Huawei is making waves in the foldable smartphone market once again with its Mate XT, a bold new entry boasting an innovative tri-fold design. I recently tested this phone, and it’s clear that Huawei is taking the foldable market to the next level. While there are some concerns about the practicality of the device, its form factor, display, and cameras set it apart from other foldables currently on the market.
Innovative design with three screen sizes
The Huawei Mate XT introduces a unique folding system that expands from a 6.4-inch phone-sized display to a 7.9-inch panel and, when fully unfolded, a 10.2-inch tablet-like screen. The folding mechanism is supported by two hinges, allowing the device to adopt a Z-folding design. This design gives users the versatility to switch between a regular smartphone experience, a larger display for multitasking, and a tablet-sized screen for watching videos or getting work done.
One thing that struck me immediately was how thin the Mate XT is. At just 12.8mm thick when folded and a mere 3.6mm when fully unfolded, it’s impressively slim for a foldable. This is even more remarkable when you consider the additional hinge and display, especially compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, which is slightly bulkier despite having fewer features.
Tackling foldable display issues
One of my main frustrations with previous foldable devices, particularly the Galaxy Z Fold series, has been the square internal display, which limits the experience when watching videos. Huawei has addressed this by offering a 16:11 aspect ratio on the Mate XT’s internal display, making it far more suitable for media consumption. Although there are still slight black bars on the sides when watching videos, the experience is significantly better than on other foldables.
Huawei has also improved multitasking on this device. With the 10.2-inch display, you can use two apps side by side, giving it a productivity edge over competitors. The expanded display real estate makes it easier to manage tasks and view content simultaneously.
Concerns about durability
Despite the innovative design, I couldn’t help but worry about the outer hinge, especially since part of the screen is always exposed due to the Z-fold mechanism. Foldable displays are typically made of plastic, which tends to scratch more easily than glass. Given how much of the screen is exposed when the device is folded, users might find themselves dealing with scuffs and scratches sooner than expected. Additionally, the screen’s reflective nature might be distracting under certain lighting conditions.
Huawei’s camera system stands out
Huawei didn’t skimp on the camera setup for the Mate XT. It features a 50-megapixel primary camera with a wide f/1.4 aperture, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 12-megapixel periscope lens offering 5.5x optical zoom. The larger main sensor and wide aperture ensure natural, creamy bokeh without the need for AI enhancement, which gives it an edge over some of its competitors.
Although I only had limited time to test the camera in a well-lit environment, the results were impressive. The Mate XT performed well, producing vibrant, detailed images with a shallow depth of field. The periscope zoom lens is also an excellent addition, allowing for high-quality close-ups without sacrificing clarity. However, the large camera bump on the back is noticeable, though that seems to be a common trend in high-end smartphones.
Performance and battery life
The Mate XT is powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9010 chipset, paired with 16GB of RAM and a whopping 1TB of storage. In my brief time with the device, it felt fast and responsive, but I didn’t have the opportunity to push it to its limits. The 5,600 mAh battery supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, which is impressive for a device with such a large display. However, the true test will be how long the battery lasts with heavy use of the 10.2-inch screen.
The future of foldables
The Mate XT arrives in a competitive foldable market, particularly in China. HONOR, Vivo, and OPPO are expected to launch similar tri-fold devices soon, and Huawei’s Mate XT is sure to inspire even more innovation in the sector. Samsung, which has been a dominant player with its Galaxy Z Fold series, is likely due for a major refresh, as the current iteration of its foldable design has remained relatively unchanged since 2019.
Huawei’s Mate XT has undeniably pushed the boundaries of what a foldable phone can be, and it raises questions about how other manufacturers will respond. With more triple-fold designs on the horizon, it will be fascinating to see how the foldable market evolves in the coming years.
Pricing and availability
The Huawei Mate XT is priced at around CNY 19,999 ($2,800/€2,550), making it one of the most expensive foldable devices on the market. Currently, it is available in China with no official word on a global launch. Huawei may eventually ship up to 1 million units, which could suggest a broader release, but for now, availability remains limited.
The Mate XT may not be for everyone, especially given its hefty price tag and potential durability concerns, but it certainly represents a significant leap forward in foldable phone design. Whether you’re looking for a device that excels at multitasking or you’re simply intrigued by its unique form factor, the Mate XT is a powerful statement from Huawei that it remains a major player in the foldable space.