Huawei has launched the Mate XT2 tri-fold smartphone with a faster chipset, slimmer design and improved durability, intensifying competition in the foldable market ahead of Apple’s expected debut.
The Mate XT2 folds twice to form a tablet-sized 10.2-inch display. It measures 12.3mm when folded and 3.5mm when fully unfolded, while its 6.5-inch external screen has a peak brightness of 6,500 nits.
The device is powered by Huawei’s latest Kirin 9050 Pro chipset, which the Chinese technology company claims delivers 42% higher overall performance than its predecessor.
Huawei has also redesigned the handset’s hinge and upgraded its durability and water resistance. The Mate XT2 introduces a hardware-level privacy display designed to remain clear when viewed from the front while restricting visibility from the side.
At its launch in China, Huawei priced the Mate XT2 from CNY29,999 ($4,470) for the 16GB+2TB variant.
Richard Yu, executive director of Huawei, said global shipments of tri-fold smartphones had surpassed one million units, adding that Huawei “lead[s] the way in form factor innovation”.
The launch comes just days before Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone on Wednesday, 9 September. Analysts expect Apple’s long-rumoured passport-style device to cost more than $2,000, with supply chain expectations putting the price as high as $2,500.
IDC senior director Nabila Popal told Mobile World Live that Apple’s entry into the foldable segment would be the “biggest catalyst the category has seen”.
Omdia forecasts that global foldable smartphone shipments will increase by 22% in 2026 to more than 22 million units, compared with 6% growth in 2025.
