Huawei is getting ready to unveil an innovative foldable smartphone that is set to rival the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Google Pixel Fold. This new device is rumored to feature not one, but two hinges, and possibly even three screens. Referred to as a trifold phone, it is said to fold and unfold in a Z or N shape, allowing for three different screen orientations within a single device.
Various publications in China have teased the upcoming trifold phone, with reports from Securities Daily, a government-authorized publication focusing on economics, quoting sources from the supply chain. The device is said to have an inner and outer folding design with a dual hinge, resulting in a 10-inch screen when fully unfolded.
During a recent interview, Huawei Consumer Business CEO Richard Yu hinted at the existence of the N-shaped folding phone, stating that it took five years to develop. While specific details and release dates were not mentioned, Yu did express that the device would be launched “soon.” The official announcement is expected around September this year, setting up a showdown with the highly anticipated Apple iPhone 16.
Huawei has been a pioneer in foldable phone technology, showcasing the Huawei Mate X in 2019, even before Samsung’s Galaxy Fold was widely available. The company has focused on developing folding phones with unique orientations compared to its competitors, leveraging its expertise in bendable screens and hinges to bring such complex foldable designs to life.
While Huawei is not the first to explore the concept of a triple-fold phone, as both Samsung and TCL have also teased similar devices, the race is on to see which brand will launch such a device first. With Samsung already unveiling new foldable models this year and TCL still in the concept stage, Huawei appears to be leading the pack.
Despite Huawei facing challenges in selling its smartphones in the U.S. and the absence of Google Play services on its global devices, the innovative trifold phone is generating significant excitement among tech enthusiasts. While the official announcement may not come until 2024, the anticipation surrounding Huawei’s groundbreaking device remains high.