Your New Best Mate? The Huawei Mate XT And Mate X6 Reviewed
Mondo Admin / 23-04-2025 / Tech
Looking for the best Huawei foldable phone? Our in-depth review of the Huawei Mate XT & Huawei Mate X6 covers design, camera quality and performance so you can choose the right smartphone.
Itching to get your hands on the world’s first tri-fold smartphone that unfurls into an astounding 10-inch tablet?
Or are you more of a traditional double fold fan? With Huawei’s Mate XT and Mate X6 – two new foldables making waves in South Africa right now – you’re covered either way.
Foldable tech is gaining serious traction right now and Huawei is taking the lead. The Huawei Mate XT and Huawei Mate X6 are setting new standards for innovation in the foldable world. Plus, with the buzz around tri-fold smartphones, now might be the perfect time to make the leap from no-fold to foldable.
But are you team two-fold or three?
Let’s break down the Huawei Mate XT and Huawei Mate X6 to see which foldable truly deserves a spot in your pocket.
Design and Build
Huawei Mate XT
The Huawei Mate XT is the world’s first tri-folding smartphone.
But it’s not just the fold that makes it a showstopper. The specs on this device are peak, high-end and impressive.
Available in sleek black or vibrant red with a stylish vegan leather finish. Yes, you read that right – vegan leather. Huawei’s taking a sustainable stance.
If the looks aren’t enough to move you, size might get you going.
The Mate XT unfolds into a stunning 10.2-inch, 3K OLED display, delivering an immersive 92% screen-to-body ratio. Keep in mind that when folded, this smartphone sits neatly and lightly in your pocket.
Folding and unfolding is smooth and effortless, thanks to Huawei’s precision hinge system. And when opened up, the divide is barely visible on screen which gives you a seamless viewing experience.
No more fighting to close your device. This hinge system is refined and smooth. The Huawei Mate XT is versatile in size, measuring 6.4 inches when folded, 7.9 inches in dual-screen mode and 10.2 inches when fully expanded. Despite the two folds, creases are barely noticeable, keeping the display looking sleek.
With up to 90Hz adaptive refresh rates, the OLED panel offers fluid visuals and ultra-responsive touch performance, whether you're scrolling through apps or multitasking.
Whether you’re working, catching up on social media or reading, this device provides a smooth, enjoyable experience. Watch videos across two screens or unfold the Mate XT to its full three screen potential.
However, despite all these features, there is one downside. Unlike the Huawei Mate X6, the Huawei Mate XT doesn’t have dust or water resistance. While it’s packed with high-end specs, you’ll want to be cautious when using it around moisture or dust-heavy environments.
Huawei Mate X6
Sticking with the sustainability theme, the Huawei Mate X6 is available in two premium materials – vegan fibre and vegan leather.
It comes in three stylish colours: Nebula Grey, black and red. For now, sadly, it looks like only Nebula Grey and Black will be launching in SA. The grey variant features a beautifully textured finish on the rear, for a funky look and a firm grip.
Huawei has truly raised the bar in foldable design with the Huawei Mate X6. Compared to devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, it feels more refined, with a noticeably better handling experience. It's more comfortable to hold, easier to use and the crease is barely visible.
The durability has definitely stepped up too with this foldable. With Kunlun Glass (2nd Gen), the Huawei Mate X6 offers better protection against drops and scratches. Both the main and cover screens feature OLED panels with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals while optimising battery life.
Plus, with 2-meter IPX8 water resistance, the Huawei Mate X6 is built to handle the elements and be cool at the same time.
Performance
Huawei Mate XT
Powered by the Kirin 9010 chip, the Huawei Mate XT delivers solid performance across the board. Whether you're gaming, multitasking or switching between apps, it handles tasks smoothly, providing a seamless experience without lag. Even with graphic-heavy games or high-res video playback, it stays responsive and cool. The device’s impressive processing power makes every task feel effortless, whether you’re working or unwinding with entertainment.
When it comes to battery life, the Huawei Mate XT features a solid 5 600mAh battery, ensuring you have enough power to get through the day. And with fast-charging capabilities (66W wired and 50W wireless), the Huawei Mate XT will get you back to full power in no time.
Huawei Mate X6
The Kirin 9020 chip in the Huawei Mate X6 takes performance up a notch, delivering better power for gaming and apps. Built for multitasking, it lets you switch seamlessly between work tools, social apps and entertainment.
With a 5 110mAh battery, the Huawei Mate X6 offers excellent endurance, but it’s the fast-charging capabilities that stand out, supporting 66W wired and 50W wireless charging.
Camera Quality
Huawei Mate XT
The Huawei Mate XT isn’t just about folding tech; it’s got some serious camera chops – especially for a device that’s the first of its kind.
