The smartphone world is full of surprises, and Huawei’s Pura X is one of the most exciting devices to hit the market recently. With its unconventional foldable design, this phone stands out from the crowd of typical bar-shaped smartphones and even other foldables. While it’s banned in India due to geopolitical reasons, we managed to get our hands on this China-exclusive device to see if it lives up to the hype. In this detailed review, we’ll explore its design, usability, performance, cameras, and more to answer the big question: Is the Huawei Pura X worth it? Let’s dive in!
A Bold New Form Factor
The Huawei Pura X is unlike any phone you’ve seen before. At first glance, it looks like a compact flip phone when folded. But instead of unfolding vertically like a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr, it opens sideways to reveal a wide 6.3-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. This makes the phone feel like a mini tablet when unfolded, which can be both exciting and confusing at first.
When I first held the Pura X, I wasn’t sure how to use it. Should I hold it vertically like a regular phone or rotate it horizontally? The wide form factor felt a bit awkward initially, especially for one-handed use. However, after spending some time with it, the design started to grow on me. It’s not trying to mimic a traditional phone, and that’s what makes it special. Whether you’re using it folded or unfolded, the Pura X feels like a unique device with its own personality.
Outer Display: A Game-Changer for Foldables
One of the standout features of the Huawei Pura X is its 3.5-inch outer display. Unlike the tiny cover screens on other flip-style foldables, this LTPO AMOLED panel is large, bright, and highly functional. It’s almost as wide as a regular phone’s screen, so you can use it for almost anything—browsing, texting, calling, or even watching short videos.
The outer display is responsive, with smooth animations that make it feel like the primary screen. You can open any app, check notifications, or reply to messages without unfolding the phone. The camera module is placed at the top, so it doesn’t interfere with your grip, unlike some other foldables where the cameras get in the way. There’s also a speaker and microphone, so taking calls on the outer display feels natural.
However, the outer screen isn’t perfect. Since it’s essentially half the size of a regular phone’s display, content like videos or games can feel a bit cramped. For casual tasks like texting or checking emails, it’s fantastic, but for immersive experiences, you’ll want to unfold the phone.
Inner Display: Perfect for Media and Reading
The 6.3-inch inner display is where the Pura X truly shines. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, it’s wider and shorter than the tall, narrow screens found on most phones. This “chubby” design (as some might call it) is ideal for specific tasks like reading, browsing, or watching movies. Compared to a standard phone, the wider screen fits more content, making it easier to read articles or e-books without constant scrolling.
The display itself is a high-quality LTPO AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2500 nits. Whether you’re streaming videos or scrolling through social media, the visuals are vibrant and smooth. The transition between the outer and inner screens is seamless, thanks to Huawei’s optimized software. Apps adjust quickly to the different screen sizes, and the animations make the experience feel polished.
One unexpected bonus is the movie-watching experience. The Pura X has a unique three-speaker setup—two on the sides and one on the back—that creates a surprisingly immersive surround sound effect. Whether you’re watching a Bollywood blockbuster or a Hollywood thriller, the audio quality elevates the experience. However, holding the phone unfolded during calls can feel a bit odd, as the wide design isn’t as ergonomic for this purpose.
Camera Performance: Surprisingly Impressive
The Huawei Pura X comes with a versatile quad-camera setup that delivers excellent results. The rear cameras include:
- 50MP primary sensor (f/1.6, OIS, RYYB)
- 40MP ultra-wide-angle macro lens (f/2.2, RYYB)
- 8MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom)
- 1.5MP multi-spectral lens for accurate color reproduction
The 10.7MP front camera is great for selfies and video calls. What impressed me most was how well the cameras performed across different scenarios. The primary sensor captures sharp, colorful photos with excellent detail, even in low light. The ultra-wide lens is perfect for landscapes or group shots, while the telephoto lens handles zoom shots decently, though it struggles slightly in dim conditions.
One unique feature is the ability to take selfies without rotating the phone, thanks to the camera placement on the outer display. The external screen also doubles as a viewfinder, letting your subjects see themselves while you click photos—a handy feature for group shots. The camera app’s zooming animation, paired with satisfying haptics and sound effects, makes shooting photos a fun experience.
Overall, the Pura X’s cameras are a highlight, offering flagship-level quality in a foldable form factor. Whether you’re a casual photographer or a content creator, you’ll be happy with the results.
