Huawei enthusiasts were left disappointed as the anticipated $2,800 tri-foldable Mate XT was unavailable for walk-in customers upon its launch in China. Supply chain issues restricted availability to pre-order holders only.

Both Xiaomi and Honor have previously applied for a design patent on a double-hinged handset, according to public records.

The phone is a piece of engineering marvel: when unfolded, the device measures only 3.6mm thick, making it the new thinnest portable computing device in the world. This slimness is needed, because when completely folded up, it is essentially three stacked layers, which then does increase thickness to 12.8mm.