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The Citizen
12-06-2025
- The Citizen
[REVIEW] Huawei Mate XT: No trifold gimmick, but it's pricey
What strikes you immediately about the Mate XT when unfolded is how ridiculously thin it is. If you are a businessperson, entrepreneur, CEO of a company, a sales representative, or perhaps even a university student, or a journalist like me, then the Huawei Mate XT is the best mobile device you can get at the moment. I only recently learned that the popular idiom 'seeing is believing' is a gross misreading of Thomas Fuller's original quote. The 17th-century English clergyman actually said, 'Seeing is believing, but feeling is the truth'. And that's exactly how I felt when I saw the Huawei Mate XT for the first time in Barcelona, Spain. Form factor What strikes you immediately about the Mate XT when unfolded is how ridiculously thin it is. Shockingly so, in fact. It feels sturdy, too. You wouldn't want to test the bendability of it in the opposite direction, obviously, but it does feel like it could take some stick The Mate XT Ultimate is more like a foldable tablet! It features a whopping 10.2-inch LTPO OLED screen with 360ppi resolution, 90Hz refresh rate, and 10-bit colour depth. This large 16:11 display can be folded one or two times, depending on your preferences and use case. Huawei has invented two different high-precision hinges for the purposes of the XT design, which are durable yet incredibly thin, and allow the device to remain as thick as a recent Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold when completely closed. But when it's completely open, this new Mate is only 3.6mm thin! Is this the best Friday or what? This amazing device just landed on my desk, the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Design 😀 Unfold the magic ✨ #Huawei #HuaweiMateXTUltimate @HuaweiZA @HuaweiMobile — 𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚣𝚎𝚕 𝙿𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕 ⚡️ (@FaizelPatel143) June 6, 2025 ALSO READ: WATCH: Samsung S25 Ultra an AI marvel Danger By comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 has 7.6 and 6.3-inch screens, and the OnePlus Open 8 and 6.3-inch screens. Creases are a major issue for foldable screens like those on the Samsung and Honour devices, but Huawei has managed to tame both on the Mate XT. It's no worse than the Galaxy Z Fold 6. What puts the phone in danger is that one of the hinges in the phone causes a bent portion of the display on the outside edge, making it susceptible to damage when dropped, even when closed. The in-box case covers this up with a flap that runs the whole length of the phone. Gaming With its tri-fold form factor and huge display, it is impressive, which makes it a breeze for multitasking needs. It's worth noting that you can only split screen between two apps, but with pop-up windows and extra screen real estate, I didn't find it much of a hindrance. The Huawei Mate XT is well-suited for gaming, offering a smooth and responsive experience even with graphically intensive games. It provides a solid performance, and the large, high-refresh-rate display enhances the gaming experience. The Mate XT Ultimate runs on Huawei's own Kirin 9010 – it's a step back from the Kirin 9020, which powers the Mate X6. It's coupled with 16GB RAM, and you can get the device with up to 1TB of storage. Photography Huawei phones have been known for their solid photographic chops, and we expect that to be the case with the Mate XT. The rear setup, which can also be used for selfies, has a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a variable aperture, a 12MP 5.5x zoom camera with a periscope telephoto lens, and a 12MP AF ultrawide camera. Laser assistance and a colour spectrum sensor complement the back cameras. There is also a small 8MP imager inside a cutout in the screen. ALSO READ: Vivo X200 Pro offers DSLR experience, but it's pricey Battery The main thing people ask me about the Mate XT, once they get over its foldability, is whether the battery sucks. In my experience, it absolutely doesn't. The 5,600mAh capacity proves more than capable of lasting a full day. I'm not spending all day with the phone fully open. A 5,600mAh battery is a decent size for a phone, but relatively small for a tablet. Pricey After several weeks using the Mate XT as my main phone, my primary impression is that it delivers on its promise, effectively offering three different devices in one. The Mate XT feels like the ideal combination of tablet and smartphone. The fact that it's so thin and consequently folds down into such a practical package is where the innovation and demand lie. Verdict All in all, the Huawei Mate XT is designed for those who demand the cutting edge of consumer technology. But there is one huge drawback, and this is not cosmetic. The Huawei XT ultimate design is pricey and retails for around R70,000. Many people will also argue that