Huawei Mate Xs2: Why I LOVE this weird foldable

There's more than one way to fold an expensive sheet of tiny LEDs. The Huawei Mate Xs2 has just one screen, which folds around the back of the handset when it's not fully deployed.

And after using this thing for about a month I have to say I like this form factor a lot -- perhaps a little more than traditional inward-folding slabs like the Samsung Galax Z Fold 4.

Of course, that unusual and creative form factor is just part of the story here, especially with this being a Huawei phone in particular. So in our XDA review we'll take a deeper dive into what it's like to wield the Mate Xs2 day-to-day -- and how the software situation has panned out, three years after the split from Google.

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[finisherxs]

This form factor is more useful but also more fragile. If that's an issue don't buy foldable. Also no need for front camera, since rear can be used while folded.

[ryebread]

This is the ideal foldable form factor for me. Especially if they can get the screen more durable.

[GGori_]

My Gosh this phone is like $4000 here in my country.. but i think this is the best folded form factor.. less creases and so much more senses cameras placement

[sercan]

if durability works out like samsung's this is really what they should look like.

[craigbotterillk.c.]

Does the Celia Voice Assistant work in English on the UK EMUI version?

[kenman]

Hey XDA love your videos and reviews, wanted to ask does the Mate XS2 have a Dex like app installed?

[bjornhalstrom]

Can this phone be rooted and the Google Play Services and the PlayStore installed. It will be necessary to write enable the /system directory which is normally read only except during updates.

[RichardRatner.]

Thanks Alex, big love, kindest regards, Richard U.K

[sundip]

When a phone drops it has 1/2
Chance to land on back and survive, but this phone has 0 chance .

[ghtwghtw]

Huawei was killing it. Best design and quality. But the no Google thing killed it. Such a pity. Otherwise fold tech would have been soo much better then now. Zfold4 user here.

[epp]

This is actually an awesome idea, i hope samsung adopts it.

[gorudonu]

This is my favorite foldable so far. If only it was less expensive and the community would build clean Android 13 on top of it

[kobmasa]

Am basically trying to find the crease and am failing

[Mobile_Dom]

be interesting to see if Huawei does build EMUI 13 on Android 12L, or if harmonyOS will pull some parts of 12L into itself

[lacomie]

Love my fold 4 but as big as these devices are, why only 2 speakers?

[upsilon]

I actually love this foldable form factor. Hopefully some other company other than Huawei makes it and is available in many places other than just China.

If the phone drops Screen.

[mazenfahmy]

I bought it one month ago. Just incredible. Its just a unique Phone and with harmony os its easy to get Google working on it

[s.ferres]

i own this great foldable, too bad on xda hasn't even a dedicated page or thread!!

[knu]

why does it still cost so much despite having one less screen and camera and an year old 4G processor?

[Kevinjandro]

But don't you get tons of finger prints when close it 🤔