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| Anyone looking to import a Huawei Mate XT2 from China will have to live with some limitations and spend a lot of money. |
Huawei pulled off a surprise last week with the Mate XT2 launch in China, dropping it just hours before Xiaomi's 18 Fold and Apple's iPhone Duo made their debuts. The timing was bold, and so is the phone itself.
This third-generation tri-foldable represents a significant shift in design philosophy for Huawei. Gone is the Z-shaped folding mechanism that bent both inward and outward. Instead, the Mate XT2 adopts a U-shaped design that folds inward twice—similar to what Samsung did with their Galaxy Z TriFold. The result is a massive 10-inch tablet when unfolded, and it commands a premium price in Huawei's home market. The base 16/256 GB model runs 20,000 yuan (roughly €2,560 or $2,980), while the 1 TB version with privacy display jumps to 25,000 yuan (€3,200/$3,725). The 2 TB variant? Let's just say it's in a league of its own.
Getting One Outside China Won't Be Easy or Cheap
If you're hoping for an official European launch, don't hold your breath. Huawei hasn't announced any plans to bring the Mate XT2 to Western markets, which means importing is your only option. Two retailers have stepped up to fill the gap: Trinity Electronics based in Hong Kong and AverageDad operating out of the UAE and UK.
The import prices are steep—even steeper than you might expect. Trinity Electronics lists the 12/256 GB model in black, white, or purple starting at €3,626 ($4,207). AverageDad charges €3,685 ($4,484), though that figure apparently includes taxes. Either way, you're paying a substantial premium over Chinese domestic pricing.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
Here's where things get interesting. Apple's iPhone Duo, which seemed expensive at its €2,300 German launch price or $1,999 in the US, suddenly looks like a bargain. Even Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold undercuts Huawei at $2,899 before taxes.
The price gap widens as you climb the storage tiers. The 512 GB Mate XT2 costs €3,845 at Trinity or €3,865 at AverageDad. Step up to the 1 TB version without privacy display and you're looking at €4,065 or €4,638 respectively. The top-tier 1 TB model with privacy display reaches €4,285 at Trinity, but AverageDad wants a staggering €5,056 ($5,862) for the same configuration. Why the two premium models cost so much more at AverageDad remains unclear. Neither retailer currently stocks the 2 TB variant.
Software Limitations Could Be a Dealbreaker
Before you rush to import one, consider what you're giving up. Neither Huawei nor the retailers provide useful information about supported network bands, which could spell trouble depending on your carrier. There's no eSIM support, no Android Auto, and no WearOS compatibility. Language options may be limited to Chinese and English.
The bigger issue is Google Services. Unlike phones from Xiaomi, Vivo, or Oppo, Huawei devices don't officially support the Play Store. Workarounds like microG exist, and our how-to guide can help, but according to reader feedback and our own testing, microG won't function on HarmonyOS versions without AOSP Android support—essentially anything above version 4.3. Most container solutions also struggle with HOS 7.0 at present.
If Google apps are essential to your daily workflow, do thorough research before spending thousands on an imported Mate XT2. The hardware is undoubtedly impressive, but the software experience requires significant compromise.
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| The Huawei Mate XT2 is available in three colors and with up to 2 TB of storage. |