The triple-foldable phone was launched into the market by Huawei, which is the first company to do so globally.
Aiming to outshine its American competitor, especially in China, the business unveiled the new Mate XT Ultimate Design on Tuesday, just hours after Apple revealed the iPhone 16 lineup.
When folded, the Mate XT Ultimate Design resembles a standard phone, but it can extend to reveal two or triple screens, according to Huawei.
The triple screen simulates a 10.2-inch tablet, while the dual screen looks like a square. The display folds twice, according to the Chinese tech giant, and is composed of flexible materials that can bend in any direction. This is attributed by Huawei to the hinge technology, which “involves two tracks working in tandem to support inward and outward folds.” This makes it possible to switch between modes for one, two, and three screens.
The standard model costs 19,999 yuan (about $2,800; £2,199; AU$4,245), while the largest storage variation costs 23,999 yuan, or $3,370. Since Huawei’s Shenzhen launch event, the trifold phone has received over 4 million preorders—with no deposit needed—according to the company’s web store. At the moment, only China has access to it.
The Mate XT Ultimate Design is not projected to be a significant sales engine for Huawei given its exorbitant price tag. However, the Chinese company’s primary goal is still to win the foldables race. This is because its smartphone division collapsed in recent years as a result of multiple rounds of US penalties. In fact, an IDC report from the second quarter states that Huawei has taken the top spot in the global foldables market. With a global market share of 27.5%, Huawei overtook Samsung, with Samsung holding a share of 16.4%.
Meanwhile, recent rumours suggest that Apple’s first foldable phone won’t happen until 2025 at the latest. It will likely be a flip phone. Due to regional laws, Apple would first need to collaborate with a Chinese AI business before making it available.
The research firm International Data Corporation projects that the global foldable market will reach 25 million devices by the end of 2024, a 37.6% increase from the 18.1 million units sold in 2023. IDC projects that global shipments of foldable phones would reach 45.7 million units by 2028.
Key specifications of the Huawei Mate XT:
- Cover screen: 6.4 inches Dual screen: 7.9 inches
- Triple screen: 10.2 inches
- Rear Camera: 50-megapixel ultrawide-angle camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide-angle camera, 12-megapixel periscope telephoto camera
- Front camera: 8 megapixels
- Battery: 5,600-mAh battery Storage: 16GB + 256GB, 16GB + 512GB, 16GB + 1TB
- Special features: Triple-folding design, AI features, satellite communication, stylus support, keyboard attachment.
Read more on Tech Gist Africa:
Apple is likely to launch its foldable iPhone as soon as 2026
Samsung has unveiled new smartphones with foldable screens
Huawei to Unveil World’s First Foldable Phone Ahead of Samsung
Lenovo Introduces the World’s First Foldable PC to South Africa
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