Huawei Technologies on Tuesday introduced a new $2,800 tri-foldable phone, the Mate XT, in a bid to strengthen its position in the global smartphone market and challenge Apple. The launch came just hours after Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 16 model, marking the start of a competitive race between the two tech giants.
The Mate XT, with a 10.2-inch screen that folds in three ways like an accordion, features AI capabilities, including text summaries, translations, and image editing functions. Huawei executives highlighted the years of research and development that led to the device, with over 4 million pre-orders already recorded on their website, requiring no deposit.
The launch signifies Huawei’s ongoing efforts to lead in innovative smartphone designs. Executive director Richard Yu expressed confidence that the new device would “rewrite the history of the industry,” pointing out its advanced AI features powered by the company’s in-house Kylin chips.
This latest product follows Huawei’s comeback in the high-end smartphone market, which it re-entered last year with the Mate 60 Pro, a device that surprised analysts. Despite U.S. sanctions limiting its access to global chip supplies, Huawei has continued to assert its dominance, particularly in the foldable phone segment.
The Mate XT is priced between 19,999 yuan ($2,800) and 23,999 yuan, making it significantly more expensive than Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max. Analysts have noted that the high price and limited production may restrict its market impact, positioning it more as a symbol of Huawei’s technological prowess than a mass-market product.
However, Huawei’s dominance in the foldable smartphone market is evident, with the company holding a 27.5% global market share in the second quarter, ahead of Samsung’s 16.4%. Its lead in China is even stronger, with a 42% market share, reinforcing its position as a tech leader in its home country.
Despite the stiff competition, Apple continues to struggle in China, where its market position has fallen to sixth place. The absence of AI features in its new iPhone 16 has drawn criticism from Chinese consumers, further boosting Huawei’s competitive edge.
As the foldable phone market grows, with a 57% year-on-year increase in the second quarter, Huawei’s innovations and strategic launches continue to position the company as a formidable player in the global tech space, particularly in its home market.