Huawei Mate X6 Review: The Story of a Thwarted Love at First Sight

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

Huawei is making a strong comeback on the folding smartphone market with the Mate X6, a device that makes an impression as soon as you pick it up. Its refined design and impeccable construction demonstrate undeniable technical mastery. At 1,999 euros, this high-end smartphone is aimed at a demanding clientele, ready to deal with certain software constraints. After two weeks of intensive use, here is our full verdict.

The Huawei Mate X6 is now available in two finishes: the red version with gold accents and the gray composite version. It is marketed at a retail price of 1,999 euros. At the time of publication of this review, Huawei is offering a 10% discount coupon on its official website.

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The Mate X6 offers a sleek design that exudes quality. Available in red and gold faux leather or a gray composite finish, it exudes an immediate sense of luxury. Its weight of 239 grams remains contained for a folding smartphone, a feat made possible by the use of noble and lightweight materials.

The hinge, a crucial element of a folding smartphone, deserves a special mention. Its sophisticated design is based on a double-hinge system that visibly reduces the bending of the screen. The mechanism inspires confidence from the first manipulations. It allows the phone to hold perfectly at all opening angles, without the slightest play or suspicious creaking. However, we will criticize the placement of the unlock button, much too high to fall naturally under the thumb when holding the smartphone in one hand.

IPX8 waterproofing completes this flattering picture. While dust remains a potential enemy, water resistance offers appreciable peace of mind on a daily basis. The second-generation Kunlun glass seems to effectively protect the external screen from scratches, which has an original protection installed at the factory.

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The 6.45-inch external screen adopts a design with curved edges on all four sides. This approach maintains excellent ergonomics while limiting accidental touches. With its definition of 1080 x 2440 pixels and its refresh rate of 120 Hz, it has nothing to envy the best classic smartphones.

The 7.94-inch internal screen impresses with its display quality. Its definition of 2240 x 2440 pixels guarantees excellent readability. The fold, although still visible from certain angles, is more discreet than on certain competing models. The high-quality anti-glare treatment improves visual comfort in everyday use.

Both OLED panels benefit from LTPO technology, allowing dynamic variation of the refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz. This function optimizes energy consumption without compromising on fluidity. The maximum brightness reaches 2500 nits on the external screen and 1800 nits on the internal screen, values ​​at the top of the market.

The Mate X6's camera setup is as impressive on paper as it is in practice. The 50-megapixel main camera stands out with its variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0), a first on a folding smartphone. This innovation allows you to adapt the depth of field according to the situation, like a professional camera.

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The 48-megapixel periscope telephoto lens offers an impressive 4x optical zoom. Its ability to act as a macro lens is a real asset, allowing you to capture microscopic details with remarkable clarity. eDOF (extended depth of field) technology further improves the results by combining multiple shots.

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© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The 40-megapixel ultra-wide-angle effectively completes the trio. If its performance remains slightly behind the two other sensors, it maintains excellent colorimetric consistency. The two 8-megapixel selfie sensors do the job, even if their limited definition encourages you to favor self-portraits using the functionality that allows you to take selfies with the main sensor when unfolded. Huawei shows us here once again its capacity to offer exceptional shots.

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

It's in terms of performance that the problem lies. The processor Kirin 9020, engraved in 7 nm, is lagging behind in terms of power and autonomy management compared to the latest Qualcomm and MediaTek chips. Benchmarks confirm this gap, even if software optimization helps maintain a smooth experience on a daily basis.

The absence of 5Gis another black mark that is difficult to justify on a device of this price. 4G reception is excellent, but this technological limitation could put off some potential buyers who would like to take advantage of the best with this premium price.

Despite its thinness, the Mate X6 has a generous battery of 5110 mAh. The autonomy is positively affected, allowing to last a full day even with intensive use. The 66W fast charge allows a full recharge in less than 45 minutes.

The 50W wireless charge is also impressive, even surpassing the wired capabilities of some current high-end smartphones. Huawei provides the fast charger in the box, a nice touch at this price point.

EMUI 15, based on Android 12, powers the Mate X6. This version is experiencing a worrying delay while Android 16 is already showing its nose. The absence of Google services remains the main black mark of the smartphone. Alternative solutions exist via the Aurora Store, which was recommended to us by the brand itself. This alternative store allows you to download and install any application by accessing the Google store without necessarily needing an account. However, to replicate a complete experience, you will need to associate your Google account with it, to check your emails or access your previous purchases for example. The risk here: the Aurora developers themselves warn that a ban on your account by the American company is possible. Indeed, using Aurora does not comply with Google's terms of service. Suffice to say that the risk here may not be worth it.

© Aurora

Huawei tries to compensate for these limitations with innovative features. Eye tracking allows for playful interactions with certain wallpapers, while Multitasking mode management allows you to switch between applications much faster than under current versions of Android. Huawei also promises seamless integration of its ecosystem, notably with the FreeBuds Pro 4 which benefit from the Huawei Sound lossless audio codec.

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

© Robin Sabbadini for Presse-citron

The Huawei Mate X6 embodies an undeniable technical feat. Its refined design, spectacular screens and innovative camera system demonstrate Huawei's know-how.Unfortunately, the lack of Google services and a subpar processor don't provide a user experience that lives up to its price tag.

At 1,999 euros, this smartphone struggles to justify its positioning against competitors like the Honor Magic V3. The latter offers a more complete experience without major compromises, all for 300 euros less at the moment. The Mate X6 is therefore mainly aimed at fans of the brand or users willing to deal with its software limitations to enjoy its external excellence.

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