Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design smartphone debuted on September 10, 2024. The device features a 6.40-inch primary display with a 60 Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1008×2232 pixels. It also includes a secondary 7.90-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 2048×2232 pixels Additionally, it has a 10.20-inch third display with a resolution of 3184×2232 pixels. The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design boasts 16GB of RAM and runs on HarmonyOS 4.2, powered by a 5600mAh non-removable battery. It supports wireless charging and proprietary fast charging .
In terms of photography, the rear camera setup of the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design consists of a triple camera system, including a 50-megapixel (f/1.4-4.0) primary camera, a 12-megapixel (f/2.2, ultra wide- angle) camera, and a 12-megapixel (f/2.4, telephoto) camera. For selfies, it is equipped with an 8-megapixel front camera with an f/2.2 aperture.
The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design comes with 256GB of built-in storage and supports dual Nano-SIM cards. The dimensions of the device are 156.70 x 219.00 x 3.60mm (height x width x thickness), and it weighs 298.00 grams. It was released in Dark Black and Rui Red color options.
Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, GPS, Bluetooth v5.20, NFC, USB Type-C, 3G, 4G, and 5G with active 4G on both SIM cards.
Huawei Mate XT tri-fold has made a significant impact in the foldable market, and a tech enthusiast attempted to uncover more details about this phone through a teardown. The teardown revealed that the tri-fold device surpasses the Apple iPhone 16 in certain aspects.
A Weibo tipster recently conducted a teardown of the Huawei Mate XT. According to the tipster, the tri-fold phone is encased in genuine fiber and leather material, providing a premium feel and enhanced grip.
The teardown also unveiled that most of the components of the Huawei Mate XT are sourced from Chinese suppliers, indicating the company’s emphasis on self-reliance and support for local suppliers.
The Huawei Mate XT is the world’s first tri-fold phone, and it has exceeded expectations, particularly in comparison to other folding phones in the market.
After testing various folding phones for several years, I believe that 2024 has been a turning point for foldable devices. The Huawei Mate XT, with its triple-fold design, represents a remarkable advancement in folding phone technology.
Huawei’s ‘Ultimate Design’ smartphone, as indicated on its rear, is an impressive piece of technology that showcases the potential of foldable devices in the future.
While the Mate XT may not be accessible to many consumers due to its price, it offers a glimpse into the future of foldable phones. Here are five key observations about Huawei’s triple-fold innovation based on my experience using the device:
It can be folded in multiple ways
Foldable phones have mostly settled on two designs: the clamshell-like form, as seen in the Motorola Razr 50 Ultra (which I consider the best of that type); and the book-like form, as seen in the Honor Magic V3 (the thinnest of the current bunch) and others. Huawei’s approach in the Mate XT is like a development of the latter form.
When the Mate XT is folded, it looks like a fairly conventional 6.4-inch phone to me. However, unfolding it by the first hinge reveals an XL display. But then it has its magic trick: a second hinge allows it to be unfolded again , giving you an XXL display that is a massive 10.2 inches across the diagonal.
In my opinion, you would never need a tablet again. This scale would be perfect for long journeys when you want to watch, for example, Netflix’s latest top movie, or other types of media. The typical ‘crease’ – of which there are two here, of course – is subtle, similar to the OnePlus Open, and I couldn’t notice them when looking at the screen head-on.
With a 120Hz variable refresh rate and ample brightness, this large screen in your pocket is unlike anything else I have ever seen in such a device.
The hinges are remarkable
Before seeing the Mate XT, I had assumed that its build quality would be questionable. However, that’s not the case: I found the hinge mechanisms to be very robust, with no ‘crunchiness’ in their operation (which I’ve experienced with some foldable phones in the past), and the resistance feels just right – it’s not too loose, not too stiff, allowing for adjustment as desired, concertina style.
Huawei has really perfected that aspect of the Mate XT’s mechanical design, which is clearly essential for a product like this. The displays around the hinges are also unobstructed, which means there is no disruption to the flow of the screen.
This is a legacy to how advanced this product is – I can’t even imagine how many iterations were created in pursuing this final result.
However, it’s not just the hinges that impress; the overall build quality of the handset is of a very high standard indeed. The fact that so much screen can be packed into a device weighing less than 300g should not be underestimated – that’s not much more than the 257g Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold – and the choice of a metal frame and textured material cladding is spot on.
Battery technology is ahead of its time
As far as I can remember, Huawei was the first phone manufacturer to use a silicon-carbon battery in one of its phones. I know, battery technology is not the most exciting topic. But battery tech is also crucially important – it’s the number one consumer pain point when it comes to the best phones, as people want all this tech to last seemingly forever on one charge.
Well, silicon-carbon is a step beyond lithium-ion for several reasons: one, the source material reduces the strain on over-mined lithium; two, it has a higher energy density, meaning it can be physically smaller; three, it delivers a longer overall lifespan; and four, there’s even faster-charging potential, if utilized by manufacturers (here it’s a reasonable 66W wired – much faster than the Samsung Z Fold 6’s 25W equivalent).
Huawei isn’t sharing the battery capacity, but sources suggest that it has managed to fit a 5600mAh battery into the Mate XT. That is astonishing, considering this isn’t a large device by any stretch of the imagination – it’s only 12.8mm thick when folded up, which is barely any different from my Google foldable. That battery capacity is surely divided into sections to make it feasible to fit into such a form factor. Silicon-carbon is mostly untapped elsewhere, but it has clear user benefits.
Not compromising on cameras
I was a bit skeptical about the large camera bump on the rear of the Mate XT, and I’m not sure the octagonal design is for me either. However, I believe that just because a phone folds, it shouldn’t compromise on its camera setup. With Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold not upgrading the cameras over the original Pixel Fold, I think most foldable phone manufacturers have room for improvement in this area.
Huawei has quietly been making significant progress in camera technologies over the years. I remember using the Huawei P30 Pro, which was groundbreaking in night photography when it first launched five years ago in 2019.
That was thanks to new sensor technology, which the brand has continued to develop further. Other technologies, such as variable aperture, have also made their way into Huawei’s lineup – which is also featured in the Mate XT.
I’ve only had a brief time to explore the camera features of the Mate XT, but I’m happy to report that its triple camera setup is quite impressive, featuring a 50-megapixel main camera with optical stabilization and a variable aperture of f /1.4-4.0, a 3x optical zoom with stabilization, and an ultra-wide lens. Additionally, the absence of an under-display camera disrupting the screen’s visuals is a smart decision in my opinion.
However, the phone is expensive and has limited software capabilities.
Overall, I have a positive impression of Huawei’s tri-fold phone due to its many impressive features. While it comes with a hefty price tag, it may still offer value to certain users, despite costing as much as a 16-inch MacBook Pro.
It’s worth noting that the Mate XT has been officially launched in China only at a price of CNY ¥19,999, which roughly converts to £2,135/$2,835/AU$4,150. It’s important to consider potential additional costs such as taxes, which could further increase the final price.
It’s uncertain whether the Mate XT will be released internationally (rumored for 2025) and it won’t be available for purchase in the USA.
Despite any concerns about software and availability, what struck me most about the Mate XT is its advanced product design. This is not a hypothetical concept but a real, tangible product, demonstrating Huawei’s significant lead over its main competitors. This is a positive sign for innovation and competition, and it likely marks just the beginning of the future of foldable phones.
If you’re getting tired of the usual foldable phones, you should take a look at the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, which is being marketed as “the world’s first commercial triple foldable phone.” I recently had the opportunity to test it out.
We’ve been aware of foldables with two hinges in development by various brands, but Huawei is the first to have its phone available for purchase. Currently, it’s only on sale in China, but there are speculations that it may become available globally next year . The price is a staggering $2,800 when converted from the Chinese price, almost a thousand dollars more than a typical two-panel foldable.
I enjoy using foldables such as the Galaxy Z Fold 6, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and the OnePlus Open. While these devices are not identical, there has been a convergence of ideas and designs in the foldable phone market over the past few years.
The Mate XT introduces something entirely new, so I had the chance to try it out and see if it represents the next evolutionary step for foldables, a new sub-category, or simply a technologically advanced dead end.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design: Design and display
When fully open, the Mate XT measures a substantial 10.2 inches with a wide tablet-like aspect ratio. When fully folded, it becomes a more typical 6.4-inch rectangle, and when partially open, it takes on a 7.9-inch square-ish shape. The screen features a 90Hz refresh rate and a 3K resolution, as well as a punch-hole camera for selfies if necessary.
In comparison, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has 7.6 and 6.3-inch screens, and the OnePlus Open 8 and 6.3 inches.
The increased display space has resulted in a thinner design, allowing the Mate XT to boast a 3.6mm (0.14 inches) thickness when open, surpassing the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and OnePlus Open by a few millimeters, in addition to its three-part screen .
However, when closed, the Huawei is thicker at 12.8mm (0.5 inches), making it bulkier than almost any other phone currently available. It also weighs 298g (10.5 ounces), which is 50/60g more than usual, but it’s a reasonable trade-off for 50% more screen.
