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TL;DR
- Huawei launches the Mate XT Ultimate Design, the world’s first triple-foldable smartphone, with a 10.2-inch screen that can fold into three configurations.
- The device is priced at $2,800 for the base model and has already received over 4 million preorders in China.
- Huawei has overtaken Samsung as the global market leader in foldable phones, with a 27.5% market share.
- The launch highlights Huawei’s innovation in foldables and potential challenge to Apple in China, where iPhone sales have been declining.
Huawei has unveiled the world’s first commercially available triple-foldable smartphone, the Mate XT Ultimate Design, just hours after Apple’s iPhone 16 announcement. The device features a flexible 10.2-inch display that can be folded into three different configurations.
When fully unfolded, the Mate XT offers a tablet-like 10.2-inch screen. It can be partially folded to a 7.9-inch dual-screen mode, or completely folded into a compact 6.4-inch smartphone form factor. Huawei claims the display is made of flexible materials that can bend in multiple directions, enabled by an innovative hinge system with dual tracks supporting inward and outward folds.
The Mate XT Ultimate Design comes with a hefty price tag, starting at 19,999 yuan (approximately $2,800) for the base 256GB storage model. Higher capacity 512GB and 1TB variants are priced at 21,999 yuan and 23,999 yuan respectively. Despite the premium pricing, Huawei reports over 4 million preorders have already been placed through its online store in China.
Key specifications include:
- Triple camera system: 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP periscope telephoto
- 8MP front-facing camera
- 5,600 mAh battery with 66W wired and 50W wireless charging
- 16GB RAM across all storage configurations
- HarmonyOS 4.2 operating system
The device also boasts AI features, satellite communication capabilities, stylus support, and an optional keyboard attachment.
Industry analyst Will Wong from IDC commented on the launch:
“The production constraints and price point of Huawei’s latest product may not have a huge impact in terms of shipments, but it’s telling consumers that it’s still the tech leader and the potential challenge it brings to Apple may be far beyond just market share.”
While triple-folding phone concepts have been demonstrated before by companies like Samsung and TCL, the Mate XT Ultimate Design marks the first mass-produced device of its kind to reach consumers. It underscores Huawei’s continued focus on innovation in the foldable smartphone segment, where the company has recently overtaken Samsung as the global market leader.
The Mate XT Ultimate Design is currently only available for preorder in China, with sales beginning on September 20. There’s no word yet on potential international availability.
News source: Cnet
