Huawei has stepped up its foldable game by unveiling its second-generation tri-foldable phone, the Mate XTs, beating Samsung to public production in this novel category.
Branded as a “PC in your pocket,” the Mate XTs pushes the boundaries of smartphone form-factor versatility. Its tri-fold design takes what you’d expect from a phone and elevates it to a tablet-like experience—with all the convenience of mobile portability.
Pricing: Premium but Slightly More Accessible
- The base variant (16 GB RAM + 256 GB storage) is priced from CNY 17,999, roughly ₹2.20 lakh.
- Higher configurations go well beyond ₹2.50 lakh.
This pricing places the Mate XTs squarely in the ultra-premium bracket, though still more affordable than its predecessor at launch before imports and markups.
Display & Design: A Triple-Screen Engineering Feat
- Closed (phone mode): 6.4-inch display
- Mid-unfold (tablet mode): 7.9-inch
- Fully unfolded: 10.2-inch screen—comparable to an iPad
- Weight: 298 g
- Thickness (fully open): 3.6 mm
The Mate XTs retains smart ergonomics while pushing hardware innovation with its tri-fold OLED panel and slim hinge design.
Hardware Highlights & Stylus Productivity
- Processor: Huawei’s new Kirin 9020 SoC
- Memory & Storage: Up to 16 GB RAM, and up to 1 TB storage
- Stylus Support: Now compatible with the M-Pen 3, which can also double as a presentation remote—a strong nod toward productivity-focused users
Camera System: Sharp and Versatile
- 50 MP primary camera (ultra-aperture)
- 40 MP ultrawide, plus
- 12 MP periscope telephoto lens with optical image stabilization
- (Original News18 write-up noted a 40 MP ultrawide; sources elsewhere specify 12 MP—both confirmed as significant camera upgrades) .
Battery & Charging Capabilities
- Battery Capacity: 5,600 mAh
- Charging Support: 66 W wired, 50 W wireless fast charging
- (Note: PhoneArena lists similar specs, reinforcing battery and charging figures.
Where It Stands—and Stumbles
- Design Innovation: Still the only commercially available tri-fold device, setting a benchmark ahead of rivals like Samsung
- Global Availability: Currently China-only launch; Huawei has not confirmed any plans for an international rollout.
- Market Outlook: While its unique design appeals to trailblazers, the high cost and Huawei’s software ecosystem—particularly the absence of Google services outside China—remain major barriers for broader adoption
Final Take
Huawei’s Mate XTs ambitiously bridges the gap between smartphone and tablet, offering unprecedented screen real estate in a pocketable form. Yet, its high price tag and geographic restrictions potentially limit its global allure. Still, for tech aficionados and productivity-minded users, it stands as a bold showcase of what foldable smartphones can become.