Foldable screens often have noticeable creases, but Huawei has managed to minimize them on the Mate XT. It’s no worse than the Galaxy Z Fold 6 or the OnePlus Open.
The Mate XT is available in red or black vegan leather, both with gold hinges and accents, giving it a luxurious appearance even when closed.
Initially, handling the phone can be confusing because the hinges do not open in the same direction, causing users to attempt to bend the phone in the wrong direction.
Fortunately, the build quality is high enough that it doesn’t feel like the phone is in danger when mishandled.
However, one of the hinges causes a bent portion of the display to be located on the outer edge, making the phone susceptible to damage if dropped, even when closed.
The included case covers this area with a flap that spans the length of the phone, but it may indicate a fundamental flaw in this triple foldable design that cannot be easily rectified without redesigning the entire phone.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design: Cameras
Foldable phones are often criticized for their camera hardware, but Huawei has chosen to disregard this notion. The Mate XT’s 50MP main camera is similar to its competitors on paper, but it features a variable aperture for greater photo control, a feature typically found on specialized photography phones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
Although it only has a 12MP ultrawide camera, which pales in comparison to the 48MP camera on the OnePlus Open, it does include a 12MP 5.5x telephoto, which is quite extraordinary for a foldable phone.
This demonstrates Huawei’s commitment to incorporating high-quality optics into the Mate XT. Additionally, it is equipped with an 8MP front camera, which may sound low-res, but it is likely still better than the 4MP inner camera of the Galaxy Z Fold 6.
Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate Design: Specs
Huawei has not disclosed much about the Mate XT’s chipset, but it is believed to be powered by a Kirin 9010, one of the company’s internally developed chips. The Mate XT is equipped with 16GB of RAM, which is the same as the Open and more than the Z Fold 6’s 12GB.
Similar to the Z Fold 6, the Mate XT starts with 256GB of storage and offers 512GB and 1TB options, providing ample on-board space for your data. The OnePlus Open, on the other hand, comes with a generous default 512GB capacity.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design: Software
The Mate XT runs on its own HarmonyOS after abandoning Android, which made it feel somewhat unfamiliar to use, especially with a majority of China-specific apps installed on our demo units.
Navigating and switching between apps felt smooth, as did resizing apps when opening or closing the screen. This is not surprising, considering that none of the Mate XT’s three display sizes are new; it’s the way it combines them all that’s innovative.
It’s worth noting that multi-tasking is limited to two split apps plus a third in slide-over mode, which is not as good as Samsung’s three-app split option or OnePlus’ excellent Open Canvas desktop mode.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design: Battery and charging
Featuring a 5,600 mAh battery, the Mate XT’s battery capacity is substantial for a foldable device, even though it’s only about 10% larger than a regular phone’s battery, despite powering a display that’s twice as big.
While not a direct comparison, an 11-inch tablet typically has around 8,000 mAh of capacity. When it’s time to recharge, the Mate XT supports speedy 66W/50W charging, although I did not have the opportunity to test it during my brief time with the phone.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design: Outlook
If you’re considering purchasing this phone, keep in mind that it costs around $2,800 when converted from the Chinese price and could be even more expensive if purchased internationally.
The box appears to include several accessories such as wall outlet and car chargers, as well as a pair of wireless earbuds and an in-box case with a rotating stand.
Some phone buyers have shown willingness to pay up to 2 grand for a foldable phone. However, it remains to be seen whether having three parts to your foldable instead of two justifies the price.
If you have anything left in your bank account after buying the Mate XT, Huawei offers an additional folding keyboard with a small trackpad if you want to use the Mate XT as a full work device. It has the screen space needed for editing documents, making calls, browsing the web, or doing all of these simultaneously.
Triple foldables won’t be exclusive to Huawei forever, but it may take some time before other phone makers introduce equivalent devices. There’s also the question of whether it’s worth paying an additional grand over the price of a standard foldable for an extra hinge and the screen space of an iPad, as opposed to an iPad mini.
The cost of a pocketable tablet is quite high, even more so than a typical foldable phone. You pay more, your phone is less durable and more expensive to repair, and many developers are still working on making their apps foldable-friendly.
A standard flagship phone and a tablet with a keyboard are unlikely to cost more than the Mate XT and will likely be much easier to purchase and use.
However, given that this phone is already on back-order in China, Huawei may have tapped into a potentially lucrative new trend. It has certainly captured people’s attention, which is often the first step toward capturing their wallets.
