Huawei will launch a wide-screen foldable phone next week that looks nearly identical to Apple's long-rumored device, beating the iPhone maker to market by five months.
The Pura X Max features a 7.69-inch inner display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 5.5-inch cover screen, according to leaks from Chinese tipsters Digital Chat Station and Fixed Focus Digital on Weibo. It's scheduled for an April 20 unveiling alongside Huawei's Pura 90 series in China.
Apple's foldable iPhone, expected this September alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models, reportedly opens into a 7.8-inch display with a similar book-style form factor. When closed, it would measure just 5.5 inches, making it Apple's smallest current-generation iPhone.
Both devices mark a departure from the tall, narrow screens that have defined foldables since Samsung introduced the category in 2019. The wider aspect ratios address two persistent complaints about existing designs: massive black bars when watching horizontal video and cramped multitasking interfaces.
Huawei actually pioneered this approach last March with the original Pura X, which launched as the first wide-fold phone with a 16:10 screen while competitors were going tall and narrow. The X Max scales that concept into a larger book-style design that closely resembles leaked renders of Apple's upcoming device.
Samsung is also reportedly developing a wide-screen foldable called the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide with a 7.6-inch inner display, expected at a July Unpacked event.
The timing gives Huawei clear first-mover advantage in defining what could become the next standard for premium foldables. While Apple's device remains months away from its anticipated September debut and Samsung's is slated for July, Huawei will have actual hardware shipping next week.
Specifications for the Pura X Max point to Huawei's Kirin 9030 chip and Red Maple Quad Camera system, including a telephoto lens that was absent from the original Pura X. The device will come in blue, white, orange, and black color options according to early images shared on Chinese social media.
Apple's foldable development appears back on track after earlier rumors suggested manufacturing hurdles might push its launch to 2027. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman recently confirmed progress continues without catastrophic roadblocks toward a September timeframe.
Pricing for Apple's entry into the foldable market is expected to start around $2,000 according to most rumors, positioning it as an ultra-premium product rather than mass-market device. Some reports suggest it may be branded "iPhone Ultra" rather than "iPhone Fold."
The Huawei Pura X Max faces significant distribution limitations due to U.S. trade restrictions that have kept recent Huawei innovations confined to Chinese markets. This prevents direct competition with Apple or Samsung in most global markets despite Huawei's continued hardware experimentation.
Last year the company introduced the tri-fold Mate XT, demonstrating willingness to push form factor boundaries while Western competitors maintained more conservative approaches.
