Huawei Mate XT’s $3,000 price may rise by $1,000 with carelessness

It goes without saying that you need to be extremely cautious with the Huawei Mate XT, the $3,000 tri-foldable device that has recently made headlines.

This unique gadget, which can quickly become a financial burden if you’re unlucky, has repair costs that are so high they could leave you heartbroken. The shock of the prices, based on official repair estimates, is staggering: a screen replacement will cost you around $1,123 (or €1,019). This is understandable given that the device has three separate screen sections on its 10.2-inch display, but paying $1,123 just for a screen is a tough pill to swallow.

There are a few limited options for reducing costs, such as some screen replacements that may be available for about $983 (€892), although availability may be an issue. Users can also consider screen replacement insurance, which costs between $491 and $561 (€446-€509) and covers one replacement during the first year.

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The high costs extend beyond just the screen. Replacing the motherboard will set you back around $1,278 (€1,160), significantly exceeding the price of a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 flagship these days. Ouch! On a brighter note, battery replacements are more budget-friendly at $70 (€63). The tri-fold design also necessitates replacing multiple back covers.

The back panel with the camera module is priced at $193 (€175), while the other two sections each cost $56 (€50). Camera repairs also come with a price tag: $81 (€73) for the telephoto lens, about $53 (€48) for the selfie camera, $106 for the main rear camera, and $37 for the ultrawide lens. In addition to its tablet-like 10.2-inch display (the largest on any phone to date), the Mate XT is also the slimmest foldable phone, measuring just 3.6 mm when open.

This flagship device boasts high-end specifications, including a quad camera with periscope zoom, a 5,600 mAh battery, ultra-fast charging, and the powerful Kirin 9010 5G chipset. It also enables two-way satellite calling and comes with tablet accessories like a foldable keyboard, suggesting its potential as a tablet alternative.

Huawei strategically scheduled the Mate XT’s release on September 20 to align with Apple’s iPhone 16 launch, highlighting its innovative position in the foldable market.