Durability is a major concern for all smartphones, but it takes on a whole new meaning with foldable devices. The recently released Huawei Mate XT (review), with its triple-folding design and hefty price tag, recently underwent the infamous JerryRigEverything durability test by tech personality Zach Nelson.
During the initial unboxing, the phone reveals some intriguing perks. The Mate XT comes in a surprisingly large box packed with goodies. Buyers receive a pair of the newly launched FreeBuds 5 wireless earbuds, valued at around $154, along with a powerful 88-watt car charger—an accessory not commonly bundled with smartphones.
Huawei’s tri-fold has obvious durability disadvantages
However, the excitement surrounding the generous package contents quickly fades when Nelson examines the phone’s durability. The test begins as expected, with the display demonstrating typical scratch resistance levels based on the Mohs hardness scale.
The Mate XT’s plastic display starts showing deeper scratches at level 3, meaning that even a fingernail can easily scratch the surface.
Like most foldable phones, the display also suffers damage from sharp objects like razor blades. However, even a seemingly harmless tap with the blunt end of a knife handle creates a concerning “spiderweb” crack in the phone’s 10.2-inch 3K 90Hz display. So you must handle the device with a high level of care if you plan to get one.
On a positive note, the test isn’t all bad news. Nelson observes a surprising level of resistance during the usual dirt and grit torture test, a staple on his channel for foldable phones.
He even bends the Mate XT in a book-style fold, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the result is predictably catastrophic—the display suffers significant damage. While this bending is intentional, the phone thankfully displays a warning message when users attempt to bend it in the wrong direction.
Next, Nelson pulls off the leather back of the foldable, which separates easily with just a simple tug, except for the area around the camera bump. Inside, we can see three separate batteries in each segment of the phone, totaling a 5600mAh cell.
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