Huawei Mate X delayed again, shipping before the end of 2019

Posted:
in General Discussion edited August 2019
Huawei has decided to postpone its Mate X folding phone for a second time until after the Galaxy Fold ships -- for reasons unknown.

Galaxy Fold
Samsung's redesigned Galaxy Fold will debut in September.


On the cusp of the Galaxy Fold's re-release in September, Huawei has made the decision to postpone the launch of its competing Mate X. The company announced the decision in a press event on Wednesday.

Techradar attended the event, and pointed out some design changes from a version that they saw in July. The new model has a slimmer lock button, and a revised "Falcon Hinge" crucial to the device's folding.

Revealed at Mobile World Congress, the Huawei Mate X is billed as a 5G-supporting foldable smartphone. Using a "Falcon Wing Mechanical Hinge," the device can switch between a 6.6-inch smartphone with OLED displays on the front and rear to a larger 8-inch tablet.

While the Samsung Galaxy Fold mounts the screen on the inside of the bend, Huawei opted to place it externally, a decision that puts far less strain on the display from repeated bending. Such a move is also risky from a usability standpoint, as it means the screen is not as protected from other items, such as keys in a pocket, unlike the inward screen design.

Following a host of pre-release units failing in the hands of reviewers, AT&T cancelled pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Fold on June 12. For their trouble, customers were given a $100 gift card.

When discussing the re-release in July, Samsung Electronics CEO D.J. Koh admitted the Fold was introduced prematurely.

"It was embarrassing. I pushed it through before it was ready," Koh said in a statement. "I do admit I missed something on the foldable phone, but we are in the process of recovery."

The concerns with Samsung's Galaxy Fold promoted a rethink by Huawei. It chose to delay the Mate X foldable smartphone from its original June launch until September, and now later, in order to carry out extra tests on the device to avoid a similar fiasco.

At the time, A spokesperson advised the company is working to launch the Huawei Mate X globally, with a focus on markets that will have 5G networks operational in the near future. The representative claimed the testing was being performed with mobile carriers around the world, and with developers to make sure apps function properly when the smartphone is unfolded.

They also admitted Huawei was being more "cautious" with the Mate X following Samsung's misfire. "We don't want to launch a product to destroy our reputation," the spokesperson insisted.

Apple has seemingly shown an interest in producing some form of foldable smartphone, one that analysts suggest could launch as early as 2020. Rumors have also suggested that Apple has worked with LG on one such concept, with the two reportedly collaborating on a flexible OLED display that could be used in such a device.

Outside of rumors, patents and applications also serve as evidence of Apple's work in the field. It has numerous such filings relating to flexible displays, wrap-around displays, and hinged devices, as well as supporting ideas such as stretchy substrates for connecting components together, and how to enable force gesture controls on flexible devices.
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 27
    Maybe Huawei and Samsung can take turns delaying their foldable phones until we forget they were announced in the first place.

    I still don’t really see the appeal of a foldable phone, I’m waiting to see what compelling features there are other than “here it’s small, here it’s big”.

    To be fair, I also don’t see the appeal of other newer technologies like 5G and AR. Yeah! Faster! Yeah! 3D character overlayed in my camera view!

    (Yes, I realize Apple (and others) is probably setting the groundwork now for something where AR makes sense in the future so I see the potential, but so far it’s been pretty meh)
    mobirdDAalsethStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 27
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    muthuk_vanalingamtmayStrangeDaysWgkruegerFileMakerFellerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 27
    MplsPMplsP Posts: 3,911member
    melgross said:
    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    Most often, the hard part isn’t building the design, it’s coming up with the design. The sooner your competitors know, the sooner they can copy it. Of course, the other side of the coin is that very rarely is the first product to market the best. Most often it takes design iterations and modifications. Even for a company like Apple that typically excels at designs, the 2nd or 3rd version is usually the product you really want.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 27
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,834member
    Oh but our local chinese-knockoffs guy said they were ready! Because he knows! (don’t ask how, he just does!)
    edited August 2019 tmayradarthekatAppleExposedwatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    I don't know where you got that from. Huawei executives have been very open on the reasons for the delays.

