X3’s charging speeds and endurance provide a clear advantage for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPhone Fold if you need seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, cutting-edge processing power for demanding tasks like video editing, and a guaranteed long lifespan of software updates. Buy the Huawei Mate X3 if you prioritize exceptional battery endurance, fast wired and wireless charging, and a brighter display for outdoor visibility, even if it means navigating the limitations of the 4G Snapdragon chipset.