Huawei’s Mate XT, the world’s first trifold phone, expands beyond china, but its £3,000 price stuns buyers.
Huawei has finally launched its groundbreaking trifold smartphone, the Mate XT, beyond Chinese borders—but it comes with a jaw-dropping price tag of €3,499 (around £3,000). While it’s the first and only foldable phone with three screen segments, major limitations—such as the lack of Google apps—raise questions about its global appeal.
A Revolutionary Display That Comes at a Cost
The Mate XT boasts a dual-hinge folding mechanism, allowing it to transform into three different screen sizes. When closed, it functions as a 6.4-inch compact smartphone. Unfold one section, and it expands to 7.9 inches, resembling a mini-tablet. Fully extended, it reaches a 10.2-inch display, competing with premium tablets. This versatility sets it apart from traditional foldables, yet its £3,000 price makes it one of the most expensive smartphones on the market.
Huawei’s engineers have managed to keep the device incredibly slim—just 3.6mm at its thinnest point when unfolded. That’s even sleeker than the upcoming Oppo Find N5, which aims to be the “world’s thinnest foldable” when shut. However, Huawei’s trifold design adds complexity, requiring users to fold the screen in different directions—something that may take time to get used to.
Strong Hardware, But a Familiar Software Limitation
Under the hood, the Mate XT packs high-end specs. It features a 5,600mAh battery, ensuring a full day of use despite its large screen. Both wired and wireless charging options are supported. Camera enthusiasts will appreciate its 50MP main sensor, alongside a 12MP ultrawide lens and periscope zoom camera. However, like all Huawei phones, it lacks access to Google services, including the Play Store, Maps, and Gmail.
Huawei introduced its own HarmonyOS Next operating system last year, eliminating Android dependencies. However, the Mate XT still runs on Huawei’s EMUI software, which, while Android-based, lacks Google integration. This absence remains a dealbreaker for many outside China.
A Limited Release for Now
Despite its premium pricing, Huawei’s Mate XT won’t be available in the UK or the US anytime soon. Instead, it’s set to launch in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico, with more regions expected later.
Huawei is offering the Mate XT in just one configuration—16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage—leaving no budget-friendly options for consumers.
The Mate XT was launched alongside the FreeArc open-ear earbuds, the Band 10 fitness tracker, and the MatePad Pro 13.2 tablet, further expanding Huawei’s premium ecosystem.
Final Verdict: A Luxury for the Few
Huawei’s Mate XT is undeniably an engineering marvel, but its hefty price and lack of Google services could limit its global success. While it pushes the boundaries of foldable technology, it remains a niche device for those willing to pay a fortune for innovation.
