Huawei announced its tri-fold smartphone, Mate XT 2 Ultimate Design (hereafter Mate XT 2), in China on Monday, September 7, 2026.
It serves as the successor to Mate XT Ultimate Design (hereafter Mate XT), which debuted two years ago as a world first, and incorporates a brand-new mechanism.
With boosted performance, it stands as arguably the world's most powerful foldable smartphone.
6.5-Inch Screen Usable Even When Folded
The Mate XT 2 transforms into a slim profile by folding inward from both the left and right sides of its unfolded form.
When closed, the display measures 6.5 inches with 2442 x 1140 pixels.
With an aspect ratio of 19.3:9, it differs little from standard smartphones.
In other words, it feels completely natural to use even when folded.
It features an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.
Flagship-Class High-Performance Cameras
The rear features a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 40-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 50-megapixel 3.5x telephoto camera.
In terms of camera performance, it ranks among the top tier across smartphones from all manufacturers, making it more than capable of serving as a dedicated camera phone.
Furthermore, the wide-angle camera comes equipped with a variable aperture.
Heavyweight Class in Terms of Heft
When closed, the body measures 157.2 x 77.0 x 12.3mm.
Given that it stacks three displays on top of each other, it has substantial thickness.
The weight also comes in at 299g, which feels quite heavy for a typical smartphone.
That said, Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, a tri-fold smartphone with the same structure, weighs 309g, making the Mate XT 2 lighter by comparison.
Looking at it folded from above reveals a structure folded inward from both the left and right sides.
On the inside, it adopts a foldable display that folds in three, while the outside houses an additional display usable even when closed.
Usable Even with Just One Panel Unfolded
Now let's unfold the device.
First, open the external display portion to the left.
This creates a vertical display plus the remaining closed section, as shown in the photo.
Even in this state, you can use just the unfolded screen.
Incidentally, Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold blurs the screen in this state, rendering it unusable.
Having arrived after Samsung's offering, the Mate XT 2 is a G-shaped model that enhances usability.
Physical Anti-Peeping Mechanism
Unfolding the remaining display to a 90-degree angle results in a square viewing screen plus a wall.
This square display matches the form factor of standard bi-fold foldable smartphones.
By erecting a wall beside it, you can prevent peeping from the side.
You can achieve the same effect by propping up the opposite display panel.
Unfolding the Display with a G-Shaped Structure
As explained so far, opening the displays of the Mate XT 2 to the left and right lets you take advantage of a large screen.
Based on how it aligns when closed, this folding structure is commonly known as U-shaped or G-shaped.
Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold features a similar structure, though it folds in the opposite direction.
Structure of the Previous Z-Shaped Model
For reference, this is the predecessor model, Huawei Mate XT.
It adopted an accordion-like folding structure in a Z-shape.
Because a portion of the main display remains exposed as the outer screen when folded in a Z-shape, there is no need for a separate rear display as seen in G-shaped designs.
That helps keep both cost and weight down.
On the other hand, as shown in the photo, the display on the left hinge remains exposed on the outside even when folded.
Consequently, that section of the display is vulnerable to impacts and carries the drawback of being easily damaged.
High-End Model Powered by Kirin 9050 Pro
The chipset powering the Mate XT 2 is the Kirin 9050 Pro, designed by Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon.
Built on what appears to be a 7nm-class process, it marks the first commercial application of LogicFolding, a proprietary technology that stacks circuitry across two layers.
In terms of performance, the CPU is rated on par with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while gaming performance approaches the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Even while barred from using cutting-edge manufacturing processes due to US export restrictions, Huawei has substantially increased performance compared to the previous-generation Kirin 9030 Pro.
When unfolded, the display measures 10.2 inches with 3184 x 2232 pixels.
The refresh rate sits at 90Hz, slightly low for a modern smartphone, likely due to the foldable display design.
This main screen also houses an 8-megapixel front camera.
It also supports handwriting input with an optional stylus sold separately.
Slim Body as Thin as 3.5mm
When unfolded, it measures 157.2 x 219.2 x 3.5mm.
A thickness under 4mm is truly remarkable.
This thickness applies to the section without an external display when closed; the other two sections of the three-part structure measure 3.69mm and 4.0mm, respectively.
Equipped with a Privacy Display
It also includes a privacy display function accessible via display settings, darkening the screen to prevent visibility when viewed from the side.
This represents a world first for a foldable smartphone.
Given the large screen of the Mate XT 2, the display is naturally more visible to onlookers, making this privacy feature highly practical for such a spacious panel.
Worth Buying Even at 3,800 USD
Taking full advantage of its large display, the Mate XT 2 can display three apps simultaneously or configure a square plus vertical layout reminiscent of a bi-fold smartphone plus standard smartphone.
Pricing starts at 19,999 CNY (approx. 1,980 USD) for the 16GB RAM + 256GB storage model.
The top-tier configuration equipped with the privacy display, featuring 16GB RAM + 1TB storage, comes in at 24,999 CNY (approx. 3,730 USD), sorting even more when adding a case and stylus.
As a versatile device capable of handling everything from business and entertainment to creative tasks with a stylus—all while easily fitting into a pocket for daily carry—many users will likely find genuine value in this price tag.
▼Photo & Written by Yasuhiro Yamane/山根康宏
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