November 14, 2026 — Huawei has opened pre-orders for its second foldable PC, the MateBook Fold S. The pitch is straightforward: a 14.7-inch screen that folds down to roughly the size of a paperback book, weighing around 649 grams [citation:4][citation:7]. But the detail that has drawn the most attention is not the fold or the weight. It is the small screen embedded in the outer lid.

Huawei calls it the “Live 小方屏” (Live Small Square Screen). When the laptop is closed, it shows the time, notifications, calendar entries, and allows lightweight interactions without opening the main display [citation:1][citation:8]. It is, in essence, the external screen of a foldable phone, transplanted onto a foldable PC.

What You Get: 14.7 Inches, 649g, and a Back Screen

The MateBook Fold S sits below the existing MateBook Fold Ultimate in Huawei’s lineup. Where the Ultimate unfolds to 18 inches and weighs 1.16kg for the body alone, the Fold S targets a different use case: something you can actually carry without thinking about it [citation:2][citation:10].

The weight figure is the headline hardware achievement. Roughly 649 grams for a 14.7-inch foldable computer puts it in the same territory as a large tablet, not a traditional laptop [citation:4]. The keyboard is a separate foldable accessory, and the full package includes a sleeve and, on the top tier, a stylus [citation:1].

The Debate: Is the Back Screen Useful or a Gimmick?

The back screen is the most divisive element of the Fold S. The case for it is straightforward: when a foldable laptop is closed, it becomes a dead slab. You cannot see notifications, check your calendar, or glance at a message without unfolding the entire device. The Live Small Square Screen solves that by giving you a glanceable surface when the laptop is shut [citation:11].

The case against it is equally straightforward. A foldable PC’s core advantage is portability. Adding a second screen adds cost, complexity, and another surface that can be scratched or damaged in a bag. As one critic put it: “The real pain point of foldable computers is ‘too heavy to carry,’ not ‘I can’t see information when it’s closed’” [citation:5].

There is also the question of implementation. Early reports suggest the back screen may use a magnetic attachment, which would make it an accessory rather than an integrated component [citation:5][citation:6]. If that is the case, it introduces a new workflow: attach the screen, detach it, store it safely, remember to bring it. That is not a seamless experience.

Huawei vs. Apple: Two Different Folds

The contrast with Apple’s foldable strategy is instructive. Apple’s iPhone Duo folds a phone into a tablet. It has been plagued by “Crackgate,” a supplier material defect that causes the inner screen to crack at the hinge [citation:1]. The lesson from Apple’s experience is that foldable hardware is hard, and the hinge is the most fragile part.

Huawei’s approach is different. It is not folding a phone. It is folding a laptop, and it has already shipped one generation (the Fold Ultimate). The Fold S is a refinement in the opposite direction: smaller, lighter, and with a new interaction surface. Huawei is betting that the foldable PC is a category worth investing in, not just a one-off showcase.

Who Should Consider This (and Who Shouldn't)

Key Takeaways