    There is another folding phone coming from Huawei in early 2019. If we are going to speculate, it is far more likely that, given the delays to the original version and the now shorter gap between the two releases, that the hinge tweaks from the second iteration are being implemented in the original version.

    Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 

    Huawei wasn't 'trying to be first'. It had planned to show at MWC2019 with a summer release. According to Huawei, it looked like it was Samsung that tried to be first and rushed their product. Huawei was on its own roadmap but had other constraining factors to deal with such as 5G carrier availability which is entirely out of its hands.

    "The other ones? I don’t know. It’s because they’re not ready for commercial [use]. Because they heard that we are launching, so they hurried to launch ahead of us. I heard that they got the information that we were launching foldable phones, and they wanted to do it earlier than us. But I think they are not ready.

    But we are not ready. Currently, with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration. This is a 4G phone today, and everyone I deal with in the media, each one of you, is fortunate, you can use that. But this is 5G, so we need more testing to guarantee there are no issues."

    https://www.t3.com/features/huawei-ceo-richard-yu-talks-to-t3-about-its-pioneering-5g-mate-x-foldable-phone

    It also had geopolitical issues to deal with which are also beyond its control. Being on your own roadmap in no way means products are usually inferior. They are simply first generation and will be improved upon in later generations. In this particular case there is a whole lot more to be considered that goes well beyond the typical release of the phone. All of it out of the hands of Huawei. To the point that they still aren't clear if Android will even be the system or not.


    As for screen durability. It's clear that was one of the very first considerations and it is therefore patently evident that protecting it is going to be a major consideration to whoever buys one. This shouldn't be a surprise or a negative. If you aren't in a position to treat it adequately you definitely won't be getting one. This makes it a non-issue. Just like when you buy a glass fronted and backed device and know that if you drop it it could end up far worse than scratched.

    It is also worth noting that the Mate X has been the daily driver for Huawei executives and various employees for some time now
    and without cases. The most recent sighting  was precisely of Richard Yu at an airport.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x_spotted_in_hands_of_huawei_ceo-news-38327.php

    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.

    The real question on durability is only if the hinge, screen fold and resistance of the design is enough to get it through the normal lifespan of a phone but to evaluate that, it has to be released and monitored closely. We can be sure that this phone will be scrutinised exactly for that reason.

    Where did you get the idea that the Mate X is even thicker than the Galaxy Fold?
  • Reply 6 of 27
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.
    DAalsethradarthekatAppleExposedwatto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 27
    DAalsethDAalseth Posts: 2,783member
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.
    The best definition of a folding phone Ive read.
    melgross said:
    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first.
    I’ve started wondering if TC and Apple uses this. They have a brainstorming session and whatever idea they decide is the dumbest, they leak knowing Samsung et.al will rush to copy it. Folding phones were just the latest. Watches were a terrible idea then, it took a number of years of advancements before the technology caught up to the idea. Expect an actually usable and reliable folding phone sometime around 2024.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 8 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.
    Really? Today I had to take some specs from a web page, make some calculations based on the web page variables and plunk them into a WhatsApp conversation. Even with Split screen that's a lot of fiddling backwards and forwards.

    Try photo editing on your regular screen and then on a screen twice as large. Which would you prefer?

    Frame portrait photos and let the subject see their pose in real time.

    Follow a video feed and a live chat feed at the same time.

    Navigate with your maps app or street find without endless scrolling and redrawing of the screen.

    The advantages are there. Of course, being able to fold that screen down when you don't need it literally gives you the best of both worlds.

    Why do you think Apple has patents for a device to resolve exactly the same 'problems'?

    Folding phones are solutions to problems that already exist. My first example is this post would be elegantly solved by allowing all three apps to display on the screen - at the same time.



  • Reply 9 of 27
    radarthekatradarthekat Posts: 3,842moderator
    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    I don't know where you got that from. Huawei executives have been very open on the reasons for the delays.

