On the same day Apple launched the iPhone 16 series, Huawei unveiled its highly anticipated triple-fold smartphone Mate XT. The industry’s first mass-produced triple-fold device, it starts at 19,999 RMB ($2,810), making it the most expensive phone in Huawei’s history.
At the launch event, Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei’s Consumer Business Group, stated that the Mate XT is the world’s largest foldable phone as well as the world’s thinnest. During the presentation, Yu showcased the device in its three modes – single screen, dual screen, and triple screen – along with a range of application scenarios.
Why it matters: The concurrent product launches by Huawei and Apple every September have become an annual highlight in the tech industry. Before Huawei, companies such as Samsung, Transsion, and TCL had also showcased triple-fold designs. However, due to the challenges of mass production and uncertainties about commercial viability, none of them have brought a mass-produced model to the market.
Details: The Mate XT features a 10.2-inch screen and unfolds to a thickness of 3.6 mm. Huawei’s self-developed hinge system enables both inward and outward folding within the device, forming the foundation for the mass production of the triple-fold screen, according to the company.
- Compared to current foldable phones, triple-fold phones are better for data viewing and watching videos, according to Yu Chengdong. “When you’re on a plane or a train and need to review reports or PowerPoint presentations, you can open the Mate XT like a tablet for an immersive reading experience,” said Yu.
- To enhance its suitability for office scenarios, Huawei introduced a foldable touch keyboard designed to pair with the Mate XT. At the launch event, Yu demonstrated the keyboard by pulling it from his pocket, and showing how it can provide a PC-like experience when used with the Mate XT. The Mate XT includes three batteries, one of which is the world’s largest silicon anode battery with a 5,600mAh capacity, yet is only 1.9mm thick.
- The Mate XT offers a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 12MP telephoto lens. The company is yet to reveal details about the chip specifications.
- The triple-fold device is priced at RMB 19,999 ($2,810) for the 256GB version, RMB 21,999 ($3,092) for the 512GB version, and RMB 23,999 ($3,372) for the 1TB version. The high cost of triple-fold phones is due to their expensive manufacturing, but the company has said it aims to lower costs in the future through process improvements and better yield rates.
Context: On Tuesday, Apple unveiled the iPhone 16 series, which includes four models: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. This series is Apple’s first AI-powered phone. Apple Intelligence will be launched next month and will be accessible across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms.
- Apple Intelligence will support American English at launch next month, with expansion to localized English in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK by December. Support for Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish will be available next year.
- China’s smartphone market experienced 10% year-on-year growth in the second quarter, with shipments exceeding 70 million units, according to market analysis firm Canalys. In the second quarter, Vivo led with a 19% share, followed by Oppo at 17%, Huawei and Honor both at 16%, and Xiaomi with 15%.
