On March 3 (local time), at the world’s largest mobile exhibition, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, in Barcelona, Spain, Chinese smartphone manufacturers, including Huawei, Tecno, and Xiaomi, are expected to showcase triple-foldable phones. Chinese corporations are likely to take the lead in mobile technology trends at this year’s MWC, featuring ultra-thin products with a thickness of 3 mm and products using optical fiber technology that can implement a Milky Way pattern on the surface.
According to industry sources on the 26th, Huawei plans to display the triple-foldable phone “Mate XT” at MWC 2025. The Mate XT features a 10.2-inch screen when unfolded, but its thickness is just 3.6 mm, making it notable for being 2 mm thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which has a thickness of 5.6 mm when opened.
The Mate XT attracted attention in the smartphone industry as the world’s first triple-foldable phone. Upon its release in September last year, it surpassed 3 million pre-orders in China and commanded a premium of 2,000 to 3,000 yuan (approximately $400 to $600) in the used market.
Tecno also plans to highlight its triple-foldable phone at this year’s MWC. The “Phantom Ultimate 2,” which Tecno will showcase, is equipped with optical fiber on its surface, allowing for various lighting effects, including a Milky Way design. Tecno is expected to incorporate its self-developed artificial intelligence (AI) features into the Phantom Ultimate 2.
Xiaomi is also expected to unveil the “Mix Tripfold,” the first triple-foldable phone. The Mix Tripfold will likely feature a design without physical buttons like power and volume on the edges. The industry anticipates it will also be equipped with satellite communication capabilities for connectivity in remote areas such as mountainous regions and islands. Xiaomi has stated it will introduce new smartphone products to the global market in early next month.
Samsung Electronics is expected to reveal its triple-foldable phone this year, intensifying competition with Chinese manufacturers. According to foreign media, including IT outlet PhoneArena, Samsung Electronics is anticipated to unveil a triple-foldable phone named “Galaxy G” at the Galaxy Z Fold and Flip 7 series Unpacked event scheduled for July.
In the second quarter of last year, Samsung Electronics recorded a 16.4% market share in the global foldable phone market, ranking second after Huawei, which holds 27.5%. In the Chinese foldable phone market, Huawei leads with a 41% market share (as of the third quarter of 2024). Honor ranks second with 21.9%, while Xiaomi holds third place with 17.2%.
Nam Sang-wook, a senior researcher at the Korea Industrial Technology Association, noted, “Triple-foldable smartphones currently face various issues in terms of durability and functionality; however, Chinese manufacturers that have seized related technologies are likely to occupy a competitive edge in this field in the future.”