Just when foldable phones were starting to feel like old news, Huawei decided to kick things up a notch and drop the Mate XT—the world’s first tri-foldable phone that’s actually going on sale. Yep, you read that right. This isn’t just another concept phone to tease your techie heart; it’s real, it’s folding in three parts, and it’s about to change the game. But before you get too excited, here’s the catch: it’s only available in China (for now), and it’ll cost you a cool $2,800.
So, What’s a Tri-Fold Phone?
Think of a tri-fold phone like this: you take your regular foldable phone, but instead of just one fold, there’s a second one. Sounds fancy, right?
The Mate XT folds at two points, so when fully open, it reveals a massive 10.2-inch display. That’s about triple the size of the average phone screen. You can use it folded up like a standard phone, or unfold it once for a larger display, similar to the big-screen foldables we’re used to. Then unfold it one more time, and boom! You’ve got a mini-tablet in your hands.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a tri-fold concept, but it’s the first time you can actually buy one. If you’re living in China, that is. Rumor has it that an international launch is coming early next year, so stay tuned.
What’s the Point? Who Needs a Tri-Fold Anyway?
The question I keep hearing is, “Why would anyone need this?” And honestly, I get it. It sounds like overkill. But here’s the deal: aspect ratios. Ever get annoyed when you unfold your fancy foldable phone, and it still doesn’t give you much extra width for watching videos? That’s where the Mate XT steps in.
The full 10.2-inch display gives you a 16:11 aspect ratio, which is pretty close to the 16:9 format that most TV shows and movies use. Translation? You’re getting more horizontal screen space for streaming without those annoying black bars at the top and bottom. Plus, you’re basically getting three devices in one: a regular phone, a square-ish foldable for multitasking and reading, and a full-size tablet for watching stuff or getting work done.
One downside?
Huawei’s software isn’t fully optimized for all this extra screen real estate. You’d think they’d let you lock three apps onto the three screen sections, right? Nope. You’re stuck with two locked apps and a third as a floating window. It’s a missed opportunity, especially when other foldable phones, like the OnePlus Open, are nailing the multitasking game.
Surprisingly Tough for a Foldable
Let’s talk hardware, because this is where things get impressive. I spent some time messing around with the Mate XT, and let me tell you, it doesn’t feel fragile at all. For a phone that folds in three places, that’s a big deal.
At first, opening the phone feels a little weird—each side folds in a different direction, and your brain’s like, “Wait, what?” But after you get used to it, the magic kicks in. This thing is insanely thin. Fully unfolded, it’s just 3.6mm thick, which is thinner than the Honor Magic V3 and on par with other top-tier foldables. When folded up, it’s about as thick as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6, despite having that extra fold. Yeah, it’s a bit heavy at 300g, but for a phone that turns into a 10-inch tablet, that’s pretty light.
And let’s not forget those hinges. Each one feels sturdy, with one locking into place thanks to a built-in magnet. The screen panels stay put in a variety of positions, so you’re not dealing with flimsy, wobbly parts like we saw in the first gen of foldables.
A Few Gripes
Now, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The Mate XT doesn’t have an IP rating, so its long-term durability is questionable. And while Huawei includes a case in the box, it’s not exactly confidence-inspiring. The flimsy case covers just one of the phone’s three sections and has a flap to protect the exposed hinge. The kickstand? Don’t even bother—it wobbles like it’s had one too many drinks and struggles to hold the phone up when it’s fully unfolded.
But hey, this is still a first-gen tri-foldable. For what it is, the Mate XT is shockingly well-built. It feels like a finished product, not just a prototype that accidentally made it to market.
The Future of Foldables?
The Mate XT is setting a new bar for foldable phones. It’s pushing boundaries and forcing other manufacturers to keep up. Yeah, it’s pricey and might not be the most durable option, but it’s a solid step forward in foldable tech.
Will we see a tri-fold from Google or Samsung soon? Probably. But for now, Huawei’s Mate XT is leading the charge, and it feels a lot less fragile than you’d expect from a phone that folds in three places. Just be prepared to fork over some serious cash for the privilege of owning one.
Now, let’s see how long it takes before the rest of the world catches up.
