Huawei’s next generation tri-fold to launch with improved optics and performance

In a world where folding phones are still fighting for a place in your pocket, Huawei is already plotting the next chapter. Just a year after it stunned the industry with the world’s first commercially available tri-fold smartphone dubbed the Huawei Mate XT, the Chinese tech giant is gearing up to double down on the form factor.

According to a leak from reliable Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station, Huawei’s second-generation tri-fold phone is expected to arrive in the second half of 2025, and it may come packing smarter internals and serious imaging upgrades. Let’s dive into what was revealed.

Tri-fold, Take Two

Huawei’s Mate XT was a quiet disruptor. While the rest of the foldable world obsessed over book-style and clamshell designs, Huawei went full origami with a Z-style fold that allowed a tablet-sized display to collapse into something barely bigger than a standard phone. The result? A flexible OLED screen that folded in two places, creating not just a bigger canvas but an entirely new UX paradigm.

According to Digital Chat Station, the sequel to the Huawei Mate XT will retain this same screen setup; meaning we’re looking at a similar tri-panel folding mechanism. But under the hood, there’s a meaningful evolution in progress.

While Huawei continues to navigate chip sanctions, it’s also doubling down on its in-house silicon. The Mate XT ran on the Kirin 9010, and the sequel is expected to house a next-gen Kirin 9020 processor, manufactured on what’s mysteriously referred to as an ‘N-1 node’.

ALSO READ: After a tri-fold phone and folding laptop, Huawei sets its sights on a foldable tablet next

What does that mean? Likely a more efficient fabrication process that’s one generation behind the industry’s bleeding edge. It’s possibly a workaround that optimises for power and performance while avoiding the need for cutting-edge tech still out of Huawei’s reach due to trade restrictions.

That being said, the Kirin 9020 is expected to push gains in AI processing and battery efficiency, giving the tri-fold a more stable, sustained performance, especially in multitasking and media creation.

Camera gains on next-gen tri-fold

Foldables, up until now, have rarely been known for their camera prowess. They’ve either had to make room for the hinge or compromise on sensors to stay slim. Huawei might be looking to flip that narrative.

While specifics are still under wraps, the leak hints at a significant focus on camera upgrades and peripheral features. That’s very on-brand for Huawei, which has been one of the few companies consistently pushing imaging boundaries despite its smartphone market squeeze.

Whether this means a Leica-branded array, larger sensors, or computational enhancements powered by the new Kirin chip remains to be seen, but expectations are high.

Can Huawei outfold itself?

Huawei’s position in the global smartphone market remains complicated. With Google services still absent and global 5G compatibility limited, its devices are primarily targeting the China market and a handful of other regions. But when it comes to hardware innovation, few brands are as consistently fearless.

The first Mate XT wasn’t perfect, but it offered a glimpse into a future where smartphones aren’t constrained by the slab. A second-generation tri-fold, with smarter silicon and stronger cameras, could solidify Huawei’s lead in the foldable race; at least on the design front. For more news surrounding the ever-evolving world of tech, stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma.