Huawei is reportedly preparing a successor to its innovative Mate XT tri-fold smartphone, aiming for a release later this year. The new device is expected to feature a more powerful Kirin 9020 chip.
The original Mate XT, which was launched last year, was the world's first tri-fold smartphone. Huawei defied the odds to bring this concept to the market, and it seems they are continuing their momentum with the rumored second-generation device.
Kirin 9020 and Potential Improvements
According to a tip from Weibo user Fixed Focus Digital, the successor will primarily focus on an upgraded chipset, with the Kirin 9020. This chip, which powers the Mate 70 series, is a 12-core design with hyperthreading. Even though it is still based on a 7nm process, it provides superior multi-core performance compared to the Kirin 9010.
Due to U.S. trade sanctions and the limited availability of EUV machinery, Huawei is likely constrained to using SMIC's 7nm DUV equipment for the foreseeable future. This limits the potential performance gains for the new Mate XT successor despite the advanced design.
While a complete redesign is unlikely, Huawei might introduce refinements to improve the display's durability and perhaps incorporate a larger battery. The functionality is expected to remain similar, transitioning from a 6.4-inch handset to a 10.2-inch tablet when unfolded.