it's a Huawei device, and therefore, it lacks Google. Well, Huawei has done a workaround on this. All you need to do is download the GBox app, and you will have access to all the necessary apps. It takes about five minutes to download all the apps, depending on the connection, and it works like magic. China talks Currently, the United States and China have agreed on a 'framework' on trade after two days of talks in London aimed at de-escalating tensions between the sides. So who knows, maybe they may have also been talking about the Huawei issue. If they are discussing Huawei, and if the sanctions are lifted against the company, Huawei could become a world market leader in the mobile phone, watch and computer market, taking the competition to the likes of Apple, Samsung and many others. ALSO READ: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max review – It's a handful
Phone Arena
07-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Samsung's tri-fold appears on certification site with disappointing battery news
The Samsung Galaxy G Fold is the manufacturer's response to Huawei's tri-fold Mate XT Ultimate Design. Despite rumored pricing in the $3,000-$3,500 range, close to the Mate XT's price tag when converted to U.S. Dollars, some looking to purchase the Galaxy G Fold are going to be disappointed by mundane specs that aren't what you might expect for such a pricey handset. For example, the Galaxy G Fold recently surfaced on China's 3C certification site also known as the China Compulsory Certificate site, Devices to be sold in China must have the 3C safety and quality certification which is similar to the UL certification in the U.S. and CE certification in Europe. The 3C website reveals that Sammy's tri-fold listed on the 3C website carries a model number SM-F9680 with the "0" indicating that this particular version of the phone will be sold in China. Reportedly, the Galaxy G Fold will be available in just two markets, Samsung's home turf of South Korea, and China, the world's largest market for smartphones. The 10.2-inch display on the Huawei Mate XT in use. | Image credit-PhoneArena The 3C certification also revealed that the Galaxy G Fold charges at a maximum of 25W (Wired). This might have been done because Samsung was concerned that the phone's thin form factor would leave little room inside the phone. To prevent any risk of overheating and worse, the wired charging rate has been capped at 25W. However, Huawei's Mate XT charges much faster with its wired and wireless charging speeds at 66W and 50W respectively. You can't blame Samsung for having the Galaxy Note 7's battery issue in the back of its mind. Samsung, like Apple, has been the subject of criticism over the relatively slow battery charging speeds that the company's handsets offer. The fastest charging speed, 45W, is offered on Galaxy S Ultra models starting with the S22 Ultra and later. The battery powering the Galaxy G Fold is rumored to weigh in at under 5000mAh compared to the 5600mAh cell on Huawei's Mate XT. So far, Huawei seems to have the advantage specs-wise over Samsung. The Mate XT display gives users a screen as large as 10.2 inches when fully opened. That compares to the 9.96-inch display on the Galaxy G Fold when that screen is fully open. One key component where Samsung's tri-fold will have an important advantage over Huawei is the application processor (AP). The Mate XT, limited by U.S. sanctions, features the 7nm Kirin 9010 AP. The Galaxy G Fold will be equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite AP built using TSMC's 3nm process node. In case you're curious, the Mate XT first launched domestically last September while the Galaxy G Fold could be released before the end of this coming August.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
China now offers instant tax refund to tourists in bid to boost consumption. Here's how it works
BEIJING: Visitors to China might soon find it easier to claim tax rebates at store checkouts – and that could mean a little extra cash to spend during their trip and fewer queues at the airport. Experts say this could boost the economy, but the key will be getting more retailers on board with the programme. China recently revised its tax rebate policy to allow foreign tourists to receive their tax refunds instantly at eligible stores, rather than only at the airport, and lowered the minimum spending required for such claims. Since April 27, tourists who spend at least 200 yuan (S$36) at the same store on the same day are eligible for the instant tax refund, down from the previous 500 yuan. The maximum cash refund amount has also been raised from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan. Refunds can be received instantly through mobile payments such as WeChat and Alipay's digital wallets, credit cards and in cash. Previously, tourists had to get paper forms and receipts in order, and could receive the refunds only at the tax refund