Huawei Unveils 18-Inch Foldable Laptop Running HarmonyOS, Not Windows

 Huawei Unveils 18-Inch Foldable Laptop Running HarmonyOS, Not Windows

Huawei has introduced the MateBook Fold Ultimate, an 18-inch foldable laptop that breaks away from convention by running HarmonyOS instead of Windows. The device is positioned as a sleek, powerful alternative to traditional notebooks, combining a large foldable display with the company’s in-house operating system.

In Short

• 18-inch foldable display folds into a compact 13-inch form factor

• Huawei replaces Windows with HarmonyOS 5 in its latest laptop

• MateBook Fold Ultimate priced from approximately ₹2,85,000

Huawei has entered the foldable laptop arena alongside Lenovo, HP, and Asus with the launch of its first foldable notebook—the MateBook Fold Ultimate. Sporting an expansive 18-inch foldable screen that neatly folds down to the size of a 13-inch device, this laptop stands out by ditching Windows in favor of Huawei’s own HarmonyOS 5. The premium foldable laptop starts at around ₹2,85,000.

Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate Now Up for Pre-Orders in China

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate is already available for pre-order in China and will officially go on sale starting June 6. As of now, there's no word on whether the device will launch in India, and chances of that happening appear slim.

In China, the foldable laptop is available in two variants:

• 32GB RAM with 1TB storage priced at CNY 24,000 (approximately ₹2,85,000)

• 32GB RAM with 2TB storage priced at CNY 27,000 (around ₹3,20,000)

Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate: Display and Design

Despite featuring a massive 18-inch foldable display, the MateBook Fold Ultimate is designed to be surprisingly compact and lightweight. Weighing just 1.16 kg and measuring 14.9mm when folded, it becomes even slimmer—only 7.3mm—when opened. This ultra-thin form factor is made possible by Huawei’s engineering, which includes a three-layer aluminum structure and an ultra-thin printed circuit board (PCB) for enhanced portability without compromising on strength.

Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate: Features, Display, and Design Details

The Huawei MateBook Fold Ultimate offers versatile usability with its flexible design. It can be opened up to a 90-degree angle to reveal a virtual keyboard, mimicking the look and feel of a traditional laptop. Fully unfold it, and you're presented with a stunning 18-inch OLED display that works in both vertical and horizontal orientations. A built-in kickstand also allows for hands-free use, making it suitable for various work or entertainment setups.

Impressive OLED Display

One of the standout features of the MateBook Fold Ultimate is its OLED LTPO panel. When fully open, the display delivers a 4:3 aspect ratio with a high resolution of 3296 x 2472. In laptop mode, it switches to a 3:2 aspect ratio with a 2472 x 1648 resolution. The screen supports up to 1600 nits peak brightness, 1440Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain, and is built with a protective non-Newtonian fluid layer and carbon fiber reinforcement for durability. Huawei claims the screen consumes 30% less power and offers triple the lifespan of typical OLED displays.

Design, Storage, and Performance

For those who prefer tactile input, the MateBook Fold Ultimate includes a sleek 5mm-thin wireless keyboard made from aluminium alloy. It offers 1.5mm key travel, weighs just 290 grams, and when paired with the laptop, brings the total weight to a mere 1.45kg.

Under the hood, the device is packed with 32GB of RAM and is available in two SSD configurations: 1TB and 2TB. While Huawei hasn’t disclosed the exact chipset, thermal management is handled by a vapor chamber and two ultra-thin cooling fans.

Battery and Connectivity

The laptop is powered by a 74.69Wh battery and includes two USB-C ports. It features a robust multimedia setup with six speakers and four microphones, and supports dual-band Wi-Fi 6 along with Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless connectivity.

Huawei offers the MateBook Fold Ultimate in three color options, with matching finishes for both the device body and keyboard. Each unit ships with the wireless keyboard, a carrying case, a 140W USB-C charger, and a compatible cable—providing a premium, all-in-one foldable laptop experience.