The release of the Mate XT occurred shortly after Apple unveiled its iPhone 16 series. Clearly, this timing was a strategic move by Huawei to divert some of the spotlight. In addition to featuring a unique dual-folding mechanism, the Mate XT is also one of the thinnest foldable phones on the market and allows for viewing multiple resizable app windows at once.
Starting at a steep RMB19,999 (about US$2,800), the Mate XT is a costly investment. Let’s examine the features and design of the Mate XT to determine if it truly sets new standards or if it’s just a flashy addition to the tech market.
Display
The Mate XT features a triple-fold design with a 10.2-inch LTPO OLED display boasting a resolution of 3,184 × 2,232 pixels and a 16:11 aspect ratio. It also offers a remarkable 120 Hz refresh rate, making it larger than any current foldable smartphone, surpassing models like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Honor Magic V3. Furthermore, the display supports the simultaneous viewing of multiple app windows that can be resized and arranged according to user preference.
Thanks to its innovative dual hinge design, the Mate XT can flex both inwards and outwards, offering three operational modes. When fully folded, the display provides a 6.4-inch screen, similar to that of a standard smartphone. Unfold it once, and you get a 7.9-inch screen, perfect for activities such as reading.
Unfold it completely, and it transforms into a 10.2-inch screen, ideal for watching movies or editing documents. This adaptability makes it easy to switch between a compact phone and a more expansive tablet interface.
Huawei has developed a special hinge system that enables seamless transitions between each mode. The hinges, made with high-grade steel used in rockets, are designed to withstand frequent folding. Reviews have highlighted that the folds remain invisible when the screen is viewed head- on; they only become apparent when viewed from an angle.
Additionally, the most commonly used apps in China, such as Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart), are already well-optimized for the Mate XT’s unique trifold screen.
Measurements
Weighing 298 grams, the Mate XT measures just 3.6 mm in thickness when fully unfolded—the same thickness as four stacked credit cards—and expands to 12.8 mm when folded. Although it’s slightly thicker than the Samsung Z Fold 6, which measures 12.2 mm, the Mate XT remains highly portable, especially notable given that it incorporates three screens into one sleek device.
Camera Quality
The camera setup of the Huawei Mate XT is headlined by a 50-megapixel main sensor with variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4). It also includes a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens offering a 120-degree field of view, perfect for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos. Additionally, there’s a 12-megapixel periscope camera with 5.5x optical zoom, ideal for capturing clear shots of distant objects. For photography enthusiasts, the camera’s versatility and the physical shutter that adjusts lighting conditions for each shots are major advantages.
AI Features
Powered by Huawei’s own Kirin 9010 chipset, the Mate XT incorporates several AI features that enhance its functionality and user experience. Its camera system utilizes AI to optimize image quality through features such as scene recognition, portrait enhancement, and smart object removal.
In addition to photography, its AI assistant offers several features, including:
– Voice editing that refines voice-to-text transcriptions
– Advanced translation function that facilitates side-by-side language switching in texts
– Smart summary extraction
– Cloud-based content generation
The Mate XT is available in two colors—black and red—and features a vegan leather back. It’s equipped with 16 GB of RAM and a 5,600 mAh battery, which is about 10% larger than typical smartphone batteries, despite the display being twice as large. It supports both 66W wired and 50W wireless charging for quick power-ups.
Running on Huawei’s proprietary Harmony OS, the Mate XT offers all essential connectivity options, such as GPS, Bluetooth 5.2, and 5G. It also includes standard smartphone features like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. A particularly notable feature is the inclusion of satellite communication , which ensures connectivity even in the most remote areas.
Image by Huawei
Each package includes several extras: a rotating bracket protective case, Huawei FreeBuds 5 earbuds, a 66W charger, and an 88W car charger. For enhanced productivity, Huawei offers an optional foldable split keyboard.
Is it worth the splurge?
Huawei’s Mate XT is a marvel of foldable technology and stands out in the market. However, it’s important to consider its high cost relative to its benefits. Starting at RMB19,999 yuan (US$2,809) for the base model and rising to RMB23,999 yuan (US$3,371) for the 1 TB version, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Additionally, if the display sustains damage, repair costs could reach US$1,100. For context, the first-time repair of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6’s folding screen—covering the OLED panel, metal bezel, and battery replacement—is discounted to US$200 , but subsequent repairs escalated to US$549.
Another significant concern is that Huawei devices cannot run on Google’s Android operating system. In 2019, US sanctions against Huawei halted access to essential Google services like the Play Store, Gmail, Google Maps, and YouTube. Huawei now uses its own HarmonyOS 4.2, but transitioning entirely to this platform could be a challenging adjustment for users accustomed to Google.
