Chinese tech giant Huawei, on Tuesday, introduced its latest innovation, the Mate XT, the world’s first smartphone with a triple-folding design.
Entrepreneurng reports that the launch came just hours after Apple revealed its new AI-powered iPhone.
According to AFP, Huawei’s executive Richard Yu officially presented the Mate XT during a keynote at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen.
Initially designed for a premium audience, the device has already attracted significant interest, with over three million people registering ahead of its release.
Featuring a sleek red and gold design, the Mate XT will officially go on sale starting September 20, with prices starting at 19,999 yuan ($2,800).
“Huawei has consistently been at the forefront of foldable phone innovation,” Yu said during the event. “This is the world’s first triple-folding phone, and we’ve made significant strides in addressing challenges around mass production and reliability.”
The Mate XT’s launch follows Apple’s recent announcement of the iPhone 16, which focuses on generative artificial intelligence as the tech giant seeks to maintain its competitive edge.
Huawei, currently ranked as China’s fourth-largest smartphone maker, shipped 10.6 million units last quarter, according to a report from research firm Canalys.
Once the leading smartphone manufacturer in China, Huawei’s business was severely impacted by US sanctions, which restricted access to key technologies.
However, the company made a notable comeback last year by producing smartphones powered by domestically-made chips.
Huawei continues to dominate China’s foldable phone market, controlling over 50% of the market share in the first half of 2024. Industry analysts believe the launch of the Mate XT could further enhance Huawei’s leadership in the foldable phone sector.
“It will fortify its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers,” Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys, told AFP.
However, some industry experts believe that despite its innovation, the Mate XT is unlikely to significantly impact Apple’s market share in the premium smartphone sector.
“Its impact on Apple’s market share is likely to be very limited given Apple’s strong ecosystem and broader appeal,” said Ethan Qi, associate director at research firm Counterpoint