    There is another folding phone coming from Huawei in early 2019. If we are going to speculate, it is far more likely that, given the delays to the original version and the now shorter gap between the two releases, that the hinge tweaks from the second iteration are being implemented in the original version.

    Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 

    Huawei wasn't 'trying to be first'. It had planned to show at MWC2019 with a summer release. According to Huawei, it looked like it was Samsung that tried to be first and rushed their product. Huawei was on its own roadmap but had other constraining factors to deal with such as 5G carrier availability which is entirely out of its hands.

    "The other ones? I don’t know. It’s because they’re not ready for commercial [use]. Because they heard that we are launching, so they hurried to launch ahead of us. I heard that they got the information that we were launching foldable phones, and they wanted to do it earlier than us. But I think they are not ready.

    But we are not ready. Currently, with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration. This is a 4G phone today, and everyone I deal with in the media, each one of you, is fortunate, you can use that. But this is 5G, so we need more testing to guarantee there are no issues."

    https://www.t3.com/features/huawei-ceo-richard-yu-talks-to-t3-about-its-pioneering-5g-mate-x-foldable-phone

    It also had geopolitical issues to deal with which are also beyond its control. Being on your own roadmap in no way means products are usually inferior. They are simply first generation and will be improved upon in later generations. In this particular case there is a whole lot more to be considered that goes well beyond the typical release of the phone. All of it out of the hands of Huawei. To the point that they still aren't clear if Android will even be the system or not.


    As for screen durability. It's clear that was one of the very first considerations and it is therefore patently evident that protecting it is going to be a major consideration to whoever buys one. This shouldn't be a surprise or a negative. If you aren't in a position to treat it adequately you definitely won't be getting one. This makes it a non-issue. Just like when you buy a glass fronted and backed device and know that if you drop it it could end up far worse than scratched.

    It is also worth noting that the Mate X has been the daily driver for Huawei executives and various employees for some time now
    and without cases. The most recent sighting  was precisely of Richard Yu at an airport.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x_spotted_in_hands_of_huawei_ceo-news-38327.php

    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.

    The real question on durability is only if the hinge, screen fold and resistance of the design is enough to get it through the normal lifespan of a phone but to evaluate that, it has to be released and monitored closely. We can be sure that this phone will be scrutinised exactly for that reason.

    Where did you get the idea that the Mate X is even thicker than the Galaxy Fold?
    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.”

    Really?  So you’re asserting there will be gel cases and other protective covers coming from the likes of Otterbox, et al for this phone?  Do you even review what you write?  
    watto_cobratmay
  • Reply 10 of 27
    AppleExposedAppleExposed Posts: 1,805unconfirmed, member
    So copying Apple tech without Apple to lead the way is hard?!?!

    I'm SO SHOCKED!!!

    R.I.P.
    Galaxy Edge
    Galaxy Gear
    Galaxy Fold
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 11 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    I don't know where you got that from. Huawei executives have been very open on the reasons for the delays.

    There is another folding phone coming from Huawei in early 2019. If we are going to speculate, it is far more likely that, given the delays to the original version and the now shorter gap between the two releases, that the hinge tweaks from the second iteration are being implemented in the original version.

    Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 

    Huawei wasn't 'trying to be first'. It had planned to show at MWC2019 with a summer release. According to Huawei, it looked like it was Samsung that tried to be first and rushed their product. Huawei was on its own roadmap but had other constraining factors to deal with such as 5G carrier availability which is entirely out of its hands.

    "The other ones? I don’t know. It’s because they’re not ready for commercial [use]. Because they heard that we are launching, so they hurried to launch ahead of us. I heard that they got the information that we were launching foldable phones, and they wanted to do it earlier than us. But I think they are not ready.

    But we are not ready. Currently, with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration. This is a 4G phone today, and everyone I deal with in the media, each one of you, is fortunate, you can use that. But this is 5G, so we need more testing to guarantee there are no issues."

    https://www.t3.com/features/huawei-ceo-richard-yu-talks-to-t3-about-its-pioneering-5g-mate-x-foldable-phone

    It also had geopolitical issues to deal with which are also beyond its control. Being on your own roadmap in no way means products are usually inferior. They are simply first generation and will be improved upon in later generations. In this particular case there is a whole lot more to be considered that goes well beyond the typical release of the phone. All of it out of the hands of Huawei. To the point that they still aren't clear if Android will even be the system or not.


