Huawei Pura X Max: Pre-launch hands-on images show iPhone and Samsung how it's done

Leaked hands-on images of the Huawei Pura X Max have surfaced online, providing the first real-world look at the highly anticipated "wide foldable" ahead of its official launch (on April 20), which is hours away.

While official renders already revealed the design, these live photos look far more exciting, showing a functional device that more effectively bridges the gap between a smartphone and a tablet, thanks to a wider 16:10 aspect ratio.

In other words, the “wider foldable” looks more real than ever - because it is. In fact, by bringing this form factor to market now, Huawei has officially beaten Samsung (with the Galaxy Z Fold8 Wide) and Apple (with the iPhone Ultra/Fold) in the race to define the “wide fold” trend.

This move solidifies Huawei’s leading position in foldable innovation, building on the foundation set by the flip-style Pura X, which (officially) started the wider trend. That said, despite the hardware's brilliance, the US ban on Huawei remains a hurdle.

The Pura X Max will run HarmonyOS without Google Play Services. Global availability remains unconfirmed, with the initial rollout exclusive to the Chinese market, meaning fans outside China will have to wait for more details following the April 20 debut.