The Huawei Mate X6: A Foldable Powerhouse That Demands Your Attention (and Budget)
Let’s cut to the chase: the Mate X6 isn’t just a phone. It’s a statement. Huawei’s latest foldable feels like holding a Swiss Army knife for the digital age—versatile, premium, and just a little bit extra. But is it worth the eye-watering €2,000+ price tag? Let’s break it down like we’re dissecting a gadget over espressos.
The Flex Factor: That Screen, Though
Unfold the Mate X6, and you’re greeted by a 6.45” OLED display that’s smoother than a jazz sax solo. The 120Hz LTPO panel adapts to your scrolling like it’s reading your mind, and the 1440Hz PWM dimming means late-night TikTok binges won’t fry your retinas. But here’s the kicker: that foldable screen uses Kunlun Glass Gen2. Imagine your phone’s display wearing bulletproof armor—it’s Huawei’s answer to the “foldables are fragile” crowd. After two months of testing, my review unit still looks pristine, even after surviving a rendezvous with my keys.
Performance: Kirin 9020 Goes Full Beast Mode
That deca-core Kirin 9020 chip isn’t just spec sheet filler. Swiping between 15 Chrome tabs while rendering 4K video? The phone laughs at your multitasking. I threw Genshin Impact at it on max settings—it handled it like a pro, though the lack of a cooling system means it gets warm enough to double as a pocket hand warmer in winter. The 16GB RAM version? Overkill for most, but if you’re the type who runs Slack, Photoshop, and a Zoom call simultaneously, it’s your new best friend.
Cameras: Leica Magic Meets Foldable Quirks
Huawei’s partnership with Leica continues to shine. The 50MP main sensor captures colors so rich they’ll make your Instagram feed look like a Wes Anderson film. The 4x optical zoom is shockingly crisp—I shot moon craters that would make NASA jealous. But here’s the rub: that dinky 8MP selfie cam feels like an afterthought. Smart move: flip the phone open and use the rear cameras for selfies. Pro tip: the “color filter” camera isn’t just a gimmick—it adds surreal depth to sunset shots.
Battery Life: The Jekyll and Hyde Act
Fold it shut: The 5200mAh battery lasts a solid 1.5 days. Unfold it for movie marathons? You’re looking at 6-7 hours max. The 66W charging is a lifesaver—0 to 80% in 30 minutes—but that missing Google Services elephant in the room? AppGallery still feels like a garage sale compared to the Play Store. Found myself sideloading APKs like it’s 2010.
Who’s This For?
Buy it if: You’re a tech early adopter who wants the best foldable hardware money can buy, don’t need Google apps, and have deep pockets.
Skip it if: You’re budget-conscious, glued to Google Maps/Gmail, or think “IPX8” should include dust resistance.
The Jeffrey Verdict
Here’s the raw truth: The Mate X6 is engineering porn. That hinge mechanism? Chef’s kiss. The faux leather grip? Pure class. But at €2K, it’s like buying a Lamborghini that can’t use regular gasoline. If you’re all-in on Huawei’s ecosystem and crave cutting-edge hardware, it’s phenomenal. But for most people? I’d wait for the price drop or consider the Pixel Fold if Google services are non-negotiable. Personally? I’d rock one as a secondary device—it’s too beautiful to resist, but too compromised to be my daily driver.