Inside Huawei's Strangest Foldable - Mate X Teardown & Repair Assessment

-------------------------------------Socials------------------------------------
Website: www.hughjeffreys.com
Store: www.hughjeffreys.com/store
Instagram: / hughjeffreys
--------------------------------------Links--------------------------------------
Get parts, tools and repair guides at iFixit:
Shop US: iFixit.com/hughjeffreys
Shop AU: ifix.gd/hughjeffreysau
Tools I Use: www.hughjeffreys.com/tools
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, l will receive a small commission.)

[@nushnume]

Probably the most stupid foldable design i've ever seen. Folding screen on the outside....drop it or even poke it on that display corner and it's done for. Also the dust in the hinge shows that even if the display worked,the hinge would become a problem. People can say whatever they want about Samsung but comparing this to a Galaxy Fold in the engineering and durability department is like comparing a Fiat Multipla with a Rolls Royce. Also the price of a Mate X compared to a Fold is mind blowing

[@Qwerty-uiop]

I don't know what a fiat maltipla or rolls royce is. What are they?

[@The_Phone_Bin_Diver]

@@Qwerty-uiopboth cars, fiat multiplia is considered a very ugly car, and a rolls Royce is a very expensive luxury car brand

[@Qwerty-uiop]

@@The_Phone_Bin_Diver ohh

[@rajder656]

to be fair you are looking at the first gen mate x. First gen folds were crappy too

[@igor4knezevic]

1. Tbh bad comparison, modern rolls royces are just a bmw (with their own share of issues) and multiplas are kinda reliable 2. 1st gen product ffs, and this model is also quite old, but still looking modern compared to the famoust 1st gen fold from Samsung 3. This is probably the best and only genuine fold desing that wants you to use its full potential open, and when you have to use id one handed you have a normal 19.5:9 screen, nice and wide 4. All foldables have the poke it and it's done. Huawei has good hardware desigs and people can talk all they want about china this china that, but this phone is using the max out of the form factor, and is still slim compared to the double screen fatty Z. I also use a Samsung phone, I love the software, but the z fold is just a weird form factor, even if I love the Z series, I find it weird, except the Z Flip, that one is cool, not the best, but hella good. Also, the only reason why someone would choose the Z Fold is if they are a less careful with their phones, so the outer durable screen would be a life saver if the inner screen died. Over the years phones really became disposable. Just look at oled screens, expensive compared to the rest of the phone and they die the faster, either by breaking or just burning out. Flash storage also wears out after someone time. Same for the battery. Only waste is the cpu that could be repurposed.

[@moe_1886]

Great teardown Hugh! Amazing how thin it is, but the sacrifice for that, is the screen having to be on the outside with no protection. Thank you for purchasing it and showing it to us as well. Appreciate it.

[@Ghosy01]

But Huawei includes a case for that

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

So this is more of a curiosity thing for you than a repair. Thanks for purchasing it and showing us what the guts look like 😝

[@traviswalker8933]

Finding Huawei parts, especially displays, is hard in Australia as seen with his P20 Pro restoration. Hence why it turned out to be this way.

[@Shinzon23]

​@@traviswalker8933*glances at the CCPs bullshit they've been up to in and near Australia and isn't surprised the Aussies woke up and started kicking the Reds out*

[@michaelelsy2209]

I've never been bored with any of your videos there always interesting.

[@TurboBass]

When they first debuted this phone, I laughed out loud and said "Who would ever buy that?!" The external only display is the worst design possible for foldables. Until a material is used that can withstand pokes and jabs from even slightly hard items, the screen must be protected as often as possible.

[@rajder656]

Enough people bought it for them to release XS2 this year

[@TurboBass]

@@rajder656 I don't know if that is indicative of a good product, or if that's why they made a version 2.

[@rajder656]

@@TurboBass people liked it. Bear in mind XS2 is technically 3th gen but with X2 they went with the more standard 1 smaller screen on the outside and bigger on the inside.

[@tcpma]

@@rajder656 i hope Huawei pays you a good salary

[@rajder656]

@@tcpma what made you come to that conclusion? Because i said people liked it? If people hated it then they wouldn't make mate XS and X2 and XS2

[@ominkan3129]

Great Video. I certainly would not want that phone but would not have known without watching the teardown.

