Huawei Mate X3 vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 2: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

Foldable phones are rapidly evolving, offering a unique blend of portability and expansive screen real estate. Today, we pit two heavyweights against each other: the Huawei Mate X3 and the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2. Both boast impressive specs, but which one truly delivers the best foldable experience?
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 edges out the Mate X3 thanks to its brighter display, slightly faster CPU core speeds, and quicker charging. However, the Mate X3 offers excellent build quality and a refined user experience. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities: display brilliance or overall polish.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X3 Xiaomi Mix Fold 2
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2023, March 232022, August 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 08Available. Released 2022, August 26
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame-
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mmFolded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.1 mmUnfolded: 161.1 x 144.7 x 5.4 mm Folded: 161.1 x 73.9 x 11.2 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)262 g (9.24 oz)
 IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionKunlun Glass (cover display only)Schott UTG glass
Resolution2224 x 2496 pixels (~426 ppi density)1914 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size7.85 inches, 197.5 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)8.02 inches, 206.0 cm2 (~88.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable LTPO2 OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
 Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixelsCover display: AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) 6.56 inches, 1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
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 12, MIUI Fold 13
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, HDRColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
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, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.6, 45mm (telephoto), dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm, AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) Cover camera: 8 MP, f/2.4, (wide)20 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (B1I+B1c+B2a), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C
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 Message-
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4800 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 5060 mAh (China only)Li-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Violet, Dark Green, GoldBlack, Gold
ModelsALT-AL00, ALT-L2922061218C
PriceAbout 1500 EURAbout 1300 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 81h Endurance rating 82h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.3 LUFS (Good) -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 993592 (v9) GeekBench: 4283 (v5.5), 4512 (v6) GFXBench: 41fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 1050139 (v9) GeekBench: 4368 (v5.1) GFXBench: 52fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Huawei Mate X3

  • Premium build quality
  • Refined user experience
  • Excellent design
  • Good camera performance

  • Slightly dimmer display
  • Slower charging
  • Limited software ecosystem (due to Huawei restrictions)

Xiaomi Mix Fold 2

  • Brighter display
  • Faster charging
  • Slightly faster CPU core
  • Vibrant color reproduction

  • Potentially less polished software
  • Design may be less refined than Mate X3

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 takes the display crown with a measured peak brightness of 1054 nits compared to the Mate X3's 926 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Xiaomi's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors. Both utilize AMOLED technology for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The folding mechanism on both devices is generally well-engineered, though crease visibility remains a factor.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is a complex area. Both phones feature high-resolution main sensors, but image processing and overall camera system capabilities differ. The Mate X3 is known for its refined image processing, while the Mix Fold 2 often delivers more vibrant, saturated colors. Detailed camera comparisons require extensive testing, but both are capable of producing excellent photos and videos.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, ensuring flagship-level performance. However, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 has a slightly faster Cortex-A510 core (1.80 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), potentially offering a marginal performance advantage in certain tasks. Day-to-day usage will feel incredibly smooth on both devices, handling demanding games and multitasking with ease.

Battery Life

Both devices offer an endurance rating of 81/82 hours, suggesting comparable battery life. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2's 67W wired charging is significantly faster than the Mate X3's 66W, allowing for quicker top-ups. The Mix Fold 2 also supports PD3.0, QC4 charging standards.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate X3 is ideal for users prioritizing a premium, refined foldable experience with a focus on design and software optimization. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 is a better choice for those who demand a brighter, more vibrant display and faster charging speeds, even if it means a slightly less polished overall package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?
Both phones utilize robust hinge mechanisms, but long-term durability remains to be seen. User reviews suggest both are reasonably durable, but careful handling is always recommended for foldable devices.
❓ Do these phones support 5G?
Both the Huawei Mate X3 and Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast download and streaming speeds where available.