HUAWEI’s Mate XT, the world’s first commercially available tri-fold smartphone, has already crossed 400,000 units sold in China since its launch back in September 2024. That’s an impressive figure for a device this experimental—and this expensive.
A Bold Design That’s Working
At a time when most foldables are still figuring out the balance between practicality and wow-factor, Huawei went all-in with the Mate XT’s tri-fold design. Unfolded, it transforms into a 10.2-inch display, giving you a full tablet-like experience. Folded down, it returns to a more traditional smartphone form—though it’s far from conventional.
What’s surprising is how slim it stays for something with so many moving parts: just 3.6mm thick when unfolded.
From Niche to Mass Appeal?
Despite the high price tag (upward of CNY 19,999, or roughly $2,600), consumers in China have embraced the Mate XT. Analysts, including Ming-Chi Kuo, have now increased their forecast for the device, projecting shipments could hit 1 million units before the year ends.
That kind of traction is unusual for a first-gen foldable—especially one with such an untested form factor. But it also proves something important: users are increasingly open to new smartphone experiences, especially when there’s a strong use case behind it.
Global Expansion? Not So Fast
Right now, the Mate XT’s success is largely confined to China, and a few hurdles stand in the way of global adoption. The biggest? No Google services out of the box. That alone limits appeal in Western markets, no matter how good the hardware is.
Still, Huawei’s push with the Mate XT shows what’s possible when a brand leans into innovation—and actually follows through with a usable, polished product.
Whether or not you’re sold on the idea of a tri-fold phone, there’s no denying the Mate XT’s impact. It’s reshaping how we think about foldables, and maybe more importantly, it’s proving that even the boldest ideas can work—if they’re done right.
With the Mate XT leading the charge, we might be entering a new chapter in smartphone design where bigger really is better—and more folds just might be the future.
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