Huawei Mate XT: The Ultimate Tri-Fold Luxury Phone

Huawei’s Tri-Fold Phone, the Mate XT, is making waves in the tech world, despite its steep price tag. This groundbreaking device, touted as the next evolution in foldable phones, has captivated tech enthusiasts and consumers alike, even as it remains scarce and highly coveted.

The foldable phone market in the U.S. is slowly maturing, with notable advancements from major players like Samsung and Google. However, Chinese brands, particularly Huawei, are still leading the charge with innovations that push the boundaries of portable technology. The Huawei Mate XT, a tri-fold phone, exemplifies this progress. This device features a 10.2-inch screen that folds twice, transforming into a compact 6.4-inch phone when closed. While the term “tri-fold” might suggest a three-part screen, it actually refers to the device’s unique folding mechanism that involves three distinct layers of display.

The Mate XT represents a significant leap in design and engineering. When fully unfolded, the phone is an impressive 3.6mm thick, making it the thinnest portable computing device currently available. This sleek profile is crucial, given that the phone’s folded configuration results in a total thickness of 12.8mm, due to the stacking of three layers. Despite this, the device remains relatively lightweight at 298 grams, which contributes to its overall portability and ease of use.

During a brief hands-on session with a Huawei-provided unit, I was struck by the Mate XT’s impressive hardware. The hinge mechanism is robust, allowing the device to maintain various angles with stability. The software is well-optimized for the dynamic screen aspect ratios, ensuring a seamless user experience. The build quality and engineering precision reflect Huawei’s commitment to pushing the envelope in mobile technology.

One of the standout features of the Mate XT is its camera system. The phone is equipped with a main 50-megapixel camera that includes a variable aperture, capable of switching between f/1.4 and f/4. This physical aperture adjustment allows for greater flexibility in photography, accommodating a range of lighting conditions and shooting scenarios. Additionally, the Mate XT boasts a Periscope camera with 5.5x optical zoom, providing impressive telephoto capabilities with a focal length exceeding 120mm. While my time with the device was limited, the main camera’s performance appears comparable to Huawei’s flagship Mate 60 series, which is known for its exceptional imaging quality.

Under the hood, the Mate XT runs on Huawei’s self-developed Kirin chip, rumored to be the Kirin 9010. This is paired with 16GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and performance. The phone also houses a 5,600mAh battery, which might seem modest given the large 10.2-inch screen. This raises questions about the battery life in real-world usage, as larger screens typically demand more power. Nonetheless, Huawei’s expertise in optimizing battery performance may mitigate this concern.

The Mate XT is currently available for purchase, but securing one is a significant challenge. The phone’s official retail price is set at 20,000 yuan (approximately $2,800), but high demand and limited stock have led to it being sold out in many locations. Resellers are capitalizing on this scarcity, with prices soaring to as much as $6,000 in some cases. In Hong Kong, where a contact predicts the first batch will arrive, the phone is expected to retail for around HK$55,000. This dramatic markup underscores the device’s status as a luxury item, particularly in China, where Huawei products are highly coveted.

In summary, the Huawei Mate XT is a testament to the company’s innovation in the foldable phone sector. Its advanced design, impressive hardware, and cutting-edge camera capabilities set it apart from competitors. While its high price and limited availability make it a luxury item, the Mate XT’s technological prowess and unique features make it a significant milestone in the evolution of mobile devices. As the demand for foldable technology continues to grow, the Mate XT’s introduction marks a pivotal moment in the industry, showcasing Huawei’s leadership and vision in the realm of advanced mobile computing.