A unique phone model, the Huawei Mate XT, stands out in the smartphone world for its advanced, triple-folding design.
The Huawei Mate XT is a phone that is different from the usual “flipping” or “folding” models. Instead, it has a “trifold” design, a new breakthrough in the smartphone industry.
I had seen some information and videos about this model online, but since it was exclusive to China, my curiosity about its practical utility, the durability of the creases, and its general handling made me reconsider.
Challenges and Considerations:
I wanted to know if the phone would be difficult to carry, what its physical trade-offs are (such as the screen creases that often occur in folding screens), and how practical cases would be for a triple-folding device. Additionally, I was also wondering why it is called a “trifold” if it only folds twice.
Huawei touts the experience of using the Mate XT phone in different forms.
Pocket or backpack-friendly:
When folded, the Mate XT fits easily into a pocket or backpack and works as a “regular” single-screen smartphone with an impressive design and excellent performance. I gave this experience a very good rating, calling it an “8 out of 10,” which is on par with some of the best single-screen experiences.
First fold: Small tablet mode:
Once the phone is opened it transforms into a small tablet with a 7.9-inch square display, which is the same size as other folding phones like the Pixel Fold or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.
While this mode is functional and looks fine, it feels like an intermediate step, as reviewers suggest it’s not the main intended mode for use — “Another fold is far from greatness.” The crease from this first fold is minimal and easy to ignore, providing a comfortable, almost seamless display experience.
Bezels and display:
The bezels around the screen remain thin, giving the phone a polished look. There is a small strip of blacked-out pixels on the far left, which doesn’t detract from usability.
This mode also allows for some creative tricks with the camera. Since the main camera is on the back, there’s no on the smaller tablet display. This allows you to take selfies using the high-quality main camera, a preview of which is displayed on the 6.4-inch screen on the back.
Display and camera quality:
The screen is vibrant, with good brightness and a 90Hz refresh rate, making it smooth and responsive. The phone has flagship-level triple camera.
However, the device feels a bit unbalanced in this mode due to its thickness and the combination of glass and leather material on each side.
Ultimate Fold: Full Tablet Mode:
The Ultimate Fold features a full 10.2-inch display, with a high resolution of 3184×2232 and 90Hz OLED technology for rich visuals. There are thin bezels around the screen, with a punch-hole selfie camera on the left.
With two creases and hinges, this setup opens up into an iPad Mini-sized screen that you can carry in your pocket, giving you the full experience of a small tablet.
Full-Sized Tablet in Your Pocket
One of the standout features of the Huawei Mate XT is its ability to unfold into a full 10-inch tablet, all while being pocket-sized when folded. This functionality alone is innovative, offering a mobile experience that transitions between a standard smartphone, a mini tablet, and a full tablet. When fully unfolded, the Huawei Mate XT becomes a large, nearly bezel-less tablet. The ultra-thin design makes it feel impressive in hand, but it can also feel slightly disorienting to hold because it’s much thinner than typical tablets, amplifying the futuristic feel.
Crease Management and Display
The Mate XT uses two creases—one inward-folding on the right side and one outward-folding on the left. Both creases are minimal, designed to be attentive, and feel surprisingly smooth when swiping across them. This attention to detail with crease management keeps the device looking sleek, avoiding the pronounced creases often seen in other foldable phones.
Software limitations
One notable limitation of the Mate XT is its software ecosystem. Since it is a Huawei device, Google services are not available by default, although some users may find workarounds. However, the phone is still largely oriented towards the Chinese market, with some elements of the operating system only available in Chinese. This can be frustrating for non-Chinese users and limits the device’s functionality outside of China, where specific cellular bands may also be missing. While Huawei has optimized the UI animations and overall user experience for the triple-fold form factor, making screen transitions seamless.
Learning curve and fold orientation
The unique folding design also comes with a learning curve. Users have to remember the correct way to fold and unfold the device, as folding it incorrectly triggers a prompt advising to fold it differently. Although this may take a bit of getting used to, it’s an intuitive safeguard to protect the device. The phone adjusts its UI based on the fold orientation, which provides a standard experience as you transit between modes.
Everyday Usability
In smartphone mode, the Mate XT offers a high-quality display with vibrant colors, a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, and brightness suitable for various lighting conditions. The device includes flagship specs, including Huawei’s Kirin 9010 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and a terabyte of storage, making it a powerhouse. The triple camera setup on the back (50 MP main, 12 MP ultra-wide, and a telephoto lens) delivers excellent photo quality. A unique feature of the camera system is the ability to adjust the size of the aperture on the main camera, allowing it to shift between f/1.4 for a creamy bokeh effect and f/4 for greater depth of field.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
The Mate XT’s 5,600mAh battery is decent, though it could face challenges supporting the expansive 10-inch display when used in full tablet mode for prolonged periods. This battery size is slightly smaller than typical 10-inch tablets, which often pack over 8,000mAh. However, Huawei offsets this limitation by incorporating 67W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, allowing users to recharge quickly.
