Huawei launches Pura X foldable phone with DeepSeek AI assistant

Huawei is embarking on a completely Android-free era with the Pura X, a new foldable phone that runs the company's HarmonyOS 5 software and doesn't include an option for people to use Google's operating system.

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The Pura X is unique in a few other ways, too. Its 6.3-inch display has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is unusual for a foldable phone. The phone also comes with Xiaoyi, a new AI assistant that uses Huawei's own artificial intelligence models as well as some from China's DeepSeek . The phone starts at 7,499 Chinese yuan, or about $1,037.

The company has struggled for years in the US market due to sanctions that restrict its use of technology from US companies, including software and hardware components. Cutting ties with Google on the device could be a significant step forward for Huawei. The company is currently the top smartphone maker in China and last year overtook Samsung (but behind Apple) in global market share.

The new phone's unusual form factor includes a 3.5-inch square display on the outside and a larger-than-usual main display when unfolded. Several social media accounts, such as Tech Way on Threads, have posted hands-on videos of the device. The phone can make calls and take photos when folded.

While the device is not yet available internationally, it is already on sale in China in a regular and collector's edition, which comes in different green and red panel designs and includes 16GB of RAM. The base Pura X comes in three colors: black, white, and silver.

The company also launched another folding phone, the Mate X6, in December.