Widescreen foldables with an unfolded aspect ratio close to 16:10 are shaping up to be the next big shift in smartphone design. If ongoing rumors about Apple adopting this format for its first flexible-display phablet prove true, expect the entire category to accelerate quickly. Even before that potential splash, the first market-ready device with this wider canvas has already drawn in an estimated 700,000 owners.
That figure might look modest beside today’s foldable leaders, and a new wave of innovation is pushing numbers even higher. A tri-fold model like the Mate XTs is now expected to barrel past the one‑million active user mark thanks to steady iterative upgrades and a lower starting price, signaling strong appetite for fresh foldable ideas.
Amid this momentum, Huawei appears set to keep investing in its innovative Pura X line. Reports suggest a sub‑flagship version could arrive soon, aiming to bring the widescreen foldable experience to a broader audience without losing the series’ signature look and feel. The upcoming variant is rumored to retain the distinctive 6.3‑inch main display, while dialing back select features to hit a more approachable price point.
Even so, “mid‑range” may still come at a premium in the foldable world. Early whispers point to a launch price around 5,999 yuan, roughly $841. That would undercut many top-tier foldables while preserving the head‑turning widescreen format that makes this series stand out.
What it means for buyers:
– Wider, tablet‑like viewing in a pocketable device is gaining traction, especially for video, multitasking, and productivity.
– A sub‑flagship foldable option could lower the barrier to entry, even if it doesn’t quite reach mainstream midrange phone prices.
– Competition is intensifying across designs, from widescreen book-style foldables to ambitious tri-folds, which should lead to better value and faster refinement.
If the rumored mid‑range widescreen foldable lands at the suggested price with that familiar 6.3‑inch display and a 16:10 unfolded aspect ratio, it could be one of the most compelling on‑ramps to the foldable ecosystem yet—especially if a major new entrant helps normalize the format this year.
