Huawei Mate Xs 2 vs Mate X2: The Ultimate Foldable Face-Off

Huawei's foldable phone lineup continues to evolve, offering unique designs and features. The Mate Xs 2 and Mate X2 4G represent different approaches to the foldable form factor. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate Xs 2 edges out the X2 with its Snapdragon 888 chipset and slightly faster charging. However, the X2’s Kirin 9000 offers competitive performance and a more refined design. Ultimately, the Xs 2 prioritizes raw power, while the X2 focuses on a premium feel.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate Xs 2 Huawei Mate X2 4G
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, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, April 282021, June 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 07Available. Released 2021, July 15
Body
Build-Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.5 x 139.3 x 5.4 mmFolded: 156.5 x 75.5 x 11.1 mmUnfolded: 161.8 x 145.8 x 8.2 mmFolded: 161.8 x 74.6 x 14.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight255 g / 257 g (8.99 oz)295 g (10.41 oz)
Display
Resolution2200 x 2480 pixels (~424 ppi density)2200 x 2480 pixels (~414 ppi density)
Size7.8 inches, 195.8 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio)8.0 inches, 205.0 cm2 (~86.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable OLED, 1B colors, 120HzFoldable OLED, 90Hz
 Folded cover display: OLED, 6.5 inches, 1176 x 2480 pixels-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.13 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.54 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.05 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 4G (5 nm)Kirin 9000 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G78 MP24
OSEMUI 12, no Google Play Services (International); HarmonyOS 2.0 (China)HarmonyOS 2.0
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS-
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 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
Single10.7 MP, f/2.2-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 81mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/240fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single10.7 MP, f/2.216 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired55W wired
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4600 mAh (w/ 8GB RAM)· Li-Po 4880 mAh (w/ 12GB RAM)Li-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, PurpleBlack, White, Light Blue
ModelsPAL-AL00, PAL-LX9TET-AL00
PriceAbout 2000 EURAbout 2290 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 49h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.8 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 641608 (v9) GeekBench: 3131 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Huawei Mate Xs 2

  • Faster Charging (66W)
  • Snapdragon 888 Performance
  • High Brightness Display (725 nits)
  • Outward Folding Design (easier to use when folded)

  • More utilitarian design
  • Outward folding exposes screen when folded
  • Potential for crease visibility

Huawei Mate X2 4G

  • Premium Design & Build Quality
  • Inward Folding Design (protects screen)
  • Excellent Color Accuracy

  • Slower Charging (55W)
  • Kirin 9000 may be less efficient
  • Potentially lower outdoor visibility

Display Comparison

Both phones feature impressive foldable OLED displays. The Xs 2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 725 nits, offering better outdoor visibility. The X2’s display is known for its excellent color accuracy and contrast, though a specific brightness measurement isn't readily available. The Xs 2’s outward folding design means the screen is exposed when folded, while the X2’s inward folding design protects the display.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems, but specifics are limited in the provided data. Expect high-quality photos and videos from both devices, leveraging Huawei's image processing expertise. The Xs 2 likely has a slight edge in video recording capabilities due to the Snapdragon 888.

Performance

The Mate Xs 2 utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, providing strong performance for gaming and multitasking. The Mate X2 4G features Huawei’s Kirin 9000, a flagship chipset that delivers competitive performance, though it may be slightly less efficient. Real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal for most users.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of 49 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. The Xs 2 supports 66W wired charging, while the X2 offers 55W wired charging, resulting in faster charging times for the Xs 2.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a more utilitarian design. It's a good choice for those who want a phone that can handle demanding tasks. The Huawei Mate X2 4G is better suited for users who value a more polished and premium design, and a slightly more compact form factor when folded.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which foldable phone is more durable?
The Mate X2 4G's inward folding design offers better screen protection when folded, potentially making it more durable.
❓ Is the Kirin 9000 chipset as good as the Snapdragon 888?
The Kirin 9000 is a competitive chipset, offering comparable performance. However, the Snapdragon 888 generally has better software optimization and broader app compatibility.