Huawei Mate X7: A Deep Dive into the Foldable Flagship
Huawei’s Mate X7, released in late 2025 and available in the Indonesian market from March 5, 2026, represents the company’s latest foray into the foldable smartphone arena. Priced at IDR 27,999,000 for the 16GB RAM and 512GB storage configuration, the Mate X7 aims to compete with established players in the premium foldable market. However, despite its innovative design and imaging capabilities, several limitations warrant consideration before purchase.
Ecosystem and Software Concerns
Like other recent Huawei devices, the Mate X7 does not include Google Mobile Services (GMS). This means users will not have pre-installed access to popular Google applications such as the Play Store, YouTube, or Gmail, requiring the apply of alternative methods for app installation and service access.
some reviews indicate the device ships with EMUI 15, based on Android 12, which is considered outdated as of 2026. This could impact access to the latest features and security updates.
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) features within the Mate X7’s operating system is as well reported to be minimal compared to competitors.
Performance and Connectivity Limitations
Whereas the Mate X7 utilizes the Kirin 9030 chipset, representing an improvement over previous generations, its raw performance still lags behind the latest flagship chipsets from Qualcomm (Snapdragon) and Apple, particularly when handling demanding tasks like video editing or intensive gaming.
A significant drawback for some users is the device’s limitation to 4G networks in certain regions, a considerable disadvantage given its premium price point in an increasingly 5G-dominated landscape.
The Mate X7’s exceptionally thin design (4.5mm when unfolded) contributes to thermal issues, with the device prone to overheating during prolonged intensive use.
Camera and Pricing Considerations
Even though the main camera performs well, the telephoto lens exhibits inconsistent performance in low-light conditions, often producing images with noticeable noise.
With an official price of IDR 27,999,000 in Indonesia, the Mate X7 is among the most expensive smartphones available. The price of its predecessor, the Mate X6, has already seen a significant drop in the second-hand market, falling to IDR 16-18 million from an initial launch price of IDR 25 million.
HarmonyOS 5 and Future Implications
The Mate X7 is notable as Huawei’s first slim foldable smartphone with flagship-level imaging capabilities. It also represents a shift towards Huawei’s proprietary HarmonyOS NEXT, which does not include the Android AOSP core and is incompatible with Android applications. HarmonyOS 5, based on the OpenHarmony project, utilizes a microkernel (HongMeng Kernel) and is designed for a distributed operating system experience.
The move to HarmonyOS NEXT signifies Huawei’s commitment to building its own mobile ecosystem, independent of Google. However, this transition also presents challenges in terms of app compatibility and user adoption.