Huawei Pocket 2 Review: A Stylish and Compact Foldable with Powerful Features

The Huawei Pocket 2, released in February 2024, is an innovative foldable smartphone that combines cutting-edge technology with a stylish and compact design. With its 6.94-inch foldable OLED display, 50MP triple-camera system, and 66W fast charging, the Pocket 2 offers an impressive balance of performance, style, and portability. This review will dive into its key features, such as design, display, performance, and camera quality.

Key Features at a Glance

Release Date: February 22, 2024
Display: 6.94-inch Foldable LTPO OLED, 120Hz
Processor: Octa-core
RAM: 12GB/16GB
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB (expandable via NM card)
Battery: 4520mAh with 66W wired and 40W wireless charging
Main Camera: 50MP triple camera with OIS
Selfie Camera: 10.7MP ultrawide
Price: Approximately €960

1. Design and Build Quality

The Huawei Pocket 2 is a foldable smartphone that features a unique, compact design. When unfolded, the phone measures 170mm x 75.5mm x 7.3mm, and when folded, it reduces to 87.8mm x 75.5mm x 15.3mm, making it easy to slip into your pocket or bag. It weighs around 199g or 202g, depending on the model, offering a lightweight feel for a foldable device.

The Pocket 2 boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, making it resistant to water immersion up to 2 meters for 30 minutes. It’s available in four elegant colors:

Black
Purple
White
Gray

The side-mounted fingerprint sensor ensures secure and convenient access to the device, while its smooth hinge mechanism allows for seamless folding and unfolding.

2. Display: Impressive OLED with High Brightness

The 6.94-inch foldable LTPO OLED display on the Pocket 2 is one of its standout features. With a resolution of 1136 x 2690 pixels and a pixel density of 420 ppi, the display offers sharp visuals, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and an overall fluid experience, whether gaming, browsing, or multitasking.

In addition to the main display, the 1.15-inch cover display with a resolution of 340 x 340 pixels provides quick access to notifications, time, and other basic functions without needing to unfold the phone. This small secondary display is also an OLED panel, delivering clear and bright visuals.

The display supports a peak brightness of 2200 nits, making it easily viewable even in bright outdoor conditions.

3. Performance: Smooth and Reliable with Octa-Core Processor

The Huawei Pocket 2 is powered by an octa-core processor that delivers reliable and smooth performance across various tasks. While Huawei hasn’t disclosed the exact chipset used, the processor’s configuration ensures that the phone can handle multitasking, gaming, and productivity apps with ease.

With 12GB or 16GB of RAM, the Pocket 2 is more than capable of running multiple apps simultaneously without lag or slowdowns. The device is available in three storage variants:

256GB with 12GB RAM
512GB with 12GB RAM
1TB with 16GB RAM

The internal storage is expandable via NM (Nano Memory) cards up to 512GB, using the shared SIM slot.

4. Camera: Versatile Triple Camera System

The Pocket 2 features a versatile 50MP triple-camera setup, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts. The camera system includes:

50MP wide-angle main sensor with f/1.6 aperture, PDAF, and optical image stabilization (OIS) for capturing sharp and detailed images, even in low light.
8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS for shooting distant subjects with clarity.
12MP ultrawide lens for capturing wide-angle shots, such as landscapes or group photos.

There’s also a 2MP spectral sensor that helps improve color accuracy and contrast in photos.

The camera system supports 4K video recording, and the inclusion of gyro-EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) ensures that videos are stable and smooth.

Selfie Camera:

The 10.7MP front-facing camera with an f/2.2 aperture is perfect for selfies, and the ultrawide lens allows users to fit more into each shot. It also supports 4K video recording, making it great for vloggers and video calls.

5. Battery Life: Long-Lasting with Fast Charging

The Huawei Pocket 2 is equipped with a 4520mAh battery, offering a full day of use even with heavy usage. Whether you’re browsing, watching videos, or using the camera, the battery life holds up well throughout the day.

The device supports 66W wired charging, which can charge the battery from 0% to 52% in just 20 minutes (as advertised). It also supports 40W wireless charging, which provides a fast and convenient way to top up the battery without cables.

Additionally, the Pocket 2 supports 5W reverse wireless charging and reverse wired charging, allowing users to charge smaller devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches directly from the phone.

6. Software: HarmonyOS 4.0

The Huawei Pocket 2 runs on HarmonyOS 4.0, which offers a clean and intuitive user interface with plenty of customization options. HarmonyOS integrates seamlessly with other Huawei devices, such as the Huawei Watch or FreeBuds, for a connected ecosystem experience.

While the lack of Google Play Services may be a drawback for some, Huawei’s AppGallery continues to grow, offering a wide variety of apps to meet most users’ needs.

7. Connectivity: 4G and Wi-Fi 6

The Huawei Pocket 2 supports 4G LTE, ensuring fast and reliable mobile internet connections for everyday tasks. Other connectivity features include:

Wi-Fi 6 for faster and more stable wireless internet connections.
Bluetooth 5.2 for connecting wireless devices, such as headphones and speakers.
NFC for mobile payments and quick data transfers.
USB Type-C 2.0 with OTG support for fast charging and data transfers.

Price and Availability

The Huawei Pocket 2 is priced at approximately €960 (EUR), making it a premium foldable smartphone option for those seeking cutting-edge technology combined with a stylish design. Its unique foldable form factor, combined with high-end features, justifies its price for users looking for a modern and innovative smartphone.

Conclusion: Is the Huawei Pocket 2 Worth It?

The Huawei Pocket 2 is a powerful and stylish foldable smartphone that excels in multiple areas, including its impressive foldable OLED display, versatile camera setup, and long-lasting battery life. Its lightweight and compact design make it easy to carry, and the fast charging capabilities ensure you won’t be tied to a charger for long.

The phone’s lack of Google Play Services may be a concern for some users, but for those who are comfortable with Huawei’s AppGallery, the Pocket 2 offers a premium experience in a compact form factor.

Full Specifications Table:

Specification	Details
Display	6.94-inch LTPO OLED, 120Hz, 1136 x 2690 pixels (~420 ppi)
Operating System	HarmonyOS 4.0
Processor	Octa-core
RAM	12GB / 16GB
Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1TB (expandable via NM up to 512GB)
Main Camera	50MP wide, 8MP telephoto, 12MP ultrawide, 2MP spectral
Selfie Camera	10.7MP ultrawide
Battery	4520mAh with 66W wired, 40W wireless charging, reverse wireless charging
Connectivity	4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
Dimensions (Unfolded)	170 x 75.5 x 7.3 mm
Dimensions (Folded)	87.8 x 75.5 x 15.3 mm
Weight	199g / 202g
Colors	Black, Purple, White, Gray
Price	€960