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Huawei has confirmed to Metro.co.uk that it will not be selling the Mate X folding phone in the United States.

Kevin Ho, president of the mobile handset division at Huawei, was asked by Metro.co.uk at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona whether or not the impressive 5G-capable phone will be made available in the US.

‘No,’ he replied simply, before going on to describe the €2,229 (£2,000) smartphone as launching ‘a new era’ in mobile technology.

Huawei is currently locked in a dispute with US authorities over allegations of spying. The American government believes that the Chinese authorities have co-opted Huawei into putting backdoor gateways in its telecommunications equipment.


The Huawei Mate X folding phone on display at MWC in Barcelona (PA)

It’s a claim that Huawei has flatly denied. As a result, its current smartphones – including the excellent Huawei Mate 20 Pro – are not available to buy in the US.



There was speculation online as to whether the newly-announced Mate X would follow suit.

Huawei Mate X folding phone will cost around £2,000 (Huawei)

The revelation that Huawei is discounting the US as a market leaves American punters left choosing the Samsung Galaxy Fold if they want to get their hands on a folding phone. Either that, or purchasing one from Europe or Asia and having it specifically shipped to the US.

Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at uSwitch.com commented: ‘While the exclusivity of Samsung’s handset will ensure it peaks interest, the greater incorporation of foldable technology and 5G infrastructure in the Mate X will be what helps separate these two tech heavyweights – and could see Huawei land a telling early blow on what is likely to become one of the market’s key battlegrounds from now on.’

The Chinese company is locked in a bitter dispute with the US over espionage allegations (AP)

Mr. Ho also confirmed that Huawei has no plans to introduce a 5G phone that will come in under the €1,000 price point this year. However, he did hint that the pricing of foldable phones could decrease in the near future as the technology becomes more widely adopted.

The Huawei Mate X uses a ‘Falcon Wing Hinge’ design that means the hinge sits slightly recessed into the phone’s chassis. It also doesn’t fold dead-centre, like a book. Instead, one side of the phone has a curving grip that the screen nestles back into.

The Huawei Mate X folds out into an 8-inch tablet (PA)

This means the screen sits flush when it’s folded back on itself. It also gives you a grip with which to hold the device in one hand when it’s in tablet mode. The power button is located on the side and also houses the device’s fingerprint scanner, which can be used to unlock it.

‘From a consumer’s point of view, it is much easier to use [this way]’ Mr Ho told Metro.co.uk.

Huawei hasn’t revealed exactly when the Mate X will be released, only giving the vague promise of the ‘middle of 2019’ during its announcement in Barcelona.