By Emmanuel Ogbodo
Huawei is set to unveil the world’s first tri-fold smartphone next month. Recently, the company has been in the spotlight due to rumours about this upcoming device, which has been spotted in the hands of Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei’s consumer business division. Now, it seems Yu has confirmed that the phone will launch in September.
According to a translated report from China, Yu was asked at an event for the Stelato S9—an EV powered by Huawei’s HarmonyOS—about the release of the tri-fold phone. His response? “Next month.” However, it’s worth noting that the device might initially launch in China and could remain exclusive there, though more details will be revealed soon.
As a first-generation product, this tri-fold smartphone is expected to come with a hefty price tag—around $4,000. If Huawei sticks to this price point, the release may be limited, with only a few units available.
The tri-fold smartphone is rumoured to feature a massive 10-inch display, giving it a tablet-like feel. Speculation suggests it could be part of the upcoming Mate series, also expected to launch in September, though this has yet to be confirmed. With so many teasers circulating, an official announcement seems imminent.
Earlier reports hinted that Huawei might release its tri-fold phone this year, potentially beating Samsung to the market with this innovative form factor. While Samsung is also rumoured to be developing a tri-fold device, Huawei appears to be leading the race.
The launch of this tri-fold device would highlight the rapid pace of technological advancement. Consider how quickly we’ve progressed—from the original foldable, the Royole FlexPai, introduced in October 2018, to the first Galaxy Z Fold just months later, and now, the anticipation of a tri-fold smartphone. A foldable tablet/laptop hybrid could even be on the horizon, with rumours that Apple might be exploring this next frontier.
