First introduced in China back in September 2024, Huawei has now announced the Mate XT Ultimate Design, – the world’s first tri-fold smartphone is making its way to global markets.
Reports have suggested this will be a wide rollout with multiple countries already being mentioned, such as Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and Mexico. However there has been no word on whether this device will be making its way to South African shores. And if you want to get your hands on one by importing – Get ready to cough up €3,499 (~$3,660). That’s a serious chunk of change, but then again, Huawei isn’t playing in the budget space here.
A Folding Mechanism Unlike Any Other
Forget your standard foldable. The Mate XT isn’t just one big screen that folds in half—it folds twice. Thanks to a dual-hinge system, it transforms into three distinct modes:
- Single Screen (6.4 inches) – Your everyday smartphone mode.
- Dual Screen (7.9 inches) – A productivity-focused layout with more screen real estate.
- Triple Screen (10.2 inches) – Basically, a tablet in your pocket.
The concept? Genuinely impressive. It pushes foldable tech further than anything we’ve seen before. And despite its mechanical complexity, Huawei has kept it surprisingly sleek, measuring just 3.6mm when fully unfolded and weighing 298 grams—which, considering its size, is pretty respectable.
Under the Hood: Premium Power, But With a Catch
Powering the Mate XT is Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9010 processor, paired with 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage—serious flagship-level specs. Keeping everything running is a 5,600mAh battery with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, meaning you won’t be tethered to a charger all day.
Photography isn’t an afterthought either. The triple-camera setup includes:
- 50MP main sensor
- 12MP ultra-wide lens
- 12MP periscope telephoto
Solid hardware, no doubt. But here’s where things get a little tricky: the Mate XT runs on Huawei’s EMUI 14.2, which means no Google apps out the box. That’s proven to be a major sticking point for global users who rely on services like Gmail, Google Maps, or the Play Store. Yes Huawei’s app ecosystem has improved massively and there are workarounds such as Gbox and sideloading of APK’s – But it’s still a hefty compromise and often painful inconvenience at any price point let alone a $3,600 (R67,000) one.
Huawei’s Global Gamble
Bringing the Mate XT to international markets is a big move for Huawei, especially given the challenges it’s faced since the U.S. sanctions of 2019. These restrictions cut off Huawei’s access to advanced chips and Google services, leading to a sharp decline in global sales. But despite the hurdles, Huawei has clawed back market share, securing 23% of the global foldable market in 2024—second only to Samsung’s 33%.
The Mate XT is Huawei’s way of saying: “We’re still here, and we’re still pushing boundaries.” But at $3,660, it’s a tough sell. Luxury foldables have their niche, but software limitations and a sky-high price tag could deter mainstream adoption.
What This Means for the Industry
The Mate XT is more than just another foldable—it’s a bold experiment. If it succeeds, it could reshape how we think about mobile devices, pushing other brands to explore multi-fold designs. Hey, if the rumors of Samsungs supposed triple foldable are anything to go by, it seems Huawei may have just reignited hardware innovation.
