Huawei gears up to unveil its tri-fold phone

Have you ever wondered if your smartphone could do more? Huawei seems to think so. They’ve been dropping hints on Weibo about their upcoming tri-fold phone, set for an official reveal on September 10th – right after the Apple Event on the 9th.

However, this device is stirring up curiosity because it promises something a bit different from the form factors we're used to—folding not once, but twice.

The concept of a tri-fold phone has been buzzing in the tech space for a while now. Just a few weeks ago, we covered the early rumours and leaked photos of this device, speculating that it could be a game-changer in the smartphone market.

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The Z-shaped design, which features two hinges, allows the phone to expand into a 10-inch display—essentially turning it into a tablet-sized device. This flexibility could make the tri-fold phone incredibly versatile, especially for users who juggle multiple tasks and need more screen space on the go.

But with the excitement comes some uncertainty. Tech leaker Ice Universe recently confirmed the reveal date on X (formerly Twitter), yet Huawei remains tight-lipped about many of the specifics. What’s expected, though, is that the phone will run on the HiSilicon Kirin 9 series chipset.

As with any cutting-edge technology, there’s likely a price to match. Reports from Android Police suggest the tri-fold phone could cost around 35,000 RMB (~ $4,900), nearly three times the price of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6.

This raises an important question: Is Huawei’s tri-fold phone a commercial launch aimed at setting a new standard, or is it more of a showcase for innovation—a product that will remain out of reach for most consumers?

One significant factor to also consider is the device’s limited availability. For now, it seems the tri-fold phone will only be launching in China.

This restricted release, combined with ongoing trade sanctions on Huawei, which prevent the company from using Google services, could hinder its adoption outside of China.

Without access to Google’s ecosystem, the phone might struggle to gain traction in global markets, potentially limiting its impact.

Despite these challenges, the tri-fold phone could still push the boundaries of what foldable devices can do. With other companies like Tecno exploring similar designs, this might be the beginning of a new trend in smartphone technology.

However, whether Huawei’s tri-fold will become the new form factor for foldables or simply remain a high-end novelty remains to be seen.