▷Huawei Mate 20 X 5G review: powerful but uncomfortable 🥇

First and still the only model 5G ready of Huawei, Mate 20 X 5G it stands out positively for its performance but has a big flaw: the dimensions are too generous. Let's find out together.

Huawei Mate 20 X 5G: the technical sheet

Let's start as usual from technical features of this smartphone, which I would call more "phablet“, A term that indicates a hybrid between smartphone and tablet, due to the generous dimensions.

Dimensions: 174.6 x 85.4 x 8.15 mm
Weight: 232 g
Display: 7.2 ”1080 x 2244 Oled FHD + with a density of 346 ppi
CPU: Kirin HiSilicon 980
GPU: Mali G76 MP10 + 5G chip BALLONG 5000
RAM: 8 GB
Memory: 256 GB expandable with micro SD and nano SD (Huawei brand only)
Network: 4G LTE – 5G – Dual SIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP / LE / aptX, USB Type-C 3.1, A-GPS / GLONASS / BeiDou / Galileo / QZSS
Battery: 4200 mAh
Rear camera: 40 MP f/1.8 + 20MP f/2.2 + 8MP f/2.4
Front Camera: 24 MP f / 2.0
Videos: rear 4K (30fps) with optical stabilization, front Full HD (30fps)
Operating system: Android 9.0 Pie EMUI 9.1.1

Packaging and aesthetics

The Mate 20 X 5G comes in a single color, Emerald green (emerald green) taking up the plot knurled in the rear glass of the Mate 20/Pro. On the back also the square module black with the three cameras and dual flash. Below it, a physical sensor for unlocking with fingerprint. On the left there is the trolley for the insertion of sim and SD. On the right side, however, the classic volume rocker and the lock / power key with red edges. A comfortable top infrared port, below the door USB-C, a microphone and the speaker (stereo). On the front, the panel has a small teardrop notch and a small chin at the bottom. Is present the always on display, always welcome and show all notifications.

The elegant package contains one silicone cover soft transparent, le Huawei headphones with type-C output, the cable type-C for charging and power supply from 40W which allows fast charging. You will get 70% charge in just over half an hour.

The Sore Note

There is a but: this Mate is really big and heavy. The 232 grams can be felt by everyone and for those with normal-sized hands, use with one hand is almost impossible. It does not fit easily in your pocket and during a long phone call (apart from not going unnoticed) it is a bit difficult and earphones become almost mandatory. Perhaps it is no longer the time for frying pans, and some companies should realize this.

Performance and autonomy

Il Kirin 980 it is the top of the range from Huawei, therefore it guarantees excellent performance comparable to the Snapdragon 855 and A13 Bionic. Mate 20 X 5G takes full advantage of it, lag is absent, the fluidity is at home both on lightweight apps and in gaming mode. With this screen so large and the good resolution that characterizes it (but not at the levels of Oneplus 7 or Samsung S10 +), long gaming sessions or binge watching on Netflix, they will certainly not be a problem. Battery capacious from 4200 mAh will support you perfectly in all this: during my holidays I put it to the test between navigator, Netflix, social media and camera. It has never let me down, taking me quietly to the evening with approx the 30%. On normal days without excessive stress you can even arrive to the next day. Wireless charging is absent, but the classic wired one reaches up to 40 watts.

Excellent audio on call, stereo audio in playback is sufficient, it could be a little more full-bodied.

Huawei claims that the chamber cooling of steam, news present on Mate 20 X due to the chip 5G Balloon 5000 which is an important heat source, is sufficient to maintain an optimal temperature. I have noticed, perhaps also due to the summer temperatures, a noticeable warming in stressful conditions.

[

Photo and video

The photographic department consists of three rear chambers: a standard 40 megapixel with f / 1.8 aperture, a tele with 3X zoom and an 8 megapixel sensor with f / 2.4 aperture, finally a wide-angle with 16 megapixel sensor and f / 2.2 aperture. Versatile and convincing, however, they rank below their non-5G cousin Mate 20 Pro and definitely below the top of the range P30 Pro (click on the models for related reviews). The front one did not convince me very much, despite the 24 mp the resolution and the angularity of the "selfies" is not what is expected from a smartphone of 1000 €. Well the videos, stabilized, if there were not the problem that, in the long run, supporting such a phablet while maintaining a stable shot becomes difficult.

As you can see from the photo carousel, in wide-angle the edges tend to round up maybe a little too much. Instead the detail is top of the range. Change the subject as evening approaches, decreasing the light the images begin to acquire noise, lose detail and grainy.

Huawei Mate 20 X 5G: buy it or not?

I extend the question for a moment: it makes sense to buy a telephone 5G? Currently, not for me. The network is not yet active except in small spots in Rome and Milan, and even there we still do not notice all these great advantages. It makes sense to wait, when infrastructure technology is more mature (and prices perhaps more affordable).

On Amazon it is available at 979 €, but the only real reason to buy it could perhaps be the one that for me is a defect: The dimensions. This is the only real distinctive feature at the moment. If you are looking for a ibrido tra tablet and smartphone, then it could be for you, because it is powerful, reliable, has excellent autonomy. If, on the other hand, what you are looking for is a smartphone, the advice is to search among the "cousins" of the Mate 20 X 5G, much more manageable and superior in the camera department.