Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Review

1. Introduction

Huawei has been a pioneer in the foldable smartphone industry, continuously pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. With the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate, the company has introduced a unique trifold foldable design, setting it apart from conventional foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold series.

The Mate XT Ultimate is more than just a foldable phone; it is a foldable tablet with a massive 10.2-inch LTPO OLED screen, a Kirin 9010 chipset, 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB of storage. It features a revolutionary hinge mechanism and a premium build, making it one of the most ambitious devices ever released. But does it live up to its premium price tag? Let’s dive in.

2. Specifications at a Glance

Feature	Huawei Mate XT Ultimate
Body	156.7 x 219.0 x 4.8mm, 298g, ultra-thin glass, vegan leather back, metal frame
Display	10.20″ Trifoldable LTPO OLED, 90Hz, 2232×3184 resolution, 381ppi, HDR10 support
Cover Display	6.4 inches (1008 x 2232 pixels), 7.9 inches (2048 x 2232 pixels)
Chipset	Kirin 9010 (7 nm), Octa-core CPU, Maleoon 910 GPU
Memory	256GB/16GB RAM, 512GB/16GB RAM, 1TB/16GB RAM
OS	HarmonyOS 4.2 (China), EMUI 14.2 (Global)
Rear Camera	50MP (main, OIS, variable f/1.4-f/4.0), 12MP (5.5x periscope zoom, OIS), 12MP (ultrawide)
Front Camera	8MP (f/2.2, wide)
Video	4K@60fps (rear), 4K@30fps (front)
Battery	5600mAh, 66W wired, 50W wireless, 7.5W reverse wireless
Connectivity	5G (China), 4G (Global), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, Infrared
Security	Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Extra Features	Stereo speakers, BDS Satellite Calling & Messaging (China only)

3. Unboxing Experience

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate comes in a premium package, but the global version lacks a charger, which is disappointing given the price tag. Inside the box, you get:

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate
USB-C charging cable
Aramid Fiber Case with an integrated rotating stand
SIM ejector tool
User manual

The case is functional, but its flap can be cumbersome when unfolding the device. Some regions also receive the 66W power adapter, so check with your retailer.

4. Design, Build Quality, and Handling

Huawei has once again pushed the limits of smartphone engineering. The Mate XT Ultimate is crafted with aerospace-grade stainless steel, vegan leather, and ultra-thin glass, making it feel premium and sturdy despite its foldable nature.

Trifold Hinge Mechanism

Unlike other foldable phones, the Mate XT Ultimate can fold in three ways:

Fully closed (6.4-inch smartphone mode)
Partially open (7.9-inch display)
Fully unfolded (10.2-inch tablet mode)

The hinges are precision-engineered, ensuring smooth transitions between modes.

Form Factor & Portability

Folded: Similar to a regular smartphone
Unfolded: A full-sized tablet at just 3.6mm thin
Weight: At 298g, it’s slightly heavier than other foldables but remains manageable.

Water Resistance?

Disappointingly, there’s no official water resistance rating. A simple IPX4 splash resistance would have been appreciated.

5. Display Performance

The Mate XT Ultimate’s LTPO OLED screen is one of the biggest selling points. It boasts:

10-bit color depth
90Hz refresh rate
240Hz touch sampling
HDR10 support
3,184 x 2,232px resolution (16:11 aspect ratio)

Brightness & Outdoor Visibility

568 nits (manual brightness)
944 nits (auto brightness)

While not the brightest foldable display, it’s vivid and immersive, making it ideal for gaming and multimedia.

Crease Visibility

The two foldable seams are visible but not distracting. Huawei has improved the fold quality, though it’s not as crease-free as Samsung’s latest foldables.

6. Performance and Software

The Kirin 9010 chipset is decent but not flagship-level. Compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it feels mid-range.

Benchmarks

GeekBench 6 Multi-core: 3,763
AnTuTu 10: 873,240
3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 1,401

These scores put it below flagship foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold6 or Oppo Find N5.

Software: HarmonyOS 4.2 / EMUI 14.2

No Google Mobile Services (GMS)
AppGallery & GBox for installing Google apps
Great multitasking & floating window support

While Google apps can be sideloaded, some apps remain incompatible.

7. Battery Life & Charging

The 5,600mAh battery is adequate but not exceptional.

Battery Life Tests:

Usage	Time
Full display usage (10.2″)	7h 48m
Folded mode (6.4″)	11h 56m

Compared to rivals:

Honor Magic V3: 10h 5m
Samsung Z Fold6: 11h 31m
Oppo Find N5: 13h 16m

Charging Speed

66W wired: 78% in 30 minutes, 100% in 60 minutes
50W wireless: Fast for wireless charging
7.5W reverse wireless charging

8. Camera Performance

Huawei’s camera system is impressive for a foldable.

Rear Camera Setup:

50MP (f/1.4-f/4.0) Primary – Great low-light and daytime performance
12MP (5.5x periscope telephoto, OIS) – Sharp zoom shots
12MP (ultrawide) – Good color accuracy and dynamic range

Front Camera

8MP selfie camera
Selfies look decent, but the main camera can be used for better results

Video Recording

4K@60fps on rear cameras
4K@30fps on front camera
Electronic & optical stabilization work well
Night video quality is average

9. Audio & Connectivity

Speakers

Stereo speakers
Average loudness
Clear but lacks deep bass
No 3.5mm jack

Connectivity

5G (China only) / 4G (Global)
Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth 5.2
NFC & IR blaster

10. Verdict: Is It Worth Buying?

The Huawei Mate XT Ultimate is a masterpiece of engineering. It’s the only true trifold foldable available, making it ideal for enthusiasts. However, the mid-range chipset, lack of Google services, and high price (€3,500) make it a niche product.

Pros

✅ Innovative trifold design
✅ Premium build quality
✅ Great camera performance
✅ Fast wired & wireless charging
✅ Excellent multitasking experience