Huawei PuraX: An In-Depth Look at the "Wide-Fold" Experience An Imperfect but Imaginative First Attempt

Huawei PuraX: An In-Depth Look at the "Wide-Fold" Experience An Imperfect but Imaginative First AttemptThe arrival of the Huawei PuraX has disrupted the homogenous competition between "large-fold" and "small-fold" foldable phones, forging a new path for "wide-fold" devices. It doesn't simply chase after the smallest palm-friendly size or the largest screen; instead, it cleverly balances portability and display quality

Huawei PuraX: An In-Depth Look at the "Wide-Fold" Experience An Imperfect but Imaginative First Attempt

The arrival of the Huawei PuraX has disrupted the homogenous competition between "large-fold" and "small-fold" foldable phones, forging a new path for "wide-fold" devices. It doesn't simply chase after the smallest palm-friendly size or the largest screen; instead, it cleverly balances portability and display quality. However, relying solely on specifications fails to fully capture the phone's strengths and weaknesses. This review, based on hands-on experience, delves deeper into the PuraX's real-world performance.

Hands-on Experience: Strengths and Weaknesses

Due to the high volume of users at the offline experience store, my hands-on time was limited, preventing extensive testing. Upon initial hold, I instinctively used two hands, which underscores its unique size relatively wide when unfolded, yet compact when folded. It's a different category from traditional Flip-style and Fold-style devices. Consumers should definitely try it out in person before purchasing to ensure it meets their needs.

The PuraX combines the large screen area of a Fold with the portability of a Flip, the essence of its novel form factor, something only truly appreciated through hands-on experience. However, I encountered some software issues. Certain apps displayed black borders, which likely requires future software optimization. The placement of the volume buttons is unconventional, positioned high up when unfolded, making them awkward to press. Furthermore, some apps' "Agree" buttons were inaccessible on the outer screen. These, and other similar issues, suggest a clear "first-generation" feel to both hardware and software. Huawei needs to address these swiftly; otherwise, future sales could suffer.

However, the PuraX's build quality is undeniably impressive. While the camera module design evokes the P30 series, feeling somewhat retro, the actual device exudes premium quality. The Zero White color variant, in particular, is pure and translucent, boasting a porcelain-like finish in the light a stark contrast to the Nova Flip, aligning PuraX's build quality more closely with its high-end positioning.

Excellent Hinge Design and Screen Quality

Thanks to its innovative free-stop hinge, the PuraX enables time-lapse photography and low-angle shots. Impressively, even the heavily used demo unit showed minimal creasing, highlighting advancements in hinge and screen technology.

The "eye-tracking page turn" feature initially seems gimmicky, but proved surprisingly practical. The sensor accurately tracks subtle eye movements to automatically turn pages when reaching the bottom, with a response latency under 0.3 seconds. Combined with AI portrait enhancement, video calls benefit from real-time skin texture optimization, a boon for those with social anxiety.

The outer screen's display orientation is fixed, with the camera at the top, seemingly lacking rotation, although I may have overlooked a setting during testing.

Performance and System Fluidity

Powered by the Kirin 9020 processor, the PuraX boasts strong performance. While lagging behind flagship chipsets, it offers a balanced power consumption and performance profile. HarmonyOS 5 runs smoothly, with a relatively mature ecosystem. Mainstream apps like WeChat, QQ, and several popular games are well-supported, suggesting a promising path for HarmonyOS NEXT. Some games exhibited aspect ratio issues, but these should be resolved with continued HarmonyOS optimization.

Market Popularity and Future Outlook

Noteworthy is the PuraX's online sell-out and offline waiting lists, clearly indicating high demand.

In conclusion, the Huawei PuraX is an imperfect yet imaginative device. If you value individuality, are a tech enthusiast, or enjoy being at the forefront of innovation, it's worth considering. However, its shortcomings warrant attention. Huawei must actively improve it to deliver a better user experience. The phone's success hinges not only on its unique "wide-fold" design but also on Huawei's ability to address software compatibility issues and continuously optimize the user experience.

Its launch has undeniably injected fresh energy into the foldable phone market and provided new directions for future development. However, only time will tell if it gains widespread market acceptance. We hope Huawei continues to improve the PuraX to make it a truly successful product. Consumers should rationally assess its advantages and disadvantages to make informed purchase decisions. "Imperfect but imaginative" is perhaps the most fitting description of the Huawei PuraX.

Ultimately, the PuraX's success depends on subsequent software optimization and user experience enhancements. A successful product requires not only innovative design but also stable, reliable performance and excellent service. We hope Huawei continues to strive in these areas to bring consumers better products. We also hope for greater understanding and support from consumers to jointly advance foldable phone technology.

Finally, returning to our initial question: What are your expectations for this new phone? Please share your thoughts and expectations in the comments.