Discover the Huawei Mate Xs 2 in this detailed review. With its 7.8-inch foldable OLED display, Snapdragon 888 chipset, and 66W fast charging, this foldable phone is designed to impress.

Huawei Mate Xs 2 Review: A Foldable Masterpiece with Stunning Design and Solid Performance

The Huawei Mate Xs 2, released on May 7, 2022, is Huawei’s latest entry in the foldable smartphone market. As a successor to the original Mate Xs, this device brings refined design, improved internals, and cutting-edge features, all while maintaining Huawei’s signature premium feel. The Mate Xs 2 boasts a 7.8-inch foldable OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a seamless and immersive viewing experience. Powered by the Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, it promises solid performance for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption.

Despite the lack of 5G due to international restrictions, the Mate Xs 2 delivers fast 4G LTE performance, along with 66W fast charging, a 50MP triple-camera system, and a 4600mAh battery (with a 4880mAh option in the 512GB variant).

With a starting price of around €2000, the Mate Xs 2 is a premium device aimed at tech enthusiasts and power users who value cutting-edge technology and sleek design.

Introduction

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 continues Huawei’s innovative approach to foldable smartphones, offering an outward folding design that creates a large tablet-like display when unfolded and a compact, usable screen when folded. The Snapdragon 888 chipset delivers fast and reliable performance, and the phone’s 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals for gaming, video playback, and everyday use.

With a 50MP main camera, 66W fast charging, and 5W reverse charging, the Mate Xs 2 stands out in the foldable market. However, the absence of Google Play Services and 5G might make users think twice, especially given its high price.

Let’s explore the Mate Xs 2’s design, performance, camera capabilities, and more in detail.

Design & Build Quality: Elegant Foldable Form Factor

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is incredibly thin for a foldable phone, measuring just 5.4mm thick when unfolded, which is thinner than many regular smartphones. When folded, the phone is 11.1mm thick, making it easy to slip into a pocket or bag. Weighing 255g to 257g, it’s lighter than most foldables, which is a plus for users who want portability without compromising on screen size.

The outward-folding design allows the phone to have a 7.8-inch screen when unfolded and a 6.5-inch display when folded. The premium build, featuring aluminum and glass materials, along with the curved edges, gives the Mate Xs 2 a sophisticated look.

Available in Black, White, and Purple, the Mate Xs 2 is a head-turner, and the side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides quick access without taking up display space.

Display: Stunning Foldable OLED with 120Hz Refresh Rate

The 7.8-inch foldable OLED display is one of the main highlights of the Huawei Mate Xs 2. With a resolution of 2200 x 2480 pixels and a pixel density of 424 ppi, the display offers crisp and vibrant visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, animations, and gaming, making the phone perfect for media consumption and multitasking.

The foldable screen can be used in a 7.8-inch tablet mode when unfolded, and when folded, it becomes a 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 1176 x 2480 pixels. The flexibility in screen size allows users to switch between productivity tasks and a more compact form for everyday use.

The display delivers up to 725 nits of brightness, which is great for outdoor use, and the color accuracy is impressive, making videos, games, and photos pop.

Performance: Snapdragon 888 4G Chipset with 8GB/12GB RAM

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G chipset, which delivers flagship-level performance for a range of tasks. The octa-core processor (1×2.84 GHz Cortex-X1, 3×2.42 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) ensures that the phone can handle everything from high-end gaming to heavy multitasking without breaking a sweat. The Adreno 660 GPU provides excellent graphics performance, making the Mate Xs 2 ideal for gaming and media consumption.

The phone comes with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM depending on the variant, along with 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, which can be expanded up to 256GB using Huawei’s NM (Nano Memory) card.

Running on EMUI 12 internationally (without Google Play Services) and HarmonyOS 2.0 in China, the software is fast and intuitive, although users who rely on Google services may need to adjust to using Huawei’s AppGallery.

Camera: 50MP Triple-Camera System with Impressive Versatility

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is equipped with a triple-camera system on the back:

50MP main camera (f/1.8, wide, PDAF): Delivers excellent image quality with great detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance.
8MP telephoto camera (f/2.4, 81mm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom): The telephoto lens enables users to capture clear shots from a distance, and the optical image stabilization (OIS) ensures sharp images even in low light.
13MP ultrawide camera (f/2.2, 120˚): Ideal for wide-angle shots, landscapes, and group photos.

The rear camera supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps, 1080p at 240fps, and HDR for high-quality video. Additionally, the laser autofocus and dual-LED dual-tone flash enhance the phone’s photography capabilities in various lighting conditions.

The 10.7MP front-facing camera is positioned on the folded display and supports 4K video recording. While the selfie camera is not the highest resolution compared to other flagships, it performs well for video calls and casual selfies.

Battery Life: Long-Lasting with 66W Fast Charging

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is powered by a 4600mAh battery in the 8GB/256GB and 8GB/512GB variants, while the 12GB/512GB variant features a slightly larger 4880mAh battery. The battery life is solid for a foldable, allowing users to go through a full day of moderate use.

The standout feature is the 66W fast charging, which can charge the phone from 0% to 90% in around 30 minutes. The Mate Xs 2 also supports 5W reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices, such as wireless earbuds, in a pinch.

With an endurance rating of 49 hours, the Mate Xs 2 offers reliable battery life, although heavy usage may drain the battery faster due to the large foldable display.

Connectivity & Additional Features

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 offers a wide range of connectivity options, including:

Wi-Fi 6: Ensures fast and stable internet connections.
Bluetooth 5.2: Provides seamless connections with wireless headphones and other accessories.
USB Type-C 3.1 with OTG: Enables fast charging, data transfer, and the ability to connect external devices.
NFC: Supports contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.
GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC: Offers accurate location tracking for navigation apps.

The phone also includes several sensors, such as side-mounted fingerprint for quick unlocking, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and compass.

Conclusion: A Premium Foldable for Power Users

The Huawei Mate Xs 2 is a beautifully designed foldable phone with top-tier hardware, a stunning 7.8-inch OLED display, and 66W fast charging. The Snapdragon 888 4G chipset ensures smooth performance, while the 50MP triple-camera system offers versatility in photography.

Despite the absence of Google Play Services and 5G, the Mate Xs 2 is a compelling option for those looking for a premium foldable smartphone. Its sleek design, large display, and fast performance make it an excellent choice for power users and tech enthusiasts who value cutting-edge features.

Huawei Mate Xs 2 Full Specifications

Feature	Specification
Launch Date	May 07, 2022
Dimensions	Unfolded: 156.5 x 139.3 x 5.4 mm; Folded: 156.5 x 75.5 x 11.1 mm
Weight	255g / 257g (8.99 oz)
Display	7.8 inches Foldable OLED, 120Hz, 2200 x 2480 pixels (~424 ppi)
Operating System	EMUI 12 (International), HarmonyOS 2.0 (China)
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 4G
Memory	256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera	50MP (wide), 8MP (telephoto), 13MP (ultrawide)
Selfie Camera	10.7MP
Battery	4600mAh or 4880mAh, 66W fast charging
Colors Available	Black, White, Purple
Price	About 2000 EUR