Huawei is set to make waves in the tech world with the debut of its groundbreaking Huawei Mate XT— the company's first tri-fold smartphone, on September 10, 2024. This revolutionary device promises to shake up the foldable phone landscape, posing a fresh challenge to international tech giants like Xiaomi and Samsung with its innovative design. The highly anticipated release of the Mate XT coincides with Apple's planned announcement of the iPhone 16 series, igniting fierce competition between the two biggest names in the mobile phone market. As anticipation builds, tech enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting to see if Huawei's daring move will redefine the future of smartphones.

What Is a Tri-Fold Smartphone?
Tri-fold smartphones represent the next phase in foldable phone technology. Tri-fold phones use two hinges that allow for three separate foldable parts, in contrast to the traditional foldable gadgets currently available on the market, which either fold like a book (dual-hinge) or a clamshell. The Mate XT promises to be a multipurpose device that can convert from a standard phone to a full-sized tablet when completely stretched out with a big 10-inch screen like a tablet.

Design & Display
Based on the leaks and teasers, the Huawei Mate XT is expected to sport a sleek metal body with a leather back cover, making it stylish and technologically advanced. The teaser trailer also hints at a periscope telephoto camera, an octagonal lens design, and a sophisticated finish reminiscent of the company's past foldable devices, such as the Mate X5. It is anticipated that the cover screen will have a more conventional size and form factor, allowing it to be folded and used like a standard smartphone.

Performance & Specifics
The Mate XT is predicted to be powered by the newest processor from Qualcomm, which may be the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or a customized chipset from Huawei's Kirin series. One of the most powerful smartphones available, this gadget may have up to 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of internal storage. It is expected to have a triple back camera setup and dual selfie lenses to improve photography and videography, especially with continuous zoom functions to enhance video recording performance. The price of this smartphone has not been released yet, but many speculate that it will be somewhere around CNY 16,888 or $2,378.

Huawei's Strategy: Taking on Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple
Huawei Launching the Mate XT one day after Apple debuts the iPhone 16 is a calculated move by the company to draw in customers with a unique innovation: a tri-fold smartphone. Huawei hopes to increase its market share in China, where it surpassed Samsung in the first quarter of 2024 with a 35% share, as opposed to Samsung's 23%, by directly competing with foldable leaders like Xiaomi and Samsung. Although Xiaomi has experimented with folding designs, a tri-fold device is yet to be released. The release of the Mate XT could encourage competitors to speed up their research and development, which could lead to a surge in foldable devices soon.

Challenges and Opportunities for Tri-Fold Smartphones
The Mate XT is not without challenges, despite its innovative design. With two hinges and numerous folds, durability is a concern. To address this, Huawei has partnered with BOE, a well-known maker of displays. Also, software optimization will be vital since foldables need interfaces that can adapt. The HarmonyOS on Huawei devices must guarantee seamless switching between folded and unfolded modes. Another significant factor is battery life. Huawei has not disclosed the battery's capacity, but quick charging is expected given the device's 10-inch display.

A Glimpse into the Future
Foldable technology has advanced significantly with the Mate XT. Tri-fold smartphones, however, could remain exclusive due to their high prices and possible durability problems. These devices may become widely available as the rivalry intensifies and technology advances, providing a window into the next wave of smartphone innovation.

Watch the teaser trailer here.