Huawei Just Made a Weird Flip Phone (And It Doesn't Run Android)

Huawei Pura X Flip Phone: A New HarmonyOS Experience with Horizontal Folding

The Huawei Pura X is a unique flip phone that uses a horizontal folding mechanism rather than a traditional vertical folding. This makes it more like a small tablet when expanded, with a 16:10 screen ratio and a size of 6.3 inches. Closed, it's similar to phones like Samsung Galaxy Z Flip or Motorola Razr, but the hinge position and screen ratio make it unique, closer to the discontinued Microsoft Surface Duo, but only has one foldable screen.

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What is more worth noting is that Pura X is the first Huawei phone to completely abandon the Android system. It runs the brand new HarmonyOS Next operating system, which, according to Huawei, does not contain any Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code. Although HarmonyOS was previously advertised as a non-Android system, it is actually still based on Android. Pura X is completely different, and users cannot sideload any Android apps, including Google Play.

HarmonyOS Next was released in November 2024 with the Mate 70 series, but Mate 70 series users can choose HarmonyOS Next or Android-based HarmonyOS. Pura X is exclusively equipped with HarmonyOS Next. Whether Huawei will stick to this strategy for a long time remains to be seen, but it is a move worth paying attention to at the moment.

The Pura X is also equipped with Huawei's new AI assistant, Harmony Intelligence, enhanced by Huawei's self-developed Pangu model and DeepSeek. Huawei is also investing in its own Astron AI chip, and the experience is expected to be further improved in the future.

Huawei Pura X is currently only available in China, with a starting price of RMB 7,499 (approximately US$1,037). Given Huawei's ban in the United States, it's unlikely that this phone will be available in the United States, but if it is available in Europe in the future, you may have a chance to buy it.

Related Articles 1 HarmonyOS Next debuted when the Huawei Mate 70 series was released. However, Mate 70 series users can choose HarmonyOS Next or Android-based HarmonyOS. Pura X completely uses the HarmonyOS Next system. Whether Huawei is ready to give up Android altogether, and whether it will continue to use the software or legacy HarmonyOS in the coming months remains to be seen. But for now, this is a move worthy of attention.

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