Huawei Mate XT 2 Brings Kirin 9050 Pro to the Tri-Fold Arena Days Before Apple's First Foldable

On September 7, Huawei unveiled the Mate XT 2 | Ultimate Design in China, marking the second generation of the world’s only commercially available tri‑fold smartphone. The launch introduced the device as the first to be powered by the new Kirin 9050 Pro chipset, a milestone for Huawei as it is the company’s first new Kirin chip introduced at a flagship product launch in six years. Huawei claims the Mate XT 2 delivers overall device performance that is up 42 % versus the previous Mate XT generation, positioning the phone as a high‑performance flagship in the emerging foldable market.

Design, Build and Form Factor

The Mate XT 2 features a new wing‑shaped, G‑type dual‑inward‑folding hinge design that enables a sleek profile while maintaining structural integrity. When fully unfolded, the device measures just 3.5 mm in thickness, expanding to 12.3 mm when folded. The phone weighs 299 g, offering a balance between durability and portability. Huawei offers the handset in three color options—Black, Purple, and White—and supports configurations up to 16 GB of RAM and 2 TB of internal storage. The design emphasizes a premium feel, with the hinge mechanism engineered to provide smooth, reliable folding action across the three screens.

Display Technology

The Mate XT 2’s display suite comprises a 10.2‑inch inner screen with a 3K resolution and a 12.8:9 aspect ratio, delivering high‑definition visuals when the device is fully opened. Complementing the inner display is a 6.5‑inch OLED LTPO cover screen that supports Full‑HD+ resolution at a 120 Hz refresh rate. Huawei bills the cover display as the brightest on any foldable, with a peak brightness of 6,500 nits. The cover screen is protected by basalt glass, a material chosen for its durability and resistance to scratches. Together, the dual displays aim to provide a seamless visual experience across both folded and unfolded modes.

Performance and Chipset

At the heart of the Mate XT 2 lies the Kirin 9050 Pro, built on Huawei’s Da Vinci Architecture NPU. The chipset introduces on‑device support for Pangu large models ranging from 30 B to A2 B, marking the first time in the industry that such extensive AI models can run locally without reliance on cloud processing. Huawei highlights that this capability enables advanced on‑device AI features, such as AI‑driven album management powered by the Celia assistant. The Kirin 9050 Pro’s performance claim of a 42 % improvement over the previous generation underscores Huawei’s focus on delivering a flagship‑level computing experience in a foldable form factor.

Battery, Charging and Stylus Support

The device is equipped with a 5,600 mAh battery that supports 66 W wired charging and 50 W wireless charging, allowing rapid power replenishment. Huawei also integrates support for the M‑Pen 3 stylus, extending the phone’s functionality for note‑taking, drawing, and precision input. The stylus bundle is scheduled for release on September 23, following the phone’s initial market entry on September 12 at 10:08 AM local time in China.

Software, Camera System and AI Features

Running HarmonyOS 7, the Mate XT 2 introduces several software enhancements. Among them is the ‘Smart Shield’ privacy screen, also known as the Lingdun privacy display, which aims to limit viewing angles and protect on‑screen content. The third‑generation Red Maple camera system offers an 18 EV dynamic range for video capture, while the True‑to‑Color Camera 3.0 claims a 95 % improvement in color reproduction over the previous Mate XT generation. These camera upgrades, combined with the on‑device AI capabilities of the Kirin 9050 Pro, enable features such as AI‑enhanced image processing and real‑time scene optimization.

Market Positioning, Pricing and Competitive Landscape

Pricing for the Mate XT 2 starts at CNY 19,999 (approximately $2,980) for the base 16 GB RAM/256 GB storage model, and reaches up to CNY 29,999 (approximately $4,470) for the top‑tier 16 GB RAM/2 TB storage special edition that includes the stylus. The device will be sold exclusively in China at launch, with official sales beginning on September 12. The same day, Xiaomi introduced the 18 Fold, priced from roughly $1,638, also as a China‑exclusive offering. Both launches occur just two days before analysts expect Apple to unveil its first foldable device, highlighting a competitive window in the foldable smartphone segment.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Sources: GSMArena, PR Newswire, TechNode, DigiTimes.