Cover image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
There's something inherently delightful about unfolding the future in your hands. HUAWEI's Mate XT Ultimate Design is, if nothing else, a triumph of audacity.
Priced at a steep RM14,999, this is not a phone for the light-walleted.
But for those bold enough to embrace it, it offers a genuinely novel experience that feels equal parts sci-fi and luxury.
The HUAWEI Mate XT Ultimate Design comes in two colours: red and black.
I had the opportunity to try out the red one and here's my review of HUAWEI's groundbreaking device.
Let's start with the showstopper: the display. Or, rather, displays.
With its origami-like triple-screen setup, the Mate XT transforms from a fairly standard 6.4-inch smartphone to a 10.2-inch productivity and media beast in seconds.
It's fluid, extremely thin (at 3.6mm), surprisingly light when unfolded (at 298g for such a feature-packed device), and feels thoughtfully engineered.
The OLED panels are rich, vibrant, and responsive, offering 1.07 billion colours and adaptive refresh rates up to 90Hz. In use, they're buttery smooth, especially when reading, multitasking, or watching HDR video.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
Another big win: performance and storage. The Kirin 9010 chip, paired with 16GB of RAM and a mammoth 1TB of internal storage, ensures this device handles almost anything you throw at it.
Whether you're editing 4K video on the go or flipping between productivity apps, it simply doesn't break a sweat.
The 5600 mAh battery is no slouch either, lasting a full day with heavy use — and the dual SuperCharge options (66W wired and 50W wireless) help you juice up quickly when needed.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
Then, there's the camera system, which is technically strong — a versatile 50MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP periscope lens
While the images can lean too heavily on processing, with oversharpened edges and inconsistent colour reproduction in tricky lighting, the images I took were pretty good in my eyes.
Low light photos are fine, but not on par with competitors out there who cost significantly less. I do hope HUAWEI could boost image consistency with future firmware updates, as it's not quite there yet.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
But not all that folds is gold. Despite all the hardware bravado, software remains a pain point.
EMUI 14.2, while stable and more refined than past iterations, still lacks native Google Mobile Services — which means users outside China must work around app gaps and awkward sideloads.
For a phone at this price, it feels like a compromise you shouldn't have to make in 2025.
That said, there are workarounds. I was able to use Google Chrome and install Playstore on the phone easily via a third-party app, GBox.
The folding design, while undeniably innovative, raises questions of long-term durability
HUAWEI claims the hinge and screens are rated for longevity, but given the lack of IP-rated dust resistance (only IPX8 for water), you'll be babying this phone more than most.
Also, at 12.8 mm thick folded and with a complex feel in triple-screen mode, ergonomics can sometimes suffer — especially when used one-handed. When folded, the phone noticeably weighs 300g. The reason? The heavy metal hinges that allow the phone to fold in the first place.
I also noticed that unfolding the phone does require some effort. Perhaps it's a learning curve on my part — something that prolong usage can ultimately fix. Also, folding the phone wrong way could lead to unrepairable consequences.
Still, it's impossible not to admire what HUAWEI has attempted here.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
The HUAWEI Mate XT Ultimate Design is a statement device. It's a technological marvel with unmatched versatility, cutting-edge design, and future-forward features.
From its precision-engineered hinge mechanism to the smooth multi-mode transition, to the massive screen real estate, it feels like the kind of gadget you'd find in a Black Mirror episode — and that's a compliment.
The stereo audio, fast connectivity (Bluetooth 5.2 with LDAC), and robust sensor suite make it even more compelling for power users and creative pros.
If HUAWEI can refine its camera software and find a smoother path around the GMS conundrum, the Mate XT would easily stand shoulder to shoulder with — if not above — the best in the ultra-premium segment.
The HUAWEI Mate XT Ultimate Design is easily one of the most exciting phones on the market today. If you're the kind of person who sees your phone as both a tool and a statement piece, this might just be the one you've been waiting for.
Image via Sukhbir Cheema / SAYS
