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Chinese tech giant Huawei has launched its Mate XT Ultimate Design smartphone, a folding phone that can transform into a 10.2-inch tablet.

Described by Huawei as “the first-ever commercial triple foldable phone”, the main innovation of the Mate XT Ultimate Design is a flexible OLED touchscreen that is hinged in two directions.

When fully unfolded, the 3,000-pixel 10.2-inch screen delivers what the brand called “cinema-level immersive viewing” with a screen ratio of 16 by 11.

The device switches automatically between single, dual and triple screen modes as the screen unfolds, with dual-screen mode offering roughly square proportions and the fully unfolded device operating like a tablet.

To achieve the novel technical feat of a triple-fold screen, Huawei developed a hinge system that uses two tracks working in tandem to enable both inward and outward folds.

The hinges incorporate 26 precision cams that facilitate smooth opening and closing, with components made from strengthened steel to ensure durability.

An integrated connecting rod and slide rail structure help to reduce the overall thickness of the hinge and therefore the phone itself, which measures 12.8 millimetres when folded and 3.6 millimetres at its thinnest point when fully unfolded.

The screen’s composite laminated structure provides strength despite its thinness, according to Huawei, with the inner fold resisting compression while the outer fold resists tension.

Huawei’s suggested uses for the phone in its fully unfolded mode include reading books and magazines with double-page spreads or using email and apps as you would on a tablet.

Other key features of the phone include its array of four cameras, including one with a ten-stop variable aperture telephoto lens that allows the user to control how much light enters the camera.

Ultimate Design is Huawei’s premium label and the phone incorporates crafted elements including layered steel construction visible along the case edges and the octagonal camera surround.

The back of the phone is wrapped in red or black leather inlaid with the Ultimate Design logotype in gold to match the finish of the metal components.

Huawei chose to launch the device just a few hours after US firm Apple presented the iPhone 16 lineup. Apple has yet to release a foldable phone, despite being granted a patent for such a design in 2016.

Huawei unveiled its original Mate X smartphone at the 2019 Mobile World Congress, demonstrating many of the features present in the Mate XT version but with only one folding mechanism.

Several other brands unveiled folding phones that same year, including Microsoft and Motorola, which produced a revamped version of its Razr flip phone.

Samsung was forced to delay the release of its Galaxy Fold smartphone after reports of screens breaking during use. The South Korean firm also launched a flip phone with a flexible glass display in 2020.

Huawei Technologies Co. was founded in 1987 and is now one of the world’s largest telecommunications firms, operating as a network carrier as well as a manufacturer of its own products and devices for other brands.

The company has been faced with sanctions from countries including the United States, which sees it as a national security risk despite Huawei’s denials. The Mate XT smartphone will go on sale on 20 September but is expected to be available only in China.

All imagery courtesy of Huawei.

The post Huawei releases “first-ever” triple-foldable phone appeared first on Dezeen.

A design studio that specialises in beeswax has curated a London Design Festival exhibition revealing how living trees can provide materials for design objects.

Wax Atelier is behind The Abney Effect, a treasure trove of objects and material experiments made using bio-based waxes, resins, oils, fibres and dyes, all sourced from unfelled trees.

The exhibition is on show at Wax Atelier’s new workshop space on the edge of Abney Park, a historic London cemetery that doubles as a woodland nature reserve.

Highlights include lamps made from pine resin, wood-derived wax crayons and a series of scented waxes created from different parts of orange trees.

Designer and Wax Atelier co-founder Lola Lely said the setting was the starting point for the show.

Located in Stoke Newington, Abney Park first opened in 1840 as an arboretum. It once contained 2,500 species of tree – more than even Kew Gardens has today – including a rosarium with over 1,000 varieties of rose.

“That was the inspiration,” Lely told Dezeen during a tour of the show.

“Besides oxygen, paper and wood, loads of things are derived from trees. We wanted to create a retrospective of those things.”

The show includes experiments from Lely’s own design studio and products that she and Wax Atelier co-founder Yesenia Thibault-Picazo have produced together.

