It looks like the foldable phone market is about to get more exciting.

(Update, September 10: The Huawei Mate XT is now official!)

While people have been talking about a tri-fold smartphone hitting the shelves for some time, Huawei seems to be set on being the first to release one. The technology giant has announced that it will unveil the Huawei Mate XT in China on September 10, just a day after the Apple iPhone 16 series’ global launch — or what could be seen as an attempt to steal some of Apple’s spotlight.

In fact, Huawei has already posted several launch teasers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. Based on the videos, a part of one of them can be found at the top of our post below, it appears that the Huawei Mate XT would look like the concept device seen in the second and third clips here.

@revuphilippines The #HUAWEIMateXT #trifold smartphone is launching Sept. 10 (official teaser at the top)! Could it look like the device in the second and third clips (circulating on Weibo)? 🤔 #RevuDotComDotPH #HUAWEI #MateXT #HUAWEIMate #Mate #trifoldsmartphone #trifoldphone @Alora Uy Guerrero @monch ♬ Ghibli-style nostalgic waltz – MaSssuguMusic

A larger-than-usual screen when unfolded while maintaining a compact form factor for portability? (Via Weibo)

Huawei Mate XT (Triflod) leaked. A trifold smartphone/Tablet 😎. Tech world is going crazier day by day!! #Huawei #HuaweiMateXT pic.twitter.com/Q7k4scUR38

— Rohan (@rohanadlakha09) September 4, 2024

Could this be the actual device?

September 10 is just around the corner, so the wait for the Mate XT’s actual design shouldn’t be long.

Take note that this new addition to the Mate X series follows the same naming convention and promises a premium experience. Huawei’s partnership with Ultimate Design is highlighted here, a continuation of the company’s previous collaboration with Porsche Design. This association suggests a high price tag, similar to the Huawei Mate X3.

Recall that the latter cost P109,999 (roughly $1,946) at launch in the Philippines, so expect the Mate XT to be even more expensive. This pricing strategy aligns with the growing trend of high-end smartphones targeting affluent consumers who are willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge technology and design.

According to research firm Coherent Market Insights, the global foldable smartphone market is expected to grow from $23.89 billion in 2024 to $84.72 billion by 2031 at a compound annual growth rate of 19.8%. This indicates a promising future for devices like the Huawei Mate XT.

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