On September 7, Huawei unveiled the HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN, the latest addition to its tri-fold lineup and the first smartphone to feature the LogicFolding Tau (τ) Chip. This announcement marks the chip's official entry into mass commercialization, underscoring Huawei's continued leadership in foldable device innovation.
The device debuts with a wing-like tri-fold design, opening from both sides for a more intuitive unfolding experience. Its aesthetic draws on Chinese design elements, featuring a cloud pattern on the back panel created using Brocade Cloud craftsmanship. Available in Purple, White, and Black, the phone's camera ring inherits the iconic Star Diamond Glow design, crafted from Yttrium Crystal and fired at 1,800°C. The intricate process involves eight steps of fine polishing to form 33 star diamond facets, delivering a gemstone-like luster.
Engineered with the Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture, the Mate XT 2 redefines durability. It is the first tri-fold phone to support IP58/59 dust and water resistance. The cover screen, made of Xuanwu Kunlun Glass, resists daily scratches and impacts, while anti-glare technology ensures visibility under direct sunlight. The main screen incorporates a multi-layer composite ultra-tough structure, including a large UTG glass layer, aerospace-grade ultra-thin high-strength steel, and a carbon fiber support layer. The Advanced Precision Hinge System 2.0 employs a 5 curved arm structure and synchronized linkage mechanism for even force distribution and reliable pressure resistance.
Performance-wise, the Mate XT 2 is the first to feature the Kirin 9050 Pro chip, delivering a dual leap in performance and energy efficiency. Through deep collaboration between hardware, software, chips, and cloud, overall device performance is improved by 42% compared to the previous generation. The LinxiCore CPU, combined with the Ultra-smooth HUAWEI Ark Engine, enables faster loading of large files and superior multitasking. The Maleoon GPU features doubled computing units and cache, significantly enhancing rendering performance. In gaming, it supports 50 MRPS hardware-level real-time ray tracing, delivering a more immersive experience. The HUAWEI Da Vinci Architecture NPU brings a leap in on-device AI computing power, natively supporting the Pangu 30B-A2B MoE LLM for smart experiences like on-device AI album management with Celia.
The device also introduces the industry's first foldable Smart Shield Privacy Screen, marking the first time hardware-level privacy protection is achieved on a foldable device. It features an independent dual-pixel design, ensuring consistent screen resolution before and after activating Privacy mode. With intelligent sensing, it provides smart reminders when entering airports or train stations. Additionally, the Mate XT 2 is equipped with ECG analysis software and has obtained the NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate, allowing users to perform ECG measurements by holding the unfolded large screen with both hands.
Photography sees a comprehensive upgrade with the True-to-Color Camera 3.0, which effectively filters out infrared light interference, improving color reproduction by 95% compared to the previous generation. The ultra-HDR main camera, ultra-wide aperture periscope telephoto camera, and ultra-wide angle camera deliver true-to-life colors, realistic portraits, and clear night shots. Video recording supports an ultra-high dynamic range of 18 EV, ensuring outstanding image quality.
The device runs HarmonyOS 7, redefining large-screen interaction with Live-Multitask capability, supporting three windows displayed in parallel with adjustable sizes and independent volume control. This large-screen experience covers core scenarios such as financial management, social entertainment, smart office, shopping comparison, and travel guides, with deep adaptation to leading industry apps.
The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN starts at RMB 19,999 and will be available for purchase with a stylus set, with official sales beginning at 10:08 on September 12th. This launch not only showcases Huawei's technological prowess but also sets a new benchmark for tri-fold smartphones, potentially reshaping consumer expectations and industry standards.
