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

Huawei's foldable ambitions continue with the Mate Xs 2 and its predecessor, the Mate Xs. Both offer unique outward-folding designs, but significant changes separate them. This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall value to help you decide which foldable is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate Xs 2 offers a brighter display, a more modern Snapdragon 888 chipset, and improved hinge design. However, the Mate Xs boasts superior battery life and faster charging. Ultimately, the Xs 2 is a refinement, while the Xs remains a compelling option, especially if battery endurance is paramount.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate Xs 2 Huawei Mate Xs
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, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands-1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat21 1400/200 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, April 282020, February 24. Released 2020, March 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 07Discontinued
Body
Build-Plastic front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.5 x 139.3 x 5.4 mmFolded: 156.5 x 75.5 x 11.1 mmUnfolded: 161.3 x 146.2 x 5.4 mmFolded: 161.3 x 78.5 x 11 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight255 g / 257 g (8.99 oz)300 g (10.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
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
 Folded cover display: OLED, 6.5 inches, 1176 x 2480 pixelsFolded cover display: AMOLED, 6.6 inches, 1148 x 2480 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 4G (5 nm)Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 660Mali-G76 MP16
OSEMUI 12, no Google Play Services (International); HarmonyOS 2.0 (China)Android 10, EMUI 10, no Google Play Services
Memory
Card slotNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 8GB RAM
 UFSUFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDRLeica optics, dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR
Single10.7 MP, f/2.25 MP, AF 5 MP, AF
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)40 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.7", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 81mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), AF TOF 3D, (depth)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/240fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10.7 MP, f/2.2Yes
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/240fps1080p@30fps
 -No - uses main camera
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, 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 (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
Browser-HTML, Adobe Flash
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 5W reverse wired55W wired, 85% in 30 min
Stand-by-Up to 312 h
Talk time-Up to 6 h
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Po 4600 mAh (w/ 8GB RAM)· Li-Po 4880 mAh (w/ 12GB RAM)Li-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, PurpleInterstellar Blue
ModelsPAL-AL00, PAL-LX9TAH-N29m
PriceAbout 2000 EURAbout 1950 EUR
SAR-0.29 W/kg (head)     0.54 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 49h Endurance rating 69h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.8 LUFS (Very good) -27.0 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 641608 (v9) GeekBench: 3131 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 459274 (v8), 461406 (unfolded) GeekBench: 12213 (v4.4), 2980 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen unfolded)

Huawei Mate Xs 2

  • Brighter Display
  • More Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 888)
  • Refined Hinge Design
  • Improved Image Processing

  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Slower Charging

Huawei Mate Xs

  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Faster Charging
  • Generally Lower Price

  • Dimmer Display
  • Older Chipset (Kirin 990 5G)
  • More Noticeable Crease

Display Comparison

The Mate Xs 2 significantly improves upon the original's display, boasting a measured peak brightness of 725 nits compared to the Mate Xs' 413 nits. This makes the Xs 2 much more usable outdoors. Both offer infinite contrast ratios, but the brighter screen gives the Xs 2 a noticeable edge in visual clarity and vibrancy. The Xs 2 also features a more refined, less noticeable crease.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. Generally, both offer versatile shooting options, including wide-angle and telephoto lenses. The Mate Xs 2's newer image processing algorithms may offer slightly improved image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Video recording capabilities are comparable.

Performance

The Mate Xs 2's Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Mate Xs' Kirin 990 5G. The Snapdragon 888 offers faster processing speeds and improved graphics capabilities, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming. While the Kirin 990 5G is still capable, the Xs 2's chipset is undeniably more modern and powerful.

Battery Life

The Mate Xs takes a clear lead in battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 69 hours compared to the Mate Xs 2's 49 hours. This difference is significant and makes the Mate Xs a better choice for users who need all-day (and then some) battery performance. The Mate Xs also offers faster charging, reaching 85% in 30 minutes, while the Xs 2 charges at 66W.

Buying Guide

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is ideal for users prioritizing a brighter screen, smoother performance, and a more refined design. It's a good choice for those who want the latest tech. The Huawei Mate Xs is better suited for users who value exceptional battery life and don't mind a slightly older chipset and dimmer display. It's a great value proposition.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mate Xs 2 worth the upgrade from the Mate Xs?
It depends on your priorities. If you value a brighter screen and faster performance, the upgrade is worthwhile. If battery life is your top concern, the Mate Xs remains a strong contender.
❓ Does the Mate Xs 2 support 5G?
No, the Mate Xs 2 uses a 4G-only Snapdragon 888 chipset. The Mate Xs, with its Kirin 990 5G, does support 5G connectivity.