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The Future Is Folded—Three Times Over
Huawei has taken the foldable phone game to an entirely new level with the Mate XT Ultimate — the world’s first commercially available tri-fold smartphone. Launched initially in China in late 2024 and now rolled out internationally after breaking preorder records, this device is no ordinary gadget. With a 10.2-inch display that folds down into a device you can still slip into your pocket, it challenges the conventions of mobile design and sets a high bar for Samsung, whose foldables still stick to a more conservative book-style form factor.
The phone combines the capabilities of a smartphone, foldable, and tablet, packed into a single futuristic device. And at around €3,499 (approx. \$3,660), it’s also one of the most expensive mobile phones on the market. But is it worth it?
Breaking Down Huawei’s Tri-Fold Powerhouse
Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate is more than just an engineering feat — it’s a conversation starter. The device features a tri-folding design that allows it to switch between three screen modes: a standard 6.4-inch phone display, a 7.9-inch two-fold tablet mode, and a full 10.2-inch tri-fold experience.
At just 3.6mm thin when fully opened and 12.8mm when folded, it’s surprisingly sleek, even compared to the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6. While it is a bit heavy at 298 grams, the premium build and solid hinge mechanism give it a luxurious, durable feel.
Its screen quality is another win: a vivid LTPO OLED panel with rich color accuracy, 90Hz refresh rate, and high-frequency 1440Hz PWM dimming to reduce eye strain. Although it doesn’t reach 120Hz like some competitors, the larger real estate compensates by enabling true multitasking and a better media-viewing experience.
The phone’s aspect ratio of 16:11 offers a near-laptop feel when watching videos — a significant improvement over the narrow or boxy displays of other foldables. Watching 16:9 YouTube content feels natural, unlike with the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold, where black bars waste screen space.
Internally, the Kirin 9010 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB storage option offer reliable performance. Multitasking is fluid, animations are smooth, and the transition between modes is virtually seamless.
However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The global version runs EMUI 14, lacking the refinement of HarmonyOS. No native Google apps is a major limitation outside China, although workaround installations are possible. The camera system, while solid, doesn’t quite compete with Huawei’s best. And battery life — despite a sizeable 5,600mAh unit and fast charging — could suffer under intensive three-screen use.
Still, thoughtful touches like the built-in kickstand case show Huawei’s attention to practical usability.
🧠 What Undercode Say:
Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate is not just a smartphone, it’s a prototype of what smartphones could become in the next few years — a hybrid between phone, tablet, and productivity hub. This isn’t just a flashy concept device; it’s a full-fledged commercial product that already delivers on many promises that other foldables are still striving toward.
Samsung’s delay in embracing tri-fold tech now looks like a strategic hesitation. For a company that leads the foldable market, Samsung risks falling behind if it continues to play it safe. Huawei’s move, despite geopolitical hurdles and no access to Google’s full suite, is an act of bold innovation — and one that has proven commercially viable with record-breaking preorders.
Whats most revolutionary here isnt just the three screens.
Yes, software limitations due to the lack of Google integration are real. Huawei still hasn’t cracked the Western ecosystem challenge. But many users might find the trade-off acceptable — or even preferable — if they prioritize hardware innovation, privacy, and versatility.
That said, price remains a major barrier. \$3,600 is a steep ask for even the most tech-savvy consumers. But for early adopters, professionals, and mobile productivity enthusiasts, the cost might be justified.
In essence, Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate dares to dream bigger — not just to add more screens, but to redefine what a mobile device is capable of. Samsung now has little excuse to avoid pushing into this tri-fold category. Consumers have shown interest; the ball is in Samsung’s court.
🔍 Fact Checker Results
✅ The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate was first released in China and later globally in 2025.
✅ The tri-fold phone features a 10.2-inch display, making it the largest foldable display in a smartphone to date.
❌ The device does not come with Google Play Services out of the box globally, despite some online confusion.
📊 Prediction
Expect Samsung to reveal a tri-fold prototype or commercial product within 18 months — possibly as early as 2026’s Galaxy Unpacked event. The Mate XT Ultimate has proven that there is a market for advanced foldables, and Huawei’s success will likely accelerate competition. Additionally, Apple might double down on large-screen hybrid concepts — potentially skipping foldables altogether in favor of rollable or dual-screen innovations. Either way, the next era of mobile devices won’t be flat — and it won’t be limited to a single fold.
References:
Reported By: www.zdnet.com
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