Chinese tech giant Huawei has made waves in the smartphone industry by unveiling the world’s first trifold smartphone, the Mate XT. This announcement came just hours after US competitor Apple showcased its new iPhone 16, designed with a focus on artificial intelligence.
The Mate XT was officially introduced during a keynote presentation by Huawei executive Richard Yu at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen. Originally intended as a premium device for a niche audience, the interest has surged, with over three million people registering their intent to purchase the world’s first trifold smartphone before its launch.
According to Ethan Qi, associate director at Counterpoint, the influence of Huawei’s world’s first trifold smartphone on Apple’s market share is likely to be minimal, particularly given Apple’s strong presence in China. On the other hand, Toby Zhu, a senior analyst at Canalys, believes the Mate XT will solidify Huawei’s position as a leader in the foldable phone market, enhancing its reputation for technological innovation.
The Mate XT will hit the market on 20 September 2024, starting at a staggering price of $2,800—more than three times the cost of the new iPhone 16. Featuring an elegant red and gold design, this innovative device can transform into a 10.2-inch (26 centimeters) tablet while weighing only 298 grams.
“This is the world’s first trifold smartphone,” Yu emphasized during the presentation. He added,“We have invested significant effort into addressing the challenges of mass production and ensuring product reliability.”
The launch of Huawei’s trifold smartphone coincides with Apple’s introduction of the iPhone 16, which aims to enhance sales in the competitive tech market. However, industry analysts suggest that the high price of the Mate XT may limit its impact on Apple’s sales in the premium smartphone segment.
Once the leading smartphone maker in China, Huawei faced significant challenges due to US sanctions that restricted its access to American technology, crippling its smartphone business. Nevertheless, the company has made a remarkable comeback, shipping 10.6 million units in the last quarter and reclaiming its status as a dominant player in the foldable phone market, capturing over half of the domestic market share in the first half of 2024.
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As Huawei continues to push the boundaries of smartphone technology with the launch of the world’s first trifold smartphone, the Mate XT, it positions itself to further establish its technological leadership in the competitive landscape of the mobile industry.
