We’ve already seen the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) in a leaked hands-on video and press renders last month, and even its retail packaging got outed. So today the Chinese company decided enough is enough and made the phone official.
As its name implies, the Mate 20 X (5G) is a variation of the original Mate 20 X, launched last November. The main notable difference between the two, other than the fact that the new model supports 5G networks (both SA and NSA for you 5G geeks out there) is the reduced battery capacity.
We assume this was necessary to keep the dimensions in check after adding all the necessary circuitry for 5G connectivity. The Mate 20 X (5G) has a 4,200 mAh cell, down 800 mAh from the original’s 5,000 mAh battery. While that’s rather disappointing, the capacity is still nothing to be ashamed of, and for the Mate 20 X (5G) there’s also support for 40W fast charging (whereas the non-5G Mate 20 X gets only 22.5W).
Huawei’s own Kirin 980 chipset is still at the helm, this time paired with the company’s Balong 5000 modem, the world’s first 7nm 5G multi-mode chip. The Mate 20 X (5G) supports the M-Pen stylus with its 4,096 levels of pressure. The accessory is sold separately.
Everything else, spec-wise, stays the same – the 5G model gets the original’s triple rear camera setup, with a 40 MP main f/1.8 shooter, 20 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide cam, and 8 MP f/2.4 5x optical zoom telephoto lens. It’s also got the same 7.2″ touchscreen, and it runs Android 9 Pie with EMUI 9 on top.
The Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) will be available in the UK in June in Emerald Green for £999. Pre-orders start in late May. You’ll be able to find it at EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, plus select retailers including SKY, MPD, and A1.
Given that the non-5G Mate 20 X currently retails for about £750 in the UK, you are paying quite a hefty premium for that 5G connectivity.