counter at the airport right before leaving the country. The catch? Not all shops offer this service, but Chinese authorities said they are working to broaden the list of such tax-refund stores in major shopping areas, pedestrian streets, tourist sites, resorts, cultural venues, airports, passenger ports and hotels. Goods eligible for refunds include luxury items, those from time-honoured Chinese brands such as traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy Tong Ren Tang and silk store Rui Fu Xiang, craft, cultural and heritage items, renowned Chinese consumer goods and sports products. Food and beverage stores are not included in the list. Chinese state media China Daily noted that a tourist who buys a Huawei Mate XT smartphone with an original price of 23,999 yuan, or $4,300, including tax, can receive an in-store refund of about $462 – enough for a high-speed train ride from Beijing to Shanghai and one-night luxury hotel stay. The policy tweak aims to boost inbound tourist consumption in the world's second-largest economy by getting visitors to spend more and sooner, as Beijing attempts to cushion some damage from the ongoing US-China trade war. The revised model was piloted in several cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, before being rolled out nationwide in April. Auratic, a Chinese porcelain tableware brand, was the sole store in Beijing's Silk Street mall offering in-store tax rebates to tourists. - Photo: ST Shan Guo, a partner at business consultancy Hutong Research, said the departure tax refund, according to China's current value-added tax rate, is around 11 per cent. 'The revised policy means tourists have 11 per cent more cash to spend in China, instead of bringing it home after getting it upon departure,' she said. Assuming that tourists spend all the cash refunded, Guo estimated that it could translate to another 0.05 per cent support to China's gross domestic product (GDP) – a modest figure, but a boost nonetheless. 'The upside could be higher – if tourists spend more than what they were refunded and if the policy attracts more visitors. Cities such as Shanghai could benefit as it is usually tourists' first and last stop in China, as well as the go-to place for luxury shopping,' she said. In 2024, China's inbound tourist spending accounted for about 0.5 per cent of China's GDP, compared with 1 per cent to 3 per cent in major economies. Chinese Vice-Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping highlighted it as an area with significant growth potential on April 27 when announcing the measures. A total of 132 million tourists spent more than US$94.2 billion in China in 2024, an increase of 77.8 per cent from 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. With the policy in place, Guo noted that it was now a matter of getting more shops on board the instant tax rebate programme, as some retailers may not feel that offering this service benefits them. A sign near the entrance of luxury shopping mall SKP in Beijing indicating that the mall offers tax rebates to foreign tourists. - Photo: ST A check by The Straits Times in Beijing found that high-end shopping centres, SKP and China World Mall, have an instant tax refund counter, which is marked with a large blue sign. At Taikoo Li Sanlitun, a trendy shopping area popular with the young, most luxury international boutiques such as Gucci and Moncler offer the service. But a number of local Chinese brands, such as popular perfume brand To Summer, do not. The roll-out of the programme appears uneven, as smaller malls have not yet come on board. At Silk Street, a tourist-centric shopping mall in Beijing selling silk garments, leather goods and traditional handicraft, only one store selling porcelain tableware offered the service. Some sales assistants were perplexed when asked if their shop offered in-store tax rebates for foreign tourists, saying they had not heard of this new policy. But three sales assistants told ST that they have been informed there will be a mall-wide push to implement the in-store tax refund, although the timeline was unclear. A sales assistant selling Chinese brocade jewellery boxes, who wanted to be known only as Ms Wang, said: 'It'll be good for business because only tourists buy these items as souvenirs. But whether our in-store tax rebate system will be ready in two weeks or two months, I cannot say for sure.' How to get the in-store tax refund Spend at least 200 yuan at the same store on the same day. Present your passport at the store's checkout. The store will fill in a digital tax refund application form, which takes in your credit card number or e-wallet details, and does the tax refund on the spot or may direct you to a centralised refund counter within the mall or shopping area. At the refund counter, receive your funds via WeChat and Alipay e-wallets, credit cards or in cash. At the airport, before departure, present the digital form and receipts at the e-tax refund kiosk to validate your purchases. If you do not do this, your refund might be reversed and charged back to your credit card or e-wallets. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
