Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT: One Is the Most Versatile Telephone I’ve Ever Used

Huawei launched the world’s first “trifold” cellphone, the Mate XT Final, final 12 months and launched it outdoors of China in February 2025. Regardless of solely truly folding in two locations, the cellphone was known as a trifold as a result of its 10.2-inch show divides into three sections.

I have been utilizing it on and off since February and I appreciated the Mate XT a lot that it made me skeptical in regards to the Galaxy Z TriFold‘s design when Samsung first showcased it on the APEC CEO Summit in October. However after attempting Samsung’s first trifold for myself, throughout a quick hands-on take a look at at a Samsung retailer in Dubai, I modified my thoughts.

As foldable cellphone gross sales are anticipated to rise 30% 12 months over 12 months in 2026, in accordance with analysts at IDC, it is essential for each Samsung and Huawei to search out their very own hook for patrons. Every of those foldable telephones has their place out there and presents a special attraction. One is a pill that folds right into a cellphone, whereas the opposite is a three-in-one and essentially the most versatile smartphone I’ve ever used. One among them has “Z TriFold” in its identify however the different truly folds in a “Z” form.

Here is how the newly-launched Samsung trifold cellphone compares to the Huawei Mate XT Final — the cellphone that pioneered this class.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT design

Each the Galaxy Z TriFold and Mate XT have giant screens that divide into three panels (therefore the identify) and have two hinges to attach them. And but, they’re vastly totally different.

The Huawei trifold cellphone has a single display screen that folds in a Z form to permit for 3 totally different kinds. You should use it as a cellphone (totally folded), a mini-tablet (half-open), in addition to a wide-screen pill (totally opened). I’ve principally used the Mate XT both in mini-tablet mode (one fold) or totally unfolded. And I discovered myself utilizing it in cellphone mode (totally closed) solely after I made calls.

Compared, the Galaxy Z TriFold folds in a U form as each panels fold inwards. You possibly can solely use it totally folded as a cellphone or totally opened as a wide-screen pill, with out the added skill to make use of it as a mini pill.

Samsung’s Z Trifold makes use of two different-sized hinges and three panels of various thickness, permitting the machine’s flaps to fold on high of each other. The left hinge is just like the one on the Fold 7 and relatively tighter than the fitting hinge (the broader one), which springs open after you push it to a sure angle. On the again of the cellphone is a second show that occupies the “center” part to make use of when the cellphone is totally closed.

When totally folded, its lowermost panel has a protruding edge, giving it a stable lip to seize onto whereas unfolding. It is a good addition to the flat-sided design, which does not depart a lot house between panels. I discovered it simpler to unfold than its sibling, the flat-sided Galaxy Z Fold 7.

The Huawei Mate XT has curved sides and a single display screen, however due to that Z form, it offers you 3 ways to make use of it. The best hinge unfolds just like the Galaxy Z TriFold — you pull it out — however you needn’t unfold the opposite aspect. With only one panel unfolded, it turns into a usable mini-tablet.

You possibly can unfold the third part, behind the left panel, to open it totally and use it as a wide-screen pill. As a result of it makes use of a single versatile display screen, a part of the gentle folding show is at all times uncovered to the weather when the machine is folded shut in cellphone mode. To date, I have not seen any scratches on the show however it’s positively much less protected than Samsung’s inside display screen. Nevertheless, Huawei bundles a case with an prolonged lip to guard the always-exposed proper aspect of the display screen.

Each of those trifold telephones have minimal display screen creases however Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold feels higher after I run my finger over the folding elements. Whereas Huawei’s creases are deeper, they do not hassle me in day-to-day use. The creases on each telephones are seen underneath direct synthetic mild and at an excessive angle.

The Huawei Mate XT is slimmer than the Galaxy Z TriFold. It is simply 3.6mm thick at its thinnest half when totally unfolded and 12.8mm when folded. Compared, the Samsung cellphone is 3.9mm thick at its thinnest half and goes as much as 12.9mm when totally unfolded. At 309 grams, the Z TriFold can be barely heavier than the 298g Mate XT.

The Huawei trifold cellphone feels extra premium than the Galaxy Z TriFold — in all probability due to its fake leather-based again, curved sides and gold accents. Samsung’s foldable has a carbon-fiber end, which feels sturdy however not as premium.

