Huawei introduced the world’s first trifold phone, the Mate XT, on Tuesday in Shenzhen, shortly after Apple announced its AI-equipped iPhone 16.
Richard Yu, a Huawei executive, led the launch during a keynote at the company’s headquarters. Initially aimed at a select market, the Mate XT attracted over three million pre-launch registrations.
The Mate XT will be available in stores on September 20. It will cost $2,800, significantly more than the iPhone 16.
The device, featuring a red and gold design, converts into a 10.2-inch tablet and weighs 298 grams.
“This is the world’s first triple-folding phone,” Yu stated during the presentation.
“We have invested significantly in addressing mass production and reliability challenges,” he noted.
Its debut followed Apple’s release of the iPhone 16, designed with generative AI capabilities.
Read: Apple iPhone 16 with Advanced AI Capabilities – A Game Changer in Mobile Tech
Despite Huawei’s innovation, observers like Ethan Qi from Counterpoint believe it won’t substantially impact Apple’s market share in China due to the iPhone’s strong presence.
Conversely, Toby Zhu of Canalys views the launch as reinforcing Huawei’s stature in foldable technology.
“The phone’s high price is unlikely to deter our target consumers, given their rising affluence even amid economic downturns,” Zhu commented.
Once China’s top smartphone vendor, Huawei ranks fourth, with recent sanctions severely affecting its operations. However, it led China’s foldable phone market in early 2024, controlling over half the domestic share.
Experts believe this launch could enhance Huawei’s technological leadership, affirming its dominance in the foldable phone market.
However, Qi reiterated, “Its effect on Apple’s dominance is expected to be minimal due to Apple’s extensive ecosystem and broader appeal.”
