Huawei Mate X3

Huawei Mate X3 Price In Kenya

Huawei Mate X3 price in Kenya is KSh 400,000 It features 5G, Networks,12GB RAM and 512GB ROM, 7.85 inches (6.4 inches Folded cover) Foldable OLED capacitive touchscreen Display, Android HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI (Europe), no Google Play Services, Triple and 8MP Front Camera, Qualcomm Sm8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4nm) Chipset, Octa-core CPU, 4800 mAh Non Removable Li-Po / Silicon-carbon 5060 mAh, non-removable battery.

Huawei Mate X3 Key Features

NETWORKS
2G	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2 CDMA 800
3G	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
4G	LTE
5G	SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE-A, 5G
BODY
Dimensions	Unfolded: 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm Folded: 156.9 x 72.4 x 11.8 mm
Weight	239 g or 241 g (8.43 oz)
Colors	Black, White, Purple, Dark Green, Gold
Material	Glass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
SIMs	Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Water/Dust	IPX8 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
DISPLAY
Size	7.85 inches
Type	Foldable OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
Resolutions	2224 x 2496 pixels
Density	426 ppi density
Multi touch	Yes
Protection	Kunlun Glass (cover display only) Cover display: OLED, 120Hz, 6.4 inches, 1080 x 2504 pixels
PLATFORM
CPU	Octa-core (1×3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730
RAM	12GB
Storage	512GB
Card Slot	NM (Nano Memory), up to 256GB (uses shared SIM slot)
OS	HarmonyOS 3.1 (China), EMUI (Europe), no Google Play Services
CAMERA
Main Quad	50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Videos	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Front	8 MP, f/2.4, (wide) HDR, panorama
BATTERY
Type	Li-Po 4800 mAh, non-removable – Global Silicon-carbon 5060 mAh, non-removable – China only
Charging	66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless
Talk Time	N/A
Stand-by	N/A
COMMONS
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, altimeter, color spectrum
Sound	Yes, with stereo speakers 3.5mm jack
USB	USB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
Walan	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE
GPS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC

Huawei Mate X3 Review

Behold a fascinating nugget of trivia: Huawei stands as a formidable purveyor of some of the most exceptional smartphone hardware within the industry’s bounds. In contemplating the trajectory of the Huawei Mate X3, myriad speculations danced upon the stage – would Huawei stumble upon the realm of hardware with this iteration, or might it weave a tapestry of redemption following the tumultuous ‘no Google Mobile Services’ narrative? Alas, neither scenario unfolded. Furthermore, the price of Ksh. 400,000 for the exclusive 12GB RAM/512GB storage variant bestows upon the Huawei Mate X3 the mantel of extravagance, even in the realm of premium foldables.

However, let us not be hasty in dismissing the offerings of the Huawei Mate X3. For the day that the sanctions lift (if they ever do), Samsung, Xiaomi, and Google might find themselves grappling with a formidable competitor on the horizon.

Design

Embarking upon the realm of design, the Huawei Mate X3 emerges as an exemplar of featherlight elegance in the realm of book-like foldables. Singularly eclipsing its peers, the only contender to rival its gossamer grace is the Oppo Find N2, a device that assumes dimensions notably diminutive. A juxtaposition against the Galaxy Z Fold 4 paints a stark contrast – the Mate X3 exudes an air of sleekness, weighing 24g less and trimming nearly 5mm in thickness. Remarkably, it tiptoes into dimensions 1g lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro Max while retaining a marginally augmented thickness. A visual voyage through the accompanying photographs delineates a story far more vividly than words could ever convey.

Yet, beneath the veneer of sleekness, a tapestry of uniqueness unfurls. Xiaomi’s foray into foldables birthed a comparable counterpart, the Mix Fold 2, entwined within dimensions akin to the Mate X3. However, Xiaomi’s creation compromised in sundry domains – a malleable hinge, imperviousness to water, wireless charging, and a veritable zoom camera were conspicuously absent. The narrative sought to posit these sacrifices as the necessary rites to achieve sleekness. Contrarily, the Mate X3 rebuts this theory with a flourish, forgoing all compromises. Its hinge commands an articulate stance at every conceivable angle; it boasts IPX8 water resistance; a 50W wireless charging mantle rests upon its shoulders; and a periscope lens that orchestrates a 5X optical zoom graces its arsenal.

