Skip to main content

Huawei could launch its second tri-fold phone next year

Huawei Mate XT Ultimate in two-screen mode.
Huawei Mate XT Ultimate in two-screen mode Prakhar Khanna / Digital Trends

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate was the world’s first tri-fold phone. According to leaker FixedFocus (via Huawei Central), a successor may arrive as early as mid-2026. This follows the international launch of the first model last month.

According to the tipster, the second-generation Mate XT is expected to resemble the original model but will feature an improved camera system and improved Kirin 5G chips. A better display panel is also anticipated. The current model launched with a three-lens arrangement and Kirin 9010 5G chipset. The Mate XT runs on Harmony OS and offers various RAM and storage options. It also has a 5,600mAh battery.

Recommended Videos

The Huawei Mate XT signified a significant advancement in foldable smartphone technology. Its most notable feature is its ability to unfold into a 10.2-inch display, which offers a tablet-like experience perfect for multitasking, streaming media, and productivity tasks. The device also retains the convenience of a foldable design that allows it to be compact and easily portable.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The phone’s single screen measures 6.4 inches, while its dual screen is 7.9 inches.

Tri-fold phones are still in their early stages, but that may change soon as companies like Samsung are expected to enter the market. Rumors suggest that the maker of the Galaxy S25 Ultra is developing its first tri-fold phone, which could be launched as early as this summer.

Huawei’s Mate XT features a single flexible panel that folds inward, while Samsung’s tri-fold device is anticipated to fold inward from both the left and right sides.

If you’re thinking about purchasing a Huawei phone, it might be difficult depending on your location. Countries such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, and others have banned Huawei products due to security concerns.

Bryan M. Wolfe
Bryan M. Wolfe has over a decade of experience as a technology writer. He writes about mobile.
We finally have a name for Samsung’s teased tri-fold phone
The Huawei Mate XT.

Several months ago, we first heard rumors about Samsung's alleged tri-fold phone — a device that would rival the Huawei Mate XT — after leaker Yeux1122 shared information on a South Korean social media page. Now that same tipster is back with a supposed name for the product: the Samsung Galaxy G Fold. He also suggests a release window of January 2026 based on information provided by Ross Young, a supply chain analyst whose insights have led to multiple early reveals, although Yeux1122 points out that some sources suggest a late 2025 release.

The Galaxy G Fold will be 9.96 inches wide and 6.54 inches high, according to Yuex1122's blog post on Naver. The device will be a bit different from existing handsets in that it folds on both sides, and he says "Weight is about the same as H, but slightly thicker." We assume this is a reference to the Huawei Mate XT, one of the only other trifold phones on the market. It weighs 298 grams or 10.51 ounces — significantly heavier than other flagship devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The weight could be a downside, especially if the design is too bulky.

Read more
See the next ‘world’s thinnest folding flagship’ phone before its announced
OnePlus Open Apex Edition Crimson Shadow red alert slider with VIP mode.

Oppo’s Chief Product Officer, Pete Lau, recently teased the upcoming Oppo Find N5, describing it as the “world’s thinnest folding flagship" while also offering a photo of the device hidden behind a pencil, just to demonstrate its lack of girth. Just a few days later, Finnish leaker Teme shared photos that may show the new device in more detail, and emphasize just how thin it will be.

As shown in the three images below, the Oppo Find N5 appears to have what it takes to become the thinnest folding flagship phone on the market. One of the photos also shows the phone’s camera layout. As the leaker explains: “Oppo Find N5 thinness and camera layout. OnePlus has not confirmed anything yet whether this will also be the [OnePlus] Open 2.”

Read more
TCL is finally launching a phone in the U.S. with its unique Nxtpaper display
TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G display

If you’ve ever wanted a smartphone with a display that isn't uncomfortable to look at for extended periods, then good news! TCL has announced the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper 5G at CES 2025, and while this is not the first Nxtpaper phone, it is the first one to launch in the U.S., which is a big deal.

For those who haven’t seen a Nxtpaper device, TCL’s innovative display technology blends advanced screen capabilities with digital health and comfort. Handsets like the TCL 50 Pro Nxtpaper 5G have previously offered Nxtpaper tech on smartphones, but now this advanced display tech is coming to North America for the first time, allowing consumers in the U.S. to experience a display that protects their eyes from the harsh effects of blue light and glare during extended viewing periods.

Read more