Huawei’s Innovative Tri-Fold Smartphone: The Mate XT Ultimate Design
Earlier this month, Huawei, the renowned Chinese electronics giant, unveiled the Mate XT Ultimate Design, the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, in China. This groundbreaking device has garnered immense interest, leading to it selling out almost immediately at launch. As demand surges, Huawei is poised to introduce this state-of-the-art smartphone to the international market early next year.
Specifications and Pricing
The Mate XT Ultimate Design comes with impressive specifications that highlight its advanced technology. The base variant features 16 GB of RAM paired with 256 GB of internal storage, priced at CNY 19,999 (approximately Rs 2,35,900). Other variants include a 512 GB version for CNY 21,999 (approximately Rs 2,59,500) and a 1 TB variant at CNY 23,999 (approximately Rs 2,83,100).
Display Features
This dual SIM smartphone operates on HarmonyOS 4.2 right out of the box. Its display is nothing short of spectacular; when fully unfolded, the screen measures a generous 10.2 inches with a resolution of 3,184 x 2,232 pixels. The innovative flexible LTPO OLED display adapts in size to user needs, with dimensions of 7.9 inches (2,048 x 2,232 pixels) when folded once and a compact 6.4 inches (1,008 x 2,232 pixels) when folded again for enhanced portability.
Camera Capabilities
Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the advanced camera setup on the Mate XT Ultimate Design. The rear features a robust 50-megapixel primary camera equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an adjustable aperture ranging from f/1.2 to f/4.0. It also includes a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 12-megapixel periscope telephoto camera that offers impressive 5.5x optical zoom with an f/3.4 aperture. For selfies and video calls, an 8-megapixel front camera is provided, ensuring high-quality imaging in all scenarios.
Competitive Landscape
Huawei’s innovative smartphone is set to challenge major players in the rapidly expanding foldable smartphone market. Notably, Apple is reportedly developing its own clamshell-style foldable device, suggesting an era of intense competition with South Korean tech titan Samsung, known for its leadership in foldable technologies.
Future Developments
This launch follows Huawei’s introduction of the foldable smartphone Pocket 2 in February. The company remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of smartphone technology. Additionally, Xiaomi is also preparing to enter the tri-fold smartphone market, having recently filed a patent application for its own design with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA).
Summary Table
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Display Size (Unfolded) | 10.2 inches (3,184 x 2,232 pixels) |
| Display Size (Folded Once) | 7.9 inches (2,048 x 2,232 pixels) |
| Display Size (Folded Twice) | 6.4 inches (1,008 x 2,232 pixels) |
| Base Variant Price | CNY 19,999 (approx. Rs 2,35,900) |
| Camera (Rear) | 50 MP primary, 12 MP ultra-wide, 12 MP periscope |
| Front Camera | 8 MP |
This dynamic landscape suggests that the foldable smartphone segment is on the brink of a revolution, and Huawei is at the forefront of this innovation. As more companies enter this space, consumers can expect even more exciting advancements in smartphone technology.
