Once again, Huawei has pushed to the limit of innovation in smartphones with the highly awaited Mate XT, the world’s first tri-fold device. Boasting a first-ever Z-shaped folding mechanism, this new release promises to reshape the current foldable phone market by offering sleek, ultra-thin designs, unparalleled versatility, and a powerhouse of features packed inside a lightweight frame.
At the heart of the Mate XT is its innovative tri-fold design, enabling seamless transitions in device form factor-from compact phone to a full-fledged tablet. Users can fold their device for a 6.4-inch display that’s comfortable enough for one-handed use. When partially unfolded, the screen expands to 7.9 inches, ideal for watching videos or multitasking. Opening up, the Mate XT becomes a great huge 10.2-inch tablet-arguably the most extensive foldable display in the market today. It is for this very reason that the Mate XT is perfect for everything from casual browsing to serious productivity.
The result is, of course, the very important technological achievement that is a Z-shaped folding mechanism, opening to users greater screen sizes while keeping the phone robust and easy to use. Given the complex engineering involved with the product, the Mate XT is, however, very thin, coming in at just 12.8mm folded, among the thinnest foldable devices ever made, and separating it from rival companies who fail to balance functionality with a slim profile.
That being said, though, the Mate X Ts weights a remarkable 238 grams-a pretty light weight for a gadget with that huge screen. All of that portability does not sacrifice any power. The phone arrives with a battery size of 5600mAh; this makes sure of all-day use, even for apps and media consumption that suck power. The Mate XT supports up to 66-watt wired fast charging to get users back up to full battery in record time and supports 50W wireless charging, too, since apparently nobody wants to plug in anything any more.
Performance-wise, this is not to disappoint, the Mate XT is an absolute beast: it will munch through everything from gaming to professional-grade multitasking, thanks to Huawei’s flagship chip and optimized software across all three display modes. Also, Huawei has, over the years, proved its worth in mobile photography; and the Mate XT is not far behind with its premium camera system spearheaded by a variable-aperture 50MP main sensor to click sharp and detailed photos in several variants of light conditions.
The 12MP ultrawide camera is perfect for landscape shots, while the 12MP periscope telephoto lens provides 5.5x optical zoom for long-distance photography. With Huawei’s XMAGE technology integrated, the Mate XT promises enhanced color accuracy, contrast, and low-light performance-made literally true for photography enthusiasts. Industry experts have praised the tri-fold design and thin profile of the Mate XT, with many believing it might be just the device to change the shape of foldable technology.
“Huawei has not only advanced the foldable concept with the Mate XT but also solved many of the usability challenges we’ve seen with previous foldable models,”
says tech analyst Daniel Cheng.
Due to the Z-fold mechanism, there’s more versatility on offer, and with the ultra-thin lightweight profile, for its size, the device will never feel cumbersome.
Would-be consumers also share equal enthusiasm. For all these years, foldable phones have been unanimously believed to be too big and thick; the thin design of Mate XT can overcome all these grievances, making it desirable for consumers seeking portability paired with functionality.
“I love the idea of having a tablet and a phone in one,”
says early tech enthusiast Amy Lu.
“And the fact that it’s not heavy or too thick makes it even better.”
Priced at 19,999 yuan, or just under $2,800, the Mate X represents the high-end in foldable phones. That may limit reach to very high-end consumers alone; Huawei is still betting that the innovation in the device would make up for the price in those seeking real innovation. It follows that the Mate XT will arrive on September 20, 2024, and is sure to change the game in the foldable phone segment.
As analysts noted, this trifold device would give Huawei a good chance to regain part of its lost shares and create a potentially serious challenge for other rivals, including Samsung and Google, both of which are also investing heavily in foldable technologies. Its combination of versatility, svelte design, and powerful features could make the Mate XT tough to top in foldable phones for years to come.
