Huawei Debuts World’s First Triple-Fold Smartphone

2025-02-20 products

Shenzhen, Thursday, 20 February 2025.
Huawei launched the innovative Mate XT trifold phone on February 19, 2025, aiming at affluent consumers with its unique design, despite international limitations from lacking Google services.

Revolutionary Design and Specifications

The Mate XT stands as a technological marvel with its groundbreaking triple-fold design, featuring a 10.2-inch Hi-Res HUAWEI X-True™ display when fully opened [6]. At just 3.6 mm thick when unfolded [1], the device transforms between three configurations: a 6.4-inch phone when closed, a 7.9-inch tablet when partially unfolded, and a full 10.2-inch display when completely extended [7]. Priced at €3,499 ($3,660) [3], the device comes equipped with a substantial 5,600 mAh battery and impressive storage specifications of 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage [7].

Engineering Excellence

The engineering behind the Mate XT showcases Huawei’s commitment to durability and precision. The device employs an Advanced Precision Hinge System utilizing ultra-high strength steel with a strength of 1900 MPa [6]. The sophisticated folding mechanism incorporates 26 precision cams for smooth operation [6], while the design includes Eonic Curves created through 78 intricate processes resulting in 80 layers of steel [6]. The phone also features multi-directional flexible materials that are 25% more bend-resistant and include non-Newtonian fluid materials for enhanced impact resistance [6].

Market Position and Availability

Huawei’s market presence has shown significant growth, with its share in China’s smartphone market increasing from 12% in 2023 to 17% in 2024 [3]. The company currently holds 23% of the global foldable phone market, trailing behind Samsung’s 33% [5]. The Mate XT’s launch markets include Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico [7], though notably absent from the UK and US markets [7]. Industry analysts project that selling half a million units could generate $1.5 billion in revenue [3].

Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite its innovative design, the Mate XT faces significant challenges in international markets due to the absence of Google Mobile Services [3][5]. This limitation particularly affects the device’s appeal to consumers who rely on Google’s ecosystem [5]. However, the global foldable phone market shows promising growth, with shipments expected to reach 45.7 million units by 2028, up from 20 million last year [5]. Industry expert Bryan Ma from IDC notes that ‘Right now, Huawei kind of stands alone as an innovator’ [5], highlighting the company’s unique position in pushing technological boundaries.

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Huawei smartphone triple-fold