[@TheHopelessGeek]

Amazing job Hugh! Kinda disappointed to see such complicated mess inside the phone, and the lack of replacement parts.

[@timstaps704]

I really do like my Fold2 from Samsung. Though I have to say I do agree with the absurdly high prices for a screen replacement. Luckily though some people are tearing down old phones and selling off still working screens and frames. My Fold2 was actually also supposed to be e-waste due to damage to the outer screen and scuffs on the inner one. However I am using it as my daily after purchasing it. I did not regret buying this and using it as is.

[@Splarkszter]

My S9 has a broken screen and the entire phone on ebay costs the same as a screen replacement from ifixit.

[@timstaps704]

@@Splarkszter yeah its cheaper just to buy a whole phone and harvest the parts needed.

[@Splarkszter]

Amazing what planned obsolescence has done

[@bttfdmc1984]

man after seeing this and the other phones they make today I miss the days of the NOKIA 5165 with the simple pop on face plates that you could take to any kiosk in a mall and get it changed along with the inner lights for the fraction of the price of a phone case.

[@da_pawz]

Agree... I recently changed the battery of Asus Zenfone Max Pro (M1). It's not hard but because it's glued, somehow the phone backplate case couldn't tightly sit back into the place... I tried twice, without success to get it like before... Really annoying.

[@wobber999]

Love your weekly videos Hugh, very enjoyable 👍

[@ghdrstream]

What tough hard work to dissemble and reassemble it, great work bro.

[@Foggy404]

I'm pretty sure I saw this phone before, good to see you brought it

[@pachy444]

Been daily using my Mate XS now for over 3yrs and I still think outward folding is the best way, they are an amazing phone.

[@Burns_RED]

6:09 Nice to see that Stephan from the Verge is still getting work as a phone designer. 😂

[@mra388]

It's shocking that they thought this was ready for market! This goes for basically all foldables: It is simply inevitable that the screen will break and require a dangerous and costly repair!

[@D4no00]

Old foldables are no different, usually they would work 1-2 years until the screen/front buttons connection would wear out. Nowadays problem is that these kind of devices are not built with repairability in mind.

[@Shinzon23]

It's a red Chinese designed piece of crap...you are honestly expecting it to be durable?

[@Retronyx]

do take note that samsung had the concept of foldable phone 7 - 8 years ago during their presentation, it was not a new technology but it unlocks a new way for how folding display works.

[@williamwatitwa3534]

@@Shinzon23 show us a western good quality foldable phone

[@lucaandreamifsudbuhagiar9375]

Actually I've had a Galaxy Z Fold3 for 18 months now and it still works flawlessly. I don't think it's "inevitable" given a reasonable lifespan (

[@pao44445]

Out of all the foldable phones, this is the one (XS2) I actually want to get one, sadly, the spare parts are basically non-existence.

[@Shinzon23]

You also have to remember that this comes from red China, meaning that any "export models" are probably full of all sorts of fun little malware, spyware, or convenient back doors. Seriously.. any company that operates in mainland China has to have a member of the Chinese Communist party on their board of directors...so saying they are neutral is bullshit because they are the furthest thing from neutral possible

[@electro4172]

Its 00:00 for me and its time to watch Hugh Jeffreys :) I just love it 👍

[@dimitrischristou]

Gotta love Mate X

[@RemovedBrain]

My Samsung Fold2 was on authorized battery replacement week ago. I had to pay for outside display replacement too, because it cannot be saved after detaching. In total I paid 1/7 of price that I paid for new Fold2... for battery. So you have right, that technology is simple still too young.

[@idealpersonal1231]

WOW - incredible!!!

[@lindaparker3610]

Interesting video Hugh ..

[@phonerepaircraft8676]

Great video bro❤❤❤❤

[@AcornAnnihilators]

love ur vids! You inspired me to start repairing devices. Can you make more game console repair vids? thx

[@kam70111]

Thank you, Hugh. Why would anyone need that type of phone? Except for Ego, and no answer to that.

[@astroch]

This is the correct design for foldable, is just that display tech is not there yet for this design.

[@TheUltimateRecycler]

Excellent Hugh! Great camera work and a good explanation of why I shouldn't change to a folding screen phone!

