Huawei has confirmed the launch of the first trifold smartphone, with two hinges opening up to create a 10.2-inch screen. Featuring black gold trim and a red or black leather exterior, the Huawei Mate XT launches first in China, starting at CNY 19,999 (USD 2,808).
The new premium device concept sees Huawei stepping up its challenge to Apple, with the Mate XT launched just a day after the latest iPhone. In addition to the new form factor, the Mate XT comes with extra services, such as ‘butler’ set-up assistance, two free pick-ups for maintenance and cleaning, and a free screen replacement for up to one year.
Weighing 298g and running Huawei’s Harmony OS 4.2, the smartphone has a 6.4-inch main screen that can be folded open once to 7.9 inches and then again to 10.2 inches. The Oled panels come with LTPO adaptive refresh and up to 240Hz touch sampling, with up to 2,232 x 3,184 pixel resolution on the largest screen. Huawei’s Freebuds 5 are included in the box, and users have a choice of 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB internal storage.
The Mate XT is also pre-loaded with the latest genAI functions, such as a text editor, information search and summary feature, photo editor and translation expert. In addition, the phone builds on the emergency satellite function introduced last year on Huawei’s Mate 60 with an improved antenna to support global satellite communications back-up with China’s Tiantong fleet.
Other features include a new silicon-anode battery designed to keep the phone slim and deliver capacity up to 5,600 mAh with wireless charging at 50W. The camera includes a periscope telephoto lens with up to 5.5x optical zoom and 50x digital zoom, along with a 50-megapixel main camera with 10-speed variable aperture (f/1.4 to f/4.0) and OIS and a 12-megapixel ultra wide angle lens.
Pre-orders have started, and Huawei’s website claims it already has 4 million orders booked. Official sales of the Mate XT start 20 September, the same day as the new iPhone, and the phone will be promoted with Andy Lau, the Hong Kong director and actor, as brand ambassador.