Audio and IP Rating Limitations
The ultra-thin design presents physical limitations, particularly with the speaker system. The Mate XT’s speakers, located on the right and left corners when open, are small, which affects sound quality. While functional, they lack the depth and volume you’d expect from a traditional smartphone, let alone a tablet. Additionally, there’s no IP rating for dust or water resistance, a feature common in other high-end foldable devices, which may be a drawback for some users.
Case Design and Wireless Charging
Given the unique folding design, the Mate XT comes with a specially designed case that only covers the back when the phone is folded. This case also has a rotating kickstand, which enables hands-free viewing and doubles as protection for the screen’s exposed section. Impressively, the device supports wireless charging, a feature not often seen in foldable phones, thanks to the precise alignment of wireless charging coils.
Interestingly, some users may use the phone itself as a makeshift kickstand by folding it partway, resting on the screen’s outer edge. While functional, this method risks scratching the screen, so it’s not recommended for long-term use. Huawei has cleverly built the UI to adapt when the device is positioned this way, further emphasizing the Mate XT’s adaptability.
Key Specifications of Huawei Mate XT Tri-Fold Phone
| Feature | Details |
| Display (Closed) | 6.4-inch OLED, 90Hz, thin bezels, curved edges |
| Display (Fold 1) | 7.9-inch diagonal, square aspect ratio |
| Display (Fully Open) | 10.2-inch OLED, 3184 x 2232 resolution, 90Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Kirin 9000S chipset (7nm) |
| RAM | Up to 16GB |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
| Cameras | Triple setup: 50 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, telephoto |
| Battery | 5600 mAh, 67W fast charging, 50W wireless charging |
| Software | Huawei’s UI with limited Google services |
| Build | Thin slices (4mm), total 13mm thick, glass + leather mix |
| Price | $3000–$3500 (approx. USD) |
| Innovations | Tri-fold design, variable aperture, fast charging |
| Limitations | Small speakers, no water/dust resistance, high price |
FAQ: Huawei Mate XT – The Tri-Fold Smartphone
- What is the Huawei Mate XT?
The Huawei Mate XT is a tri-fold smartphone that offers three modes of operation: a standard-sized phone, a small tablet, and a full-sized 10.2-inch tablet. It is designed with most advanced folding technology, setting it different from traditional foldable and flip phones.
- How does the tri-fold mechanism work?
The Huawei Mate XT features two folding hinges:
- First Fold: Expands the phone into a small tablet with a 7.9-inch diagonal screen.
- Second Fold: Opens the device into a full 10.2-inch display, essentially converting it into a tablet.
- What are the key display features?
- Primary Screen (Closed): 6.4-inch AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate.
- Tablet Mode (Fully Open): 10.2-inch OLED display (3184×2232 resolution) with thin bezels and a punch-hole selfie camera.
- Creases: Two creases are present but are impressively minimal and unobtrusive.
- How portable is the Huawei Mate XT?
When closed, the Mate XT measures 13mm thick, which is comparable to many current foldable phones. It fits in most pockets and backpacks despite transforming into a full tablet when unfolded.
- What is the build quality like?
The phone features:
- A mix of materials, including glass and faux leather, for a premium yet unique feel.
- Thin individual sections (4mm each) that fold to create a compact design.
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance.
- What are the specifications?
- Processor: Kirin 9010 chipset (7nm architecture).
- RAM & Storage: Up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage.
- Battery: 5600mAh with 67W fast charging and 50W wireless charging.
- Cameras:
- 50MP main camera with variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4.0).
- 12MP ultra-wide and telephoto lenses.
- The main camera doubles as a selfie camera using the secondary screen as a viewfinder.
- How does the software work on the tri-fold design?
The software automatically adjusts to the different fold configurations:
- Transitions between phone, small tablet, and large tablet modes.
- Smooth animations ensure content stretches appropriately across panels.
- Alerts users if the device is folded incorrectly.
- Are there any trade-offs or limitations?
- Battery Life: The 5600mAh battery may struggle during prolonged use in tablet mode due to the large display.
- Speakers: Small, corner-mounted speakers lack depth due to the thin design.
- Price: The device is priced around $3000–$3500, making it one of the most expensive foldable phones.
- Software: Limited compatibility with Google services and apps, as the phone is primarily designed for the Chinese market.
- What’s included in the box?
- A protective back case with a kickstand, designed to safeguard the device when folded.
- An 80W charging brick for rapid charging.
- A pre-installed screen protector for additional durability.
- Why is the Huawei Mate XT considered unique?
- It’s the first tri-fold smartphone on the market, capable of transitioning from a pocket-sized phone to a 10-inch tablet.
- Features advanced engineering and premium materials.
- Offers innovations like variable aperture lenses and ultra-fast charging.
- Are there alternative ways to use the device?
- The phone can act as its own kickstand when folded into certain configurations, though this risks scratching the screen.
- The secondary display doubles as a selfie viewfinder using the main camera.
- Why isn’t it widely available?
The Huawei Mate XT is currently limited to the Chinese market, with limited software support for global users. Importing is the only way to obtain it outside China.
- What’s the verdict?
The Huawei Mate XT pushes the boundaries of smartphone design, offering an unmatched combination of portability and functionality. While it has some trade-offs, it represents a bold step forward in foldable technology.