First, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Fold and we all fell in love.
Then Huawei showed us the Mate X, and we instantly forgot any other folding phone existed. Huawei’s design is generally considered better, in terms of the way it folds (outwards, so it doesn’t need a second small screen on the outside) and the way it looks when it’s closed. Both handsets have their fans, but Huawei definitely won public opinion.
Next, we finally got a look at Oppo’s folding phone, and… it was just the Mate X again. As we said at the time, it’s too similar to be interesting in its own right.
Apparently, though, Huawei is totally OK with other brands taking “inspiration” from its design. Not that we’re suggesting that’s what Oppo has done in this case – it’s more likely both phones were based on a reference design from a manufacturer.
Anson Zhang, MD of Huawei UK’s Consumer Business Group, has told Trusted Reviews that other manufacturers are more than welcome to borrow the company’s style:
“If we always target ourselves as the technological leader in the industry, we should not be surprised or shocked if other companies follow our lead.
If everyone concentrates on delivering the best technology benefits to consumers, then that’s the best way to do it in this industry. It’s fair enough.”
A little conceited, maybe, but it’s kind of nice to see a phone brand playing nice rather than bringing the claws out for its competitors.
No doubt said competitors are now aiming to do the exact opposite of Huawei’s design as a point of pride.
This post originally appeared on Gizmodo UK, which is gobbling up the news in a different timezone.