Huawei has revealed the design of the Pura X Max, a new foldable phone launching in China next week with a full release date of April 20. The device features a passport-esque form factor with a wide aspect ratio, a design approach that both Apple and Samsung have been linked with for their own foldable plans.
Wide foldable form factor moves from rumor to shipping product
The Pura X Max is described as having a form factor similar to early leaks of the iPhone Fold. Early images show the device in blue, white, orange, and black, each featuring a triple rear camera. The rear design uses gridded sections with different textured finishes, a styling approach taken from the original Pura X, which launched last year.
The Pura X Max is wider than other foldables currently available. Huawei has prior experience with wider foldable dimensions and is not adopting this form factor solely in response to competitors.
How the Pura X Max compares to earlier foldables
The original Pura X was smaller and marketed as a flip phone, with the expectation that users would rotate the entire phone into portrait orientation as they open it. By contrast, the Pura X Max appears to be a cross between the classic flip and book form factors.
The Pura X Max’s design is reminiscent of earlier foldables such as Google’s first-generation Pixel Fold and Oppo’s initial Find N. Huawei’s early imagery shows people using the opened phone in both portrait and landscape orientations, suggesting the device is designed to support multiple usage patterns.
Timing relative to Apple and Samsung foldable plans
Apple has been linked with plans for a foldable iPhone with a similarly wide aspect ratio. An alleged first dummy unit of Apple’s foldable was reported last week. Samsung is also rumored to be developing a wider version of its Galaxy Z Fold phones. However, neither Apple nor Samsung’s foldable handsets are expected until the second half of the year.
Huawei’s April 20 launch date positions the Pura X Max to reach consumers earlier than the expected timelines for competing wide-aspect foldables from Apple and Samsung.
Design continuity in the Pura line
The Pura X Max’s design elements—including the triple rear camera and textured back pattern—align with Huawei’s broader Pura branding. The gridded rear design is carried over from the original Pura X, indicating continuity in the product line’s industrial design language.
Source: The Verge