Huawei on Tuesday held a global launch for the industry’s first tri-foldable phone, which analysts said marked a symbolic victory for the Chinese tech giant amid U.S. technology curbs. But challenges over pricing, longevity, supply and app constraints may limit its success.
Huawei said at a launch event in Kuala Lumpur that the Huawei Mate XT, first unveiled in China five months ago, will be priced at 3,499 euros ($3,662). Although dubbed a trifold, the phone has three mini-panels and folds only twice. The company says it’s the thinnest foldable phone at 3.6 millimeters (0.14 inches), with a 10.2-inch screen similar to an Apple iPad.
Although dubbed a trifold, the phone has three mini-panels and folds only twice.
It’s three elements that can fold together.
It’s probably called tri- because it rolls better on the tongue than dual or double fold.But goddam €3.499m,- is a steep price, especially considering there were initial reports of quite serious problems with it.
Trifold wallets fold twice, which also doesn’t make sense, but it’s probably where they got the name.
The whole “folding screen” concept is nice but I always have a sense of caution when I play with the idea of buying a folding screen phone. Something that is used as much as a smartphone is can ware out moving components really quickly. Also more parts, more stuff that can break or fail…
Wake me up when the quadfold drops. Heck, quilt me a smartphone/picnic blanket, then we can talk.
Edit: I’m sorry if this comes off as too snarky, I just don’t get the trend… I thought we were heading directly away from large form stuff with this whole smartphone thing. I mean, didn’t we already see this not working with tablets, and how they kinda’ ended up repurposed as quasi-laptops?
It’s a laptop you can fit on your pocket. I think it’s a great idea, if it’s effective enough. Knowing this company, it isn’t… So I’ll wait for Samsung.
Sso… like my already existing smartphone. Only larger.
Oh man, this is a cool phone, but I’m not touching potential Chinese surveillance equipment.
“priced at 3,499 euros ($3,662)”
Mmm… nope!
The company says it’s the thinnest foldable phone at 3.6 millimeters (0.14 inches),
I mean, it better be, otherwise, if its 3x as thick in your pocket, that’s going to be one chonky phone.
3.6 × 3 = 10.8 mm folded. It’s definitely on the thicker side, but not outlandishly so.
