In a bold move, Huawei has unveiled the Mate XT, the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, just hours after Apple’s iPhone 16 event. This innovative device, which has been in development for five years, showcases breakthroughs in screen and hinge technology that allow it to fold in a “Z” shape, offering various usage modes.
“We’ve been working tirelessly to push the boundaries of what’s possible with foldable smartphones,” said Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group, at the launch event in Shenzhen. “The Mate XT represents a new era in smartphone design and functionality, and we believe it will change the way people interact with their devices.”
The timing of the launch, mere hours after Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16 event, is seen as a strategic move by Huawei to steal some of its rival’s thunder.
Despite ongoing sanctions, as pointed out by CNBC, that have limited Huawei’s access to key components and software, the company has managed to create a device that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible with current technology. The Mate XT’s dual-hinged design allows it to be used in various configurations, from a compact 6.4-inch single-screen device when fully collapsed to an expansive 10.2-inch display when fully expanded.
Arstechnica reports that the device is packed with cutting-edge features, including a flexible LTPO OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a triple rear camera setup, and a 5,600 mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. It also runs on Huawei’s latest HarmonyOS 4.2, which includes AI-powered features such as voice-to-text, automatic split-screen, and real-time document translation.
However, as Engadget reports, the Mate XT’s impressive features come at a premium price, with the base model starting at CNY 19,999 (approximately $2,800) and the top-end model reaching CNY 23,999 (around $3,400). While this may be a barrier for some consumers, Huawei has already reported 3.7 million pre-orders through Chinese retailer Vmall, indicating strong interest in the device.
As for global availability, Huawei has not yet announced any plans for an international release, likely due to the ongoing sanctions that have restricted its access to Google’s Android operating system and other key components. This uncertainty surrounding the Mate XT’s global availability may limit its impact on the wider smartphone market.
Nevertheless, the launch of the Mate XT is a significant milestone for Huawei and the foldable smartphone market as a whole. It demonstrates the company’s resilience and innovation in the face of adversity and may inspire other manufacturers to explore tri-fold designs in the future. As the foldable smartphone market continues to evolve, the Mate XT’s impact on the industry will be closely watched by consumers and analysts alike.