Display

The symphony extends to encompass the entirety of the hardware symposium. A magnificent 7.8-inch, 120Hz, 2224×2496 OLED main screen assumes the spotlight, adopting a near-1:1 square aspect ratio. The waterdrop folding mechanism casts a delicate crease, distinct from Samsung’s more pronounced counterpart. Even the Pixel Fold’s crease, while an improvement over Samsung’s, concedes to the prominence of the Mate X3’s subtler signature. A tapestry of Chinese foldables perpetuates this pattern, standing in defiance of Samsung’s pronounced crease. In comparison to peers like Xiaomi, Honor, and Tecno, the Mate X3 exudes a distinctive aura of subtlety. Parallels with the Oppo Find N2’s crease emerge as apt companions in this narrative.

The exterior facade presents a cover screen spanning 6.4 inches, with an aspect ratio of 21:9. This tableau dances at a refresh rate of 120Hz, while the resolution settles at 1080×2540. Although it diverges from the realm of WQHD+ resolutions prevalent across flagship counterparts, its visual articulation suffices. The aspect ratio forges a connection to the realm of normalcy, diverging from the narrower screens that embellish Samsung’s foldable offerings. The heart of the Mate X3 beats to the rhythm of a 4G rendition of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. The shadow of 5G’s absence takes root in the realm of ongoing sanctions imposed by the U.S. government, a parallel domain where access to Google Mobile Services remains denied. The rationale underlying the choice of a previous-generation chip remains enshrouded – whether birthed from sanction-induced exigency or Huawei’s proprietary strategic compass, this remains an enigma.

Camera

Turning our gaze toward the realm of photography, the Huawei Mate X3 stands adorned with an array of five cameras. The principal camera module serves as a sanctuary for a 50MP main camera boasting an f/1.9 aperture, accompanied by a 13MP ultrawide counterpart and a 12MP periscope lens. The ensemble is enriched by the presence of two 8MP selfie cameras nestled within hole-punch alcoves on both screens. While the main camera mirrors the essence of excellence witnessed in flagship counterparts, it does not emerge as a revolutionary force. Nonetheless, the sensor’s potency emerges through the prism of images, capturing moments with a delicately shallow depth-of-field and an innate affinity for embracing light without resorting excessively to night mode. This becomes evident upon a perusal of the gallery, wherein dynamic range, sharpness, and contrast converge harmoniously. The chromatic narrative, predominantly faithful, carries a warm tint emblematic of the RYYB array’s affinity for yellow light.

The ultrawide lens basks in brilliance during daylight hours, yet faltering in the nighttime landscape, echoes the lament common to most ultrawide counterparts – a soft veil of noise and grain. An exception emerges in the form of the Oppo Find X6 Pro’s ultrawide lens, graced by a colossal sensor, endowed with the ability to capture nocturnal vistas without forfeiting quality. The periscope lens, when juxtaposed with Samsung’s Fold 4 telephoto lens, ascends as the victor, offering images steeped in enhanced detail and diminished processing. The interplay remains nuanced at 10X, yet the tide turns at 20X, where the periscope lens unfurls a tapestry of detailed imagery, outshining its Samsung counterpart.

The pièce de résistance unfurls through the periscope zoom lens, redefining norms etched upon the foldable tapestry. The saga of foldable devices oft bore the yoke of subpar or nonexistent zoom capabilities. Yet, within the tapestry of the Mate X3, the periscope zoom emerges as a harbinger of metamorphosis. While possessing a sedate f/3.4 aperture, its periscope architecture inverts conventions. The sensor’s lateral orientation within the device’s body weaves an expansive canvas for the flow of image data. The outcome emerges as a 5X optical zoom, casting a shadow of glory upon its 10X counterpart. The gallery encapsulates two sequences, capturing moments at 1X, 5X, and 10X focal lengths. This prowess extends into the nocturnal landscape, where the 10X vista preserves its charm.

The front-facing duo paints a tale of adequacy, poised as the rare Chinese emissaries to record at a resolution of 4K. In summation, the Mate X3’s photographic anthology may not perch upon the zeniths graced by its heavier Mate X2 counterpart or premium Chinese slab counterparts. Yet, within the realm of foldable, it emerges as a paragon, albeit adorned with a significant caveat.

