The Huawei Mate XT Review: The World's First Tri-Fold Phone

Introduction

You've heard of flipping phones, you've heard of folding phones, but technology never slows down. Presenting the first tri-fold phone in history, the Huawei Mate XT. This cutting-edge device offers a preview of the mobile technologies of the future while pushing the limits of smartphone design. Although flip-and-fold phones are already becoming more and more common, the Mate XT goes above and beyond with its innovative tri-fold mechanism that lets you view an even larger screen. The Mate XT was only released in China; therefore, even with its innovative concept, it hasn't been easily accessible on the international market. Nonetheless, it's an interesting advancement in phone design that shows the potential of technology when engineering and creativity are combined.

Closed Mode: The Regular Phone Experience

When the Huawei Mate XT is closed, it’s a pretty standard 6.4-inch phone. It doesn’t feel too bulky, and the screen brightness is solid, offering a 90Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. The bezels around the screen are surprisingly thin, with the screen curving around the right side, and the software adapts to create a fourth bezel. The right side curves into the screen, and the design makes it look like a normal phone.

In terms of thickness, the Mate XT is about 13 millimeters when closed, which is thicker than typical smartphones but comparable to other foldables like the Z Fold 6. The power button, which doubles as the fingerprint reader, is located slightly back from the center, and the volume buttons are placed along the right side. While the exposed screen on the device could be vulnerable when carried in a pocket, it’s still a very respectable phone with a solid overall user experience, earning a solid 8/10.

Unfolding for Tablet Mode

Upon unfolding the phone for the first time, it transforms into a small tablet. With a 7.9-inch display, it becomes comparable to other folding phones like the Pixel Fold and Samsung Z Fold. The screen is roughly square, and while it’s usable in this form, I think it’s clear that the device is meant to be fully unfolded.

In this configuration, the Mate XT has a minor crease that’s impressively small and easy to ignore during use. The display has thin bezels all around, and there's a blacked-out strip of pixels along the far left side. The camera setup offers the ability to take selfies with the main camera while previewing them on the 6.4-inch screen that's wrapped around the other side.

While using the phone as a tablet, there’s a little awkwardness since it’s twice as thick on one side as the other, but it’s still solid. The material feels a bit odd with a glass side and a leather material on the other. Overall, it’s very impressive, scoring a solid 7/10.

The Full Unfold: The 10.2-inch Display

The real magic happens when you fully unfold the Mate XT. This reveals a massive 10.2-inch display with 90Hz OLED quality, making it a full-sized tablet in your pocket. The display stretches out across three panels, and it’s possible to notice two creases in the screen. One crease folds inward while the other folds outward. Despite this, both creases are impressively small and don’t affect the display much.

The entire device, when fully opened, is shockingly thin—almost disorienting. The bezels around the display are very small, and while the screen itself is large, the whole device is still pocketable. While playing around with it, it’s easy to be amazed by how compact the device is for the size of the screen.

Software and User Interface Adjustments

The Huawei Mate XT comes with software tweaks to accommodate the tri-fold display. When fully opened, the entire UI stretches across the three panels, creating a smooth transition between them. The animation as the screen transitions between three panels is impressively fluid.

However, there is a learning curve to closing the phone correctly. If you try to unfold it in the wrong order, the phone will notify you with a message saying, "Fold it a different way to use the device, please." Once you get the hang of unfolding it, the experience becomes much smoother.

Cases for the Huawei Mate XT

The Huawei Mate XT comes with a case that’s designed to protect the phone when it’s closed. The case attaches to the back, covering the exposed side screen and offering some protection from debris. The case also includes a built-in kickstand, which can rotate to support the device at different angles. It can also move out of the way for wireless charging, so you can charge the phone wirelessly while using the case.

However, there’s a certain type of person—probably a reckless individual—who might use the phone itself as a kickstand. While it works as a stand for watching videos, it can lead to scratching the screen, so it’s not recommended.

Flagship Specs: A Powerhouse Inside

Despite its ultra-thin design, the Huawei Mate XT is packed with flagship phone-level specs. It houses the Kirin 9010 chip, up to 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage. The device also comes with a triple-camera setup: a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a telephoto lens. The 5,600mAh battery is split across the device’s segments, and it supports 67W fast charging and 50W wireless charging.

Feature	Specification
Display	- 6.4-inch (closed mode)
	- 7.9-inch (tablet mode)
	- 10.2-inch tri-fold OLED, 90Hz refresh rate
Processor	Kirin 9010 chip
RAM	Up to 16GB
Storage	Up to 1TB
Cameras	- 50MP main camera
	- 12MP ultra-wide camera
	- Telephoto lens
Battery	- 5,600mAh (split across device segments)
	- 67W fast charging
	- 50W wireless charging
Build	- Tri-fold design
	- Thin bezels
	- Mixed materials (glass and leather)
Software	Customized UI for tri-fold display
Additional Features	- Fingerprint reader integrated into power button
	- Case with kickstand and wireless charging support
Weight	298g
Price	$3,000 to $3,500 (depending on configuration)

Pricing: The Cost of Innovation

The Mate XT is priced around $3,000 to $3,500, depending on the configuration. This puts it in line with other high-end foldable phones, although the price tag is still substantial for what is essentially a concept phone. The tri-fold form factor adds immense value in terms of innovation, even if there are a few trade-offs, like battery life and the lack of an IP rating for water resistance.

Trade-offs: What to Consider

While the Huawei Mate XT is impressive in many ways, it does come with a few trade-offs. The battery, at 5,600 mAh, is on the smaller side for a device of this size. Larger tablets often have batteries upwards of 8,000 mAh, so this may affect performance when the device is fully open. The speakers are also quite poor, given the thinness of the device, and the lack of an IP rating for dust and water resistance is a drawback. Finally, the price is a significant factor, as it's an expensive phone that’s not yet globally available.

Pros

• Innovative Design: Features a unique 10.2-inch tri-fold display.
• Impressive Build Quality: Thin bezels, durable materials, and a unique design.
• Versatile Modes: Functions as a phone, tablet, and large screen.
• Powerful Specs: Kirin 9010 chip, up to 16GB RAM, and 1TB storage.
• Fast Charging: Supports 67W wired and 50W wireless charging.
• Creative Camera: Selfies with the main camera and rear-screen preview.

Cons

• High Price: Costs $3,000 to $3,500.
• Battery Limitations: 5,600 mAh may struggle with heavy use.
• Poor Speakers: Thin design impacts audio quality.
• No Water Resistance: Lacks an IP rating.
• Learning Curve: Folding and unfolding require practice.
• Limited Access: Only available in China.

Conclusion: The Future of Tri-Fold Phones

Despite the challenges, the Huawei Mate XT is an astonishingly innovative device. The ability to fit a 10-inch screen into something that fits in your pocket is nothing short of impressive. This could very well be the phone of the future, offering the combination of a smartphone and tablet in one device. While it’s not without its flaws, the Mate XT demonstrates that tech companies are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, and I can't wait to see what future iterations will bring.