Are Foldable Phones Worth Buying? Lessons from Huawei’s New Tri-Fold Mate XTs

Welcome to the LAGENIO Smartphone Blog — where your mobile questions get clear answers.

Foldable smartphones have quickly evolved from futuristic prototypes to real products. Samsung made dual-fold designs popular, while OPPO, Xiaomi, and Huawei kept pushing further. In September 2025, Huawei launched the Mate XTs, its second-generation tri-fold smartphone, which can switch between a regular phone, a mini tablet, and even a 10-inch screen for productivity.

With a starting price of 17,999 RMB (about $2,800), many wonder: is a tri-fold phone really worth it? This article breaks down the technology, pros, cons, and whether devices like the Huawei Mate XTs make sense for everyday users.

The Evolution of Foldable Phones

The concept of foldable displays has fascinated the tech world for more than a decade. Early experiments struggled with durability and price, but steady improvements have made foldables a real, if niche, category in the smartphone market.

• First Wave (Dual-Folds): Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Flip lines introduced folding phones to the mainstream, offering compact portability or tablet-like screens in a pocketable device.
• Second Wave (Tri-Folds): Huawei went further, introducing the world’s first tri-fold design in 2024 with the Mate XT. Instead of one hinge, it uses two, creating a Z-shaped fold that unfolds into a massive display.
• The Future: Concepts like rollable and stretchable displays are already in development, suggesting tri-fold phones may be just one step in a longer evolution.

Huawei Mate XTs: The New Tri-Fold Flagship

Launched in September 2025, the Huawei Mate XTs represents the cutting edge of foldable technology.

Key Highlights:

• Flexible Design: Three form factors in one device: It can switch between a compact 6.4-inch phone, a 7.9-inch mini tablet, and a full 10.2-inch large screen.
• Performance Boost: Powered by the Kirin 9020 processor and HarmonyOS 5.1, Huawei claims a 36% performance improvement over its predecessor.
• Stylus Support: For the first time, the tri-fold supports a digital pen for note-taking, sketching, and professional work.
• Premium Build: Offered in red, black, white, and purple “pleather” finishes.
• Price Point: Starting at 17,999 RMB, slightly cheaper than the original Mate XT’s 19,999 RMB launch price.

Compared to the first-generation Mate XT, the XTs is slimmer, faster, and more versatile, though it still sits firmly in the ultra-premium category.

Advantages of a Tri-Fold Phone

Why would anyone spend nearly $3,000 on a smartphone? The Mate XTs does bring some genuine benefits.

1. Multi-Tasking Powerhouse
   With a 10.2-inch display, users can run multiple windows side by side, making it ideal for productivity apps, email, and document editing. It’s closer to a laptop replacement than any previous foldable.
2. Phone + Tablet in One
   Instead of carrying both a smartphone and a tablet, a tri-fold device offers both experiences in a single device. Great for travelers, students, or professionals on the go.
3. Stylus and PC-Level Features
   Stylus support opens up new possibilities for creative work, note-taking, and presentations. HarmonyOS also allows PC-style apps, making it more than just a phone.
4. High-End Specs
   The Mate XTs includes flagship-level cameras, satellite communication, fast charging, and advanced connectivity. In short, you’re not compromising on specs for the sake of the foldable design.

The Drawbacks and Challenges of Tri-Fold Phones

Of course, no cutting-edge technology is perfect. Tri-fold devices come with several serious limitations.

1. Complex Engineering = Durability Concerns

The more hinges and folds, the more potential failure points. Tri-fold phones have three screen segments and two hinges, making them inherently more fragile. Long-term reliability remains unproven.

2. Bulk and Weight

At nearly 300 grams, the Mate XTs is significantly heavier than a typical flagship phone (usually 200g or less). Folded up, it’s also much thicker, making it less pocket-friendly.

3. Battery Drain

Unfolding to a massive 10.2-inch display eats through battery life quickly. Even with a large 4,500–5,000mAh battery and 66W fast charging, the endurance doesn’t match traditional slab phones.

4. Limited Case Options

Protecting a tri-fold phone is tricky. Standard phone cases don’t fit, and specialized cases often leave hinges exposed. Drop resistance is worse than regular smartphones.

5. Overlap with Tablets

A 10-inch display is very close to the iPad Mini’s size. While it tries to replace a tablet, app optimization on foldables isn’t always perfect. Many mobile apps still don’t scale well to larger foldable displays.

Who Should Buy a Tri-Fold Phone?

A tri-fold foldable isn’t for everyone. Here’s a quick breakdown:

✅ Best For:

• Tech Enthusiasts: People who love being on the cutting edge and want to show off futuristic devices.
• Business Professionals: Those who need multi-tasking on the go, presentations, and document editing.
• Creative Users: Artists, designers, and students who benefit from stylus input and large canvases.

❌ Not Ideal For:

• Casual Users: If you mostly browse social media, chat, and stream videos, a $3,000 foldable is overkill.
• Budget-Conscious Buyers: For the price of one Mate XTs, you could buy a flagship smartphone and a premium tablet.

LAGENIO A12 Pro

Bigger storage. Better photography.

€159

Learn More

• On-the-Go Minimalists: The weight and bulk make it less convenient for people who value portability.

The Future of Foldable Phones

Are tri-folds here to stay, or are they just a transitional step toward something better?

• Price Drops Ahead: Like most new technology, prices will come down as manufacturing scales and more brands join the market.
• Better Ecosystem: Software developers are optimizing apps for larger foldable screens, which will make multi-tasking smoother.
• Beyond Tri-Folds: Rollable and stretchable displays could eventually replace tri-folds, offering flexible form factors without bulky hinges.

Conclusion: Are Foldable Phones Worth Buying?

So, should you buy a tri-fold phone like the Huawei Mate XTs?

If you’re a tech lover, business professional, or creative user who values innovation and productivity, then yes—this device delivers a unique experience that no other smartphone can match.

But if you prioritize practicality, portability, and value for money, a regular flagship or even a standard foldable (like the Galaxy Z Fold) is still the smarter choice.

For now, tri-fold phones remain more of a luxury tech showcase than a mainstream necessity. But with continued innovation, they may just become the norm in the next few years.