I Was Wrong About the Huawei Mate XT (and You Might Be Too)
I was wrong about the Huawei Mate XT! Its tri-folding design & powerful specs make it a game-changer. You might be wrong too!
I recently learned that the famous saying “seeing is believing” is often misquoted. The full phrase, from 17th-century English clergyman Thomas Fuller, is actually “Seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth.” This better explains how I feel about the Huawei Mate XT.
Before seeing the Mate XT in person, I had only read about it and seen pictures online. It is the world’s first commercially available dual-screen, tri-folding smartphone. I thought it was just a fancy, expensive experiment that only a few people would buy. But after holding it in my hands at a Huawei event, I realized I was completely wrong.
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First Impressions About the Huawei Mate XT
When Huawei first launched the Mate XT in China, I wrote that it was so expensive you could buy four PlayStation 5 Pros for the same price. That is still true. But now that I have experienced the phone myself, I understand why it received over three million preorders in its home market.
For those unfamiliar with the Mate XT, it is very different from other foldable phones. Instead of folding once like a book, it folds twice, like a three-panel brochure. At first, I thought calling it “tri-folding” was incorrect because only two screens fold. But after using it, I see why the name makes sense. The biggest advantage is that you get three displays in one device.
Display and Design of the Huawei Mate XT
When folded, the Mate XT has a 6.4-inch screen. When partially unfolded, it turns into a 7.9-inch display. Fully opened, it expands to an impressive 10.2 inches. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a 7.6-inch screen when opened. The Mate XT is almost as big as Apple’s iPad 10.9 (2022), making it a real tablet replacement.
I was worried about the phone’s durability and whether the screen would have deep wrinkles where it folds. I also thought it might feel flimsy. But after holding it, I was surprised. The Mate XT feels solid and well-built. The hinges stay in place at any angle and don’t flop open or shut. Strong magnets keep it securely closed. The screen creases are not very visible, similar to those on the Honor Magic V3, which has some of the least noticeable creases among foldable phones.
Power and Performance
Mate XT is just as powerful as it is beautiful. It runs on Huawei’s Kirin 9010 chipset with 16GB of RAM. Storage options go up to a massive 1TB. Battery is also impressive with a 5,600mAh capacity. It supports fast charging: 66W wired and 50W wireless using Huawei’s SuperCharge technology.
Camera Features
On the camera side, the Mate XT has a triple-lens rear setup:
- 50MP main lens – Captures high-quality photos.
- 12MP ultra-wide lens – Great for landscape shots.
- 12MP periscope lens – Provides zooming capabilities.
Phone also has an 8MP selfie camera. These are solid flagship camera specs making Mate XT a strong competitor in the foldable phone market.
Foldable Phones: The Future of Mobile Devices?
Foldable phones have promised to combine the convenience of a phone with the larger screen of a tablet. Devices like Galaxy Z Fold 6, Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and OnePlus Open are good but they often feel like a compromise. Huawei Mate XT, however, feels like a real step forward in foldable technology.
Mate XT is currently only available in China and a select few international markets, including Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. We can see a preview of foldable smartphones’ future thanks to it, though. According to rumors, Samsung is developing a tri-folding phone that could be released in 2025. We may see more brands follow suit if that occurs.
Looking Back: Was I Wrong?
At first, I dismissed the Huawei Mate XT as an overpriced gimmick. But after experiencing it, I now see its value. If you’ve only seen pictures or read about this phone, you might be underestimating it too. Sometimes, seeing (and feeling) really is believing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes the Huawei Mate XT special?
The Mate XT folds twice, giving you three screen sizes: 6.4 inches (phone mode), 7.9 inches (mid-fold), and 10.2 inches (tablet mode). This makes it more versatile than other foldable phones.
2. Is the Huawei Mate XT durable?
Yes, it feels sturdy with strong hinges that hold their position. It’s also very thin when fully opened (just 3.6mm), making it an impressive piece of technology.
3. What are its key specs?
- Processor: Kirin 9010
- RAM & Storage: 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage
- Battery: 5,600mAh with 66W fast charging
- Cameras: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP periscope, 8MP selfie
4. Is it available worldwide?
It first launched in China but is now sold in some countries like Malaysia, UAE, and Mexico. However, it does not have Google services, which may be a drawback for some users.
5. Is it worth considering?
If you thought it was just a gimmick, it’s worth a second look. It’s a powerful, innovative device that could set the standard for future foldables. However, it comes at a high price.
Conclusion
The Huawei Mate XT changed my opinion on tri-folding phones. It is a well-built, powerful, and innovative device that shows where smartphone technology is heading. While it’s not perfect and may not be practical for everyone, it’s definitely an exciting glimpse into the future of mobile devices.
