Huawei copies Samsung’s privacy display in its latest trifold
Huawei has introduced the Mate XT 2, its third trifold smartphone, which adopts Samsung's inward-folding design and becomes the first foldable phone to feature a privacy-enhancing display technology. The device marks a significant shift from the company's previous accordion-style folding mechanism, offering improved screen protection while incorporating advanced display technology similar to Samsung's recent flagship offerings.
Why It Matters
This release demonstrates how foldable technology is evolving beyond early experimental designs toward more practical implementations that protect delicate screens. The addition of privacy display technology to a foldable device indicates that manufacturers are successfully integrating multiple advanced features into these devices, potentially accelerating mainstream adoption of trifold phones.
Key Facts
- Launch Location: China
- Main Display Size: 10.2 inches
- Privacy Screen Cost: ¥1,000 (approximately $150)
- Starting Price: ¥19,999 (approximately $3,000)
- New Processor: Kirin 9050 Pro
Huawei's latest entry into the competitive foldable smartphone market represents a deliberate move toward Samsung's design philosophy. The Mate XT 2 departs from the company's previous accordion-style approach by folding both outer edges of its screen inward, similar to Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold model. This structural change addresses a key weakness in earlier models, where the flexible display remained partially exposed to potential damage during everyday use.
The most notable feature is the optional privacy OLED display, available as a premium add-on for users selecting the highest storage configuration. When activated, this display modulates pixel light emission to narrow viewing angles, rendering the screen nearly invisible from side angles while maintaining clarity when viewed directly. The technology mirrors capabilities Samsung introduced on its S26 Ultra flagship, suggesting convergence in how manufacturers are addressing screen privacy concerns on premium devices.
Beyond display innovations, the Mate XT 2 incorporates several performance and durability upgrades. The device uses Huawei's new Kirin 9050 Pro chipset and achieves an IP59 water-resistance rating, demonstrating improved protection standards. The rear camera system comprises three sensors, though specific capabilities remain undetailed in available information.
Pricing begins at approximately $3,000 for the base configuration, with the privacy display requiring an additional $150 investment alongside the maximum storage option. The device launched in China with no confirmed international availability plans. The trifold smartphone category remains nascent, particularly after Samsung discontinued its original Galaxy Z TriFold shortly following its market debut, though industry reports suggest Samsung continues developing successor models.
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