The foldable smartphone race is no longer a novelty—it’s a full-on showdown. With Samsung and Huawei at the forefront of this futuristic form factor, 2025 brings a head-to-head battle between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Huawei Mate X5. Both devices aim to redefine productivity, design, and innovation. But how do they actually stack up in real-world usage?
We spent a week using both of these foldable titans, and here’s our detailed hands-on review.
Design and Build Quality: Battle of the Bold
The first thing you notice when you pick up either the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Huawei Mate X5 is the premium feel. But their philosophies differ radically.
Galaxy Z Fold 6: Refined Industrial Elegance
Samsung’s Z Fold 6 is sleeker and more compact than its predecessor. It boasts a brushed titanium frame, making it lighter yet stronger. The external display now stretches edge-to-edge with thinner bezels and a more uniform footprint, making it feel like a high-end flagship even when folded.
- Dimensions (Folded): 153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm
- Weight: 239 grams
- Colors: Titanium Gray, Navy, Rose Gold
Samsung has clearly learned from past designs, offering a more pocket-friendly device that doesn’t sacrifice screen real estate.
Huawei Mate X5: Futuristic Fluidity
Huawei, on the other hand, sticks with its outward-folding philosophy. Unlike the Fold 6’s inward hinge, the Mate X5’s screen folds outward, eliminating the need for a secondary display. This gives it a futuristic, streamlined look that screams sci-fi minimalism.
- Dimensions (Unfolded): 156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 mm
- Weight: 243 grams
- Colors: Feather Sand Black, Green Mountain, Phantom Purple
The Mate X5’s hinge is almost invisible, and the seamless foldable screen feels like it belongs in 2030, not 2025.
Display: Bigger Isn’t Always Better—Or Is It?
Let’s break down the display battle, because this is where foldables truly shine.
Z Fold 6 Displays
- Cover Display: 6.3″ AMOLED, 120Hz, 2376×968
- Main Display: 7.6″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 2160×1856
Samsung’s inner display is now brighter and more color accurate than ever. It supports HDR10+, and the crease? Practically invisible unless you look closely under bright light.
Mate X5 Displays
- Main (Single) Display: 7.85″ OLED, 120Hz, 2496×2224
The Mate X5’s display wraps around the outside, giving you a consistent screen whether folded or unfolded. It’s vibrant, incredibly sharp, and Huawei’s Kunlun Glass 2 ensures durability that doesn’t compromise clarity.
Winner: If you’re looking for protection and productivity, the Z Fold 6 wins with dual-screen versatility. But for raw beauty and seamless use, the Mate X5 offers an unmatched fluid experience.
Performance & Software: Android vs. HarmonyOS
Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
- Software: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14
Samsung’s multitasking is king. Drag-and-drop across apps, DeX mode, S Pen support, and split-screen capabilities turn the Z Fold 6 into a mini workstation. Pair it with Samsung’s ecosystem—Galaxy Watch, Buds, Tab—and you get a unified experience.
Huawei Mate X5
- Chipset: Kirin 9000S
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB / 1TB
- Software: HarmonyOS 4.0
HarmonyOS is polished, smooth, and optimized for foldables. But it’s still missing access to Google services, which may be a dealbreaker for international users. That said, Huawei’s AppGallery is growing, and its native multitasking tools are impressive.
Winner: For power users outside China, the Z Fold 6 is the obvious winner thanks to Android flexibility and ecosystem perks. But in China, the Mate X5’s HarmonyOS runs circles around most Android skins.
Cameras: Capture the Folded Moment
Foldables are no longer second-class citizens when it comes to cameras. Both brands have brought their A-game.
Galaxy Z Fold 6 Cameras
- Main: 50MP, f/1.8, OIS
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP, 3x optical zoom
- Front (Cover): 10MP
- Under-Display (Main): 4MP
Improvements in AI processing have made Samsung’s cameras sharper and more color-accurate. The Fold 6 supports 8K video recording, Pro modes, and Director’s View for creators.
Huawei Mate X5 Cameras
- Main: 50MP XMAGE Ultra Vision
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Periscope Telephoto: 12MP, 5x optical zoom
- Front (Folded): 8MP
Huawei’s XMAGE image processing delivers stunning detail, especially in low-light scenarios. The periscope zoom blows Samsung out of the water for long-range shots.
Winner: Tie. Samsung excels in versatility and video, Huawei wins in zoom and low-light photography.
Battery Life and Charging
Galaxy Z Fold 6
- Battery: 4,600 mAh
- Charging: 25W wired, 15W wireless
You can easily get a full day of use, even with heavy multitasking. But Samsung still lags in fast-charging speed.
Huawei Mate X5
- Battery: 5,060 mAh
- Charging: 66W wired, 50W wireless
Huawei obliterates the Fold 6 in charging speed. A 30-minute charge takes you to nearly 80%.
Winner: Huawei. Bigger battery + super-fast charging = unbeatable combo.
Fold Durability and Hinge Design
Durability is a dealbreaker in foldables.
Galaxy Z Fold 6
Samsung’s new waterdrop hinge design minimizes crease visibility and enhances longevity. It is IPX8-rated, making it water-resistant—a rare feat in foldables.
Huawei Mate X5
Huawei uses a multi-layered hinge architecture with zirconium-based alloys. It’s tougher than steel but lighter. However, it lacks official IP rating for water, though it’s splash-resistant.
Winner: Samsung for official water resistance and long-term hinge reliability.
Connectivity and Extras
- Galaxy Z Fold 6: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, UWB, S Pen support (main screen only)
- Huawei Mate X5: 5G (via HarmonyOS tricks), Wi-Fi 6, No Google Play, No S Pen
Samsung offers better connectivity and stylus support. Huawei is impressive but limited in Western markets.
Pricing and Availability
- Galaxy Z Fold 6: Starts at $1,799 (Global)
- Huawei Mate X5: Approx. $1,699 (China only, import prices vary)
While the Mate X5 is cheaper, it’s not officially available in many countries, and importing may involve extra fees and compromises (especially with software).
Real‑World Usage: Who Wins?
After using both for productivity, gaming, photography, and content consumption, here’s how we’d break it down:
Galaxy Z Fold 6 Is For You If:
- You need Google apps and services
- You want top-tier multitasking features
- You love the S Pen for note-taking or sketching
- You live in a region where Huawei phones are unsupported
Huawei Mate X5 Is For You If:
- You live in China or can work without Google
- You want a stunning, uninterrupted main display
- You prefer a lighter, outward-folding form
- You’re obsessed with mobile photography and fast charging
Final Verdict: A Tale of Two Titans
There’s no clear loser here—only different paths to a foldable future.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the best all-around foldable globally, with a refined design, water resistance, unmatched ecosystem, and Google-powered flexibility.
Huawei Mate X5 is a design and performance marvel, perfect for users in regions where HarmonyOS thrives. Its edge-to-edge display, strong cameras, and ultra-fast charging put it on another level.
Our Scoreboard:
| Feature | Galaxy Z Fold 6 | Huawei Mate X5 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Display Quality | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Performance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Software Experience | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Camera System | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Battery & Charging | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Global Availability | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
The Foldable Future Is Now
Foldables are no longer just experimental tech—they’re practical, powerful, and undeniably cool. Whether you go for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the Huawei Mate X5, you’re stepping into a world where your phone becomes a tablet, and your tablet fits in your pocket.
What a time to be alive.
Which foldable would you choose? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to subscribe for more in-depth tech comparisons and hands-on reviews.
