Review tri-fold Huawei Mate XT: Breakthroughs and problems

Huawei has once again pushed the boundaries of mobile technology with its latest innovation, the Huawei Mate XT. This is the world’s first trifold, triple-screen foldable smartphone, a true marvel of modern engineering. But while its design and performance are impressive, the device comes with eye-watering repair costs. In this review, I’ll walk you through the specs, performance, and whether this cutting-edge device is worth its price.

A groundbreaking design

Huawei’s Mate XT is a masterpiece of design and innovation. With a 10.2-inch OLED display that folds in three parts, this device stands out from anything we’ve seen before. When fully unfolded, you’re greeted by a massive screen with a resolution of 2232 x 3184 pixels, making it larger than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 or Honor Magic V3. The phone offers a 7.9-inch display when partially unfolded and a compact 6.4-inch mode when folded.

You might wonder if all those folds make the device bulky. Surprisingly, even with its trifold design, the Mate XT measures only 12.8mm thick when folded. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is 12.1mm thick, meaning the difference is almost imperceptible. However, Huawei’s innovative folding system allows for an expansive screen that makes multitasking and media consumption a breeze.

Durability: A major concern

While the Mate XT’s design is undoubtedly futuristic, durability is where things get tricky. Foldable devices are generally more fragile than traditional smartphones, and the Mate XT is no exception. Huawei has equipped it with ultra-thin glass (UTG) and a non-Newtonian fluid-based coating on the outer screen to enhance durability. The hinge mechanism, called Tiangong, is reportedly strong and reliable. Yet, given the intricate design, repairs are both necessary and costly.

Repair costs: A wallet-breaking experience

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: repair costs. Replacing the OLED screen, the Mate XT’s most expensive component, will set you back a staggering $1,123 if you let Huawei recycle the damaged screen for free. If not, the cost rises to $1,376. To put this in perspective, for the same amount, you could almost buy a brand-new iPhone 16 Pro Max.

And it doesn’t stop there. The motherboard replacement will cost $1,278, while smaller repairs, like replacing the battery or cameras, range from $70 to $107. These prices make the Mate XT not just an expensive purchase but also a device that will weigh heavily on your wallet if you ever need repairs. For a device priced at $2,800, you’d expect it to be a little more robust, but foldable devices still have a way to go in terms of long-term durability.

A display to rival the best

While durability is a concern, the display of the Mate XT is nothing short of spectacular. The 10.2-inch trifold OLED panel offers 1.07 billion colors, with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1440Hz PWM dimming. The screen is sharp, vivid, and fluid, making it perfect for everything from gaming to watching movies. The wide color gamut and HDR support add another layer of visual quality, ensuring that whatever you do on this screen looks fantastic.

The flexibility of having three different display sizes—6.4 inches, 7.9 inches, and 10.2 inches—is incredibly useful for multitasking. Whether you’re reading, watching videos, or using multiple apps at once, the Mate XT offers plenty of screen real estate.

Performance: Top-notch hardware

Powering the Mate XT is Huawei’s Kirin 9010 processor, an octa-core chip with impressive AI capabilities. Paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage, this phone handles any task you throw at it without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or working on multiple apps, the Mate XT performs smoothly.

The device runs on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s operating system, which is fast, fluid, and packed with features. It also offers satellite communication, a feature that could come in handy for those who need connectivity in remote areas.

Camera performance: A solid contender

Huawei didn’t cut corners with the Mate XT’s camera setup. The device boasts a triple-camera system with a 50MP primary camera featuring a variable aperture, a 12MP periscope telephoto lens with 5.5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The 8MP front camera is sufficient for selfies and video calls, and the main camera delivers excellent photo quality in most lighting conditions.

While the camera may not be groundbreaking compared to the latest flagship devices from Samsung or Apple, it holds its own. The inclusion of laser autofocus, optical image stabilization (OIS), and 4K video recording ensures that you get crisp, professional-looking images and videos.

Battery life and charging

With a 5600mAh battery, the Mate XT is built to last through a day of moderate to heavy use, even with its large, power-hungry display. It supports 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, allowing you to quickly top up the battery when needed. You also get 7.5W reverse wireless charging, meaning you can charge other devices, like your wireless earbuds, using the phone.

Price

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is priced at $2,800 (€2,549), making it one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. It comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, with prices ranging from $2,809 to $3,371.

Conclusion: Is the Huawei Mate XT worth its price?

If you’re someone who loves cutting-edge technology and doesn’t mind paying a premium for it, the Huawei Mate XT is an impressive device. Its massive trifold display, versatile design, and powerful performance make it a joy to use. However, the exorbitant repair costs are a major drawback. If you’re rough on your phones or simply want a device that can take a few bumps, this is not a good choice for you.

In the end, the Mate XT is an exciting glimpse into the future of smartphones, but it comes with the caveat of being fragile and costly to maintain. If you’re willing to take that risk, you’ll have one of the most unique phones on the market in your hands.

Specifications of Huawei Mate XT