Folding mobiles started out as an extravagance, but gradually they are becoming more mainstream as new models are released. We met the Huawei P50 Pocket at the end of last year, although we always wondered if it would be sold worldwide or not. Finally it did and the Huawei P50 Pocket went on sale in Spain.

It is not the first foldable mobile that Huawei has brought to our country, but many since the last Huawei Mate Xs. Is the new Huawei P50 Pocket a good option? To find out, we compare what it offers and what it costs with the rest of the foldable phones on sale: the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3, Motorola Razr 5G and Huawei Mate Xs.

HarmonyOS FIRST IMPRESSIONS – THE RISE OF HUAWEI

Three ways of understanding the same

In recent weeks we have seen how more and more brands have entered the foldable mobile market, such as OPPO with the OPPO Find N or Honor with the Honor Magic V, although it remains to be seen whether they will be for sale worldwide. In Spain, for now, three companies have “dared” to put foldable phones on sale: Samsung, Huawei and Motorola.

The Huawei P50 Pocket takes the clamshell foldable concept of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Motorola Razr 5G

The latest to arrive is the Huawei P50 Pocket, which is not Huawei’s first foldable phone, but it is the first to bet on the compact format. The idea is not to have a mobile that unfolds into a tablet, but a mobile that can be compacted so that it takes up less space in the pocket, like the clamshell mobiles of yesteryear.

The Huawei P50 Pocket is a compact clamshell foldable mobile

This foldable mobile concept is by no means new, as it is the format chosen by the first foldable Motorola Razr of 2019 and which will later be joined by the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the latest and most refined Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. for those who want a different and compact mobile, less focused on productivity than “books”.

On the other hand, we have “book” folding mobiles, which could be defined as a mobile whose screen you can unfold to turn it into a tablet or as a tablet whose screen you can fold to turn it into a mobile. The largest representative of this group is the original Samsung Galaxy Fold, which has undergone several evolutions until reaching the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. They are larger, heavier and generally more expensive terminals, a little more productivity oriented.

And not all folding books are the same. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 folds inwards, while the Huawei Mate Xs folds outwards. Each type of fold has its advantages in terms of the number of cameras and additional screens the terminal needs (the Mate Xs can reuse its cameras for all scenarios), but in the end it all depends on what the user prefers: a large mobile that becomes normal or a normal mobile that becomes small.

Two significant drawbacks

The Huawei P50 Pocket’s spec sheet is up to date, with 120Hz screens, a powerful processor, a good amount of RAM and storage, and very fast charging, but when compared against other foldable handsets on the market, It is obvious that it has two important shortcomings, both motivated by the embargo of the United States.

It’s not a 5G mobile: despite the same Snapdragon 888 of the two Samsung foldables, 5G connectivity is disabled, so we are left with 4G. This will not be a problem for many people, but for others spending more than 1000 euros for a mobile that is already “obsolete” from the point of view of connectivity will be a major inconvenience.

Huawei P50 Pocket and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 represent the same concept but the latter has two advantages: it is 5G and it has Google Play

The other big drawback is the shadow that has accompanied all recent launches and also concerns the Huawei Mate Xs: it does not have Google or Google Play services, which limits the installation of applications to Huawei App Gallery files. and APK, has added complication which will be a minor hassle for some and a major inconvenience for others.

it is complicated

Of course, not everything is successful in the Huawei P50 Pocket. Compared to its closest rival, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, it’s a bit larger and has a lot more capacity in its battery and 40W fast charging (4,000 mAh and 40W in the Pocket vs. 3,300 mAh and 15W in the Z Flip), in addition to bringing 120Hz refreshes to both screens.

The Huawei P50 Pocket is worth 600 euros more than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G

Huawei has attempted to mitigate the software and connectivity weaknesses of the Huawei P50 Pocket with a unique design, featuring an exterior circular display and two finishes that make it almost more of a fashion accessory than a smartphone, as well as a little more ambitious photographic bet, represented by its 32 MP lens with spectral photography, able to “see more” than the human eye.

These are nice additions, but we’re still talking about a 1,599 euro terminal that’s 4G and doesn’t have Google Play. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip today costs 999 euros, which is 600 euros less, and although it does not have a spectral camera or a 120 Hz screen, it has IPX8 resistance, wireless charging and yes, Google Play and 5G.

Huawei P50 pocket

Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 3 5G

Motorola Razr 5G

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G

huawei mate xs

indoor display

6.9 inch OLED
FullHD+
120Hz
Touch 300Hz

6.7″ AMOLED
FullHD+
120Hz

6.2″ OLED
2142×876
60Hz

7.6″ AMOLED
QXGA+
120Hz

8″ OLED
FullHD+

outdoor screen

1.04″ OLED
340×340
60Hz
Touch 120Hz

1.9″ AMOLED
260×512
60Hz

2.7″ OLED
800×600
60Hz

AMOLED 6.2″ 2268 x 832
120Hz

6.6″ AMOLED
FullHD+

Dimensions and weight

Unfolded: 170 x 75.5 x 7.2mm
Folded: 87.3 x 75.5 x 15.2mm
190g

Unfolded: 166 x 72.2 x 6.9mm
Folded: 86.4 x 72.2 x 17.1mm
183g

Unfolded: 169.2 x 72.6 x 7.9mm
Folded: 91.7 x 72.6 x 16mm
Weight: 192g

Unfolded: 128.1 x 158.2 x 6.4mm
Folded: 67.1 x 158.2 x 16mm
271g

Unfolded: 161.3 x 146.2 x 5.4mm
Folded: 161.3 x 78.5 x 11mm
300 grams

Processor

Snapdragon 888 4G

Snapdragon 888 5G

Snapdragon 765G

Snapdragon 888 5G

Kirin 990 5G

RAM

8/12 GB

8 GB

8 GB

12 GB

8 GB

Storage

256/512 GB

128/256 GB

256 GB

256/512 GB

512 GB

interior cameras

10.7MP f/2.2

10MP f/2.4

20MP f/2.2

4MP MP f/1.8

–

outdoor cameras

40MP f/1.8
13MP f/2.2 UGA
32 MP f/1.8 hyperspectral

12MP f/1.8
12MP f/2.2 UGA

48MP f/1.7

10MP f/2.2 (for selfies)

12MP f/1.8
12MP f/2.2 UGA
12MP f/2.4 2x telephoto lens

40MP f/1.8
16MP f/2.2 UGA
8MP f/2.4 3x telephoto lens
ToF sensor

Drums

4000mAh
40W fast charge

3300mAh 15W fast charge
10W wireless charging

2800mAh
15W fast charge

4400mAh
25W fast charge
11W wireless charging

4500 mAh`
55W fast charge

Others

4G
side fingerprint reader
stereo speakers
No Google service

5G
side fingerprint reader
stereo speakers
IPX8

5G
rear fingerprint reader
splash proof

5G
Fingerprint reader on the side
S-stylus
stereo speakers
IPX8

5G
side fingerprint reader
No Google service

Price

From 1,599 euro

From 999€

From 1,299 euros

From 1,809 euros

From €2,499