Huawei Mate X2 vs. OnePlus Open: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, with the Huawei Mate X2 and the newer OnePlus Open representing distinct approaches to the form factor. The Mate X2, released earlier, aimed for a refined, inward-folding experience, while the OnePlus Open enters the arena with a focus on raw performance and a competitive feature set. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right foldable for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Open emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly brighter display, coupled with the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and longer battery life, provides a smoother and more versatile experience. While the Mate X2 remains a capable device, it's showing its age.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X2 OnePlus Open
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands1, 3, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79, 80, 84 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2021, February 222023, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 25Available. Released 2023, October 26
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Ceramic Guard) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 161.8 x 145.8 x 8.2 mmFolded: 161.8 x 74.6 x 14.7 mmUnfolded: 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mmFolded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight295 g (10.41 oz)239 g or 245 g (8.43 oz)
Display
Resolution2200 x 2480 pixels (~413 ppi density)2268 x 2440 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size8.0 inches, 206.0 cm2 (~87.3% screen-to-body ratio)7.82 inches, 196.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 90HzFoldable LTPO3 Flexi-fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 2800 nits (peak)
 Cover display: OLED, 90Hz, 6.45 inches, 1160 x 2700 pixels-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9000 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G78 MP24Adreno 740
OSAndroid 10, EMUI 11, no Google Play ServicesAndroid 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.X-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDRHasselblad Color Calibration, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/4.4, 240mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF-
Triple-48 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps gyro-EIS, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)20MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 0.7µm Cover camera: 32MP, f/2.4, 22mm (ultrawide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos enhanced)
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging55W wired67W wired, PD, 100% in 42 min Reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4805 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Light Blue, Rose Gold, Collector’s Edition Black/White/RedEmerald Dusk, Voyager Black, Apex Edition
ModelsTET-AN00CPH2551
PriceAbout 2300 EUR$ 1,059.99 / € 926.54
SAR-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.76 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 74h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 632818 (v8) GeekBench: 14393 (v4.4), 3389 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Huawei Mate X2

  • Refined inward-folding design offers screen protection.
  • Established foldable experience.
  • 55W fast charging.

  • Significantly dimmer display.
  • Older Kirin 9000 chipset is less efficient.
  • Shorter battery life.

OnePlus Open

  • Much brighter and more vibrant display.
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
  • Longer battery life and faster charging.
  • More modern software experience.

  • Outward folding design is more prone to screen scratches.
  • Newer device, potential for early software bugs.
  • Potentially higher price point.

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Open boasts a substantial advantage in display technology. Its measured peak brightness of 1238 nits dramatically surpasses the Huawei Mate X2’s 542 nits, translating to significantly better outdoor visibility. While both utilize foldable OLED panels with infinite contrast ratios, the OnePlus Open’s higher brightness and likely more advanced panel calibration contribute to a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The OnePlus Open's larger display real estate also provides more screen for multitasking and content consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature capable camera systems, but detailed specifications are limited. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market positioning suggests the OnePlus Open likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially larger sensor sizes. The focus should be on real-world image quality comparisons, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally considered superior to the Kirin 9000’s, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on both is expected, but the effectiveness will vary based on implementation.

Performance

The chipset difference is pivotal. The OnePlus Open’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) offers a clear performance and efficiency lead over the Huawei Mate X2’s Kirin 9000 (5nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, provides a noticeable boost in single-core performance, while its more modern architecture delivers superior multi-core capabilities. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The OnePlus Open’s CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) is architecturally more advanced than the Mate X2’s (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77, 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55).

Battery Life

The OnePlus Open demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance. Its active use score of 11:59h and endurance rating of 96h significantly outperform the Huawei Mate X2’s 74h endurance rating. While the Mate X2’s 55W wired charging is respectable, the OnePlus Open’s 67W charging, coupled with PD support and a full charge in 42 minutes, offers faster and more convenient replenishment. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s improved power efficiency further contributes to the OnePlus Open’s longer battery life, allowing for more extended use between charges.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate X2 if you prioritize a more established foldable design and are comfortable with potentially limited software updates. Its inward-folding design offers a degree of screen protection. Buy the OnePlus Open if you demand top-tier performance, a stunningly bright and color-accurate display, and a longer-lasting battery, making it ideal for power users and multimedia enthusiasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9000 in the Huawei Mate X2 suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Kirin 9000, while a capable chipset, is known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This can lead to noticeable thermal throttling during prolonged gaming or other demanding tasks, resulting in reduced performance. The OnePlus Open’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, with its 4nm process, is significantly more efficient and less prone to throttling.
❓ How does the outward-folding design of the OnePlus Open affect its durability compared to the inward-folding Mate X2?
The OnePlus Open’s outward-folding design leaves the main display exposed when folded, making it more susceptible to scratches and damage. The Huawei Mate X2’s inward-folding design offers a degree of protection, as the screen is shielded when closed. However, both devices utilize durable materials and protective films to mitigate these risks.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
Absolutely. The 1238 nits peak brightness of the OnePlus Open is a game-changer, especially outdoors or in brightly lit environments. The Mate X2’s 542 nits can appear dim in comparison, requiring users to seek shade or increase brightness, impacting battery life. The OnePlus Open’s display is significantly more usable in a wider range of lighting conditions.