Huawei Mate X7 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, with Huawei and Samsung leading the charge. The Huawei Mate X7, powered by its in-house Kirin 9030 Pro, challenges Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold5 and its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects the key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and charging capabilities to determine which foldable reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and established software support, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers superior processing power and efficiency, while the 12:01h active use battery score demonstrates real-world endurance. However, the Mate X7’s 66W charging offers a significant speed advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate X7 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, November 252023, July 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, November 26Available. Released 2023, August 11
Body
BuildGlass front, nylon fiber or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.8 x 144.2 x 4.5 mmFolded: 156.8 x 73.8 x 9.5 mmUnfolded: 154.9 x 129.9 x 6.1 mmFolded: 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight235 g (8.29 oz)253 g (8.92 oz)
Display
Resolution2210 x 2416 pixels (~409 ppi density)1812 x 2176 pixels (~373 ppi density)
Size8.0 inches, 205.6 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.6 inches, 183.2 cm2 (~91.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 1440Hz PWM, HDR Vivid, 2500 nits (peak)Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPU9-core (1x2.75 GHz & 4x2.27 GHz & 4x1.72 GHz)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9030 Pro (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 935Adreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 6.0Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 1TB 20GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS* 50 MP, f/2.2, 81mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF *1/1.28" sensor size for 256GB / 512GB 12GB RAM models 1/1.56" sensor size for 512GB/1TB 16/20GB RAM models50 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, 1080p, 1080p@960fps, HDR, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (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, 1080p4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired25W wired, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless 4.5W reverse wireless
Type5525 mAhLi-Po 4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Purple, Blue, RedIcy Blue, Phantom Black, Cream, Gray, Blue
ModelsDEL-AL10SM-F946B, SM-F946B/DS, SM-F946U, SM-F946U1, SM-F946N, SM-F946W, SM-F9460
PriceAbout 1590 EUR€ 660.00 / $ 607.00 / £ 520.69 / ₹ 86,000
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)
SAR EU-1.24 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate X7

  • Significantly faster 66W wired charging
  • Potential for strong camera performance (based on Huawei’s reputation)
  • Offers 50W wireless charging

  • Less powerful chipset (Kirin 9030 Pro vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2)
  • Limited software ecosystem and Google service access
  • Display specs are largely unknown

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Brighter and more refined display (1257 nits)
  • Mature software ecosystem and Google service integration

  • Slower 25W wired charging
  • Lower wireless charging speed (15W)
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1257 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Mate X7 (brightness data unavailable). While both utilize foldable OLED technology, Samsung’s panel is likely to benefit from its more refined hinge mechanism and potentially lower crease visibility. The Z Fold5’s display is optimized for multitasking, and the higher brightness contributes to a more vibrant viewing experience. The absence of detailed display specs for the Mate X7 makes a direct comparison challenging, but Samsung clearly holds an advantage in this area.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs for the Mate X7 are unavailable, hindering a comprehensive comparison. However, given Huawei’s historical strength in mobile photography, it’s reasonable to assume a competitive camera system. The Galaxy Z Fold5’s camera capabilities are well-documented, offering versatile photo and video options. The focus should be on image processing algorithms and low-light performance, areas where Huawei often excels. Without specific sensor details for the Mate X7, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s established camera system provides a reliable baseline.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) in the Galaxy Z Fold5 represents a significant leap in efficiency and performance over the Huawei Mate X7’s Kirin 9030 Pro (6nm). The Snapdragon’s octa-core configuration, featuring the Cortex-X3 prime core, delivers faster processing speeds (3.36 GHz vs 2.75 GHz) and improved multi-tasking capabilities. The 4nm process node translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during demanding tasks like gaming. While the Kirin 9030 Pro’s 9-core design is ambitious, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s architectural advantages provide a clear performance edge.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5’s battery life is demonstrably stronger, achieving a 12:01h active use score and a 95h endurance rating. While the Mate X7 offers faster charging – 66W wired versus the Z Fold5’s 25W – the Z Fold5’s superior efficiency and larger battery capacity (implied by endurance rating) provide a more consistent and reliable experience. The Mate X7’s 66W charging can deliver a 50% charge in a shorter time, but the Z Fold5’s overall battery performance is more compelling for all-day use. The Mate X7 also offers 50W wireless and reverse wireless charging options, while the Z Fold5 provides 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate X7 if you prioritize incredibly fast charging speeds (66W wired) and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and don’t rely heavily on Google services. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 if you need a polished, widely-supported foldable experience with top-tier performance, a brighter display, and a more mature software ecosystem. It’s the better choice for power users and those deeply integrated into the Android/Google ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9030 Pro in the Mate X7 struggle with sustained performance during demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 9030 Pro, while capable, is manufactured on a 6nm process, which is less efficient than the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This means the Mate X7 is more likely to experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame rate drops and reduced performance compared to the Z Fold5.
❓ How much faster is the 66W charging on the Mate X7 compared to the 25W charging on the Galaxy Z Fold5 in real-world scenarios?
The Mate X7’s 66W charging can significantly reduce charging times. While the Z Fold5 reaches 50% in 30 minutes, the Mate X7 is expected to achieve a similar level in considerably less time, potentially around 20-25 minutes. This is a major advantage for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the lack of Google Mobile Services (GMS) on the Huawei Mate X7 a significant limitation for most users?
Yes, the absence of GMS is a major drawback for many users. It means no direct access to the Google Play Store, requiring alternative app stores and workarounds for popular Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Google Maps. This can create a fragmented and less seamless user experience.