Huawei has launched its second-generation tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XTs, marking another step in foldable phone innovation. The announcement comes as Samsung fans continue to wait for the debut of the company’s first tri-fold device. Huawei’s latest release builds on last year’s Mate XT, which was the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, and introduces minor upgrades, including stylus support and new colour options.
The Mate XTs retains the distinctive S-shaped folding design that made its predecessor stand out. The handset features a 10.2-inch LTPO OLED flexible display, which folds in two places – one inward and one outward. In single-screen mode, the panel measures 6.4 inches, while switching to dual-screen mode expands it to 7.9 inches.
The display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, 1440Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, and a maximum touch sampling rate of 240Hz. The device measures 3.8mm when unfolded and 12.8mm when folded, with a weight of 298g. Powering the Mate XTs is Huawei’s Kirin 9020 chipset, which delivers 36% faster performance compared to the Kirin 9010 found in the original Mate XT. The phone comes with 16GB of RAM as standard, along with storage options of up to 1TB.
Camera and battery improvements
Huawei has also focused on imaging capabilities with the Mate XTs. The device carries a 50MP primary camera, supported by a 40MP ultrawide lens and a 12MP periscope telephoto unit. This triple-camera setup aims to deliver versatile photography for users looking to capture detail, wider landscapes, or distant subjects.
The battery inside the Mate XTs has a capacity of 5,600 mAh. Charging options include 66W wired fast charging, 50W wireless charging, and 7.5W reverse wireless charging for powering other devices. These features enable users to recharge their phones quickly, offering flexibility in charging methods.
The smartphone is offered in four colour options: black, red, purple, and white. Pricing starts at CNY 17,999, which is approximately US$2,520. For now, Huawei has only announced availability in China, with no confirmation of an international release date.
Samsung prepares its own tri-fold
The launch of the Mate XTs placed added pressure on Samsung, which was expected to reveal its first tri-fold device later this year. Reports suggest that Samsung will initially produce around 50,000 units of the model, reflecting the company’s cautious approach to consumer demand in the emerging tri-fold market.
While Huawei now has two generations of tri-fold devices on the market, Samsung has yet to make its entry. Industry watchers note that with the Chinese manufacturer setting the pace, Samsung will need to move quickly if it hopes to remain a leader in the foldable smartphone sector.
