In a bold move, Chinese tech giant Huawei launched the world’s first triple-folding smartphone, the Mate XT, on Tuesday at its headquarters in Shenzhen. The new phone, priced at a staggering $2,800, arrives just hours after Apple revealed its latest iPhone 16, designed for artificial intelligence (AI).
During the keynote presentation, Huawei executive Richard Yu introduced the cutting-edge device, showcasing its ability to transform from a smartphone into a 10.2-inch tablet. Weighing 298 grams, the Mate XT’s sleek red and gold design has already captured attention, with over three million people registering interest before the official launch.
“This is the world’s first triple-folding phone,” Yu said, highlighting the extensive efforts to overcome challenges related to mass production and reliability. The Mate XT is set to hit the market on September 20, at more than triple the price of Apple’s new flagship.
Despite its innovation, analysts predict the Mate XT will have a limited impact on Apple’s dominance in China’s premium phone sector. Ethan Qi, associate director at Counterpoint, stated that Huawei’s foldable will likely not significantly affect Apple’s market share, given the California giant’s entrenched popularity in China.
However, industry insiders note that the Mate XT could further Huawei’s leadership in foldable smartphones. Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys, remarked, “It will fortify its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers.”
Huawei’s latest launch marks another milestone in the company’s comeback, following setbacks due to U.S. sanctions. Once China’s top smartphone maker, Huawei is now the fourth-largest, shipping 10.6 million units in the last quarter. However, the brand continues to dominate the domestic foldable phone market, holding more than half of the market share in the first half of 2024.