    As for screen durability. It's clear that was one of the very first considerations and it is therefore patently evident that protecting it is going to be a major consideration to whoever buys one. This shouldn't be a surprise or a negative. If you aren't in a position to treat it adequately you definitely won't be getting one. This makes it a non-issue. Just like when you buy a glass fronted and backed device and know that if you drop it it could end up far worse than scratched.

    It is also worth noting that the Mate X has been the daily driver for Huawei executives and various employees for some time now
    and without cases. The most recent sighting  was precisely of Richard Yu at an airport.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x_spotted_in_hands_of_huawei_ceo-news-38327.php

    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.

    The real question on durability is only if the hinge, screen fold and resistance of the design is enough to get it through the normal lifespan of a phone but to evaluate that, it has to be released and monitored closely. We can be sure that this phone will be scrutinised exactly for that reason.

    Where did you get the idea that the Mate X is even thicker than the Galaxy Fold?
    “Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.”

    Really?  So you’re asserting there will be gel cases and other protective covers coming from the likes of Otterbox, et al for this phone?  Do you even review what you write?  
    I am asserting there will be cases.

    Did you watch the product presentation?

    Huawei presented the case for this phone during that presentation.
  • Reply 12 of 27
    AppleExposedAppleExposed Posts: 1,805unconfirmed, member
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.

    Every time Apple patents something new we see the entire industry tripping over themselves trying to bring out an Apple idea "first!"

    When Samsung brought out the Galaxy Edge they had no idea what to do with it. Apple then releases the most successful iPhone in history, the most successful Watch in history and one of the most expensive architectural masterpieces in history all using curved glass. 
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 13 of 27
    StrangeDaysStrangeDays Posts: 12,834member
    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
     Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 
    Oh, what happened to your other story where you claimed it was 100% ready and they were merely waiting for the right marketing timing? (without explaining how you know, since you’re just a dude on a rumors site right?)... Now it’s 5G “tuning”. Riiight. 
    edited August 2019 muthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
  • Reply 14 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
     Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 
    Oh, what happened to your other story where you claimed it was 100% ready (without explaining how you know, since you’re just a dude on a rumors site right?) and they were merely waiting for the right marketing timing? Now it’s 5G “tuning”. Riiight. 
    You didn't even bother to read the quote I put into this very thread, did you? Much less the article that the link points to!

    The phone was ready. The networks weren't.

    The quote I provided says:

    "Currently with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration."

    That's because the Mate X is a folding phone - but - it is also a 5G phone.

    While they dealt with carriers and calibration, they took advantage to double down on other aspects (mainly software related). Then the geopolitical stuff blew up and as of today we still don't know for sure if it will ship with Android.

    At every step if the way they have provided details on their moves. They have even confirmed plans for the second generation of the Mate X. The hope is that within two years prices will come down to premium levels but that can only happen after a few generations of ridiculously high priced iterations.
    FileMakerFeller
  • Reply 15 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    So copying Apple tech without Apple to lead the way is hard?!?!

    I'm SO SHOCKED!!!

    R.I.P.
    Galaxy Edge
    Galaxy Gear
    Galaxy Fold
    The Galaxy Fold hasn't been born yet. At least let it come to market before certifying it as dead.

    As for the Edge, don't forget this:

    Samsung dropped the “edge” moniker because the Galaxy S8/S9 and the Galaxy S8+/S9+ all packed curved screens. 

    Screens (and not only from Samsung) are 'edge devices' of some kind on many current phones and we may be about to see the idea taken to an entirely new level quite soon with the so-called 'waterfall' displays.

    Dead, they aren't.
  • Reply 16 of 27
    avon b7 said:
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.
    Really? Today I had to take some specs from a web page, make some calculations based on the web page variables and plunk them into a WhatsApp conversation. Even with Split screen that's a lot of fiddling backwards and forwards.

