Huawei’s experiments in the mobile space have made new waves with the recent release
of the Mate XT Ultimate. Built on the folding phone concept as first popularized by
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold in 2019, the Mate XT Ultimate looks to up the ante by adding one
more fold into the equation. Instead of opening with two panels as in other folding phone
systems, Huawei’s system features three, tripling the screen space over a traditional slate-
style device. It’s an interesting step forward, but is it more of a gimmick than a useless addition to mobile offerings?
The Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate
Launching for $2,800, the Mate XT Ultimate is one of the most expensive devices on the
market. For reference, the most expensive iPhone currently available, the iPhone 16 Pro Max
sits at $1,499, while the most expensive Galaxy Z Fold6 costs $2,260. While expensive, this
cost is somewhat justifiable with the extra screen and the complexity of adding another
connection point to the device.
Internally, the specifications of the Mate XT Ultimate paint it as one of the fastest systems in
the mobile arena, though it can’t quite compete with the best of the top tier. This makes sense,
since it’s not really designed as a specialized gaming phone, but rather as a general mobile
system. The higher level of power can also help in full-screen rendering, as more space and
higher resolutions mean a greater strain on video processing hardware.
As a first-generation experiment and a system so far only released officially in China, it also
suffers from some key restrictions. For a start, many apps aren’t developed with trifold
compatibility. This means some websites and apps that haven’t been built with flexible
designs in mind could struggle to adapt to the newer aspect ratio. This is further hampered by
the lack of app support, with big names like Google completely banned from operation on the
device. Of course, if other local developers follow suit, this last problem won’t last for
copycat systems.
Improving Experiences
How useful the Mate XT Ultimate and other inevitable trifold phones could be to you
depends entirely on your use case. Consider if you’re a big fan of playing poker on mobile on
an existing slate style or folding phone. Casino services like 888poker and bet365 are already
flexible enough to work on a huge range of aspect ratios. Even if you’re a new player starting
with a deposit match, games as flexible and streamlined as these will adapt well to extra
screen space, providing more visibility if that’s what you’re interested in.
The same applies to general browsing, video streaming, and social media interaction. Trifold
systems essentially eliminate the barriers between smartphones and tablets, making them
fantastic replacements for those who prefer tablet forms of access. Larger screens can also aid
users with visual or dexterity issues, proving a more effective and efficient form of access.
“SAMSUNG Galaxy Fold Foldable Phone” (CC BY-ND 2.0) by TheBetterDay
Though the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is currently the only trifold phone on the market, it’s a
natural extension of the existing folding philosophy to its logical limit. There is practically a
100% chance that other manufacturers will follow suit, and that these upcoming devices will
be similarly expensive. Still, if you’re interested, it might be worth avoiding Huawei’s entry
and waiting for a later and more compatible local release, to avoid issues and get a head start
on a new generation.