China eases tax refund rules for tourists
Since April 27, tourists who spend at least 200 yuan (S$36) on the same day at the same store are eligible for the instant tax refund. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG China now offers instant tax refunds to tourists in bid to boost consumption. Here's how it works – Visitors to China might soon find it easier to claim tax rebates at the store's checkout – and that could mean a little extra cash to spend during the trip and fewer queues at the airport. Experts say this might boost the economy, but the key is getting more retailers on board the programme. China recently revised its tax rebate policy to allow foreign tourists to receive their tax refunds instantly at eligible stores, rather than doing so only at the airport, a nd also lowered the minimum spending for such claims. Since April 27, tourists who spend at least 200 yuan (S$36) on the same day at the same store are eligible for the instant tax refund, down from the previous 500 yuan. The maximum rebate amount for a cash refund has also been raised from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan. Refunds can be instantly received through mobile payments such as WeChat and Alipay's digital wallets, credit cards and in cash. Previously, tourists had to get their paper forms and receipts in order, and could get the refunds only at the tax refund counter at the airport right before they left the country. The catch? Not all shops offer this service, but the Chinese authorities said they are working to broaden the list of such tax-refund stores in major shopping areas, pedestrian streets, tourist sites, resorts, cultural venues, airports, passenger ports and hotels. Goods eligible for refunds include luxury items, time-honoured Chinese brands such as traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy Tong Ren Tang and silk store Ruifuxiang, craft, cultural and heritage items, renowned Chinese consumer goods and sports products. Food and beverage stores are not included in the list. Chinese state media China Daily noted that a tourist who buys a Huawei Mate XT smartphone with an original price of 23,999 yuan (US$3,299) including tax, can receive an in-store refund of about US$360, which is enough for a high-speed train ride from Beijing to Shanghai and one-night luxury hotel stay. The policy tweak aims to boost inbound tourist consumption in the world's second-largest economy by getting visitors to spend more and sooner, as Beijing attempts to cushion some of the damage from the ongoing US-China trade war. The revised model was piloted in several cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, before being rolled out nationwide in April. Ms Shan Guo, a partner at business consultancy Hutong Research, said the departure tax refund, according to China's current value-added tax rate (VAT), is around 11 per cent. 'The revised policy means tourists have 11 per cent more cash to spend in China, instead of bringing it home after getting it upon departure,' she said. Assuming that tourists spend all the cash refunded, Ms Guo estimated that it could translate to another 0.05 per cent support to China's gross domestic product (GDP) – a modest figure but a boost nonetheless. 'The upside could be higher if tourists spend more than what they were refunded and if the policy attracts more visitors. Cities such as Shanghai could benefit as it is usually tourists' first and last stop in China, as well as the go-to place for luxury shopping,' she said. A sign near the entrance of luxury shopping mall SKP in Beijing indicating that the mall offers tax rebates to foreign tourists. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG In 2024, China's inbound tourist spending accounted for about 0.5 per cent of China's GDP, compared with 1 to 3 per cent in major economies. Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Sheng Qiuping highlighted it as an area with significant growth potential on April 27 when announcing the measures. A total of 132 million tourists spent more than US$94.2 billion in China in 2024, an increase of 77.8 per cent from 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. With the policy in place, Ms Guo noted it is now a matter of getting more shops on board the instant tax rebate programme as some retailers may not feel that its benefits justify them offering this service. A check by The Straits Times in Beijing found that high-end shopping centres, SKP and China World Mall, have an instant tax refund counter, marked with a large blue sign, where tourists can get their refunds. At Sanlitun Taikoo Li, a trendy shopping area popular with the young, most luxury international boutiques such as Gucci and Moncler offer the service. But