Huawei MateBook Fold: Revolutionizing the Laptop Industry with Foldable Technology

Published on June 1, 2025 | Last updated: June 1, 2025

The revolutionary Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design showcasing its 18-inch foldable display

The world of portable computing has taken a giant leap forward with the introduction of the Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design – the world’s first true foldable laptop that pushes the boundaries of innovation. This groundbreaking device features an extraordinary 18-inch flexible OLED display that can transform from a tablet to a laptop form factor with a simple fold.

Revealed in May 2025, the MateBook Fold represents Huawei’s bold vision for the future of computing devices, combining the productivity of a laptop with the versatility of a tablet in a single, sleek package. In this comprehensive review, we’ll explore its revolutionary design, impressive specifications, unique features, and examine how this device might reshape our expectations for portable computers.

Revolutionary Foldable Design

The MateBook Fold’s most impressive feature is undoubtedly its 18-inch foldable display, which allows the device to transform between multiple form factors:

• Tablet mode: Fully unfolded to its maximum 18-inch size with a 4:3 aspect ratio, perfect for creative work and content consumption
• Laptop mode: Folded at 90 degrees with a digital keyboard on the bottom portion and content displayed on the top, mimicking a traditional laptop with a 13-inch form factor
• Tent mode: Partially folded in an inverted V-shape for presentations or media viewing
• Book mode: Folded like a book for reading or browsing

When fully opened, the MateBook Fold measures just 7.3mm in thickness, and when folded, it maintains a slim profile of 14.9mm. Weighing only 1.16kg, it offers remarkable portability despite its large screen size. The device features premium materials, including leather and metal construction that gives it a luxurious feel while providing stain and water resistance.

The sophisticated 285mm hinge mechanism, the industry’s largest according to Huawei, delivers a 400% increase in hovering torque and a 100% improvement in load-bearing capacity. The three-stage shaft design ensures smooth opening and closing, while maintaining stability across a wide range of angles from 0-20 degrees all the way to 150 degrees.

Cutting-Edge Display Technology

The MateBook Fold features a world-first dual-layer OLED flexible display with impressive specifications:

The display utilizes LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, which Huawei claims is the first commercial implementation in the computer industry. This enables adaptive refresh rate for improved power efficiency without sacrificing visual quality.

With its stunning 3.3K resolution and HDR support, the MateBook Fold delivers exceptional visual clarity, vibrant colors, and deep contrasts, making it suitable for professional creative work, media consumption, and productivity tasks alike.

Powerful Performance and Hardware

To handle the demands of its versatile form factor and large display, the MateBook Fold is equipped with powerful internal components:

• Memory: 32GB RAM for smooth multitasking
• Storage: Available in 1TB or 2TB SSD configurations
• Battery: 74.69Wh capacity with 140W USB-C fast charging
• Cooling: Diamond aluminum dual fans and ultra-thin antigravity VC heat sink
• Audio: Six speakers and four microphones for immersive sound and clear voice capture
• Camera: 8MP webcam for video conferencing
• Ports: Two USB-C ports for connectivity

The device offers excellent wireless connectivity with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support. Huawei has optimized the thermal management system to ensure consistent performance despite the thin form factor, with the diamond aluminum dual fans and VC heat sink working together to dissipate heat efficiently.

For input, users can rely on the virtual keyboard displayed on the bottom half of the screen when in laptop mode, or connect the super-slim 5mm wireless keyboard that Huawei offers as an optional accessory for a more traditional typing experience.

HarmonyOS: A New Software Experience

The MateBook Fold marks a significant shift for Huawei’s laptop lineup, as it runs on the company’s in-house developed HarmonyOS rather than Windows. This move follows the expiration of Huawei’s license to install Windows on its computers due to ongoing trade restrictions.

HarmonyOS has been specifically tailored to take advantage of the MateBook Fold’s unique form factor. The operating system intelligently adapts to different configurations, providing an optimized user interface whether the device is being used as a tablet, laptop, or in any intermediate position.

One of the standout features is the seamless integration with other devices in the Huawei ecosystem. Users can easily share content between their Huawei smartphones, tablets, and the MateBook Fold, with connection speeds of up to 160MB/s.

Versatility and Use Cases

The MateBook Fold’s flexible form factor opens up numerous possibilities for different workflows and scenarios:

The integrated stand on the back of the device adds another layer of versatility, allowing users to position the screen at various angles without requiring additional accessories. This makes it particularly useful for presentations, video calls, or consuming content without having to hold the device.

For users who prefer a more traditional laptop experience, Huawei’s ultra-thin 5mm wireless keyboard provides physical keys while maintaining the overall portability of the setup. The keyboard can be placed on the bottom half of the folded display or used separately, giving users flexibility in how they interact with the device.

Price and Availability

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design is positioned as a premium device with pricing that reflects its innovative technology and high-end specifications:

The device is currently scheduled for release in China starting June 6, 2025. Pre-orders are already available through Huawei’s Vmall website. International availability has not been announced, and due to ongoing trade restrictions, the MateBook Fold is unlikely to be officially available in North America in the near future.

For customers in other markets, availability information is expected to be released in the coming months, though the device will likely be available in regions where Huawei traditionally has a strong presence, such as Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

How It Compares: MateBook Fold vs. Competitors

While the foldable PC market is still in its early stages, several manufacturers have released competing products. Here’s how the Huawei MateBook Fold compares to other foldable laptops:

The MateBook Fold stands out with its larger 18-inch display, higher resolution, and thinner, lighter design compared to competitors. However, the use of HarmonyOS instead of Windows could be considered a drawback for users heavily invested in the Windows ecosystem or requiring specific Windows applications.

The premium construction and advanced hinge mechanism of the MateBook Fold are notable advantages, though the pricing is in line with other foldable PCs, which are generally positioned as premium devices.

Conclusion: A Glimpse into the Future of Computing

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design represents a bold vision for the future of portable computing devices. By combining an expansive 18-inch display with a foldable form factor, it delivers versatility that traditional laptops and tablets can’t match. The premium build quality, impressive display specifications, and thoughtful design elements showcase Huawei’s commitment to innovation.

However, the transition to HarmonyOS may present challenges for users accustomed to Windows, and the premium pricing places it out of reach for many consumers. Additionally, limited international availability due to ongoing trade restrictions means many potential customers won’t have access to this innovative device.

Despite these limitations, the MateBook Fold represents an important step forward in the evolution of portable computing devices. As foldable display technology continues to mature and become more affordable, we can expect to see more mainstream adoption of this form factor in the coming years.

For early adopters and tech enthusiasts who have access to the device and are willing to invest in cutting-edge technology, the MateBook Fold offers a compelling glimpse into what the future of laptops might look like.

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