Huawei Launches World's First Tri-Fold Smartphone: The Mate XT

Just a day after Apple's launch event, Huawei, one of China's biggest phone producers, also had its launch event where they announced the Huawei Mate XT, which they claim is the world's first tri-folding phone.

For over a month, there had been talks about what to expect from the device. There had been several leaks of pictures of different notable people using the phone but, all this while, Huawei did not comment. Even the launch date got leaked on X before people could know when to expect it.

Now, Huawei has launched the first tri-fold phone after reportedly working on the device for 5 years. The result of their efforts is an ultra-thin, 10.2-inch, unique LTPO OLED display device that comes in red with gold accents.

At first glance, it looks similar to other foldable phones. It's comparable with existing foldable phones but may be slightly thicker when folded. However, when the screens are unfolded, the Huawei Mate XT reveals its unique tri-fold design.

Described by some as "one machine with multiple functions," Huawei has packed the Mate XT with numerous features and impressive specifications. The phone, which folds three times, includes a 5600mAh battery, a minimum of 256GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM.

This battery capacity surpasses some of the other top-end foldable phones currently available on the market, such as the Google Pixel Fold (4821 mAh) and OnePlus Open (4805 mAh), but to be fair, it has a bigger screen.

The Mate XT's larger screen allows it to function as a small tablet for work and other tasks, or it can be folded up and used as a standard smartphone. The device runs on Huawei's HarmonyOS, which allows it to operate like a PC. This versatility could potentially make the device appealing as a daily driver for some users.

Following current trends, the tri-fold phone also includes AI-powered features such as translation, messaging, and photo editing.

Currently, the phone's availability is limited. Huawei has only officially launched it in China, with no announcements regarding its release in other countries. In China, the phone is priced at ¥19,999 (approximately $2,808).

While this innovative device pushes the boundaries of foldable phone technology, its success will likely depend on real-world performance, durability, and whether the tri-fold design offers meaningful benefits over existing foldable phones.