    Try photo editing on your regular screen and then on a screen twice as large. Which would you prefer?

    Frame portrait photos and let the subject see their pose in real time.

    Follow a video feed and a live chat feed at the same time.

    Navigate with your maps app or street find without endless scrolling and redrawing of the screen.

    The advantages are there. Of course, being able to fold that screen down when you don't need it literally gives you the best of both worlds.

    Why do you think Apple has patents for a device to resolve exactly the same 'problems'?

    Folding phones are solutions to problems that already exist. My first example is this post would be elegantly solved by allowing all three apps to display on the screen - at the same time.



    Really??
    All those problems will disappear by using an 8” phone, instead of a 6.5” phone? That’s what is holding back proper multitasking on a phone, in your mind... 1.5” difference diagonally?
    I disagree.
    All I hear about the 7.9” iPad Mini is that it’s a bit too small for deft multitasking. Personally, I find the 12.9” iPad Pro fairly eloquent for split screen... never once have I thought: “just shave 5 whole inches off this puppy & it’ll be a perfect multitasking machine to carry around”.
    I think you’re putting too much on this minor screen bump. 
    edited August 2019 watto_cobra
  • Reply 17 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    avon b7 said:
    Another solution in search of a problem brought to you by the brain trust at Huawei. Laughable.
    Really? Today I had to take some specs from a web page, make some calculations based on the web page variables and plunk them into a WhatsApp conversation. Even with Split screen that's a lot of fiddling backwards and forwards.

    Try photo editing on your regular screen and then on a screen twice as large. Which would you prefer?

    Frame portrait photos and let the subject see their pose in real time.

    Follow a video feed and a live chat feed at the same time.

    Navigate with your maps app or street find without endless scrolling and redrawing of the screen.

    The advantages are there. Of course, being able to fold that screen down when you don't need it literally gives you the best of both worlds.

    Why do you think Apple has patents for a device to resolve exactly the same 'problems'?

    Folding phones are solutions to problems that already exist. My first example is this post would be elegantly solved by allowing all three apps to display on the screen - at the same time.



    Really??
    All those problems will disappear by using an 8” phone, instead of a 6.5” phone? That’s what is holding back proper multitasking on a phone, in your mind... 1.5” difference diagonally?
    I disagree.
    All I hear about the 7.9” iPad Mini is that it’s a bit too small for deft multitasking. Personally, I find the 12.9” iPad Pro fairly eloquent for split screen... never once have I thought: “just shave 5 whole inches off this puppy & it’ll be a perfect multitasking machine to carry around”.
    I think you’re putting too much on this minor screen bump. 
    An 8 inch iPhone (or any phone) would sit at 8 inches permanently and become a problem for a phone user looking to put the phone away (pockets etc). The whole point of a folding phone is that is can be used as a phone without a fully extended screen when it isn't necessary to have more screen real estate. The difference isn't 1.5 inches diagonally precisely because of the fold.

    Also, how would the subject of a portrait photo be able to see their pose on an 8 inch iPhone screen?

    Multitasking doesn't make much sense beyond split screen use on regular phones  (where it can be a godsend, though) and even then can be a little cramped. Being able to fold the phone out makes for a radical change in that area.
    edited August 2019
  • Reply 18 of 27
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member
    MplsP said:
    melgross said:
    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    Most often, the hard part isn’t building the design, it’s coming up with the design. The sooner your competitors know, the sooner they can copy it. Of course, the other side of the coin is that very rarely is the first product to market the best. Most often it takes design iterations and modifications. Even for a company like Apple that typically excels at designs, the 2nd or 3rd version is usually the product you really want.
    Well sure. I’m not saying it’s the building that the problem. It’s always the design. The most obvious design solution isn’t always the best, particularly with these highly complex “modern” products.

