Huawei Mate X7 Review: A Foldable Camera Powerhouse with a Few Surprises
GSMArena Team, 30 December 2025
Rating: 4.1
Camera:
Huawei continues its tradition of delivering exceptional camera experiences with the Mate X7. This foldable device packs a serious punch in the photography department, boasting significant upgrades over its predecessor, the Mate X6. But here's where it gets controversial: while the Mate X7 excels in many areas, some inconsistencies in white balance and low-light telephoto performance might leave you scratching your head.
What's New Under the Hood (or Should We Say, Bump?)
The Mate X7's camera bump, now dubbed the 'Time Space Portal' by Huawei, houses a revamped camera system. The 50MP primary camera gets a brand-new sensor, retaining its impressive variable aperture (f/1.5 - f/4.0). This larger sensor promises a 100% improvement in dynamic range compared to the Mate X6 – a bold claim we'll put to the test later.
The telephoto camera also sees a significant upgrade. It now boasts a 50MP resolution, a 3.5x zoom lens, and a wider f/2.2 aperture. Interestingly, Huawei has opted for a vertical periscope design, which not only improves light intake but also reduces the module's size by a whopping 44%.
Specifications:
- Wide (Main): 50MP, 1/1.28" sensor, 0.89µm pixel size, f/1.5 - f/4.0 variable aperture, 24mm focal length, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, 4K@60fps
- Ultrawide: 40MP, f/2.2 aperture, 13mm focal length, PDAF, 4K@60fps
- Telephoto 3.5x: 50MP, f/2.2 aperture, 84mm focal length, PDAF, OIS, 4K@60fps
- Spectrum Sensor (2nd Gen Ultra Chroma Camera): 1.5 million spectral channels
- Cover Selfie Camera: 8MP, f/2.4 aperture, 26mm focal length, fixed focus, 4K@30fps
- Internal Selfie Camera: 8MP, f/2.2 aperture, 26mm focal length, fixed focus, 4K@30fps
And this is the part most people miss: While the main sensor size is impressive at 1/1.28", a version with a smaller 1/1.56" sensor and f/1.4-f/4.0 aperture exists in China. We're reviewing the global variant here.
Daylight Performance: A Mixed Bag of Brilliance and Quirks
The 50MP main camera captures stunning 12MP photos with excellent detail, vibrant colors, and a good dynamic range. However, we couldn't quite see the promised 100% improvement in dynamic range compared to the Mate X6. The variable aperture allows for creative control over depth of field, but we noticed occasional white balance issues, resulting in unwanted yellowish or greenish tints. This seems like a software glitch Huawei could easily address.
The 25MP photo option, while not drastically improving detail, allows for more flexibility in cropping without significant quality loss. People shots are particularly impressive, with flattering skin tones and well-defined features.
Zoom In: A Tale of Two Telephotos
The 2x crop zoom delivers excellent results, rivaling the 1x images in quality. Interestingly, the Mate X6's 2x mode performs just as well in good light. The new 3.5x telephoto camera shines with incredibly sharp and detailed photos, surpassing the Mate X6's 4x zoom in clarity. However, the 10x hybrid zoom, while improved, still produces somewhat artificial-looking images.
Ultrawide and Close-Ups: A Familiar Story
The 40MP ultrawide camera, unchanged from the Mate X6, captures 12MP photos with impressive detail and dynamic range. However, the white balance inconsistency rears its head here, making the Mate X6's color rendition seem more reliable.
Close-up shots are versatile, with the telephoto camera offering impressive magnification and a shallow depth of field. The ultrawide camera doubles as a macro shooter, providing both cropped and uncropped options for different perspectives.
Selfies: Punching Above Their Weight
Both 8MP selfie cameras deliver excellent results, with natural skin tones and good dynamic range. Using the rear cameras with the cover screen as a viewfinder allows for high-resolution selfies with beautifully blurred backgrounds.
Low-Light Performance: A Tale of Two Cameras
The larger main sensor truly shines in low-light conditions, producing detailed and well-defined photos with a slight edge in dynamic range over the Mate X6. The 2x zoom also performs admirably. However, the 3.5x telephoto camera struggles after dark, producing inconsistent results. Whether it's OIS issues or overzealous noise reduction, the Mate X6's telephoto performs better in low light.
Video Quality: Smooth Operator with Room for Improvement
The Mate X7 captures smooth and stable 4K@60fps video across all rear cameras, thanks to always-on stabilization. Selfie cameras manage 4K@30fps, which is impressive for 8MP sensors. Daylight videos are good, but we expected slightly more detail. Low-light videos, especially from the main camera at 1x and 2x zoom, are a highlight, showcasing excellent dynamic range and definition. However, the 10x zoom video quality falls short, even compared to the Mate X6.
Verdict: A Foldable Camera Contender with Room to Grow
The Huawei Mate X7 is a formidable foldable device with a camera system that impresses in many areas. The upgraded main sensor, sharp telephoto lens, and versatile ultrawide camera make it a strong contender. However, the inconsistent white balance and low-light telephoto performance are areas where Huawei needs to refine.
Food for Thought:
Is the Mate X7's camera system a significant enough upgrade over the Mate X6 to justify the price difference? And how much of the white balance issue can be addressed through software updates? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
