Huawei has finally unveiled its first foldable laptop, a device that aims to blend luxury, innovation, and productivity in equal measure. Enter the Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design, a machine that, when unfolded, reaches 18 inches and boasts an aspirational aura with a premium price tag. This marks the brand's debut in the foldable PC format , following its experience with foldables like the Huawei Mate Xs , and is aimed squarely at a professional and enthusiast audience seeking something different.
Beyond the spectacular concept, the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design stands out for a series of meticulously crafted technical decisions: an incredibly thin body when open, a finely engineered hinge, and a dual-layer OLED display with LTPO technology and exceptional brightness. Huawei is initially launching it in China , and while there's no confirmation for Europe, anticipation is high due to its potential shift towards HarmonyOS on PCs.
Foldable design and premium construction
The first glance makes it clear that this is a highly desirable device. When open, the chassis boasts a minimal thickness of just 7,3 mm, and the weight comes in at 1,16 kg, figures well below what is typically seen in laptops of this size. Unfolded, the laptop offers an 18-inch screen , but it can be folded to be used as a more compact 13-inch device, making it easier to move and work in tight spaces.
To achieve a smooth and stable fold, Huawei has developed a "basalt water droplet" hinge with a three-stage axis that allows the device to close almost flat, without any perceptible gaps. The company claims it's the largest hinge in the industry, at 285 mm, and offers a 400% increase in lifting torque and a 100% increase in load capacity compared to previous internal generations. There's even talk of using zirconium-based liquid metal in key components to reinforce strength and smooth the folding/unfolding process.
Durability is a key concern for any foldable phone, and here the brand combines several layers of protection. The internal screen support incorporates three layers of carbon fiber for better impact absorption, offering a 300% increase in strength compared to conventional solutions, according to the company. This structural stacking aims to maintain the panel's integrity through thousands of openings and closings , reducing material fatigue along the folding axis.
There's also careful attention to the user experience. The closure is smooth and the transition between modes feels natural, avoiding the typical "tent effect" of early foldable laptops. The result is an exceptionally thin and light device for what it offers, with a finish that rivals the most exquisite ultrabooks.
Another practical aspect of the design is its versatility: when unfolded, it easily functions as a large work surface, while when folded, it behaves like a traditional 13-inch laptop or tablet. It's a device designed to change shape depending on your needs , whether you're writing, drawing, reading, or presenting content.
An 18-inch LTPO OLED display that adapts
The screen is undoubtedly the star of the show. Huawei uses a dual-layer OLED display (Tandem OLED), an architecture that distributes power and promises greater longevity and brightness stability. When unfolded, the panel reaches 18 inches with a 3.3K resolution of 3296 x 2472 pixels, providing very high sharpness for both content and text. The brand indicates a maximum brightness of 1.600 nits with HDR , sufficient for high dynamic range scenes and working in brightly lit environments.
The aspect ratio varies depending on the mode: 4:3 when fully open and 3:2 when folded to one side, which is less conventional for video but incredibly useful for productivity (documents, spreadsheets, programming, or browsing). Furthermore, the screen-to-body ratio is around 92%, resulting in very slim bezels. This focus on more vertical formats prioritizes work over entertainment , although it remains perfectly suitable for streaming.
Another differentiating factor is the LTPO technology with adaptive refresh rate. While not common in laptops, it's used here to intelligently adjust the refresh rate based on the content, aiming to reduce power consumption. Huawei claims up to a 30% energy improvement thanks to LTPO , a figure that will depend on actual usage but demonstrates the focus on efficiency in such a large panel.
To protect your eyes, the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design uses high-frequency PWM dimming, along with a typical OLED contrast ratio of 2.000.000:1. All of this, combined with the expected color accuracy of a solution of this caliber, makes it a serious contender for creatives who value visual fidelity. The dual-layer OLED display helps maintain brightness and uniformity during extended use , crucial for professional applications.
If you're concerned about entertainment, there are some nuances. The open 4:3 format isn't ideal for 16:9 or 21:9 movies, as you'll see wider black bars; on the other hand, the vertical space is incredibly comfortable for multitasking and reading. It's a panel that doesn't aim to be "just" a screen for movies , but a versatile work tool that adapts to the content and how it's used.
Performance, system and connectivity geared towards work
Huawei hasn't officially detailed the processor, but it has confirmed 32GB of RAM and 1TB or 2TB of NVMe PCIe SSD storage, ample enough for demanding workloads. This RAM and SSD combination suggests it's suitable for video editing, light 3D modeling, programming, or creative suites without bottlenecks from large files. The lack of chip specifications necessitates caution regarding raw expectations , but the other components point to a solid focus on productivity.
Thermal control is critical in such a thin chassis. To achieve this, the device integrates a cooling system with dual ultra-thin fans and high-conductivity solutions, along with a vapor chamber featuring "anti-gravity VC" technology. This combination aims to keep temperatures under control whether the device is open or folded. The goal is to maintain performance without thermal throttling despite the compact design and multiple viewing angles.