[@MirceaD28]

Thoe is a ... strange setup for the display, I have to give them credit for the modular and easy to fix layout. I have fixed Huawei for years and is always a pleasure to work with.

[@traviswalker8933]

Parts availability is a big issue with Huawei as seen in this video. Ali Express parts are a hassle.

[@alanchurchill1540]

You would have to keep it in a special pouch and never drop it tall order. Bet it would have been impressive in brand new working order. Keep it because it could be a rare antique of the future people saying I wished I'd kept my old one!

[@Shinzon23]

Especially given that any scenario in which the red Chinese party falls apart like they should have many decades ago is one that will inevitably involve a massive amount of carnage and bloodshed in mainland China...

[@AKG58Z]

Best construction ever with a lot of complexity and packed with tiny components only if Huawei could make it very durable for the long term use.

[@cripticdestiny]

It's not just foldables, the display for my 4/5 years old note 9 still cost more than some decent quality android phones

[@brando12343]

There is a website that sells the screen for this, I believe it's around $400 USD though so pretty expensive

[@letsgobrandon1178]

Hi Hugh. I have an S9+. It won't power on. Changed battery and charging port. Still no power, or able to power on. With your knowledge, would you say to replace the motherboard?? The phone has all my photos and data on it. Yes, I know. Backup would have resolved this issue. Lol. Thanks.

[@tdata545]

Aesthetically, I think the MATE X is the best looking foldable. But yeah, functionally, the worst. Can't wait for the scroll (like in ancient scrolls) style foldables come to market.

[@godlydestroyer8658]

I feel like this is the best design, but the screen just isn't there yet in strength

[@2048Megabytes.]

Great video

[@Memephone]

when i first saw it i thought it was a marvel of technology

[@Sk88p]

I see that Huawei was trying to be different with this design, but this one only gives you more problems. Also the price is insane. Definitely would not recommend buying this phone.

[@SnoozinFox]

Now that's a designed-to-be-disposable device if I've ever seen one

[@jayw8667]

Another good video, keep the good work up!

[@DrathVader]

Iirc, Huawei doesn't sell replacement screens and batteries separately, only as a set of battery and screen. It's especially egregious on a phone like this.

[@andreifelea7205]

I have it , bought it for 800$ , broke it in one day after dropping it on the home stairs and 1mm2 pixels died plus digitizer does bot answer on a small portion or goes crazy when not in tablet mode..

[@Forrest_O.]

I think foldable screens should be built different. I have somewhat of a concept but it would take some time and engineering to make.

[@traviswalker8933]

What is the concept?

[@StarfoxHUN]

Nah don't overthink it, foldables will be here just for a few more years. Rollables already solve pretty much every issues foldables have to face and they can come even next year already as demo devices was already showed.

[@Forrest_O.]

@@traviswalker8933 Combining 3 separate displays with 2 non flexible displays and one flexible display but the digitizer will be one whole flexible piece and the polarizer not only blurs out the bezels (the bezels being quite thin) but makes it look quite complete. This would eliminate the whole display getting damaged and theoretically be modular to replace the broken component. The only flaws there are would be a more expensive price to manufacture, the hinge, and correctly calibrating the display to the polarizer. If this display was paired with the right calibration and software, this would work amazingly.

[@traviswalker8933]

@@Forrest_O. The digitizer would be the weakest link in this design.

[@itIsI988]

If I were to design one I'd have the majority of the screen be tempered glass or sapphire and just have the foldable section be made of plastic. Bonding the two materials is likely difficult to do, though.

[@LawpickingLocksmith]

When I bought the HTC Velocity I had technology years ahead of Apple. It was a great navigator as well. Even the user replaceable battery gave me peace of mind. Opening it up was a similar issue: Small numbers with a bit of over engineering. Fast forward to this one we do see over-engineering to the point delicate surrounds with looming service costs.

[@rodrigojds]

which technology from that phone was years ahead of apple?

[@corktail7900]

i was surprised that the phone has expandable memory, but then i remembered that huawei made nano sd cards and nobody else wants to use them

[@thomastartu9597]

That is a really strange foldable phone there. I've never seen one built like that at all before.

[@louhysicat]

hi hugh are selling this item or other items you repair.?

