HUAWEI Mate X delayed again, Samsung to now win foldable phone race? (Update)

Update, August 16, 2019 (1:45AM ET): HUAWEI has now come back to us after TechRadar reported that the HUAWEI Mate X was “unlikely” to launch before November.

“HUAWEI confirms that Mate X is still scheduled for launch between September and November 2019,” a company representative told Android Authority.

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The comments differ somewhat from the original confirmation of a launch delay back in June. Back then, a HUAWEI representative only stated that the foldable launch has been moved to September, with no mention of November.

The latest statement suggests that a final launch date is still in the works, or that we could see a staggered roll-out between September and November.

Original article, August 15, 2019 (6:22AM ET): The HUAWEI Mate X has already received one launch delay, missing its June launch window and shifting back to September. But it looks like HUAWEI’s first foldable phone is coming even later.

HUAWEI told media at its Shenzhen HQ that the Mate X was “unlikely” to launch before November, TechRadar reported.

However, HUAWEI is apparently sure that the foldable will launch before the end of the year. The Chinese brand reportedly wants to get the device out of the door in time for the holiday shopping window before the Chinese New Year in early 2020 (January 25).

TechRadar also reports that the follow-up to the Mate X might have more screens, appearing where the steel rear cover is on the first model. It’s claimed that these new screens could be made out of glass, but it’s unclear whether they’d be bendable screens. After all, current foldable devices all use plastic OLED screens because glass can’t be folded just yet.

News of the delay means that Samsung is all but guaranteed to beat HUAWEI to the foldable phone punch. Samsung’s Galaxy Fold was delayed from its April launch date due to defects, but the Korean giant is now targeting a September launch window.

There’s no word if HUAWEI delayed its device due to similar issues, but more quality assurance and testing can only lead to a more polished experience. We’ve contacted the company to confirm the news and will update the article accordingly.