The new Mate X5 might prove nearly as expensive to fix as it is to buy. The OEM has released a schedule of spare parts that asks 5,199 yuan (~US$714) for a replacement main display. A new cover display would be another 999 yuan (~US$137) – which, when combined, is more than enough to pre-order a new iPhone 15, set to start at 5,999 yuan (US$824) in Huawei’s native China.
Those prices pertain to the foldable flagship’s standard 12GB RAM/256GB storage edition, whereas spare parts for its new Collector’s Edition are even more expensive. It is the only version of the Mate X5 to have a 16GB/1TB configuration – and also the only one to have a replacement main screen that costs 5,599 yuan (~US$769).
That, furthermore, is not even the most expensive Collector’s Edition repair – which would go to its motherboard at a whopping 7,399 yuan (~US$1,016, or 43.5% of the device’s original cost). Again, one could just put the money towards a new 15 Pro, which starts at just 600 yuan (~US$82) more.
The good news for Huawei Mate X-series superfans is that those prices apply to out-of-warranty repair. Accordingly, they make the device’s official Care+ service look like a good idea. It is said to reduce main and cover display repair costs to 499 and 299 yuan respectively, although it does add at least 999 yuan on to the price of a new Mate X5 unit at retail.
The iPhone 15 Plus: now available to pre-order via Amazon.de
I became a professional writer and editor shortly after graduation. My degrees are in biomedical sciences; however, they led to some experience in the biotech area, which convinced me of its potential to revolutionize our health, environment and lives in general. This developed into an all-consuming interest in more aspects of tech over time: I can never write enough on the latest electronics, gadgets and innovations. My other interests include imaging, astronomy, and streaming all the things. Oh, and coffee.