Huawei Unveils Mate XTs Trifold Smartphone Ahead Of Apple iPhone 17 Launch

Huawei Unveils Mate XTs Trifold Smartphone

Huawei has once again shaken up the smartphone industry. Just five days before Apple’s iPhone 17 launch, the Chinese tech giant introduced its Mate XTs, the company’s second trifold smartphone.

The Mate XTs not only brings cutting-edge design and performance but also comes at a lower price than its predecessor. With a 10.2-inch expandable display, Kirin 9020 chip, HarmonyOS 5, and new stylus support, Huawei is aiming to maintain its dominance in the foldable market.

Huawei Mate XTs: The Next Generation of Trifold Smartphones

Huawei’s Mate XTs builds on the success of the Mate XT Ultimate Design, which launched in 2024. The new model retains the unique trifold mechanism, allowing three ultra-thin screens (3.6 mm to 4.75 mm thick) to unfold into a 10.2-inch display.

At 298 grams, the phone matches the weight of its predecessor, proving that Huawei has managed to keep the design slim and lightweight despite the advanced folding system.

The Mate XTs is available in four color options and offers multiple storage choices, starting from 256 GB.

Powered by Kirin 9020 and HarmonyOS 5

The Mate XTs is powered by Huawei’s self-developed Kirin 9020 chipset, offering a 36% performance boost compared to the previous generation. This ensures smoother app performance, improved multitasking, and greater efficiency.

The device runs on HarmonyOS 5, Huawei’s latest ecosystem, which has already reached 14 million users. The system promises seamless integration across devices and enhanced performance for foldable form factors.

Key Features of the Mate XTs

1. Large Trifold Display

The 10.2-inch display transforms the phone into a mini-tablet, giving users more screen space for productivity, entertainment, and multitasking.

2. Lightweight and Slim Build

Despite having three screens, the Mate XTs remains light at 298 grams, offering better portability than many foldables in the market.

3. Stylus Support with Huawei M-Pen 3

The Mate XTs introduces compatibility with the Huawei M-Pen 3 stylus, allowing users to write, sketch, and navigate easily. This addition makes the device attractive for students, professionals, and creative users.

4. Desktop Apps on Mobile

For the first time, Huawei has enabled PC-grade applications on a smartphone. This includes:

• WPS Office (a Chinese alternative to Microsoft Office)
• Wind terminal (a financial analytics tool similar to Bloomberg Terminal)
  

This move transforms the Mate XTs into a mobile productivity powerhouse.

Price and Availability

Huawei has made the Mate XTs more affordable than its predecessor, with three variants priced lower by around 2,000 yuan compared to earlier models.

• 256 GB model: 17,999 yuan (≈ US$2,520)
• 512 GB model: 19,999 yuan (≈ US$2,800)
• 1 TB model: 21,999 yuan (≈ US$3,080)
  

Presales started immediately after the launch event in Shenzhen, while deliveries will begin on September 12, 2025.

Huawei Dominates the Foldable Smartphone Market

The Mate XTs further strengthens Huawei’s leadership in foldables. According to IDC, Huawei shipped nearly 500,000 units of the Mate XT in the first half of 2025, boosting its market share in China’s foldable segment to 75%, a jump of 32 percentage points from last year.

While companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Honor have showcased concepts or applied for patents, Huawei remains the only brand with commercially available trifold smartphones.

Competition With Samsung and Apple

Huawei’s decision to launch just before Apple’s iPhone 17 reveal is strategic.

• Samsung: Earlier this year, Samsung displayed its Flex G and Flex S trifold concepts at Mobile World Congress 2025. However, the company has yet to launch a commercial version.
• Apple: Apple is expected to reveal its iPhone 17 series soon. Reports suggest that the company will only introduce its first foldable iPhone in 2026.
  

By beating its rivals to the market, Huawei has secured the first-mover advantage, once again positioning itself as a leader in smartphone innovation.

The Bigger Picture: Apple vs Huawei in China

Apple remains a dominant player globally but faces growing challenges in China, Huawei’s home market.

• Apple’s sales in China grew in Q2 2025, helped by government subsidies.
• However, IDC predicts a 1.9% decline in iPhone shipments in China this year, citing tougher competition from Huawei and an economic slowdown.
  

Huawei’s ability to combine innovation with strong local market presence has helped it pull ahead, especially in the premium smartphone segment.

Quick Feature Overview

Feature	Huawei Mate XTs
Launch Date	August 2025
Screen	10.2-inch trifold display
Thickness	3.6 – 4.75 mm per panel
Weight	298 g
Processor	Kirin 9020
OS	HarmonyOS 5
Performance Boost	36% faster than Mate XT
Stylus Support	Huawei M-Pen 3
Apps	Desktop-grade WPS Office & Wind terminal
Storage Options	256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB
Price Range	17,999 – 21,999 yuan (US$2,520 – US$3,080)
Colors Available	Four
Market Position	World’s only commercial trifold smartphone

Conclusion

The Huawei Mate XTs marks another major step in the evolution of smartphones. With its trifold display, Kirin 9020 chip, HarmonyOS 5 ecosystem, stylus support, and PC-style apps, Huawei has created one of the most advanced smartphones on the market.

By launching ahead of Apple’s iPhone 17, Huawei has not only stolen the spotlight but also highlighted its innovation leadership in foldables. While Apple and Samsung prepare their own foldable devices, Huawei is already ahead, shipping devices at scale.

For tech enthusiasts and professionals, the Mate XTs represents the future of mobile computing, a phone that doubles as a tablet and even functions like a PC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Q1. What is the price of Huawei Mate XTs?

A: The 256 GB model is priced at 17,999 yuan (US$2,520), with higher variants at 19,999 yuan and 21,999 yuan.

Q2. What are the key features of the Mate XTs?

A: The Mate XTs has a 10.2-inch trifold display, Kirin 9020 chip, HarmonyOS 5, M-Pen 3 stylus support, and the ability to run desktop apps.

Q3. When will Huawei Mate XTs be available?

A: Presales have already begun, and deliveries start from September 12, 2025.

Q4. How does the Mate XTs compare to Apple’s iPhone 17?

A: While the iPhone 17 has not yet launched, Apple does not currently offer a foldable phone. Huawei has the advantage in foldable technology.

Q5. Which companies are working on trifold smartphones besides Huawei?

A: Samsung, Xiaomi, and Honor have shown prototypes or filed patents, but Huawei remains the only brand with commercial trifold devices.

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