    and it’s not even that some need an iteration. You mentioned Apple. You’re right, to a certain extent, but wrong in another. When, for example, Samsung came out with their first watches, they got them wrong on basic levels, which is why they went nowhere. They needed a different way of thinking. Apple’s first watch, which I didn’t buy, was well thought out, but the new S1 wasn’t quite fast enough. The new OS version helped a lot of the speed problems, and Apple fixed the UI which made everything better. But, no redesign of the watch was required. Other than the normal speeding it up over generations, and adding more features, the design and functionality was just dandy. It was rated as the best watch from the beginning, and it still is.

    same thing with the iPad. I did buy the first 3G model, knowing that next years’ would be faster, and likely lighter. But again, no major redesign was needed, as the basic concept was sound from the beginning.

    these foldable phones nay be a different story. It could be that a tight fold will always be just out of reach, and an outside screen will always be easily damaged. If they’re to work, they may need a rethinking of the concept, or put away until new technology allows it, and that could be years from now.
    muthuk_vanalingamStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 19 of 27
    melgrossmelgross Posts: 33,510member

    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    I don't know where you got that from. Huawei executives have been very open on the reasons for the delays.

    There is another folding phone coming from Huawei in early 2019. If we are going to speculate, it is far more likely that, given the delays to the original version and the now shorter gap between the two releases, that the hinge tweaks from the second iteration are being implemented in the original version.

    Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 

    Huawei wasn't 'trying to be first'. It had planned to show at MWC2019 with a summer release. According to Huawei, it looked like it was Samsung that tried to be first and rushed their product. Huawei was on its own roadmap but had other constraining factors to deal with such as 5G carrier availability which is entirely out of its hands.

    "The other ones? I don’t know. It’s because they’re not ready for commercial [use]. Because they heard that we are launching, so they hurried to launch ahead of us. I heard that they got the information that we were launching foldable phones, and they wanted to do it earlier than us. But I think they are not ready.

    But we are not ready. Currently, with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration. This is a 4G phone today, and everyone I deal with in the media, each one of you, is fortunate, you can use that. But this is 5G, so we need more testing to guarantee there are no issues."

    https://www.t3.com/features/huawei-ceo-richard-yu-talks-to-t3-about-its-pioneering-5g-mate-x-foldable-phone

    It also had geopolitical issues to deal with which are also beyond its control. Being on your own roadmap in no way means products are usually inferior. They are simply first generation and will be improved upon in later generations. In this particular case there is a whole lot more to be considered that goes well beyond the typical release of the phone. All of it out of the hands of Huawei. To the point that they still aren't clear if Android will even be the system or not.


    As for screen durability. It's clear that was one of the very first considerations and it is therefore patently evident that protecting it is going to be a major consideration to whoever buys one. This shouldn't be a surprise or a negative. If you aren't in a position to treat it adequately you definitely won't be getting one. This makes it a non-issue. Just like when you buy a glass fronted and backed device and know that if you drop it it could end up far worse than scratched.

    It is also worth noting that the Mate X has been the daily driver for Huawei executives and various employees for some time now
    and without cases. The most recent sighting  was precisely of Richard Yu at an airport.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x_spotted_in_hands_of_huawei_ceo-news-38327.php

    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.

    The real question on durability is only if the hinge, screen fold and resistance of the design is enough to get it through the normal lifespan of a phone but to evaluate that, it has to be released and monitored closely. We can be sure that this phone will be scrutinised exactly for that reason.

    Where did you get the idea that the Mate X is even thicker than the Galaxy Fold?
    Oh, it’s very funny watching you try so hard to come up with excuses for things that are obvious—but not to you.
    muthuk_vanalingamStrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • Reply 20 of 27
    avon b7avon b7 Posts: 7,623member
    melgross said:

    avon b7 said:
    melgross said:
    The indications from Huawei, from what they said about the delay, was that they were relieved that Samsung delayed theirs for technical reasons. That gave Huawei the excuse to delay theirs as well. No doubt, both have serious problems. If Huawei is waiting until after Samsung releases theirs, then it appears that they still have some problems, don’t feel confident in the product and they want to see how much Samsung’s fixes worked. if it’s still not really working as well as it should (and reports say that it seems better, but not good) then that could give Huawei cover for their own, not quite ready for prime time, product.

