Chinese tech giant Huawei has unveiled its latest smartphone, the Mate XT, which is billed as the world’s first trifold phone. The launch comes just hours after US competitor Apple introduced its new iPhone, designed for artificial intelligence.
The Mate XT, showcased in a sleek red and gold design, is expected to go on sale on September 20. Priced at 19,999 yuan ($2,800), the phone has garnered significant interest, with over three million people pre-registering for purchase.
Huawei’s executive, Richard Yu, emphasized the company’s leadership in the foldable phone industry during the keynote presentation. He highlighted the extensive efforts put into overcoming challenges related to mass production and product reliability.
The launch of the Mate XT comes a day after Apple announced its iPhone 16, which incorporates generative AI to enhance its capabilities. Huawei, once China’s largest domestic smartphone maker, has faced significant challenges due to US sanctions that restricted its access to US technology.
Despite these setbacks, Huawei has made a remarkable comeback with smartphones powered by domestically made chips. The company remains the biggest seller of foldable phones in China, dominating over half of the domestic market share in the first half of 2024.
Analysts believe that the launch of the trifold phone could further solidify Huawei’s position as a technological leader in the foldable phone sector. Toby Zhu from Canalys noted that the phone will strengthen Huawei’s appeal among consumers.
However, Ethan Qi from Counterpoint expressed doubts about the phone’s ability to significantly impact Apple’s sales in the premium phone sector, citing Apple’s strong ecosystem and broader appeal.
