Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design Debuts: Redefining Portability with an 18-Inch Foldable OLED Display

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design has been unveiled as the world’s first foldable laptop, marking Huawei’s ambitious entry into the flexible computing market. Featuring an 18-inch double-layer LTPO OLED display and HarmonyOS 5, this device combines cutting-edge engineering with a transformative design, aiming to set new standards for portability and productivity.

Display Innovation

At the heart of the MateBook Fold lies an 18-inch 3.3K (3,296 × 2,472 pixels) flexible OLED display with a 4:3 aspect ratio when unfolded, shrinking to a 13-inch 3:2 screen when folded. The dual-layer LTPO panel achieves a peak brightness of 1,600 nits, a dynamic contrast ratio of 2,000,000:1, and supports HDR10+ with P3 wide color gamut.  

A carbon fiber reinforcement layer beneath the screen triples impact resistance, while 1,440Hz PWM dimming and TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort 3.0 certification ensure reduced eye strain.

Engineering and Design

The device employs a 285mm "basalt water drop hinge" with a three-stage shaft mechanism, enabling smooth transitions between 0° and 150° angles while minimizing screen stress. Weighing 1.16kg and measuring 7.3mm thick when unfolded, the MateBook Fold features a magnesium-aluminum frame and leather-clad variants in Forged Shadow Black, Cloud Water Blue, and Skyline White. An integrated kickstand and a 5mm-thin detachable keyboard (290g) enhance versatility.

Performance and Cooling

Powered by an unspecified in-house Huawei chipset, the laptop includes 32GB of RAM and up to 2TB of PCIe SSD storage. A diamond aluminum dual-fan cooling system and anti-gravity vapor chamber maintain thermal efficiency, supporting a 28W performance output. The 74.69Wh battery supports 140W USB-C fast charging, delivering up to 12 hours of use.

HarmonyOS 5 and Ecosystem Integration

HarmonyOS 5 introduces adaptive UI adjustments for foldable workflows, multi-device synchronization, and gesture controls like five-finger "waterfall browsing". The OS supports distributed file sharing at 160MB/s and seamless connectivity with Huawei smartphones, tablets, and wearables. Pre-installed apps include WPS Office, and over 1,000 third-party applications have been optimized for the foldable interface.

Pricing and Availability

Priced at CNY 23,999 (~$3,328)forthe32GB+1TBmodelandCNY26,999($3,328) for the 32GB + 1TB model and CNY26,999 (3,744) for the 32GB + 2TB variant, the MateBook Fold is available for pre-order in China, with sales commencing June 6, 2025. Global release details remain unconfirmed, though Huawei anticipates broader availability in 2026.

Conclusion:

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Design represents a bold leap in foldable technology, blending premium materials, advanced display engineering, and ecosystem-driven software. While its premium pricing positions it as a niche product, its innovative hinge mechanism and HarmonyOS integration underscore Huawei’s ambition to lead the next generation of hybrid computing. Competitors like Apple and Lenovo, rumored to be developing similar devices, now face a formidable challenger in the evolving foldable market.