Huawei has launched the Mate XT 2, its latest tri-fold phone, which the company positions as a new benchmark Samsung will have to meet with its upcoming Galaxy Z TriFold 2.
Huawei was the first to bring a tri-fold phone to market, and Samsung followed last year with the Galaxy Z TriFold, sold in limited quantities and only in select markets. Samsung is expected to launch its next tri-fold device next year.
Mate XT 2 vs Galaxy Z TriFold: key differences
Both the Mate XT 2 and the Galaxy Z TriFold share a dual inward-folding design. The Mate XT 2, however, is thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Z TriFold and adds support for a stylus. Huawei also rates the Mate XT 2 with IP58/59 dust and water resistance, a spec the company highlights as stronger than the Galaxy Z TriFold’s.
The foldable main display on the Mate XT 2 measures 10.2 inches, slightly larger than the Galaxy Z TriFold’s 10-inch panel. Both devices feature a 6.5-inch cover display. Under the hood, the Mate XT 2 runs on Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip; Samsung’s next tri-fold is expected to use a Qualcomm flagship Snapdragon chipset.
Rumors about the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 indicate it will be thinner and lighter than its predecessor, but it remains to be seen whether it will undercut the Mate XT 2’s dimensions. As Samsung has moved away from S Pen support on its foldables, stylus support for the Galaxy Z TriFold 2 cannot be taken for granted.
The Mate XT 2’s combination of size, stylus support and IP58/59 resistance establishes a set of specifications Samsung will face when it unveils its next tri-fold phone.
