The World’s First Tri-fold Smartphone Has Landed

Get ready, South Africa. The future has just unfolded. The HUAWEI Mate XT, the world’s first tri-fold smartphone, has officially landed, and it’s rewriting the rules of mobile technology. Just as Huawei redefined expectations with the ultra-thin, ultra-durable HUAWEI Mate X6, now also available in South Africa, the company is taking foldable technology a step further with the arrival of a world-first, the HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN.

Available on Huawei’s online store and in select retail outlets nationwide, this next-generation device transforms from a sleek, pocket-sized phone into a full 10.2-inch tablet with effortless fluidity. With its triple-fold design, it has shifted expectations into a higher gear, delivering productivity, entertainment, and design in an all-in-one solution for work, play, and everything in between.

All of this is being unveiled on the same day Huawei announces its new partnership with the legendary Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club. Because when it comes to innovation, performance, and winning mindsets, Huawei knows champions recognise each other.

A tri-fold marvel with ultra-slim precision

Despite its complex folding mechanism, the HUAWEI Mate XT maintains an astonishingly slim form factor. Folded, it’s only marginally thicker than a traditional smartphone. Unfolded, it becomes the thinnest foldable on the market, measuring just 3.6mm. The use of ultra-thin leather on the back surface gives it a refined, premium feel while keeping the overall device lightweight and comfortable to hold.

Its remarkable design also features Eonic Curves on the camera module, a manufacturing feat that sees each lens crafted over 22 days and subjected to 78 precision processes. The result is a smartphone that is as much an engineering breakthrough as it is a piece of mobile art.

Flexible display, singular experience

At the heart of the Mate XT lies Huawei’s 3K HUAWEI X-True Display, offering vivid, high-resolution visuals that adapt to a variety of use cases. Thanks to the Multiview in One experience, users can easily toggle between single, dual, and triple-screen modes. Whether browsing, multitasking, or creating, the Mate XT adapts seamlessly, offering the versatility of a tablet, smartphone, and even a mini-laptop all in one powerful device.

Unlike many foldables that compromise on imaging to accommodate thin bodies, the Mate XT pioneers a 10-step adjustable physical aperture built into its sleek profile. Its HUAWEI XMAGE camera system delivers exceptional range, from ultra-wide perspectives to 5.5x telephoto zoom. Whether you’re shooting intricate close-ups or distant landscapes, every image is rich in detail and depth. The Ultra Speed Snapshot ensures that fast-moving subjects are captured with crystal clarity, offering true flagship-level performance in a revolutionary foldable form.

At the core of the Mate XT’s tri-fold capability is its next-generation hinge mechanism. Built with ultra-high strength steel, this multi-directional hinge allows both inward and outward folding while maintaining structural integrity and smooth movement. It’s been engineered for durability, ensuring the phone remains resilient and reliable even with frequent folding over time.

When you want one fold

The launch of the HUAWEI Mate XT is accompanied by the local availability of the HUAWEI Mate X6, a device that has already set a new benchmark for foldable durability and performance. Combining sleek aesthetics with serious engineering, the Mate X6 features dual OLED displays protected by 2nd Gen Kunlun Glass and supported by an aerospace-grade aluminium frame for exceptional strength and rigidity.

Its advanced multi-dimensional hinge design allows for seamless folding while reducing thickness, making it one of the slimmest foldables yet. Equipped with an Ultra Chroma Camera system and a ten-size adjustable physical aperture, the Mate X6 delivers remarkable image accuracy and clarity, even in complex lighting. Whether for work, content creation or immersive entertainment, the Mate X6 offers a robust, high-performance experience wrapped in a lightweight, ultra-durable form.

With the world’s first tri-fold smartphone now on South African shelves, Huawei isn’t just evolving the smartphone category. It is transforming it entirely. The Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN is the bold next step in Huawei’s vision for a multi-functional, foldable future.

The HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN and the HUAWEI Mate X6 are now available at Huawei’s official online store and Huawei Experience Stores in select retailers across South Africa.

April Sale Pricing – From 1 – 30 April 2025

Pricing HUAWEI Mate XT: R69,999 or from cellular operators for between R2,999 and R3,099 a month over 36 months.
Pricing HUAWEI Mate X6: R44,999 or from cellular operators for between R1,599 and R1,799 a month over 36 months.

For the month of April, customers purchasing a HUAWEI Mate XT | ULTIMATE DESIGN, will receive a year’s free Premium Service, including one year HUAWEI Care+, VIP Services and a free screen protector.

It’s time to unfold what’s next.