Huawei Mate X3 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 8, 2023 October 16, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 117.67 cm³ 343.94 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.28 "/g 1.98 "/g
Weight 239 g 627 g
Height 156.9 mm 285.4 mm
Width 141.5 mm 185.4 mm
Thickness 5.3 mm 6.5 mm
Foldable Design Yes No
Available Colors
  • Gold
  • Black
  • White
  • Violet
  • Dark Green
  • Silver
  • Gray
  • Mint
  • Lavender

Display

Screen Size 7.85 " 12.4 "
Resolution 2224 x 2496 1600 x 2560
Aspect Ratio 16:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 88.9 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 426 PPI 243 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 77.89 mAh/in² 65.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 40.79 mAh/cm³ 29.34 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4800 mAh 10090 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 730 Mali-G68 MP5

Connectivity

USB Version 3.1 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version 1.2 N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2 USB Type-C 2.0, Magnetic Connector

Software

Operating System N/A Android
Initial OS Version N/A 13
Maximum OS Version 17

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureHuawei Mate X3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)156.9 x 141.5 x 5.3 (folded)285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5Mate X3 is significantly more compact and pocketable due to its foldable design; Tab S9 FE+ is a large tablet.
Weight (g)239627Mate X3 is much lighter and easier to hold for extended periods; Tab S9 FE+ can be tiring to hold.
FoldableYesNoMate X3 offers a larger screen in a smaller form factor; Tab S9 FE+ has a fixed large screen.
Display
Size (inches)7.85 (unfolded)12.4Mate X3 provides a large screen when needed; Tab S9 FE+ offers a consistently large display for better multitasking and media consumption.
Resolution (px)2224 x 24961600 x 2560Both offer sharp displays, but Mate X3 has a slightly higher pixel density (426 ppi vs 243 ppi), resulting in crisper text and images.
TypeFoldable OLED, 120HzIPS LCD, 90HzMate X3's OLED delivers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and potentially better power efficiency; Tab S9 FE+'s LCD might have better visibility in direct sunlight but less vibrant colors. Mate X3's 120Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations compared to the 90Hz on the Tab S9 FE+.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)Exynos 1380 (5 nm)Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 generally offers better performance in demanding tasks and gaming compared to the Exynos 1380.
CPUOcta-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Mate X3's CPU configuration suggests superior performance, especially in single-core tasks.
GPUAdreno 730Mali-G68 MP5Adreno 730 generally provides better gaming performance than the Mali-G68 MP5.
RAM8/12GB8/12GBBoth offer ample RAM for multitasking; real-world performance difference depends on other factors like software optimization.
Camera
Rear Camera50MP (Main) + 13MP (Ultrawide) + 12MP (Periscope Telephoto)13MP (Main) + 8MP (Ultrawide)Mate X3 offers a significantly more versatile and powerful camera system with higher resolution sensors and a periscope telephoto lens.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)480010090Tab S9 FE+ has a much larger battery capacity, potentially lasting much longer on a single charge. Mate X3's smaller battery is a trade-off for its slim foldable design.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:

  • Portability: Foldable design offers a large screen in a pocketable size.
  • Premium Display: High-resolution OLED with 120Hz refresh rate for a superior visual experience.
  • Flagship Performance: Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Versatile Camera System: High-resolution sensors and periscope telephoto lens for excellent photography capabilities.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages:

  • Large Screen: 12.4-inch display ideal for multitasking and media consumption.
  • Long Battery Life: Massive 10090mAh battery for extended usage without recharging.
  • More Affordable: Lower price point compared to the Mate X3.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Huawei Mate X3: Ideal for users who prioritize portability and a premium experience, willing to pay a premium for a foldable device with top-tier specifications. Suitable for professionals, content creators, and anyone who values a large screen that can easily fit in a pocket.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Suitable for users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, productivity, and casual gaming. A good choice for students, artists, and anyone who needs a large canvas for their work or entertainment.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Portability vs. Screen Size: Do you need a pocketable device or prioritize a consistently large display?
  2. Performance Needs: Do you require top-tier performance for demanding tasks and gaming, or is good enough performance sufficient?
  3. Budget: Are you willing to pay a premium for a foldable phone with flagship specifications?

My Choice:

I would choose the Huawei Mate X3. While the Tab S9 FE+ offers a larger screen and battery life, the Mate X3's combination of portability, premium display, flagship performance, and versatile camera system is more appealing to me. I value the ability to have a large screen when needed without sacrificing pocketability. The superior build quality and performance of the Mate X3 outweigh the Tab S9 FE+'s advantages in battery and price, given my preference for a high-end, versatile device. The lack of readily available Google services on the Huawei Mate X3 is a concern, but assuming this is not a major issue (as the prompt didn't specify region), the Mate X3 remains the superior choice for my needs.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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