Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate vs Xiaomi Mix Fold 3: A Deep Dive into Foldable Flagships

The foldable phone market is maturing, with Huawei and Xiaomi offering compelling, yet distinct, visions. The Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate, leveraging Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9020 chipset, represents a continuation of their established foldable design. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3, powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, aims to deliver top-tier performance and a refined user experience. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which foldable best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is the clear winner. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s 4nm process and superior CPU architecture provide a noticeable advantage in demanding tasks, while the 67W charging offers faster top-ups. However, the Mate XTs Ultimate remains a viable option for those deeply embedded in the Huawei ecosystem.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate Xiaomi Mix Fold 3
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, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, September 042023, August 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, September 29Available. Released 2023, August 14
Body
Build-Glass front (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back or aramid fiber back, aluminum frame
DimensionsUnfolded: 156.7 x 219 x 3.6-4.8 mmFolded: 156.7 x 73.5 x 12.8 mmUnfolded: 161.2 x 143.3 x 5.3 mm Folded: 161.2 x 73.5 x 10.9 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight298 g (10.51 oz)255 g or 259 g (8.99 oz)
Display
Resolution2232 x 3184 pixels (~381 ppi density)1916 x 2160 pixels (~360 ppi density)
Size10.2 inches, 315.5 cm2 (~91.9% screen-to-body ratio)8.03 inches, 206.5 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTri-foldable LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, 1440Hz PWMFoldable LTPO OLED+, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz & 3x2.00 GHz & 4x1.6GHz)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 740
OSHarmonyOS 5.1 (China)Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.0, 75mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 10 MP, f/2.9, 115mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
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), PDAF-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS, HDR Vivid8K@24fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960/1920fps, Dolby Vision HDR
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.6", 1.22µm20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm Cover camera: 20 MP, f/2.3, 23mm (wide), 1/4.0", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, HDR Vivid1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band (tri-band after future SW update)
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 50W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 40 min 50W wireless, 100% in 55 min
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 5600 mAhLi-Po 4800 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, Black, Purple, WhiteBlack, Gold
ModelsGRL-AL202308CPXD0C
PriceAbout 2160 EURAbout 1150 EUR

Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate

  • Robust Wireless Charging (50W)
  • Mature Foldable Design
  • Potentially Excellent Computational Photography

  • Older Kirin 9020 Chipset
  • Less Efficient 7nm Process
  • Likely Lower Peak Display Brightness

Xiaomi Mix Fold 3

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Performance
  • Faster 67W Wired Charging
  • Brighter 1277 Nit Display

  • Potential Software Quirks (Xiaomi UI)
  • Foldable Crease Visibility (Common to both)
  • Limited Availability in Some Regions

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1277 nits, which translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Mate XTs Ultimate (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in Huawei foldables). While both likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, the Mix Fold 3’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. The Mix Fold 3’s panel is also likely to benefit from more recent advancements in color calibration and accuracy, though detailed testing would be required to confirm. The foldable form factor itself introduces inherent crease visibility, a common trait across both devices.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are limited for the Mate XTs Ultimate. However, given Huawei’s historical strength in computational photography, it likely delivers excellent image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Mix Fold 3’s camera system, while details are missing, benefits from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s advanced image signal processor (ISP). The ISP enables faster processing, improved noise reduction, and enhanced dynamic range. Without specific sensor size and aperture information for both devices, a definitive camera comparison is difficult, but the Mix Fold 3’s processing power gives it an edge. We can assume both devices will offer a versatile camera experience, but the Mix Fold 3 likely excels in video recording capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a substantial leap forward from the Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate’s Kirin 9020 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.36 GHz, delivers significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive UI and app loading. The more efficient 4nm process also means better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. While the Kirin 9020 is a capable chip, it simply cannot compete with the raw power and efficiency of Qualcomm’s flagship. The Mix Fold 3 also benefits from faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3’s 67W wired charging, capable of a full charge in 40 minutes, is considerably faster than the Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate’s 66W charging. The Mix Fold 3 also offers 50W wireless charging, matching the Mate XTs Ultimate, and adds 10W reverse wireless charging. While the Mate XTs Ultimate offers 5W reverse wired charging, the Mix Fold 3’s faster charging speeds are a significant convenience factor. The Mix Fold 3’s reported 117-hour endurance rating suggests efficient power management, though real-world usage will vary.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Mate XTs Ultimate if you prioritize a mature foldable design with robust wireless charging capabilities (50W) and are already invested in Huawei’s software ecosystem. Buy the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 if you demand the absolute best performance for gaming and multitasking, coupled with faster wired charging (67W) and a brighter, more vibrant display.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Mate XTs Ultimate struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Kirin 9020 is capable, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Mix Fold 3 offers a significantly smoother gaming experience, particularly with graphically intensive titles. The 4nm process and superior GPU architecture of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 result in higher frame rates and less thermal throttling.
❓ How does the Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 handle multitasking with multiple apps open simultaneously?
The Mix Fold 3 excels at multitasking thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s powerful CPU and faster LPDDR5x RAM. It can comfortably handle numerous apps running in the background without significant performance degradation, making it ideal for power users.
❓ Is the crease on the foldable display noticeable during everyday use on either device?
Yes, a crease is inherent to the foldable display technology of both devices. While manufacturers are constantly improving crease mitigation, it remains visible, particularly when viewing the screen at an angle. The impact on the user experience is subjective, but it's a factor to consider.
❓ What are the implications of using Huawei's HarmonyOS on the Mate XTs Ultimate compared to Xiaomi's MIUI on the Mix Fold 3?
HarmonyOS offers a unique user experience, but its app ecosystem is less mature than Android with Google Mobile Services (GMS) found on the Mix Fold 3. Users heavily reliant on GMS apps may find workarounds necessary on the Mate XTs Ultimate.