most local Chinese brands, such as popular perfume brand To Summer, do not. The rollout of the programme appears uneven, as smaller malls have not yet come on board. At Silk Street, a tourist-centric shopping mall in Beijing selling silk garments, leather goods and traditional handicrafts, only one store selling porcelain tableware offered the service. Auratic, a Chinese porcelain tableware brand, was the sole store in Silk Street mall in Beijing that currently offers in-store tax rebates to tourists. ST PHOTO: MICHELLE NG Some sales assistants were perplexed when asked if their shop offered in-store tax rebates for foreign tourists, saying they had never heard of this new policy. But three sales assistants told ST that they have been informed that there will be a mall-wide push to implement the in-store tax refund, although the timeline is unclear. A sales assistant selling Chinese brocade jewellery boxes, who wanted to be known only as Ms Wang, said: 'It'll be good for business because only tourists buy these items as souvenirs. But whether our in-store tax rebate system will be ready in two weeks or two months, I cannot say for sure.' How to get the in-store tax refund Spend at least 200 yuan (S$36) on the same day at the same store. Present your passport at the checkout. The store fills in a digital tax refund application form, which takes in your credit card number or e-wallet details, and does the tax refund on the spot or may direct you to a centralised refund counter within the mall or shopping area. At the refund counter, receive your funds via WeChat and Alipay e-wallets , credit cards or in cash. At the airport before departure, present the digital form and receipts at the e-tax refund kiosk to validate your purchases. If you do not do this, your refund might be reversed and charged back to your credit card or e-wallets. Michelle Ng is China Correspondent at The Straits Times. She is interested in Chinese foreign policies, property trends, demographics, education and rural issues. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Samsung Tri-Fold smartphone price leaked: Will this smartphone launch in India? Here is what we know so far
Samsung Tri-Fold price leaked: The smartphone industry is on the verge of a revolution, and Samsung is leading the charge. Rumors have circulated about the tech behemoth's latest creation, a tri-foldable phone that is expected to take the market by storm. As enthusiasm grows, people eagerly await the release of this innovative product. In this article, we'll tell you the latest on Samsung's tri-foldable phone, including its planned release date, probable features, and implications for the future of smartphones. Whether you're a Samsung fan or simply curious about the latest tech trends, we've got all the information you need. Samsung Tri-Fold launch timeline Galaxy Tri-fold all set to launch in Q3 this yearSamsung is only launching it in 2 markets : South Korea & ChinaLimited quantities with a price between $3000 - 3500 According to tipster Yogesh Brar, Samsung's tri-fold smartphone will be available in the third quarter of 2025. This contradicts a prior story, which stated that the larger foldable will arrive much later, after the Galaxy Z series is released this year. Galaxy G Fold. A recent leak has confirmed the foldable's screen size, which is smaller than the Huawei Mate XT tri-fold handset. The leaker reiterates previously disclosed information, stating that the Samsung tri-fold model would be released in restricted quantities and will only be available in South Korea and China. Samsung Tri-Fold expected specifications While normal book-style foldables have a huge display and a single hinge, Samsung is expected to follow in the footsteps of Huawei Mate XT Ultimate and release a smartphone with two hinges. We've previously seen patent leaks indicating similar arrangements, including one with two hinges and another with three hinges and four connected panels. Indeed, these foldables will open up into full-size tablets, as opposed to the current state of foldables, which provides a user with the width of two standard smartphone displays side by side. According to Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station, Samsung's rumored triple folding smartphone, which could be called the Galaxy G Fold, will have a screen size of approximately 9.9 inches when fully unfolded. This means it will have a smaller primary display than Huawei's Mate XT, which has a 10.2-inch internal foldable display. Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 expected to launch with Exynos 2500 chip? Here is what you need to know Samsung Tri-Fold's expected price Yogesh Brar, a well-known tipster, estimates that the price will be between $3,000 and $3,500. With a straight currency conversion at today's rates (which Samsung will not use), the difference is £2,225-£2,595 or AU$4,650-AU$5,425. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech.
