After spending 24 hours with the Huawei Mate XT, the world’s first trifold smartphone, I’m still captivated by its unique design. The charm hasn’t faded since I first encountered it at its launch last September and then again in February. Now, I’m taking it for a longer spin to see if it truly lives up to the hype.
The Mate XT offers three distinct formats. You can use it as a regular smartphone with a 6.4-inch display, unfold it into a square measuring 7.9 inches, or open it fully into a 10.2-inch tablet. The transition between these modes feels a bit strange at first, especially since each section folds differently. It takes some time to learn where to push and pull. However, once I got the hang of it, opening it became quite satisfying. Just a heads up, this is definitely a two-handed operation.
The magnetic connection keeps the segments secure when closed, though I wouldn’t risk it being sat on. The exposed edges of the display invite scratches and fingerprints, which is a trade-off for its innovative form.
In terms of feel, it does feel heavier than typical phones but lighter than a standard 10-inch tablet. Huawei has designed it to be a bit slimmer overall, giving it a more refined look than some bulkier models.
One notable drawback is the lack of Google Mobile Services support. To use popular apps like the Play Store, I had to sideload everything, which took about an hour and required using tools like Aurora Store and microG. Interestingly, most apps functioned without issue. The only significant obstacle was getting Google Wallet to work; it didn’t integrate properly.
There’s a lot of curiosity surrounding how this setup will evolve. The Mate XT currently runs on HarmonyOS 4.2, but future updates may limit its compatibility with Android apps entirely. With reports suggesting that Huawei plans to move away from Android entirely, it’s unclear how sustainable this sideloading workaround will be.
User feedback on social media about the Mate XT mixes intrigue with skepticism. While some users rave about the novelty and multitasking capabilities, others raise concerns about its price point, which is nearly $4,000 at current rates.
Multitasking on the Mate XT feels somewhat limited. Despite having three screens, the split-screen feature only allows two apps to run simultaneously, and a third app must pop up as an awkward floating window.
Overall, after just a day, I can confidently say the Mate XT feels like an impressive innovation. The question remains: Is it worth the high price tag? I’ll continue testing the device over the coming days to find out.
For anyone interested in the latest trends in mobile tech, you can find reports on smartphone innovations and user experiences at reliable sources like The Verge. It’s an exciting time to be a tech enthusiast, and the Mate XT is definitely stirring up conversation.
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Source linkFoldable Phones,Hands-on,Huawei,Mobile,Reviews,Tech