The Mate XT has an IPX8 ranking, whereas the Galaxy Z TriFold is rated IP48 for mud and water resistance. The “4” in IP48 means it is protected towards mud particles measuring over 1mm however not towards on a regular basis mud and pocket lint. Neither of those telephones is actually dust-proof, however each are rated for water resistance, identical to a typical smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT shows

The Galaxy Z TriFold has two screens: a Galaxy Z Fold 7-like 6.5-inch AMOLED display screen with a 120Hz variable refresh price and a 422ppi pixel density. It unfolds to a 10-inch tablet-sized display screen with a 120Hz dynamic refresh price with a decrease 269ppi pixel density.

The Huawei Mate XT has a single 10.2-inch OLED display screen with a 90Hz refresh price and 382ppi pixel density. It has a decrease refresh price however the next decision and slimmer bezels. You should use it as a 6.4-inch cellphone, a 7.9-inch mini-tablet or a ten.2-inch widescreen pill which makes it a extra versatile design than Samsung’s trifold cellphone. The Mate XT’s show when folded down into “cowl display screen” has a wider facet ratio with slimmer bezels than the TriFold’s cowl show. 

I have not watched movies on the Galaxy Z TriFold, however I assume the expertise could be higher on the Huawei because the fundamental display screen has a wider facet ratio (when totally unfolded). It has much less letterboxing (thick borders on high and backside) than the Galaxy Z TriFold, which gives a barely narrower facet ratio when totally unfolded. Nevertheless, it might be higher for multitasking, particularly when working three apps aspect by aspect, however I am going to want extra time with the Samsung cellphone to come back to a conclusion.

Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT efficiency and battery

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, the identical processor that powers its different 2025 flagship smartphones together with the OnePlus 15. The chip is tuned for effectivity and I anticipate it to deal with multitasking on a standalone DeX with ease. The TriFold additionally comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage.

In distinction, the Huawei Mate XT runs on an in-house Kirin 9010 chip and is paired with 16GB of RAM and 512GB or 1TB of storage. It runs EMUI 14.2 working system on world variants, which does not have preinstalled Google apps. Regardless of the ban on US firms working with Huawei — together with Google, the corporate behind Android — there are workarounds for putting in the Play Retailer. You will not encounter these sorts of hurdles on the Galaxy Z Trifold.

The Samsung trifold cellphone runs on One UI 8, based mostly on Android 16. You get quick animations, easy multitasking, a mess of customization choices and a greater total expertise. The Galaxy Z TriFold can even get seven years of OS and safety updates.

Each telephones pack a 5,600-mAh battery however it stays to be seen how they fare towards one another. I have not pushed the Mate XT to its limits and it delivers a whole day of use on a single cost. After I must high up the battery, I take advantage of the bundled 66-watt charger or use wi-fi charging at as much as 55 watts. The Galaxy Z TriFold helps 45-watt quick charging and Qi wi-fi charging.

Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold vs. Huawei Mate XT cameras

Each telephones have three rear cameras which might be equivalent to these discovered within the Galaxy Z Fold 7. The Galaxy Z TriFold has:

• a 200-megapixel fundamental digital camera with optical picture stabilization (OIS) and a f/1.7 aperture
• a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera with a 120-degree subject of view
• a 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom telephoto digital camera with OIS and help for 30x digital zoom
• two 10-megapixel front-facing cameras — one inside the quilt show and the opposite contained in the folding display screen 

Compared, the Huawei Mate XT has:

• a 50-megapixel fundamental digital camera with OIS and a variable aperture (f/1.4 – f/4.0)
• a 12-megapixel 5.5x optical zoom telephoto digital camera with OIS
• a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera with a 120-degree subject of view
• a 8-megapixel selfie shooter

Primarily based on my expertise with the Fold 7, you’ll be able to anticipate vibrant colours, good dynamic vary and balanced processing in low-light images on the Samsung trifold cellphone. Photos from the Huawei are likely to have an over-processed look and it would not do nicely with sure pores and skin tones. However the Mate XT captures higher portraits than my Fold 7. I am going to be capable to take a look at the images chops from each telephones as soon as I’ve the Galaxy Z TriFold.

Here is how the 2 foldable telephones specs examine: