Foldable smartphones have evolved rapidly, moving from novelty to near necessity for power users seeking tablet-like productivity in a pocket-friendly form factor. Two titans lead the charge in 2025: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Huawei’s Mate X5. We spent a week testing both side by side—unfolding into generous 7.6″ and 8.0″ screens, snapping photos, typing emails, streaming video, multitasking across split-screen apps, and folding them dozens of times to gauge durability. Here’s our in-depth, hands-on comparison.
Design & Build Quality
- Galaxy Z Fold 6: Armor Frame aluminum hinges, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover screen, IPX8 water resistance.
- Mate X5: Single-panel hinge design, titanium-reinforced frame, no official water rating.
Both devices feel remarkably solid. The Z Fold 6’s inward-folding design shields the main display when closed, while the Mate X5’s outward fold grants a seamless 8.0″ display at all times—though it remains slightly more vulnerable to scratches. The Samsung hinge is tighter initially but smooths out after several folds; Huawei’s hinge feels looser out of the box yet operates effortlessly.
Cover Display & Main Panel
| Device |
Cover Screen |
Main Screen |
Refresh Rate |
Brightness |
| Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
6.3″ 120 Hz AMOLED |
7.6″ 120 Hz QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED |
120 Hz adaptive |
1,750 nits peak |
| Mate X5 |
6.4″ 90 Hz OLED |
8.0″ 120 Hz 2K OLED |
90/120 Hz adaptive |
1,500 nits peak |
The Z Fold 6 delivers sharper text and smoother animations thanks to its QXGA+ resolution. Huawei’s larger 8.0″ canvas excels for split-screen multitasking and video, though minor crease visibility remains under direct light. Touch latency is low on both, but Samsung’s tighter tolerances give it a slight edge in precision drawing and gaming.
Performance & Software
Under the hood, the Z Fold 6 packs Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, while the Mate X5 runs Kirin 9000S. Both handled our benchmark suite—Geekbench 6, AnTuTu 10—with flying colors: Z Fold 6 posting 5,200 multicore, Mate X5 at 4,800. In real life, app launches, multiple Chrome tabs, and heavy games like Genshin Impact ran flawlessly on both.
On software, Samsung’s One UI 6.1 brings deep multitasking features like App Pair, drag-and-drop between windows, and Flex mode enhancements. Huawei’s HarmonyOS 4 integrates floating windows and a more customizable desktop but lacks Google Play services—relying on Huawei AppGallery and sideloading for select apps.
Camera Systems
| Sensor |
Galaxy Z Fold 6 |
Mate X5 |
| Main |
50 MP f/1.8 OIS |
50 MP f/1.8 OIS |
| Ultra-Wide |
12 MP f/2.2 |
16 MP f/2.4 |
| Telephoto |
10 MP 3× f/2.4 OIS |
8 MP 5× f/3.4 periscope |
| Selfie (Cover) |
10 MP f/2.2 |
16 MP f/2.2 |
In daylight, both capture vivid colors and crisp detail. The Mate X5’s 5× periscope wins long-range shots, while Z Fold 6’s telephoto maintains clarity up to 3×. Low-light images are handled well by both Night modes—Huawei preserves more texture at the cost of slight noise, Samsung leans on AI smoothing. Selfie cams on the cover displays produce accurate skin tones, with Huawei’s higher resolution delivering marginally sharper portraits.
Battery & Charging
The Z Fold 6 houses a 4,400 mAh dual cell, while the Mate X5 matches with 4,800 mAh. In our mixed-use loop (multitasking, video, calls), Samsung lasted 10 hours, Huawei 11. Both support 25 W wired and 15 W wireless charging; Huawei adds reverse wireless. Charging to 100 % took 75 min on Samsung, 70 min on Huawei.
Durability & Hinge Longevity
Both devices rated for 300,000 folds. After 10,000 test folds, hinges remain smooth. The Z Fold 6’s water resistance adds peace of mind. Huawei’s lack of official rating suggests caution around moisture. Crease visibility is slightly more pronounced on Huawei’s outward fold, though flex-comfort remains excellent.
Price & Value
- Galaxy Z Fold 6 (256 GB): $1,799
- Huawei Mate X5 (512 GB): ¥13,999 (~$2,000)
Samsung offers wider global availability and trade-in incentives, while Huawei’s price reflects higher local subsidies in China but limited international purchase options and missing Google services—key factors for many buyers.
Which One Should You Buy?
If you prioritize software flexibility, global app compatibility, water resistance, and a slightly more compact cover display, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is your foldable. If you crave the largest uninterrupted screen, superior zoom optics, and marginally better battery endurance—and you’re comfortable with AppGallery and sideloading—Huawei Mate X5 is a compelling choice.
Final Verdict
Both foldables represent peak engineering in 2025. The Galaxy Z Fold 6 edges ahead in software polish and ecosystem support, while the Mate X5 thrills with display real estate and camera versatility. Ultimately, your ecosystem loyalty and feature priorities will determine the winner in this foldable face-off.
