Huawei Unveils $2,800 Tri-Foldable Phone as It Aims to Outshine Apple in China

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Huawei Technologies has launched its latest innovation, a $2,800 tri-foldable smartphone called the Mate XT, as it seeks to strengthen its position in China’s competitive smartphone market. This high-end device, which folds in three ways like an accordion, is seen as a direct challenge to Apple, arriving just as Apple revealed its latest iPhone model.

The unveiling took place in the tech hub of Shenzhen, and the Mate XT has already garnered significant attention, with over 4 million pre-orders placed according to Huawei’s website. These pre-orders do not require any deposit. For context, the global market for foldable phones stood at around 4 million units for an entire quarter, based on data from research firm IDC.

At the launch event, Richard Yu, Huawei’s executive director, expressed pride in the innovation: “Today we bring you a product that everyone can think of but could not make. Our team has worked tirelessly for five years without giving up. With the Mate XT, we once again rewrite industry history, transforming science fiction into reality and leading a new era of foldable devices.”

The Mate XT comes with advanced AI features such as text summarization, translation, and editing, as well as AI-enhanced image editing tools like removing unwanted parts of photos. These functions are powered by Huawei’s in-house Kylin chips, which serve as the backbone for its AI-driven capabilities.

This launch follows a series of successful smartphone introductions from Huawei, marking its resilience in the face of U.S. sanctions. The company has managed to thrive despite being cut off from the global chipset supply chain, especially with the release of its domestically-powered Mate 60 Pro.

The Mate XT launch coincides with Apple’s unveiling of the AI-boosted iPhone 16. Both devices are set to be available for sale in the near future, but the Mate XT aims to stand out with its innovative tri-fold design and advanced AI functionalities. The new Huawei phone comes in two colors—red and black—and offers a 10.2-inch display when fully extended. The company claims it is the slimmest foldable phone in the world at just 3.6mm thick, and it also features a keyboard attachment that fits conveniently in a pocket.

Pricing starts at 19,999 yuan (about $2,800) for the 256GB version, with higher memory models priced at 21,999 yuan and 23,999 yuan. While it carries a premium price tag, analysts predict the Mate XT may become more of a showcase of Huawei’s technological strength rather than a major revenue driver due to its limited production.

Apple’s new iPhone 16, although highly anticipated, has faced some criticism in China due to its lack of immediate AI functionality. Apple has yet to announce a local AI partner in China, and its AI software, Apple Intelligence, won’t be available in Chinese languages until the following year. This has caused some frustration among consumers. One user commented on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, asking, “What’s the point of buying it if you can’t use AI?” Another suggested that without AI, the iPhone should be sold at a lower price.

This contrast in AI capabilities between Huawei’s Mate XT and Apple’s iPhone 16 highlights the growing importance of artificial intelligence in consumer electronics. Huawei’s integration of AI features gives it a competitive edge, particularly in the Chinese market, where demand for AI-enabled devices is on the rise.

Despite facing significant U.S. sanctions, Huawei has made a strong comeback in the high-end smartphone market. The launch of the Mate 60 Pro, powered by a chip made domestically in China, was a major surprise to industry analysts and U.S. officials alike. Huawei’s ability to innovate and produce cutting-edge smartphones without access to the global chipset supply chain has solidified its position as a tech leader in China and beyond.

In the foldable smartphone segment, Huawei has been particularly dominant. According to IDC, the company ranked as the world’s top foldable smartphone vendor in the second quarter, with a 27.5% market share. In China, Huawei’s share of the foldable phone market is even higher at 42%, far ahead of competitors like Vivo and Honor, the latter of which was spun off from Huawei in 2020 due to U.S. sanctions.

The foldable smartphone market has seen rapid growth, with shipments increasing by 57% year-on-year in the second quarter, reaching 3.9 million units globally. Although this segment still accounts for a small portion—just 1.3%—of the wider smartphone market, it is expanding quickly, driven largely by Chinese manufacturers like Huawei.

While Huawei is leading the foldable phone market in terms of sales, analysts caution that the Mate XT’s high price and limited production could restrict its impact on overall shipments. However, the device’s release sends a strong message to consumers and competitors alike: Huawei is still a technological force to be reckoned with, and its influence in the market extends far beyond just capturing market share.

Huawei’s introduction of the Mate XT represents a bold step forward in foldable smartphone technology. With its cutting-edge AI features and unique tri-fold design, the Mate XT is poised to capture the attention of consumers, particularly in China. Despite its high price, the phone serves as a testament to Huawei’s innovative capabilities and resilience in overcoming U.S. sanctions. As the global market for foldable smartphones continues to grow, Huawei is well-positioned to lead the charge, challenging competitors like Apple not only in China but on the world stage.