Huawei Mate XT2 Launches With Kirin 9050 Pro Chip and New Hinge

The Huawei Mate XT2 is now official, an updated version of Huawei's tri-fold flagship that opens out twice into a tablet-sized screen. The launch comes as Huawei works to defend its lead in China's premium smartphone market against fresh pressure from Xiaomi and Apple, both of which are debuting new flagship hardware in the same week.

A new folding mechanism
The Mate XT2 uses a redesigned hinge and folding mechanism compared to the original Mate XT, with Huawei saying the change improves durability while keeping the phone thin when folded down to pocket size. The tri-fold design still allows the phone to open in stages, from a normal phone screen up to a full tablet-sized display.

Kirin 9050 Pro chip
Power comes from Huawei's Kirin 9050 Pro chip. Huawei says the new chip and supporting hardware deliver 42% better overall performance than the previous Mate XT generation, based on the company's own internal testing, though independent benchmarks have not yet been published.

Durability and privacy
Water resistance has been improved over the outgoing model, and the Mate XT2 adds an optional privacy screen mode that narrows the viewing angle so people nearby cannot easily read the display, a feature aimed squarely at business users who work on the device in public.

Cameras
Huawei has also upgraded the rear camera system on the Mate XT2, though full sensor specifications have not been detailed in the initial announcement. Huawei says the changes are focused on low-light performance and video stabilization across the folding form factor, an area where tri-fold phones have historically lagged behind standard flagships due to the added hinge mechanics.

Software and multitasking
With three display states, the Mate XT2 is built around split-screen and floating-window multitasking, letting users run several apps side by side once the phone is opened to its full tablet size. Huawei has continued to refine these tools since the original Mate XT, and the larger unfolded canvas on the XT2 gives them more room to work.

Pricing and availability
The Huawei Mate XT2 starts at 19,999 yuan (about $2,980), with the top-end configuration priced at 24,999 yuan (about $3,725). Sales in China begin on September 12, with no international rollout confirmed yet.

Market context
Huawei currently leads China's smartphone market with a 22.6% share in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of Apple's 18.1%, according to IDC. The Mate XT2 arrives the same week as Xiaomi's new foldable and just before Apple's September 9 event, where a foldable iPhone is expected, as Bloomberg reported.

Protect the Huawei Mate XT2 with a Komodoty case
A tri-fold phone this large carries more exposed hinge and glass than a standard flagship, so a precise, slim case matters even more. Komodoty makes cases with accurate cutouts and wireless charging support, offered in materials such as Kevlar-backed wood, aramid fiber, and Alcantara. Browse the fitted options in the Komodoty Huawei cases collection.