But it seems as though the Huawei camera tech has pulled through once again for this tri-fold smartphone. The 50MP rear camera captures sharp, vibrant shots across various lighting conditions while the Periscope Telephoto lens brings distant scenes up close without losing clarity. Night Mode ensures low-light photos retain detail and depth and creative options like Super Macro and Time-Lapse add versatility to your photography toolkit. AI optimisation helps adjust settings in real time so even spontaneous shots come out beautifully.
For selfies, the 8MP front camera performs well in both bright and dim environments. Portrait Mode offers a soft background blur for professional-looking shots while fun extras like Slow-Motion Selfies, Panorama and Moving Picture mode make capturing memories feel effortless yet elevated. The Huawei Mate XT delivers reliable results with minimal effort.
Huawei Mate X6
Of the two the Huawei Mate X6 steps things up with a robust triple camera system: a 50MP Ultra Aperture Camera, 40MP Ultra-Wide and a 48MP Telephoto Macro lens. Whichever you use, the results are vibrant and razor-sharp. The Ultra Chroma tech enhances colour accuracy and with 4x optical and up to 100x digital zoom, the camera offers serious flexibility for any scene. It also supports crisp 4K video recording for creators on the move whether you're vlogging, filming action shots or capturing cinematic views.
Smart photography modes like AI Moving Picture, Ultra Speed Snapshot and Night Mode help you capture the perfect moment no matter the setting. Creative users can explore Light Painting, Stickers or Pro Mode for full manual control. The 8MP front camera holds its own with Portrait Mode, Time-Lapse and Smile Capture, making it easy to take great selfies. And with intelligent scene recognition, the Huawei Mate X6 automatically fine-tunes settings to suit your environment.
Which Huawei Mate Is Your Perfect Mate?
Looking for a foldable mate to tag along on your tech journey? Let’s find out which Huawei Mate fits you best!
Huawei Mate XT
If you need a mate that’s always up for a challenge, the Huawei Mate XT is the one. This tri-fold foldable is ready to take on work, play and everything in between. It's the mate who adapts to your needs.
Simply put, the Huawei Mate XT is the mate you can count on.
Huawei Mate X6
For the tech lover who demands nothing less than perfection, the Huawei Mate X6 is the mate you’ve been waiting for. Packed with a powerhouse camera and top-tier performance, it’s the one that captures every detail of your life with precision. If you’re all about staying ahead of the curve and need a foldable that can keep up, the Huawei Mate X6 is your go-to mate.
Whichever Mate you choose, you're sure to find the one that’s got your back. For work, play or everyday needs, you can’t go wrong with these premium foldables. With a Huawei Mate, you’ve always got a reliable mate by your side.
Both the Huawei Mate XT and Mate X6 are game-changers in the foldable tech space, offering a perfect balance of style, performance and innovative features. Whether you’re after an impressive camera setup, seamless multitasking or fast charging, both devices deliver. For South African users, they’re an excellent choice with their long-lasting battery life ideal for navigating load-shedding.
Ready to take your tech game to the next level? Don’t wait. Embrace the foldable future with the latest Huawei Mate series.
FAQS
The Huawei Mate XT features a tri-fold design with a 10.2-inch 3K OLED display, ideal for multi-tasking and immersive viewing. It offers smooth folding and a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate. The Huawei Mate X6 meanwhile has a more refined design, a 50MP Ultra Aperture Camera and water resistance with IPX8. It also features Kunlun Glass for durability and supports 66W fast charging, making it perfect for power users.
Unlike the Huawei Mate X6, the Mate XT does not come with dust or water resistance, so you’ll need to be more cautious around water and dust when using the Huawei Mate XT.
Both the Huawei Mate XT and Mate X6 offer impressive camera setups. The Mate XT boasts a 50MP rear camera with features like Night Mode and Super Macro for creative shots. The Mate X6 steps up the game with a 50MP Ultra Aperture Camera, 40MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera and 48MP Telephoto Macro Camera for stunning versatility in both photos and 4K video capture.
Both the Huawei Mate XT and Mate X6 offer solid battery performance. The Huawei Mate XT has a 5 600mAh battery, providing all-day usage even with heavy use, while the Huawei Mate X6 features a slightly smaller 5 110mAh battery but compensates with 66W fast charging and 50W wireless charging, ensuring minimal downtime.
Yes, the Huawei Mate X6 is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts with its IPX8 water resistance and durable Kunlun Glass. It can withstand exposure to water and offers better protection against drops and scratches, making it the better choice of the two for outdoor adventures or day-to-day durability needs.
Reference
https://consumer.huawei.com/za/phones/mate-xt-ultimate-design/
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