In the end, the Mate XT is made for individuals who are passionate about state-of-the-art technology and can afford its high price. If that sounds like you, purchasing the Mate XT could be a worthwhile investment.
Despite being the first phone with a triple-folding screen, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design doesn’t appear bulky or heavy when folded. It measures just 12.8mm and weighs 298g (excluding the screen surface layer), making it feel acceptable in hand even when fully folded, reminded of earlier folding screen devices.
In its fully unfolded state, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design showcases its impressive side. In the “three-screen state,” it reaches a remarkable thickness of 3.6mm, with the “thickest” side being only 4.75mm. This extreme thinness enhances the overall premium feel and showcases cutting-edge technology.
When fully expanded, the screen size reaches 10.2 inches with a 16:11 ratio, transforming it from a phone to a tablet. This completely resolves previous issues with traditional folding screens, providing a more complete display and an incredibly high resolution of 3184 × 2232 , delivering excellent color and perception.
Utilizing the three-screen structure, it can also transition to a dual-screen state resembling traditional folding screens, leveraging the software application ecosystem and functions of the previous Mate X series folding screens, fully utilizing Huawei’s ecological advantages in the folding screen field.
Let’s discuss the exterior. The tri-folding structure of the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design is the epitome of folding “mastery,” utilizing two pivots for internal and external folding, eliminating the need for an additional outer screen. This design ensures consistent display effects before and after unfolding.
The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design comes in two different colors, both featuring vegan leather, the Legendary Star Diamond design, and gold-colored components. They also boast a unique rock vein texture on the image module, claimed to be distinct for each piece, providing a personalized look for every user.
The black Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design appears deeper, with a stronger presence of the gold edge, giving it a more introverted and stable temperament.
The fiery red color exudes boldness and extravagance, with the gold accents taking on a red hue, creating a more prominent and luxurious appearance. Additionally, Huawei added a special craftsman logo on the back cover, adding a touch of chicness.
Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate Design was reviewed for its unique protective case design this time. The case complements the triple-folding body, providing protection for the folding structure and serving as a stand to enhance the large screen experience.
The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design, as a folding device, demonstrates a strong sense of innovation and offers a mature experience with its large, medium, and small screen forms. When unfolded, the oversized screen provides a significant utility boost, making it as productive as a tablet PC while being thinner and lighter.
These initial observations are just the beginning, and further testing will be conducted to explore more details and functionalities of the product.
Huawei, following its placement on the US trade blacklist in 2019, has started manufacturing its own advanced 5G and processor chips domestically. examined, it became the first to introduce a foldable smartphone with two hinges.
In the lead-up to the launch, Richard Yu Chengdong, chair of Huawei’s consumer business group, generated anticipation for the device by being photographed using it in public multiple times.
Through these strategies, the device garnered over 1.3 million pre-orders within seven hours of reservations opening on Huawei’s official e-commerce site, Vmall.com. By Monday afternoon, the Mate XT had received over 3 million pre-orders on Vmall, with Scalpers reselling it for at least 20,000 yuan ($2,821, £2,147) on the gray market, as reported by local media.
Official sales of the Mate XT are scheduled to commence on 20 September.
The 5G-capable Mate XT comes in red and black colors and offers 16GB of RAM, with internal storage options of either 512GB or 1TB, according to Huawei.
When folded, it resembles a standard smartphone; however, when unfolded, it reveals a large, nearly square screen, similar to a tablet.
Foldable smartphone shipments worldwide grew by 85 percent year-on-year in the April to June period, as per Tech Insights.
Huawei leads the global market due to its significant market share in China, followed by Samsung Electronics and China’s Vivo.
In the meantime, Apple has been promoting its AI plans since the beginning of this year, and these announcements have contributed to driving its stock price to record levels, reclaiming its position as the most valuable US-listed company ahead of Microsoft, Nvidia, and Google parent Alphabet.
Despite this, the company has encountered challenges in the crucial China smartphone market, with Huawei displacing it from the top five vendors in the quarter ending in July.
For the first time in history, all top five smartphone vendors in China in that quarter were domestic companies, researchers revealed.
Huawei’s success has been propelled by its Mate 60 flagship, introduced last summer, featuring a high-end chip produced domestically despite US sanctions on both Huawei and its chip-manufacturing partner SMIC.
Huawei has also been the leading seller of foldable smartphones in China for the past two quarters.
Honor, a Huawei spin-off, lags behind Huawei in China but secured the top position for foldable smartphones in Western Europe in the most recent quarter, according to Canalys.
