At the Huawei terminal innovation technology conference, CTO Li Xiaolong discussed the development of triple-fold smartphones. He identified hinges as the critical component, noting that durability, weight, and opening force remain the primary engineering challenges.
The transition from the Z-fold design to the U-fold for the Mate XT 2 was driven by hardware optimization. The initial Z-fold approach was chosen to minimize weight and thickness by reducing the number of screens, but it left the flexible display exposed and vulnerable to damage.
With improved technical capabilities, Huawei shifted to a U-fold design for the Mate XT 2. This configuration allows for the inclusion of an independent outer screen, providing better protection for the display while maintaining a balance in device dimensions.
