Huawei founder's daughter Annabel Yao makes brand debut as face of Pura X foldable smartphone

Annabel Yao, daughter of Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei. Photo from Facebook

Appearing on Huawei’s official Weibo account, Yao was described as a "new close friend" of the Pura brand. This marks her first public involvement with her father’s company as a brand ambassador.

Public reaction to her appearance was largely positive. "I knew it was only a matter of time before Anna endorsed Huawei phones," one Weibo user wrote.

Another added: "Huawei’s own brand finally has a family member as its face."

Born in 1998, Yao, also known as Anna Yao or Yao Siwei, is the daughter of Ren and his second wife Yao Ling. She graduated from Harvard University in 2021 with a computer science degree before entering the entertainment industry, though she has yet to achieve widespread recognition.

Huawei filed trademark applications in 2021 for "Yao Anna," "Yao Siwei," and "Annabel Yao," but the registrations are still pending, as reported by China Fund News.

Before joining the Pura campaign, Yao was the global spokesperson for electric vehicle maker Avita, which partners with Huawei for its smart vehicle technology. In a previous Weibo post, she promoted the Avita 07, which features Huawei’s Qiankun intelligent driving system.

Huawei unveiled the Pura X on Jan. 20 at an event in China. The foldable phone combines clamshell and book-style designs, featuring a 16:10 screen ratio—wider than the 22:9 ratio of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip6.

Annabel Yao introducing Huawei's latest foldable smartphone Pura X. Photo from X

When folded, the device resembles a compact book. When opened, it expands into a small tablet.

Tech site Android Headlines called the Pura X "the most unexpected clamshell foldable."

Huawei said users can make calls, send messages, and play games using the outer screen, while the inner screen is ideal for watching videos, browsing, and presenting slides.

As with other recent models, Huawei did not disclose the chipset used.

The device offers up to 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and a 4,720 mAh battery with support for both wired and wireless fast charging. Its camera system includes a 50 MP main sensor, 40 MP ultra-wide lens, 8 MP telephoto camera, and an additional color sensor called Red Maple.

The Pura X starts at 7,499 yuan (US$1,034), while the Collector’s Edition with a multicolored case is priced at 9,999 yuan.

The phone is currently available for pre-order in China, with no announcement yet on international availability.