
Foldable phones are still a relatively new concept, but that hasn't stopped a whole host of manufacturers from taking a shot at the form. We've recently seen launches like the Google Pixel Fold, which looks set to do battle with the current king of the crop – the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.
We also saw the unveiling of the Huawei Mate X3. That came as something of a surprise, with many suspecting it would remain a China-exclusive model.
It's a cracking handset, too. The Mate X3 is just 5.3mm thick when unfolded, which is the thinnest foldable we've seen so far. It also packs a decently large 4,800mAh battery, and supports 66W wired and 50W wireless charging.
One thing it isn't, though, is cheap. At £2,000 in the UK, it's one of the most expensive phones you can buy today. Is it worth the outlay?
I don't think so. Truthfully, I think it would be tough for any phone to justify that price tag – for that money, you could pick up a pair of Google Pixel 7 Pro handsets with a three figure sum in change.
But the Huawei has another black cloud hanging over its head. As part of their fallout with the US Government a few years ago, the brands' devices still can't make use of Android. That means no Google Play Store, too, instead using Huawei's in-house HarmonyOS and accompanying app store.
That means users will miss out on the benefits and feature upgrades other Android phones enjoy. On a regular mid-priced handset, that would be forgivable – you might even argue that a dedicated operating system offers greater personalisation for your device.
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At £2,000 though, it's not something I'd accept. For that money, users are going to want a phone that is effortless and familiar, whilst being chock full of top-tier tech. That includes having the best OS available.
I certainly hope Huawei can sort out a resolution that brings Android back to their devices in the near future. Ignore the OS issues – okay, and the price – and this is a really competitive device. It's got brilliant specs and could be a genuine challenger – I just can't see it winning much favour until the OS changes.

Sam is an award-winning journalist with over six years of experience across print and digital media. As T3’s Senior Staff Writer, Sam covers everything from new phones and EVs to luxury watches and fragrances. Working across a range of different social media platforms alongside his written work, Sam is a familiar face for fans of T3. When he’s not reviewing snazzy products or hunting for stellar deals, Sam enjoys football, analog photography and writing music.
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