But it also spotlights other designers and studios working with tree-based materials, in an attempt to foster collaboration.

“We all have a synergy in terms of craft, experimentation and innovation, but often we work in our own bubbles,” said Lely.

“We wanted to create opportunities for dialogue. If people are working with the same materials, maybe it can unlock something.”

Wax Atelier is exhibiting aromatic wax collections made from the orange tree’s flower, leaves, fruit and bark. The studio has also created a new version of its wax linen flowers, based on roses.

A collaboration with designer Jacob Marks resulted in the pine-resin lamps, while CQ Studio is showing how it turns bio-resin into sequins.

The Forest Crayons were developed by design studio Playfool using waste lumber. Different varieties of wood produce different colours, revealing the spectrum of shades that exist in nature.

A wall cabinet reveals experiments by Dutch potter Arjan Van Dal, investigating how wood ash can be used to create a glass-effect glaze for porcelain.

Vietnamese fashion brand Kilomet 109 is showcasing a range of materials it uses in its garments, including padding material derived from Sharon fruit and buttons made from coconuts.

Other eye-catching exhibits include Jamie Quade‘s Grown Sundial, crafted from a fallen tree, and Lely’s Kabuto Lights, folded pendant lamps made from naturally dyed Japanese mulberry paper.

Founded in 2017, Wax Atelier has its main studio in nearby Walthamstow.

The Abney Effect is the first exhibition that the studio has hosted in its new workshop space, Labs, which was gifted by Hackney Council and the custodians of Abney Park as a space for research and community engagement.

The exhibition is part of the Dalston to Stokey Design District, one of several districts in London Design Festival.

The show programme includes a series of interactive events, including a sundial-making workshop and a tour of Abney Park’s trees with a local ecologist.

“The showcase’s setting in Abney Park creates a sense of curiosity, connecting objects and materials with their natural surroundings in a way that we hope feels both new and familiar or unfamiliar,” said Lely.

“By including ecological walks and preserving natural elements, the showcase ties design to environmental awareness, emphasising the importance of harmonising design with nature and fostering a deeper appreciation for sustainability.”

Other London Design Festival events include the Craft x Tech exhibition at the V&A showing designers, including Sabine Marcelis, who have collaborated with Japanese master artisans.

The exhibition photography is by Sara Hibbert.

The Abney Effect runs from 16 to 22 September as part of London Design Festival. Visit Dezeen Events Guide for a guide to the festival and other architecture and design events taking place around the world.

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The pet industry is evolving as pets become cherished members of families, leading to a rise in services like pet passports and travel arrangements. Today, many pet owners want to offer their pets the same comfort and care they enjoy, even on flights. The Batsy Cat Shelter and Transportation Unit is a cutting-edge solution that addresses the challenge of feline comfort during travel. As pet ownership surges and the “pet parenting” trend grows, Batsy meets the demand for innovation, sustainability, and animal welfare. It offers a product that aligns perfectly with the modern consumer’s desire to provide the very best for their pets, ensuring they travel in comfort and style.

Designer: Burcu Nehir Tüm

The pet industry has experienced significant growth in recent years, with the online pet market nearly quadrupling since 2013. This expansion was further fueled by the pandemic, which saw a spike in pet adoption rates as people sought companionship during lockdowns. The result is a booming market where pet owners are more willing than ever to invest in high-quality products that enhance the well-being of their furry friends.

Traveling with cats has always been a challenging experience. Studies show that 70% of cat owners find it difficult to transport their cats, especially when going on trips or visiting the vet. Cats, being inherently stress-prone animals, often associate carriers with negative experiences, such as vet visits, which leads to resistance and anxiety.

This cat shelter addresses these mobility challenges by transforming the traditional carrier into a safe and familiar space for cats. The product is designed to serve as both a cozy shelter at home and a convenient carrying case when needed. By making the carrier a regular part of the cat’s environment, Batsy helps reduce the stress associated with travel, making it easier for owners to transport their pets.