Softwares

Let’s delve into the undeniable aspect that demands our attention. The elephant in the room remains unignorable: the Mate X3 stands devoid of official access to Google Mobile Services (GMS). This void translates into an inability to partake in the app ecosystem comprising Gmail, YouTube, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Play. This tale, although not novel – as the narrative traverses almost five years – still necessitates a reckoning.

The extent of this “problem” hinges upon one’s vantage point, which invariably vacillates between extremes. For the average consumer or critics addressing this demographic, the absence of GMS assumes the guise of a crippling impediment, rendering the venture untenable. In contrast, enthusiasts have carved paths, embracing Google apps on Huawei devices through modding techniques or third-party sandbox solutions. Remedies do exist to surmount the vacuum of Google apps. While the YouTube app remains elusive on Huawei devices, recourse to the web version via a browser persists. Microsoft’s Outlook app, a seamless resident within Huawei’s realm, harmoniously synchronizes with Gmail and Google Calendar.

Transitioning to the domain of performance, aside from the GMS lacuna, Huawei’s software UI navigates placid waters. EMUI, a tapestry woven upon the loom of an open-sourced Android variant, faithfully mirrors the Android experience. A symphony of familiar echoes includes a notification panel bestowed through a top-screen swipe, entwined with a gesture navigation system paralleling its Android sibling.

EMUI’s multitasking prowess assumes an intuitive mantle, fostering seamless interactions. A swipe from the periphery followed by a firm hold begets a slide-over menu, from whence apps can be seamlessly drawn onto the canvas. Emanating grace, a drag-and-hold gesture unfolds an app upon half the screen, orchestrating split-screen endeavors. A fleeting touch, a mere dalliance with drag-and-drop, summons forth an app ensconced within a modicum of screen real estate, a malleable, resizable window.

Nestled within its foldable enclave, the Mate X3 extends an invitation to revel in the realms of gaming and content consumption. However, the near-square aspect ratio surrenders to the inevitability of letterboxing when dance of light converges upon the screen’s surface. The symphony of auditory impressions emitted by the Mate X3’s stereo speakers, while functional, draws an asterisk. Within this auditory tableau, the crescendo of my iPhone 14 Pro Max and Fold 4’s speakers resounds with greater depth.

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, guardian of performance, still embraces contemporary prowess, orchestrating flawless gaming and the seamless construction of succinct Instagram videos. An ode to EMUI’s video editor, cocooned within the native photo gallery, is one of exaltation. Bestowing the ability to trim videos beyond the precincts of the opening and conclusion, the midstream is now malleable, an arena for creative pursuits. While third-party Android video editing apps moonlight as viable alternatives, they often bear a price tag or are garnished with advertisements. EMUI’s foray into the realm of video editing endows users with native first-party agency, unfurling a seamless canvas for manipulation.

Verdict

If you are still wondering if you need to buy the Huawei Mate X3,, be sure that you are ready to pay with the Ksh, 400,00 at the same time we have access to a foldable hardware with limitations imposed by the absence of GMS linger inconspicuously in your realm of concern. The Huawei Mate X3, perched upon its summit of astronomical pricing (even in comparison to its foldable counterparts), shoulders the mantle of exclusivity. Devoid of GMS, it retreats into the enclave of an enthusiast’s realm, a narrative characterized by possibilities encapsulated within foldable devices.

Recalling the year 2019, a pivotal juncture when foldable phones unfurled upon the stage of innovation, skeptics converged around three quibbles: exorbitant pricing, cumbersome dimensions, and fragile demeanor. Within the tale of the Mate X3, two of these concerns are consigned to oblivion. This foldable epitomizes a symphony of transformation, ensconcing itself within the contours of a normal slab phone when folded. A potent narrative, one that spurs fervent hopes for a Galaxy Fold 5, while rumors whisper of the impending OnePlus V Fold vying for supremacy in the realm of hardware. Whichever path destiny traces, the embodiment of brands pushing against the confines of hardware limitations heralds an epoch ripe for the cultivation of innovation across myriad domains. Check out more Huawei smartphones in Kenya