Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate vs. OnePlus Open: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, with Huawei and OnePlus offering compelling, yet distinct, visions. The Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020, represents a continuation of their foldable expertise. The OnePlus Open, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, is a newcomer aiming to disrupt the established order. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Open emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset delivers demonstrably better performance and efficiency, coupled with a longer battery life (11:59h active use). While the Mate XTs Ultimate boasts fast charging, the Open’s overall package offers a more refined and powerful foldable experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate OnePlus Open
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, September 042023, October 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 29Available. Released 2023, October 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Ceramic Guard) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.7 x 219 x 3.6-4.8 mmFolded: 156.7 x 73.5 x 12.8 mmUnfolded: 153.4 x 143.1 x 5.8 mmFolded: 153.4 x 73.3 x 11.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight298 g (10.51 oz)239 g or 245 g (8.43 oz)
Display
Resolution2232 x 3184 pixels (~381 ppi density)2268 x 2440 pixels (~426 ppi density)
Size10.2 inches, 315.5 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio)7.82 inches, 196.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTri-foldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, 1440Hz PWMFoldable LTPO3 Flexi-fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, Dolby Vision, 120Hz, 2800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.00 GHz & 4x1.6GHz)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 5.1 (China)Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRHasselblad Color Calibration, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF48 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps gyro-EIS, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm20MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 0.7µm Cover camera: 32MP, f/2.4, 22mm (ultrawide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR Vivid4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos enhanced)
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD, 100% in 42 min Reverse wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAhLi-Po 4805 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, Black, Purple, WhiteEmerald Dusk, Voyager Black, Apex Edition
ModelsGRL-AL20CPH2551
PriceAbout 2160 EUR$ 1,059.99 / € 926.54
SAR-0.98 W/kg (head)     0.76 W/kg (body)

Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate

  • Extremely fast 66W wired charging
  • 50W wireless charging capability
  • Potentially strong Huawei ecosystem integration

  • Older Kirin 9020 chipset lags behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Limited information on camera specifications
  • Potential software restrictions due to geopolitical factors

OnePlus Open

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Excellent battery life (11:59h active use)
  • High peak brightness display (1238 nits)

  • Charging speed is competitive but not class-leading
  • OnePlus’s software can be divisive for some users
  • Foldable design may be less durable than traditional phones

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Open boasts a measured peak brightness of 1238 nits, exceeding what we’d expect from a foldable, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the Mate XTs Ultimate’s display specs aren’t provided, Huawei’s history suggests a high-quality panel, but likely falls short of the Open’s peak brightness. Both devices likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The Open’s larger display area and potentially superior brightness give it an edge for media consumption and outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs for the Mate XTs Ultimate are unavailable, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the OnePlus Open’s camera system is expected to be a strong performer, leveraging advanced image processing algorithms. The focus should be on the main sensor size and aperture, and the Open is likely to have a more modern and versatile camera setup. Without specific details on the Mate XTs Ultimate’s sensors, it’s difficult to assess its capabilities beyond assuming a flagship-level experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Open’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant leap ahead of the Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). The 4nm process node translates to superior thermal efficiency, meaning the Open will sustain peak performance for longer periods without throttling. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X3 prime core alongside A715 and A710 performance cores – provides a substantial performance advantage over the Kirin 9020’s older architecture. This benefits gamers, video editors, and anyone running demanding applications. The Open’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Open shines in battery endurance, achieving an impressive 11:59 hours of active use and a 96-hour endurance rating. While the Mate XTs Ultimate offers rapid 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, the Open’s 67W wired charging (with full charge in 42 minutes) is competitive. The Open’s superior battery life, combined with efficient charging, provides a more convenient user experience, reducing the need for frequent top-ups. The Mate XTs Ultimate’s reverse charging options (7.5W wireless, 5W wired) are useful, but the Open also offers reverse wired charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate if you prioritize extremely fast charging speeds (66W wired, 50W wireless) and are deeply embedded within the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the OnePlus Open if you demand top-tier performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value a longer-lasting battery alongside a more universally compatible software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 chipset in the Mate XTs Ultimate suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s superior thermal efficiency, the Kirin 9020 is likely to experience more noticeable throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. This means performance may dip over time as the phone heats up, impacting frame rates and overall smoothness.
❓ How does the OnePlus Open’s software experience compare to Huawei’s EMUI, particularly regarding app availability and Google services?
The OnePlus Open runs OxygenOS, based on Android, offering full access to the Google Play Store and Google services. Huawei’s EMUI, while feature-rich, has faced restrictions due to geopolitical factors, potentially limiting access to certain apps and Google services. This is a key consideration for users reliant on the Google ecosystem.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the Mate XTs Ultimate significantly faster in real-world use than the OnePlus Open’s wired 67W charging?
While 50W wireless charging sounds impressive, wired charging is generally faster and more efficient. The OnePlus Open’s 67W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 42 minutes, will likely be quicker than a full wireless charge on the Mate XTs Ultimate, even considering the wattage difference.