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Huawei Pura X: First Foldable Smartphone Running Proprietary OS

Huawei has launched the Pura X, a foldable smartphone that marks the first device to run exclusively on the company's own operating system, positioning it as a serious contender to Google's Android and Apple's iOS.


Huawei Pura X: First Foldable Smartphone Running Proprietary OS
via huawei

The Pura X features an expansive 6.3-inch display when unfolded, with its distinctive 16:10 aspect ratio offering users a wider screen area than typical smartphones. When folded, the device transforms into a compact square with a 3.5-inch front display and camera. Pricing for the Pura X starts at $1,037.


This launch represents a pivotal moment for Huawei in two key areas.


First, the company has experienced a remarkable resurgence in its Chinese smartphone business since late 2023, following years of struggling under U.S. sanctions. Huawei has pursued a strategy of releasing distinctive devices to stand apart from competitors, including its innovative trifold smartphone design.

The strategy appears to be working against Apple in China's competitive market. Data from the International Data Corporation shows Huawei's market share climbing to 16.2% in Q4 2024, up from 13.7% a year earlier. During the same period, Apple's share dropped from 20% to 17.4%.



Second, and perhaps more significant, the Pura X debuts HarmonyOS 5, the latest version of Huawei's self-developed operating system. Initially released as HarmonyOS Next in November, reports indicate it no longer contains code from the open-source version of Google's Android.


This represents a critical step in Huawei's efforts to sever ties with Google completely, a process forced upon the company when U.S. sanctions in 2019 ended Google's ability to work with the Chinese tech company.


The device also comes equipped with Xiaoyi, Huawei's AI assistant powered by both proprietary artificial intelligence models and those developed by DeepSeek.


Here's a comprehensive layout of the Huawei Pura X specifications:


NETWORK

  • Technology: GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G

BODY

  • Dimensions (unfolded): 154.3 x 116.3 x 5.2 mm

  • Dimensions (folded): 78.4 x 78.5 x 11.6 mm

  • Weight: 249 g

  • Build: Glass front, eco leather back

  • SIM: Nano-SIM and eSIM

  • Colors: Black, White, Purple

DISPLAY

  • Type: Foldable OLED, LTPO, 1-120Hz

  • Main display: 6.3 inches, 1060 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~342 ppi density)

  • Cover display: 3.5 inches, 720 x 720 pixels, 1:1 ratio (~310 ppi density)

PLATFORM

  • OS: HarmonyOS 5.0

  • Chipset: Kirin 9010 (3 nm)

  • CPU: Octa-core

  • GPU: Not specified

MEMORY

  • Card slot: NM (Nano Memory), up to 256GB

  • Internal: 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM

  • Storage type: UFS

MAIN CAMERA

  • Triple camera setup:

    • 50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS

    • 12 MP, f/3.4, 100mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom

    • 40 MP, f/2.2, 18mm (ultrawide), PDAF

  • Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR

  • Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS

SELFIE CAMERA

  • Single camera:

    • 13 MP, f/2.0

  • Features: HDR

  • Video: 4K@30fps

SOUND

  • Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers

  • 3.5mm jack: No

COMMUNICATIONS

  • WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

  • Bluetooth: 5.2, A2DP, LE

  • Positioning: GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS

  • NFC: Yes

  • Infrared port: Yes

  • Radio: No

  • USB: USB Type-C 3.1

FEATURES

  • Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

  • Virtual AI assistant: Xiaoyi

BATTERY

  • Type: Li-Po 4400 mAh, non-removable

  • Charging: 66W wired, 50W wireless

  • Features: Reverse wireless charging

MISC

  • Price: Approximately 7,499 Chinese yuan ($1,037) for base model

 
 
 

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