[@gamerdudegamerdude4961]

Wow a foldable phone with a "Very Rare Expandable Storage Feature". 😎

[@pc14thenumber9]

I just want to say thank you for making showcase like this. It's horrifying and panic inducing to see how atrocious it is just open it up compare to other 'normal' and 'usual' phone design.

[@torture10]

Lots of Huawei phones have nonmagnetic screws, so it's not due it being foldable. Even P30 Pro here on your channel had nonmagnetic screws as well. I don't know the reason but it's very annoying.

[@PashaDefragzor]

Huawei definitely needs good software developers. "New Eastern Europe" enclave streaming for creating its own , independent platforms.

[@abdullahdar64]

Like your videos

[@junzenlavapie4458]

2:16 - "Someone's been in 'eeeeere."

[@Tamay.]

The microsoft surface duo has the same design iirc

[@elm.0]

2:17 “SOMEONE’S BEEN IN HERE” - DankPods

[@julianreverse]

The problem is not the lack of spare parts but the people with too much money who can afford such a phone. They don't repair them, they throw them away and buy new ones.

[@cadenchurchill4296]

Damn this thing is a total nightmare! Makes the Galaxy Fold 4 look comparatively easy to work on. 😰😬

[@revolee993]

Not surprising that most OEMs that have released a foldable so far follow Samsung's book-style design for obvious reasons.

[@Lumilicious]

You buy at least a half decent sleeve for a phone like this. Like... I couldn't even imagine putting this without any protection in my pocket. lol

[@ChibiKeruchan]

7:51 replacement screen cost more than a brand new phone. not really if you are far away from supply chain that is. but if you live in china replacement part is dirt cheap. so if that shit is broken, and for some reason it find it's way to china. that one in your hand will be as good as brand new after a week and will be sold for a huge profit haha but yes, do not buy it unless you just wanted not get FOMO.

[@jamesgarlick4573]

I love my family, but Buick century is the first time I've seen it and it has a very much hate for it is a good idea

[@dictionarsis]

The expensive part of smartphone is screen, especially for oled and Folding screen. But Huawei try to make this thing is unsafe.

[@kikihun9726]

Wow. There is no replacement screen on aliexpress.

[@Tech-gv6qk]

I appreciate the modernization on smartphone but i just don't like foldable one, i can't imagine myself using it looks uncomfy and less durable.

[@Efbjjjncey]

I buy iphone 6s plus for 20$ and is locked on hello screen haw to unlock them.

[@clarkkent1473]

3:09 bracket can teleport

[@examplerkey]

Next, jigsaw puzzle phone where you have to assemble pieces correctly before you make a call or text! How ridiculous phones have become!

[@joeblow5037]

always look forward to the Hugh Jeffreys videos 🤗

[@GodKing804]

This is a great concept if humans didn't design such fragile devices

[@wokzhongson]

he says "someone's been in'ere" like he watches Dankpods

[@poil8351]

i would return that phone extremely fast just in case it is bugged somehow.

[@facurojas4477]

Huawei managed to make a foldable phone even more unreliable and unfixable than they already are

[@alexus1981]

What did you do with thiis poor phone...

[@randomkitty2555]

I can't imagine all the people who bought this and found out that it's basically unrepairable.

[@alfonsoserramartinez1344]

Gonna ask the most stupid thing came to my mind.... What happens (asuming the only broken part of this phone is the screen), you conect to the motherboard another screen of another phone? It has no real purpose but it just came to my mind

[@TheMrGamer1]

Thanks Hugh for always purchasing expensive stuff just to teach us

[@MrMackievelli]

$70 isn't expensive...

[@TheMrGamer1]

@@MrMackievelli kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXS8aWd3bLmhp8k He bought all of those

[@MrMackievelli]

@@TheMrGamer1 okay, not talking about other stuff. He says he paid $70 so your comment comes off as out as place as your generic username.

[@prebenjaeger]

@@MrMackievelli it's probably a bot

[@MrMackievelli]

@@prebenjaeger I don't think he is. He posted a link to another video but Hugh has his settings to delete replies with links which looks like I'm replying to a removed comment.

[@slapnut892]

7k? Fuck that! I can get a decent gaming PC, laptop and phone for that! And that's in AU dollars.

[@Omfcody1]

Worst design? Yes. My favorite design? Also yes.

