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
Cons
❌ No Google services officially
❌ Mid-range chipset
❌ Expensive (€3,500+)
❌ No water resistance
❌ Mediocre video quality
Final Score: 7.5/10
Buy it if you want the best foldable experience. Skip it if you need Google apps and flagship performance.
