Huawei Mate XTs: Huawei Mate XTs launches September 4 with new slim design, Kirin 9020 chip, M-Pencil support, and a lower price than its predecessor.
Huawei is about to reveal its boldest foldable yet. The company has confirmed the launch of the Mate XTs tri-fold smartphone on September 4, 2025, at 2:30 pm China Standard Time (6:30 am UTC / 1:00 am IST). Marketed as “Ultimate Design” internationally and “Extraordinary Master” in China, the Mate XTs will be Huawei’s second mass-market tri-fold phone. With Apple’s iPhone 17 launch just days later, Huawei is clearly aiming to grab the spotlight first.
Sleeker Design and More Colors
Official teasers and a fresh clip from Huawei executive Richard Yu on Weibo reveal the Mate XTs in a crisp white finish with gold accents. The teaser also highlights Huawei Z-shaped folding sequence, which lets the phone expand into a tablet-sized screen but fold small enough to slip into a jacket pocket. Color options are shaping up to include Crimson Purple, Auspicious Red, Dark Black, and Feather Sand White, giving buyers more variety than the original Mate XT.
Huawei has upgraded the hinge to the new Tiangong Hinge system, which is designed to last longer and reduce the visible crease. Along with a thinner overall build, this should make the Mate XTs feel less experimental and more like a phone you can use every day.
Kirin 9020 and HarmonyOS 5.1
The Mate XTs is expected to run on the Kirin 9020 chip with a 1+3+4 core structure and a Maleoon 920 GPU. This setup should give it better performance for multitasking and gaming while improving efficiency. The chip is from the same family used in Huawei’s latest Pura phones, but tuned for foldables.
It will ship with HarmonyOS 5.1, which adds new multitasking tools built for tri-fold layouts. Features include smoother transitions between folded and unfolded modes and easier split-screen use. The device is also tipped to support satellite communications, continuing Huawei’s push for standout features in its premium lineup.
Cameras and Stylus Support
The new camera system is rumored to include a 50 MP main sensor with variable aperture and an improved periscope telephoto lens for zoom. Another first for a Huawei tri-fold is M-Pencil support, making the Mate XTs useful not just for entertainment but also for note-taking, sketching, and productivity.
Big Screen and Long Battery
When fully unfolded, the Mate XTs reveals a 10.2-inch display, giving it tablet-level versatility for work, play, or streaming. Battery capacity has not been confirmed, but early reports suggest it could carry a battery close to 5,600 mAh, similar to last year’s Mate XT.
Lower Price and Smart Timing
The most surprising news is the price. Leaks point to a starting cost of around CNY 15,000 ($2,100), well below the original Mate XT’s launch price of CNY 19,999 ($2,750). If confirmed, this move would make Huawei’s tri-fold far more accessible.
Launching on September 4 also gives Huawei a five-day lead on Apple’s iPhone 17 reveal, ensuring its tri-fold gets attention first. The rollout is expected to begin in China, with a global launch likely in early 2026.
The first Mate XT showed that tri-fold phones are possible. The Mate XTs is about refinement a slimmer design, a stronger hinge, better cameras, stylus support, and a friendlier price. With HarmonyOS 5.1 and the new Kirin 9020 chip, Huawei seems ready to turn its futuristic foldable into a practical flagship.
All eyes now turn to September 4, when Huawei takes the stage to unveil what could be its most ambitious device yet.
