As some readers might know, I have a soft spot for foldable phones, and my daily driver is the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. While it’s not the best foldable out there, at least not on paper, I enjoy having a foldable that includes the benefits of a Pixel. It’s not without its flaws, though. However, there’s a new foldable phone on the block that’s caught my attention.
Whenever HUAWEI releases a new foldable, I get excited. One of the big issues with my Pixel 10 Pro Fold is that its cameras aren’t up to the quality of typical flagship phones. The new HUAWEI Mate X7 foldable, however, promises cameras that rival those of flagship slab-style phones. So, does it deliver?
The best cameras and build quality on a foldable phone?
Paul Jones / Android Authority
Let’s first touch on the design. Currently, the race is on to create the thinnest foldable phone with no visible crease. HUAWEI claims the X7 has no significant crease, but you can still see it. It might not be as pronounced as on some other book-style foldables, but it’s there. The X7 weighs only 236 grams and measures 4.5mm when unfolded and 9.5mm when folded, making it feel nicer in the hand than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
The Mate X7’s build quality is also commendable, especially in the Nebula Red vegan leather finish I have. While I’m not usually a fan of vegan leather, I quite like it on this phone. However, the hinge feels a bit loose compared to the Galaxy Z Fold and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and it offers less resistance.
I really enjoyed using the Mate X7’s cameras.
HUAWEI’s claims about the camera being as good as flagship slab phones seem to hold some truth. The 50MP main sensor, 50MP telephoto lens, and 40MP ultrawide lens deliver great results, especially with the telephoto lens. However, I noticed that photos of food were a bit soft in low light. Overall, I enjoyed using the Mate X7’s cameras throughout the afternoon.
The dynamic range is impressive, and the phone handles difficult lighting well, at least according to a rather impressive sunset I snapped. The ultra-chroma sensor and true-to-color camera produce accurate colors and great nighttime photos, though the 3.5x zoom requires a steady hand to avoid blurry shots.
The video quality is also impressive, with excellent stabilization and smooth lens switching. Video performance at night is also commendable, with minimal noise and good stabilization.
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