Huawei is reportedly working on a never-before-seen tri-fold smartphone, which could give a new color to the foldable phone market.

Recently, a prototype of this innovative device was spotted in the hands of a top Huawei official, sparking excitement and speculation. Although there is no official release date or detailed information about its features, one thing is clear: this smartphone could come with a steep price.

Huawei Executive Spotted Using New Tri-Fold Handset

As Gadget Match reported, a Weibo leaker Digital 80s uploaded a picture of Huawei chairman Richard Yu holding the new tri-fold smartphone prototype inside an airplane.

Judging from the image, the new smartphone folds like a small brochure. It also features a set of hinges. It's been a long time since it became the subject of multiple rumors. However, Huawei has not yet confirmed this.

Anticipated Price of Huawei's Tri-Fold Smartphone

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by user @jasonwill101, the development prototype of Huawei's tri-fold smartphone carries an astonishing price tag of approximately $4,900.

The Chinese tech giant is reportedly exploring ways to reduce the production cost before its mass-market release. However, even with potential cost-cutting measures, the final retail price is expected to be around $4,000.

If these pricing rumors hold true, Huawei's tri-fold smartphone would become the most expensive mass-market handset available, surpassing other high-end foldable devices like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 by a significant margin. Despite the premium price, questions stay afloat about whether the device's internal components will justify the cost.

Speculated Specifications and Features

The tri-fold smartphone is rumored to be powered by a Kirin 9 series chipset, with the Kirin 9010 being a likely candidate. This chipset is also expected to power the upcoming Huawei Mate 70 series. However, early reports suggest that the Kirin 9010 may not be as powerful as some of the top-tier processors on the market, such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 9300.

In terms of design, the tri-fold smartphone is expected to feature a 10-inch inner display, which folds into three sections thanks to a dual-hinge system.

One section of the screen may fold inwards, while the other folds outwards, creating a unique user experience. Additionally, the device could include a hole-punch cutout for the front camera, positioned on the left-most screen.

Despite its complex folding mechanism, the smartphone is rumored to maintain a relatively slim profile, with an "average" thickness, according to Gadgets 360.

Rumored Launch of Huawei's Tri-Fold Smartphone

The sighting of Yu holding the tri-fold smartphone has led to widespread speculation that the smartphone's official launch could be imminent. However, without confirmation from Huawei, these details remain in the dark, as mentioned before.

If the rumored specifications and design features come to fruition, this device could set a new standard for foldable smartphones. However, its exorbitant price may limit its appeal to a niche market of early adopters and tech enthusiasts.