{"id":580031,"date":"2026-08-10T03:30:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T03:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/580031\/"},"modified":"2026-08-10T03:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T03:30:17","slug":"huawei-matebook-fold-3700-foldable-laptop-doesnt-need-windows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/580031\/","title":{"rendered":"Huawei MateBook Fold: $3,700 Foldable Laptop Doesn’t Need Windows"},"content":{"rendered":"

Huawei just dropped a foldable laptop that costs more than most gaming PCs, runs none of the software you\u2019re used to, and doesn\u2019t care. The Huawei MateBook Fold 2026 \u2014 officially the \u201cUltimate Design\u201d edition \u2014 launched on August 5 in China with the company\u2019s new Kirin X90 Plus processor, an 18-inch OLED display, and HarmonyOS 6.1. It\u2019s available for pre-order now and ships August 14.<\/p>\n

On paper, this is a spec refresh. In practice, it\u2019s Huawei proving that six years of U.S. trade restrictions haven\u2019t slowed its hardware ambitions \u2014 they\u2019ve reshaped them entirely. Here\u2019s what\u2019s actually worth paying attention to.<\/p>\n

What the Kirin X90 Plus Actually Changes<\/p>\n

The headline upgrade is the processor. The Kirin X90 Plus replaces the original X90 and operates at a 28-watt TDP, which Huawei says delivers roughly 25% smoother overall performance. That gain comes from a combination of hardware optimization, an ultra-thin vapor chamber cooling system, and deep software-level integration with HarmonyOS 6.1.<\/p>\n

\"Huawei<\/p>\n

Buyers can configure the machine with up to 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Three variants are available: 24GB + 512GB at CNY 24,999 (~$3,700), 24GB + 1TB at CNY 26,999 (~$4,000), and the full 32GB + 2TB at CNY 29,999 (~$4,445).<\/p>\n

\"Huawei<\/p>\n

What Huawei doesn\u2019t say<\/a> publicly is equally important. The Kirin X90 Plus is manufactured by SMIC, China\u2019s largest chip foundry, using older DUV lithography \u2014 not the EUV tools that power cutting-edge chips from TSMC, Samsung, and Intel. A\u00a0recent teardown<\/a> of Huawei\u2019s Kirin 9030 Pro found that SMIC\u2019s process matched Intel\u2019s 18A on one narrow density metric but still fell behind in overall performance. For a laptop focused on productivity rather than benchmark chasing, that tradeoff is easier to absorb than it would be in a smartphone.<\/p>\n

The Display Is Still the Star<\/p>\n

The 18-inch dual-layer LTPO OLED panel carries over from last year: 3,296 \u00d7 2,472 pixels, 4:3 aspect ratio, 1,600 nits peak HDR brightness, and a 92% screen-to-body ratio. Fold it and you\u2019re carrying a 13-inch footprint at 1.16 kg.<\/p>\n

\"Huawei<\/p>\n

Huawei upgraded the hinge with zirconium-based liquid metal and claims 10x better bending resistance<\/a>. New additions include M-Pen 3 stylus support, a pop-out kickstand, and an 8MP camera. No competitor currently ships a foldable laptop with an 18-inch OLED at this weight \u2014 Lenovo\u2019s X1 Fold tops out at 16.3 inches, and Samsung\u2019s foldable laptop remains unreleased.<\/p>\n

The HarmonyOS Question<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where opinions split. The MateBook Fold 2026 runs HarmonyOS 6.1. That means no Windows apps, no macOS apps, and no Android sideloading. If you need Photoshop, Excel, or any other Western productivity suite, this machine won\u2019t run it natively.<\/p>\n

Huawei claims over 20,000 Harmony-native apps across its platform, but the PC-specific catalog is thin by Western standards. Independent reporting found even store employees couldn\u2019t fully clarify which desktop apps are available.<\/p>\n

\"Huawei<\/p>\n

We think this is the product\u2019s most interesting tension. Huawei isn\u2019t pretending HarmonyOS replaces Windows for global consumers \u2014 not yet. The MateBook Fold is China-only, priced at luxury levels, and aimed at buyers already embedded in Huawei\u2019s ecosystem. It\u2019s a proof of concept: Huawei chip, Huawei OS, Huawei apps, Huawei cloud.<\/p>\n

Why This Matters Beyond the Specs<\/p>\n

Huawei was placed on the U.S. Entity List in 2019, cutting it off from Intel, Microsoft, and ASML\u2019s EUV tools. Most analysts expected its PC business to stall. Instead, Huawei built its own chips, launched its own OS, and is now shipping premium hardware that competes on design if not raw compute.<\/p>\n

\"Huawei<\/p>\n

In May 2026, Huawei announced its chips would reach transistor density equivalent to 1.4nm processes within five years. Its LogicFolding architecture, which stacks logic circuits vertically across wafers, is central to that roadmap. Whether those claims survive independent testing is another question, but the ambition is clear.<\/p>\n

The competitive landscape is shifting fast, too. Samsung is developing its Gaia AI chip for laptops<\/a> that could eat into Huawei\u2019s AI silicon demand. The MateBook Fold isn\u2019t just a product \u2014 it\u2019s Huawei staking its claim before the next wave arrives.<\/p>\n

FAQsWhat is HarmonyOS and can it run Windows apps?\u00a0<\/p>\n

HarmonyOS is Huawei\u2019s proprietary operating system built on a microkernel architecture. It does not run Windows or Android apps natively, though Huawei is reportedly exploring virtualization workarounds<\/a> for limited compatibility. The current app library is growing but remains small compared to Windows or macOS.<\/p>\n

How does SMIC manufacture chips without EUV lithography?\u00a0<\/p>\n

SMIC uses older DUV (Deep Ultraviolet) equipment and pushes multi-patterning techniques to achieve competitive transistor densities. A teardown of the Kirin 9030 Pro showed SMIC matching Intel on one density metric, but the process requires more manufacturing steps and silicon area than cutting-edge EUV nodes.<\/p>\n

What is Huawei\u2019s LogicFolding chip architecture?\u00a0<\/p>\n

LogicFolding is Huawei\u2019s 3D chip-stacking technology that layers logic circuits vertically across two bonded wafers. Announced at ISCAS 2026, it aims to achieve performance comparable to 3nm-class chips without relying on next-generation lithography tools that U.S. sanctions have blocked.<\/p>\n

Are other companies making foldable laptops in 2026?\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yes. Lenovo\u2019s ThinkPad X1 Fold (16.3-inch) and ASUS\u2019s ZenBook 17 Fold are currently available. Samsung has a foldable laptop in development but hasn\u2019t announced a launch date. The foldable laptop market is projected to grow at over 30% CAGR through 2030, driven by display and hinge innovation.<\/p>\n

How does the Kirin X90 Plus compare to Intel and Apple chips?\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Kirin X90 Plus operates at 28W TDP and prioritizes efficiency over raw power. It trails current Intel Core Ultra and Apple M-series chips on benchmark performance due to SMIC\u2019s manufacturing limitations. However, Huawei compensates through deep hardware-software optimization with HarmonyOS.<\/p>\n

Vincee Cole<\/p>\n

Vincee Cole is a technology journalist with four years of experience covering the full spectrum of modern tech \u2014 from consumer devices, artificial intelligence, to quantum computing, blockchain, and digital assets. His reporting cuts through complexity to deliver stories that are sharp, grounded, and relevant to both general readers and industry insiders. Previously, he worked with fintech research teams across Southeast Asia, analysing how emerging technologies are reshaping financial systems at scale.<\/p>\n

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