Performance and Software: Smooth but Limited
Under the hood, the Pura X is powered by the Kirin 9020 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. While we couldn’t run benchmarks due to the China-exclusive unit, the performance felt smooth and responsive in daily use. The processor is comparable to a solid mid-range chip, handling tasks like multitasking, browsing, and light gaming with ease. However, it may not be the best choice for heavy gamers, as demanding titles like Genshin Impact could push its limits.
The phone runs on HarmonyOS Next, Huawei’s Android alternative designed for the Chinese market. This means you can’t directly install Google apps or APKs, which might be a dealbreaker for some users. However, we managed to sideload some apps, and they ran smoothly. HarmonyOS Next is fast, fluid, and packed with cool features, like AI-powered eye-tracking that automatically turns pages while reading—an innovative touch for book lovers.
The software also includes smooth animations that make every action, from opening apps to swiping through menus, feel satisfying. While the lack of Google services is a drawback, Huawei’s ecosystem, including the Aurora app store, offers alternatives for most mainstream apps like WeChat and Taobao.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Power
The Pura X packs a 4,720mAh battery, which is impressive for a foldable phone. It’s larger than the batteries in competitors like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr, ensuring all-day usage with moderate tasks like browsing, texting, and video streaming. In our testing, the phone easily lasted a full day, with some juice left for the next morning.
Charging is another strong point, with 66W wired charging, 40W wireless charging, and support for 7.5W reverse wireless charging and 5W reverse wired charging. The phone charges quickly, and the inclusion of wireless charging is a nice bonus for a foldable device.
Specifications Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Inner Display | 6.3-inch LTPO AMOLED, 1320×2120, 16:10 aspect ratio, 120Hz, 2500 nits |
| Outer Display | 3.5-inch LTPO AMOLED, 980×980, 120Hz |
| Processor | Kirin 9020 (Octa-core) |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP (wide, f/1.6, OIS) + 40MP (ultra-wide, f/2.2) + 8MP (telephoto, f/2.4, 3.5x zoom) + 1.5MP multi-spectral |
| Front Camera | 10.7MP (wide, f/2.2) |
| Battery | 4,720mAh, 66W wired, 40W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless, 5W reverse wired |
| Operating System | HarmonyOS 5.0.1 / HarmonyOS Next |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6/7, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C 3.1, GPS, NavIC |
| Build | Glass front, glass/eco-leather back, aluminum frame, IPX8 water resistance |
| Weight | 193.7g / 195.9g |
| Dimensions | Unfolded: 143.2 x 91.7 x 7.2mm; Folded: 91.7 x 91.7 x 15.1mm |
| Colors | Red, Green, Gray, White, Black |
Is the Huawei Pura X Worth It?
The Huawei Pura X is a bold experiment in smartphone design, and it’s not without its quirks. The wide form factor takes some getting used to, and the lack of Google services might be a hassle for users outside China. However, its innovative design, versatile outer display, excellent cameras, and immersive media experience make it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts.
Should You Buy It?
If you’re someone who loves trying new technology and doesn’t mind sideloading apps, the Pura X is worth considering. Its unique form factor is more than just a gimmick—it’s genuinely useful for reading, watching videos, and multitasking. The cameras and battery life are top-notch, and the software is smooth and feature-packed. However, if you rely heavily on Google apps or prefer a traditional phone design, you might want to look elsewhere.
Priced at around ¥7,499 (roughly ₹89,990) for the base model, the Pura X isn’t cheap, but it offers a lot of value for a foldable phone. The Collector’s Edition, with its tri-color leather back and satellite communication, starts at ¥8,999 (₹1,08,000), adding a premium touch for those who want something extra.
Why It’s Not Available in India
The Huawei Pura X is banned in India due to security concerns surrounding Huawei’s 5G equipment and allegations of intellectual property issues. This is a shame because the phone’s innovation could appeal to Indian consumers who love experimenting with new tech. If you’re traveling to China or another market where it’s available, it’s worth checking out.
Final Thoughts
The Huawei Pura X is a breath of fresh air in the smartphone world. It doesn’t try to be a standard phone, and that’s its biggest strength. From its versatile outer display to its immersive inner screen and impressive cameras, it offers a unique experience that grows on you over time. While the lack of Google services and its ban in India are drawbacks, the Pura X is a reminder of Huawei’s ability to push boundaries.
If you get the chance to try the Pura X, don’t hesitate—it’s a device that’s as fun as it is functional. For Indian users, we can only hope that future foldables from other brands take inspiration from Huawei’s bold approach. Until then, the Pura X remains a fascinating glimpse into the future of smartphones.
