Huawei will unveil world's first 5G foldable smartphone next month

Image credit: Android Police

Huawei will reveal the world's first 5G smartphone with a foldable display at Mobile World Congress next month. 

At the end of Huawei Mobile's launch 5G event in Beijing, CEO of the company's Consumer Business Group Richard Yu told attendees: "We look forward to seeing you in Barcelona in February, where we will launch the world's first 5G smartphones with foldable screen," according to a translation by Android Police

Curiously, the plural of "smartphones" points to there being more than one handset - unless of course it was purely a translation error, which seems likely.

We've known for the best part of a year that Huawei has been working on a 5G phone, but only a few months ago Yu said the device wasn't ready. The reveal at MWC could be of a prototype, then.

From looking at the accompanying presentation slide at the event, it looks as though the handset will also use Huawei's new Balong 5000 5G chip.

In other 5G news, LG looks set to release its first 5G smartphone in the US in the first half of this year through US carrier Sprint.

MORE: Samsung Galaxy S10 leak suggests three-strong lineup

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Latest in Smartphones
The Google Pixel 9a being held horizontally at waist-height so only the back is visible.
The Google Pixel 9a launches at £100 less than the iPhone 16e with a better screen
iPhone 16 Plus smartphone
Got an old iPhone? We'll help you decide on how to upgrade
iPhone 16e in black and white on a white background
iPhone 16e vs Sony Xperia 10 VI: what are the differences?
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e's downgrades are in all the right places if, like me, movies on the move are your priority
iPhone 16e on white background
Apple officially unveils the affordable iPhone 16e complete with an OLED display and Dolby Atmos support
A blue iPhone 16 pictured next to a white iPhone 16e
iPhone 16e vs iPhone 16: what's the difference, and which one should you buy?
Latest in News
Sony WF-C710N earbuds lined up in different finishes
They’re official! Sony finally takes the wraps off its WF-C710N budget wireless earbuds
A flower on a TV screen with a gem in the middle.
TCL's new Mini LED TV range comes with huge brightness gains, reduced blooming and souped-up sound
Sony WH-1000XM4 on a table with a plant
Some of our favourite-ever five-star wireless headphones have plummeted to nearly half price – £172 off!
RCA Roku TV 24-inch (RK24HF1) small TV
My favourite kitchen TV has dropped to under £100 for Amazon Spring Deal Days
Sony XR-48A90K
Amazon has slashed the price of this five-star Sony OLED, but we have found an even better deal
Fiio FX17 in-ear headphones
Fiio's flagship in-ear headphones are packed full of drivers to put your music in pole position