The first triple-foldable phone was introduced by Huawei the same day Apple announced its iPhone 16 line-up, and there’s no doubt about which one looks cooler. Foldable technology is starting to mature, and we’re beginning to see some revolutionary devices hitting the market that can stand up to the typical punishment a smartphone endures. If you’re someone who likes to experience cutting-edge technology, you’re likely thrusting money at the screen to get your hands on the Huawei Mate XT. Unfortunately, if you live in the United States, you won’t be able to buy one.
U.S. citizens won’t get a chance to buy the world’s first trifold phone
The Huawei Mate XT can work in single, dual, or triple-screen modes and expand to the equivalent of a 10.2-inch tablet (a bit smaller than a standard iPad). However, that innovation is costly. According to the official website, the base model of the Mate XT, which features 256 GB of storage, costs 19,999 yuan ($2,800 USD), while the 1 TB version costs an eyewatering 23,999 yuan ($3,371 USD).
Unfortunately, if you’re still interested in the Mate XT after hearing the cost and you live in the U.S., you won’t be able to purchase it. In 2022, congress banned Huawei from selling its consumer products in the U.S. You could have the phone imported (likely for a hefty premium), but you’ll find that it likely won’t work well. Unlike most Android-based phones, Huawei’s devices don’t use Google services, and company-specific services are geoblocked in the U.S.
Ultimately, while the Huawei Mate XT pushes the boundaries of foldable phone technology, its high price and U.S. restrictions make it a rare find for most. With no access to Google services and limited availability, it remains an impressive but inaccessible device for American consumers, leaving them to watch from afar. Hopefully, Apple will step things up and offer a foldable in the near future because current customers don’t have much of a reason to upgrade after the lackluster iPhone 16 reveal.