Batsy is a multifunctional unit designed with both the cat and the owner in mind. At home, it serves as a warm, secure space where cats can relax, complete with a built-in heater that meets their desire for warmth even when their owner is away. The heater, combined with pheromone pads that emit calming scents, helps strengthen the cat’s bond with the product, making it a familiar and comforting presence.

When it’s time to travel, Batsy easily transforms into a carrying case. The design allows for quick adjustments, such as moving the hangers to the desired length and covering the top of the bed, ensuring a seamless transition from home to transport. This adaptability makes it an ideal solution for emergency scenarios, vet visits, or any other situation where mobility is required.

In line with the growing consumer demand for eco-friendly products, Batsy is designed with sustainability in mind. The product’s modular design allows for parts to be repaired or replaced over time, extending its lifespan and reducing waste. Additionally, the four main bodies of the product are symmetrical and can be produced using just two molds, minimizing the environmental impact of manufacturing.

Batsy also offers customization options, allowing users to add different functions, such as pheromone pads or playground creation parts, and choose from various colors. This versatility ensures that the shelter can meet cat owners’ diverse needs and preferences while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.

The post Eco-Friendly Cat Shelter Makes Traveling With Your Pets Easy And Comfortable first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lotus is making a smooth transition towards the electric vehicle era with the Eletre Hyper SUV, and has not made much fuzz about EV concepts, that is until now. This is the Theory 1 EV concept by the UK-based automotive manufacturer that highlights the three core principles of the brand going into the future – Digital, Natural and Analouge.

The “Theory” manifesto entails the exciting future of limitless possibilities coming from the house of Lotus. To start with, Theory 1 underpins the choice of a compact EV sports car having a three-seater layout. Something right out of the McLaren F1 handbook, the concept car focuses on lightweight construction and innovative technology that puts sustainability at the fore.

Designer: Lotus

The main challenge for the design team was to adapt the Challenge of 10, wherein just 10 main A-frame elements were used. Compare that to a typical car frame construction that uses a hundred elements at best. Recycled material like aluminum is used to keep the overall weight down since battery power is at a premium when hauling long distances is concerned. The result is an all-wheel drive vehicle powered by a 987 hp electric drivetrain capable of hurling it from 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds and having a top speed of 200 mph. The EV weighs less than 1,600kg, and features a 70kWh battery pack. Range on the Theory 1 is touted to be 250 miles which is impressive for a performance EV.

The Performance of the sports car is enhanced by the active aero features like the rounded underfloor (That’s so Lotus) to feed the cooling system, side-pods to direct air into the rear diffuser and a cone-inspired front nose to reinstate the brand’s racing heritage. Doors in Theory 1 have the wrap, reverse-opening mechanism which demonstrates that Lotus is not holding back on its future design language.

The three-seater EV with the central driving position focuses on minimalism with its material choice and interface. The 3D printed headrests come with a KEF binaural sound system and active noise canceling tech for each of the occupants to have their private soundscape. One of the most interesting techs seated inside Theory 1 is the LOTUSWEAR developed in collaboration with wearable robotics company MotorSkins. The fluidic feedback of the system includes inflatable controls on the yoke-steering wheel that appear on demand for a tactile driving experience.

The post Lotus Theory 1 EV sports car has centred driving position and disappearing haptic buttons first appeared on Yanko Design.

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features an inflatable astronaut designed for this year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the MTV Video Music Awards, production designer Matt Steinbrenner crafted an 18-meter-tall inflatable astronaut. The massive figure loomed over the stage at this year’s show, which took place in New York last week.

Some readers admired the design, with one calling it “a joyful kind of branding”, while another criticised it, remarking “more plastic… just what the world needs”.

Other stories in this week’s newsletter that fired up the comments section included the “world’s lightest” glass whisky bottle designed by beverage company Diageo, Snøhetta’s expansion of Omaha’s Joslyn Art Museum and Foster + Partners’ renovation of San Francsico’s modernist Transamerica Pyramid.

Dezeen Debate

Dezeen Debate is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.

You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.

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