Huawei MateBook Set to Disrupt Apple and Samsung’s Ultraportables

Huawei’s MateBook X Pro launches in October with flagship specs, competitive pricing, and extended service support (image source)

Huawei’s revamped MateBook series is targeting the ultraportable laptop segment long dominated by Apple’s MacBook Air and Samsung’s Galaxy Book. Launching in Europe and Asia this October, with North American availability slated for early 2026, the new MateBook X Pro blends premium hardware, aggressive pricing, and software partnerships designed to appeal to professionals, creatives, and students.

The MateBook X Pro features a 14-inch touchscreen with a 3120×2080 resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate, and ultra-slim 3 mm bezels—outpacing the MacBook Air’s Retina panel in sharpness and interactivity. It runs on Intel’s 12th-generation Core i7 processor, backed by 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 1 TB of NVMe SSD storage. Benchmark comparisons suggest it rivals Apple’s M4 chip in multi-threaded workloads while undercutting Apple’s entry pricing by nearly 30 percent.

Samsung’s Galaxy Book range still boasts superior AMOLED displays and S Pen stylus integration, but typically carries higher costs and trails in battery life. Huawei claims up to 14 hours of mixed-use runtime—just shy of Apple’s 18-hour MacBook Air endurance, yet well ahead of many Galaxy Book devices, which average 10–12 hours.

“Huawei’s new ultraportable hits the sweet spot between power and portability—at a price point that will turn heads,” noted Leon Zhou, lead analyst at TechInsights.

Connectivity is another battleground. Huawei has equipped the X Pro with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a full-size HDMI connector, one USB-C port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack—avoiding the dongle dependency that often frustrates Apple users. Its anodized aluminum chassis measures just 14 mm thick and weighs 1.24 kg, keeping pace with the MacBook Air in portability while offering more I/O flexibility.

On the software side, Huawei continues to expand its AppGallery ecosystem and has strengthened integration with Microsoft Office 365, Teams, and enterprise tools. While the absence of Google Play remains a limitation, Huawei is banking on productivity-focused users who prioritize Microsoft and proprietary apps. The company is also leveraging shifting market dynamics. Global laptop shipments declined 2.5 percent in the first half of 2025 as buyers sought more value. With early-bird pricing starting at €1,099 for the Core i7/16 GB/512 GB model—compared with €1,599 for a similar MacBook Air and €1,399 for Samsung’s Galaxy Book Pro—Huawei is positioning itself as the value-driven disruptor.

After-sales support is critical for adoption. Huawei now operates authorized service centers in over 40 countries and is offering a two-year international warranty, directly competing with AppleCare and Samsung Care+.

As the MateBook X Pro reaches shelves, its test will be endurance, ecosystem strength, and brand trust. If Huawei delivers on its promises, the ultraportable market could be facing a rare shakeup—one where MacBook and Galaxy Book loyalists may finally consider a serious alternative.