Huawei Introduces Trifold Design with Samsung-Inspired Privacy Display

Huawei has unveiled its latest trifold phone in China, clearly keeping an eye on Samsung during its development. The Mate XT 2 adopts the inward-folding design seen in Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold and is the first foldable device to feature a privacy-enhancing display, similar to the one introduced in the Galaxy S26 Ultra this year.

The original Mate XT, which debuted in late 2024 in China and later internationally, utilized an accordion-style folding mechanism. This design eliminated the need for a separate cover screen but left parts of the fragile display exposed. While subsequent models maintained this design, the XT 2 draws inspiration from Samsung’s trifold, folding both sides of its 10.2-inch flexible screen inward for added protection.

A standout feature of the XT 2 is its privacy OLED display, reminiscent of Samsung’s offering. When activated, this display emits light at narrower angles, making it appear nearly black from the sides while remaining visible from the front. This feature is optional and requires selecting the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage configuration, along with an additional cost of ¥1,000 (around $150) for the privacy screen.

In addition to the display, the XT 2 is powered by Huawei’s new Kirin 9050 Pro chipset, boasts improved water resistance with an IP59 rating, and includes a triple rear camera setup. It launched today in China with a starting price of ¥19,999 ($3,000), though details about an international release are still unclear. Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold was discontinued shortly after its launch last year, but rumors indicate that the company is still developing a successor.