[@highlightmoments997]

You cant find parts for this phone because its a huawei Samsungs foldables are more viable, both with durability and parts

[@hownottoplay393]

best negative view of a very old Huawei device I have ever seen. it was the first foldable phone from huawei. I am sorry to say the whole video is looks like some propaganda. I am not saying it actually is. Its like i get Iphone 4 and say that way of charging is very impractical. BTW on new devices they provide case for its foldable. Even on their first device they were ahead of market.

[@JuanesChiwirosky]

wow, thats a new level of e-waste!!

[@transmitterguy478]

I bet it weighs a ton. I would never buy a phone like that. Remember KISS, keep it simple stupid. Great interesting vijaos Hugh!

[@MissFoxification]

The lack of repairability, short life of the screens and the sheer price of replacement screens is what keeps me from buying one. I have no issue with complex repairs but I don't want to spend hundreds on a screen.

[@alg003]

I think the only mildly repairable "foldable" phone is the LG V60, as far as I know you can get parts for pretty much everything, and the second display is a case that you can easily remove, I've seen a teardown of it but not any part replacements 🤔

[@traviswalker8933]

LG is not making phones anymore, so parts availability would be doubtful.

[@gandalfwiz20007]

Something tells me that these types of phones are one-use-only, not repairable... And even if they would be, they will not be as good as new.

[@toi_techno]

That is a hilariously complicated thing

[@kalinmir]

foldable screens are just stupid and the things that are destined to break just from the material wearing down by using it in a short time....i thing that you could make a phone with 2 screens that fold on each other seemles-ishly with way longer life expectancy

[@poil8351]

well that’s sus somebody’s been tampering with the internals of my phone um no nothing to see here people move right along no nothing nefarious about that all.

[@EE-mo8wy]

I paid $450 for a mint condition z fold 3. I'm never going back to a regular phone

[@noob4head]

Even with the phone being fragile how do you make a phone look like that with just normal use. You would image that if you pay 2000+ euro for a phone, you'd at least take care of it. People just have no respect for their electronic devices, it's ridiculous

[@jaywhite15_AL]

This was probably the most disgustingly assembled phone I've seen... and I've seen a few.

[@luamoon2444]

Seus vídeos são os melhores, algum dia eu ainda vou entender a maioria das coisas que você fala em inglês kkkk

[@wykner]

Bruh

[@HShango]

🤨 seriously....

[@Qwerty-uiop]

@@HShango yes

[@WhenDoesTheVideoActuallyStart]

@@HShango Silêncio gringo

[@luamoon2444]

@@HShango yes k

[@Karim-ifInwUstfu702]

strangest ❌ best ✔

[@JustAPersonWhoComments]

how to buy this Huawei foldable phone in America?

[@nickymouse1617]

Hi. You are my last hope! I've encountered 2 issues with ip12 and can't find the solution anywhere: 1) I'm getting a certain problem with face id module annually. It is somehow related to overheat, but at the same time I had no issues while using my phone in summer with +32 celsius. Have you ever encountered this phenomena and do you have any suggestions? 2) FaceID module initialization. I've tried EVERYTHING to fix this but still have no idea how to act. So module itself is 100% initialized by the system,all things related to FaceID module are working, except face recognition itself((( So portrait mode works perfectly and recognises face with a yellow frame with no doubt.Animoji feature is also functioning perfectly. But when i try to set up face id i always encounter a "f-id is unavailable, try later" sign. So all suggestions on Internet always trying to resolf a hardware issue, but it seems thet my problem was caused by software and there are no advises how to get rid of it on the Internet. Help me,someone((

[@AtmosPres]

Update to iOS 16.3 when it releases

[@Farquad76.547]

Several thousand?

[@theboyIOI]

hey

[@jozsefizsak]

I hadn't even heard of this one. Thanks for the interesting look at what I have to say is an unfortunate design.

[@TechNo1geek]

Don't shame them, they made it before Samsung, and was revolutionary back then, good idea, too early and tech wasn't up to scratch.

[@Frangote_2024]

Canal tech Brazil

[@robsquared2]

It's too bad phones in this state can't have an external display or network/headless access. It'd be a kind of silly rhaspberry pi but it could still be useful.

[@rajder656]

doesn't samsung fold have DeX?