Huawei has unveiled the foldable Pura X Max — a book-style foldable smartphone with a wide screen that resembles what leaks have been promising us in the form of a foldable iPhone, or more accurately, the iPhone Ultra. If the rumors are true, Apple has chosen exactly this format, and Huawei managed to get there first.
This is what Huawei’s new foldable looks like
What Is the Huawei Pura X Max and What Makes It Unusual
The Pura X Max is Huawei’s second attempt at making a foldable smartphone in the Pura lineup. Last year’s Pura X was a wide “flip” clamshell (folding in half like a compact mirror). The new Pura X Max has shifted concepts: it’s now a “fold” — the smartphone unfolds into a wide tablet, like a book.
When folded, you have a device with a 5.4-inch outer screen — close in size to a regular smartphone. When unfolded — a 7.7-inch panel measuring 166.5 by 120 mm. Both screens support refresh rates up to 120 Hz, and the peak brightness of the outer display reaches 3,500 nits. In other words, all the specs you’d expect from a foldable iPhone.
Huawei rather boldly calls itself a pioneer of wide foldables. How fair that claim is remains debatable, but the format is indeed unusual: the device is noticeably wider than most foldable smartphones on the market.
What Specs the Huawei Pura X Max Has
The form factor is very unusual for foldable smartphones
The main camera module includes three lenses:
- A 50 MP main sensor with variable aperture f/1.4–f/4.0 and optical image stabilization
- A 12.5 MP wide-angle module
- A 50 MP periscope telephoto lens with 3.5x optical zoom and macro support
Additionally, a Red Maple 2 multispectral sensor is installed to help reproduce colors more accurately. Both front cameras are 8 MP each, with 4K video recording.
Inside runs the flagship Kirin 9030 Pro chipset — the same one found in the top-tier Huawei Mate 80 Pro models. The 5,300 mAh battery supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. It also features IP58/59 dust and water resistance and stereo speakers.
Worth noting separately is support for the Huawei M-Pen 3 Mini stylus. Huawei suggests using it for sketches that can then be passed to the built-in AI for image generation — or simply for freehand drawing.
Comparing the Pura X Max to the Foldable iPhone
According to numerous leaks, Apple is working on a foldable iPhone in a book format — not a clamshell flip, but specifically a device that opens into a wide screen. The Pura X Max fits exactly into this niche: a compact smartphone on the outside, a mini-tablet on the inside.
Shooting is more convenient in this position
Huawei clearly tracks Apple rumors and tries to claim the territory first. Last year’s Pura X copied the “flip” concept, and when it became clear that Apple would likely choose the “fold” format, Huawei quickly changed direction.
For Apple users, this isn’t a call to action just yet, but rather a reference point. The Pura X Max shows what compromises come with this form factor: 11.2 mm thickness when folded, 229 grams in weight, and a noticeable camera bump. If Apple chooses a similar path, it will have to solve the same challenges.
Huawei Pura X Max Price
Prices start at 10,999 yuan for the version with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage — that’s approximately $1,500. The 12/512 GB version will cost 11,999 yuan (around $1,640). This is certainly cheaper than what the iPhone Ultra is expected to cost.
The device looks really stylish
A special Collector’s Edition with 16 GB of RAM and satellite communication support costs from 12,999 yuan (around $1,780) for 512 GB and up to 13,999 yuan (around $1,920) for one terabyte.
The stylus and accessories are sold separately:
- M-Pen 3 Mini stylus — 599 yuan (around $82)
- Stylus with case — 949 yuan (around $130)
- Photography kit with detachable zoom lens — 1,699 yuan (around $233)
Five color options are available, including orange. Prices are twice as high as last year’s Pura X.
Why the Huawei Pura X Max Is Interesting for Future Foldable iPhone Buyers
The Pura X Max runs on HarmonyOS, lacks Google services, and is sold in Russia with a limited app ecosystem. For Apple users, this device isn’t a direct alternative — rather a demonstration of the technology and format.
Would you get one of these?
But if you’re waiting for a foldable iPhone, the Pura X Max is useful as a visual example of what to expect: a wide inner screen of about 7.7 inches, stylus support, and a price significantly higher than regular flagships. Apple will certainly do things its own way, but you can’t cheat physics — the thickness, weight, and camera compromises will be similar.
For those considering buying the Pura X Max as a standalone device, two things are worth keeping in mind: the lack of Google services and the high price tag. For everyone else, it’s simply an interesting signal about where the foldable smartphone market is heading.
