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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[@finisherxs138]

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.

[@ryebread4781]

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

[@kenman91]

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

[@GGori_99]

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

[@craigbotterillk.c.6591]

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

[@charlesdeens8927]

Fantastic review. Thank you.

[@sercan272727]

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

[@grzegorzbiaek9560]

is huawei xs 2 waterproof?

[@bjornhalstrom9933]

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.

[@just.nobody]

No Huawei phones can be rooted unfortunately. Huawei has removed the method to unlock the bootloaders of their phones. I use a Huawei GR5 2017 as a secondary phone. Stuck with the backdated OS.

[@CristianZamora]

@@just.nobody on purpose... Rooting would eliminate the PRCs access to your data

[@just.nobody]

@@CristianZamora Yeah 😑

[@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

[@Mobile_Dom]

@@davidbrown6878 Android 13 is in AOSP, AOSP is fair game as far as I understand

[@lukeyong1180]

EMUI 12 is way better than Android already, no need to wait for 12L, just experience the productiveness of EMUI.

[@RichardRatner.1972]

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

[@kobmasa99]

Am basically trying to find the crease and am failing

[@connorp8408]

Any custom rom support for the XS?

[@lacomie81]

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

[@zone07]

I would be too stressed to own this phone unless they could provide a bumper case that could raise the backscreen off a surface to reduce scratches.

[@Variable_Degree_Series]

They do provide a case like that for free you know right? It also helps it keep on tripod mode..

[@mazenfahmy3794]

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

[@haimaimon7007]

How did you get google?

[@julesjulianjules]

@@haimaimon7007 you have to look up some forums and follow all the steps.

[@alexxander8158]

HY, video camera its 4k/60fps or 30fps?

[@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

[@epp6681]

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

[@sundip8849]

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

[@Variable_Degree_Series]

It comes with a good case for that

[@gabybaranes999]

No Google services 😭

[@ghtwghtw7197]

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.

[@greenbull3155]

Mine got google service install works like champ

[@Kevinjandro]

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

[@kn8u]

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

[@s.ferres4595]

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

[@upsilon1]

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 though.....RIP Screen.

[@samic]

Uneven OLED burn screen

[@TheAtomicDom]

Sorry. Looks neat but I just don't see how having the screen on the outside is anything but anxiety inducing.

[@andyH_England]

I think anyone that knows tech, understands that the Huawei take is where the future folding tech will be, and Huawei are way ahead of the field. This will mean one less display and fewer cameras, which will lead to much lower prices on the mid-range foldables. Already the P50 Pocket Lite, has reduced to $720 (rumoured release price). T the moment, as with the Fold to an extent, it is a phone you have to treat with kid's gloves, but the tech is what Huawei are trying to nail. It comes with a case that protects it when not in use. Once it goes worldwide and we get economies of scale then prices will fall. Remember Huawei, before the ban where about to me number one, and were beating Samsung every which way.

[@pacificsword1632]

Huawei phones still. And the durability of course is the big question

[@metatronblack]

🙂

[@valhalla8140]

I don't think there is a "case" for this Huawei phone

[@hoyoungwon]

One drop and it's game over 😭

[@CristianZamora]

They shouldn't even be recommended because of security reasons. Touting any Huawei devices is irresponsible and reckless to your viewing public...

[@PushyPawn]

WHY would anyone buy a Huawei? For $2000?! 😄😂🤣 I didn't realise this was a comedy episode.

[@RunOrDie77]

the form factor is as bad as it gets, basically any drop = rip screen

[@alexxander8158]

Any phone=any drop = rip

[@adirmugrabi]

i know for a fact, that if i'll ever buy a foldable phone, it will be in this style. the galaxy ones SUCK!!!

[@BoRerunn]

I'm cool off that gimmick 💩💩💩