Huawei has introduced the Pura X Max, a new foldable phone set to launch in China next week. The device’s ‘passport-esque’ form factor has drawn comparisons to early leaks of the iPhone Fold.
While Apple and Samsung have been strongly linked to plans for wide, boxy foldable phones, Huawei’s new offering may be the first to hit the market. The Pura X Max will be fully released on April 20th, coinciding with the colorful launch of the Pura 90 series.
Early images shared by Huawei showcase the Pura X Max in four colors: blue, white, orange, and black. These images also confirm that the phone features a triple rear camera setup.
The rear design utilizes gridded sections with various textured finishes. This design is derived from the original Pura X, which launched last year, and shares the characteristic of being wider than other foldables. Huawei, according to the text, has previous experience in this area.
The source material noted that the Pura X is distinct from the X Max; the Pura X was smaller and marketed as a flip phone, suggesting an expectation that the entire phone would rotate into portrait mode upon opening. In contrast, the X Max appears to combine elements of both classic flip and book form factors.
Furthermore, the imagery provided by Huawei indicates that the opened phone can be used in both portrait and landscape orientations. This suggests versatility in the device’s usage.
Competitor activity also suggests a similar trend toward wider foldables. Last week, there was an alleged first dummy unit seen of Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone, which is also expected to be similarly wide. Additionally, rumors indicate that Samsung is developing a wider version of its Galaxy Z Fold phones. However, neither Apple nor Samsung is expected to release their respective handsets until the second half of the year.