Huawei has unveiled the HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN, the latest addition to its tri-fold smartphone lineup and the first smartphone to feature the LogicFolding Tau (τ) Chip, marking the chip’s official entry into mass commercialisation.
The new device combines a wing-like tri-fold design with a series of technologies that Huawei says push the boundaries of aesthetics, craftsmanship and innovation. Opening from both sides, the device is designed to offer a more intuitive unfolding experience, while its design draws on Chinese aesthetics.
The rear panel features a cloud pattern created using Brocade Cloud craftsmanship, while the phone is available in Purple, White and Black. Its camera ring continues the Star Diamond Glow design, using Yttrium Crystal fired at 1,800°C. The component undergoes eight stages of fine polishing to create 33 star diamond facets.
Durability is a central feature of the device. Huawei’s Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture re-engineers hinge and screen technology to provide layered protection. The company describes it as the first tri-fold phone to support IP58/59 dust and water resistance. Its cover screen uses Xuanwu Kunlun Glass, with scratch and impact resistance and anti-glare technology.
The main display uses a multi-layer composite structure incorporating UTG glass, aerospace-grade ultra-thin high-strength steel and carbon fibre. The Advanced Precision Hinge System 2.0 uses a five-curved-arm structure and synchronised linkage mechanism to distribute force and improve pressure resistance.
The smartphone is also the first device to feature Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip. Huawei says collaboration between hardware, software, chips and cloud improves overall device performance by 42 per cent compared with the previous generation. The LinxiCore CPU and HUAWEI Ark Engine are designed to accelerate large-file loading and multitasking, while the Maleoon GPU has doubled computing units and cache.
For gaming, the device supports 50 MRPS hardware-level real-time ray tracing. Its HUAWEI Da Vinci Architecture NPU is designed to increase on-device AI computing power and, for the first time in the industry, natively supports the Pangu 30B-A2B MoE LLM. Huawei says this enables functions including on-device AI album management through Celia.
Connectivity and security have also received upgrades. The phone uses a heat-dissipation architecture distributing heat sources across three frames, alongside ultra-large vapour chambers and thermally conductive graphene. Multiple communication systems and 32 distributed antennas support 5A connectivity. The device also supports Tiantong satellite communication and Beidou satellite messaging.
Huawei has introduced what it describes as the industry’s first foldable Smart Shield Privacy Screen, providing hardware-level privacy protection on a foldable device. The system uses an independent dual-pixel design and can activate Privacy mode through methods including double-tapping the cover screen or using the Smart controls button.
The phone also includes ECG analysis software and has obtained the NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate. Users can initiate an ECG measurement by holding the unfolded large screen with both hands, after which Celia can interpret and analyse the report.
Photography is another major focus. The True-to-Color Camera 3.0 is designed to filter infrared light interference, with Huawei claiming a 95 per cent improvement in colour reproduction over the previous generation. The camera system includes an ultra-HDR main camera, ultra-wide aperture periscope telephoto camera and Ultra-wide angle camera. Video recording supports an ultra-high dynamic range of 18 EV.
The device runs on HarmonyOS 7, with Live-Multitask allowing three windows to be displayed in parallel, adjustable window sizes and independent volume control. Huawei says the system supports applications including financial management, social entertainment, smart office, shopping comparison and travel guides.
The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN starts at RMB 19,999. It will be available for purchase with a stylus set, with official sales beginning at 10:08 on September 12th.