    a problem for Huawei’s product is that design decisions made to overcome the tight bend have resulted in a product that is even thicker than Samsung’s, and with a totally unprotectable screen. Even if all other problems get solved, such as screen fold lifetime, that, in itself, is going to result in a device that will be easily damaged.

    the problem of trying to be first when there are competitors knowing what you’re doing, and the approximate delivery date, means that products are usually inferior. When people wonder why Apple is so secretive about new designs, this is why. Samsung heard that Apple was interested in watches, from an interview Cook gave at a RECODE conference, and rushed one out, to be first. They then claimed that they sold more than 5 million, though it turned out they sold less than 800,000 of the poorly reviewed product. They would have been better off waiting.
    I don't know where you got that from. Huawei executives have been very open on the reasons for the delays.

    There is another folding phone coming from Huawei in early 2019. If we are going to speculate, it is far more likely that, given the delays to the original version and the now shorter gap between the two releases, that the hinge tweaks from the second iteration are being implemented in the original version.

    Either way it is obviously a technical challenge to produce such a device but Richard Yu already made it clear months ago that the phone could 'ship tomorrow' if needed but that they were finalising the tuning to different 5G networks (which hadn't even gone live at that time) and taking the extra time to polish the software. EMUI 10 will probably ship in September and could be the default system to run on the Mate X (instead of EMUI 9.1). 

    Huawei wasn't 'trying to be first'. It had planned to show at MWC2019 with a summer release. According to Huawei, it looked like it was Samsung that tried to be first and rushed their product. Huawei was on its own roadmap but had other constraining factors to deal with such as 5G carrier availability which is entirely out of its hands.

    "The other ones? I don’t know. It’s because they’re not ready for commercial [use]. Because they heard that we are launching, so they hurried to launch ahead of us. I heard that they got the information that we were launching foldable phones, and they wanted to do it earlier than us. But I think they are not ready.

    But we are not ready. Currently, with 4G, we can sell it, and allow everyone to use it. But with 5G, we need more time to guarantee the 5G networks are in calibration. This is a 4G phone today, and everyone I deal with in the media, each one of you, is fortunate, you can use that. But this is 5G, so we need more testing to guarantee there are no issues."

    https://www.t3.com/features/huawei-ceo-richard-yu-talks-to-t3-about-its-pioneering-5g-mate-x-foldable-phone

    It also had geopolitical issues to deal with which are also beyond its control. Being on your own roadmap in no way means products are usually inferior. They are simply first generation and will be improved upon in later generations. In this particular case there is a whole lot more to be considered that goes well beyond the typical release of the phone. All of it out of the hands of Huawei. To the point that they still aren't clear if Android will even be the system or not.


    As for screen durability. It's clear that was one of the very first considerations and it is therefore patently evident that protecting it is going to be a major consideration to whoever buys one. This shouldn't be a surprise or a negative. If you aren't in a position to treat it adequately you definitely won't be getting one. This makes it a non-issue. Just like when you buy a glass fronted and backed device and know that if you drop it it could end up far worse than scratched.

    It is also worth noting that the Mate X has been the daily driver for Huawei executives and various employees for some time now
    and without cases. The most recent sighting  was precisely of Richard Yu at an airport.

    https://m.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_x_spotted_in_hands_of_huawei_ceo-news-38327.php

    Yes, the design makes it more susceptible to scratching but purchasers won't have an issue with that any more than purchasers of glass sandwiched phones have with the risk of shattered screens.

    The real question on durability is only if the hinge, screen fold and resistance of the design is enough to get it through the normal lifespan of a phone but to evaluate that, it has to be released and monitored closely. We can be sure that this phone will be scrutinised exactly for that reason.

    Where did you get the idea that the Mate X is even thicker than the Galaxy Fold?
    Oh, it’s very funny watching you try so hard to come up with excuses for things that are obvious—but not to you.
    I am definitely not making excuses for anything.

    Can you please answer my last question?
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