In terms of battery life, the 74,69 Wh battery and fast charging reach up to 140 W via USB-C, figures uncommon in traditional laptops. This significantly reduces charging times, which is especially welcome with such bright screens. For audio and video calls, it includes a set of 6 speakers and 4 microphones to improve sound quality and voice pickup.
Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6E, and the physical design prioritizes simplicity: two USB-C ports. While this might not be enough for everyone, a hub or dock can easily handle typical desktop expansion needs. The minimal port selection complements the device's ultra-thin design , prioritizing a sleek profile over a multitude of connectors.
The other major leap forward lies in the software: the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design runs on HarmonyOS 5, Huawei's own operating system, similar to the use of HarmonyOS in foldable devices like the Nova Flip . This decision means adopting a seamless experience across mobile, tablet, watch, and now PC, with features such as dragging files between devices at speeds of up to 160 MB/s, controlling devices within the ecosystem from the laptop, and continuing tasks started on another device. Huawei claims that there are already hundreds of applications adapted to the desktop environment , reinforcing the idea of a cross-platform solution.
This move also implies a "goodbye" to Windows in the model presented in China, which aligns with the brand's strategy of independence. However, there are nuances: in the case of a European launch, it remains to be seen whether HarmonyOS will be retained or if another operating system will be chosen depending on the market. For now, in its Chinese launch, it's a laptop with no trace of Windows , marking a turning point for the MateBook lineup.
- Portable mode: Folded use with virtual or physical keyboard, ideal for writing and working in small spaces.
- Tablet mode: : large touch surface for navigation, reading and creativity.
- desktop mode: 18-inch display as a monitor with external keyboard and mouse.
- Reader mode: : comfortable vertical format for long documents, PDFs or extended reading.
Price and Availability
Sales begin in China with two variants: 32 GB + 1 TB for 23.999 yuan and 32 GB + 2 TB for 26.999 yuan. Depending on the exchange rate and the source consulted, this equates to approximately €3.000 to €3.200 for the base model and €3.300 to €3.500 for the higher-end version. This isn't a device designed for the general public , but rather for those who prioritize innovation, design, and versatility over price.
For now, there is no official confirmation regarding its arrival in Europe or Spain. Given the anticipation and Huawei's growth in international markets, it wouldn't be surprising to see it used as a technological showcase at some point, but the company hasn't announced any dates or regional specifications. We'll have to wait for specific announcements about availability outside of China to clarify questions about the operating system, pricing, and configurations.
Marketing, warnings and launch context
Huawei presents this device as a milestone in the category, even referring to it as the "world's first foldable PC" in its marketing. It's worth noting that other manufacturers, such as Lenovo, already offer foldable laptops. Where this device truly stands out is as Huawei's first foldable laptop and one of its most ambitious in terms of size , screen performance, and focus on productivity.
The brand itself also includes several standard warnings in its official materials: product images and videos are for reference only, features may vary by region, and performance data are theoretical values obtained in a laboratory under specific conditions. Specifications, text, and photographs are subject to change without notice , so it's advisable to check the final technical specifications of the unit sold in your country.
This launch comes amidst a busy few weeks for Huawei, with the unveiling of its new watches (Watch 5 and Watch Fit Series), the release of its FreeBuds 6 earbuds, and the recent sales success of the brand's foldable phones, according to some sources . All of this points to a roadmap that strengthens its ecosystem and its commitment to proprietary software. In this context, the MateBook Fold Ultimate Design is the perfect showcase for HarmonyOS 5 on the PC , with a message of complete integration that extends beyond the hardware itself.
Who does it make sense for?
If you work with multiple windows, long documents, or editing workflows where vertical space is crucial, the 18-inch 4:3 screen is a dream. The ability to fold it down to 13 inches makes it more manageable, and desktop mode with a keyboard and mouse offers an almost external monitor experience. It's a machine that adapts to your workday, not the other way around , and that's what sets it apart from a traditional laptop.
It's also an option to consider for creators and technical professionals who, in addition to powerful RAM and SSD storage, seek extreme portability without sacrificing ample workspace. In return, there are compromises: the processor isn't specified, the physical ports are limited to two USB-C, and the aspect ratio isn't the most cinematic. The price, of course, places it in a niche market of early adopters and professionals who will benefit from its versatility and the HarmonyOS ecosystem.
The MateBook Fold Ultimate Design embodies the idea of a "multi-form" laptop taken to the extreme: incredibly thin when open, surprisingly light for its size, with a dual-layer LTPO OLED display that shines in productivity, and a HarmonyOS 5 system that strives for seamless connectivity across devices. Those who value innovation above all else will find this a truly unique offering , though with the understandable caution given that it's a first-generation device and we await further details regarding its international rollout.
