Huawei Mate X3 vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

Foldable phones have arrived, and the Huawei Mate X3 and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 represent two of the most compelling options. Both offer stunning displays, powerful performance, and innovative designs, but which one truly delivers the best foldable experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 edges out the Mate X3 thanks to its superior software support, more versatile camera system, and faster charging. While the Mate X3 boasts impressive battery life and a sleek design, the Z Fold4's overall package makes it the slightly better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X3 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, March 232022, August 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 08Available. Released 2022, August 25
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mmUnfolded: 155.1 x 130.1 x 6.3 mmFolded: 155.1 x 67.1 x 14.2-15.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)263 g (9.28 oz)
 IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus support
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass (cover display only)-
Resolution2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
Size7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixelsCover display: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ 6.2 inches, 904 x 2316 pixels, 23.1:9 ratio
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSHarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI 13.1 (Europe), no Google Play ServicesAndroid 12L, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFSUFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 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), AF50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 66mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)4 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 2.0µm, under display Cover camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeterFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 BDS Satellite MessageBixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)Li-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, GoldGraygreen, Phantom Black, Beige, Burgundy
ModelsALT-AL00, ALT-L29SM-F936B, SM-F936B/DS, SM-F936U, SM-F936U1, SM-F936N, SM-F936W, SM-F9360
PriceAbout 1500 EUR$ 457.00 / € 511.80 / £ 485.00 / ₹ 73,899
SAR-0.96 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 81h Endurance rating 101h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.3 LUFS (Good) -28.3 LUFS (Average)
Performance AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 964530 (v9) GeekBench: 3981 (v5.1) GFXBench: 43fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate X3

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Sleek and premium design
  • Bright display
  • Fast wired charging (66W)

  • Limited software support (due to Huawei's situation)
  • Less versatile camera system
  • No official IP rating

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4

  • Versatile camera system with telephoto lens
  • Excellent software features and updates
  • More usable cover screen
  • Faster charging (50% in 30 mins)

  • Slower wired charging (25W)
  • More expensive
  • Bulkier design

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning foldable displays. The Z Fold4 takes a slight lead with a measured peak brightness of 1000 nits compared to the Mate X3's 926 nits, offering better visibility in bright sunlight. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal). The Z Fold4's cover screen is also more usable for quick tasks.

Camera Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 generally offers a more versatile camera system. While both phones capture good photos and videos, the Z Fold4's telephoto lens provides greater zoom capabilities. The Z Fold4 also benefits from Samsung's image processing, which many find more appealing. The Mate X3's camera is still very capable, but lacks the versatility of the Z Fold4.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, ensuring blazing-fast performance. The Mate X3 has a slightly different CPU core configuration (3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 vs 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 in the Z Fold4), but real-world performance differences are minimal. Expect smooth multitasking and demanding gaming on both.

Battery Life

The Mate X3 shines in battery life, boasting an impressive endurance rating of 81 hours, slightly better than the Z Fold4's 101h. However, charging speeds are significantly different. The Mate X3 offers 66W wired charging, while the Z Fold4 is limited to 25W. The Z Fold4 does offer a 50% charge in 30 minutes, which is a nice bonus.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate X3 is ideal for users prioritizing battery life and a premium, minimalist design. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is best suited for those who want a more versatile device with a robust camera system, excellent software features, and a more established ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Huawei Mate X3 worth buying if I can't access Google services?
It depends on your needs. If you heavily rely on Google apps and services, the Mate X3 might not be the best choice. However, if you're comfortable with Huawei's AppGallery and alternative solutions, its battery life and design are compelling.
❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has undergone more rigorous durability testing and generally considered more durable due to Samsung's experience in the foldable market. The Mate X3 lacks an official IP rating, suggesting less protection against water and dust.