BEIJING: Chinese technology giant Huawei on Tuesday launched the world’s first triple-folding smartphone, the Mate XT, in a high-profile announcement that coincides with Apple’s unveiling of its new iPhone 16, which emphasizes AI capabilities. The Mate XT, which is set to hit the market on September 20, is priced at an eye-watering $2,800.
Huawei’s executive Richard Yu presented the Mate XT during a keynote event at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen. The new device features a sleek red and gold design and can transform into a 10.2-inch (26 centimeters) tablet when fully expanded. It weighs 298 grams and represents a significant leap in foldable phone technology.
“This is the world’s first triple-folding phone,” Yu said during the presentation. “We have put in a huge amount of effort into solving the problems regarding mass production and product reliability.”
The Mate XT has generated substantial interest, with over three million pre-registrations prior to its official launch. Despite its innovative design, the high price point is more than three times the cost of the newly announced iPhone 16.
Huawei’s move into the trifold phone market comes in the wake of Apple’s latest announcement, aimed at showcasing the iPhone 16’s advancements in generative artificial intelligence. Analysts suggest that while the Mate XT represents a significant technological achievement, it may not significantly impact Apple’s sales given its steep price and Apple’s strong presence in the premium phone market.
Ethan Qi, an associate director at Counterpoint Research, said that the Mate XT’s influence on Apple’s market share might be limited. “Its impact on Apple’s market share is likely to be very limited given Apple’s popularity in the country and its established ecosystem,” Qi said.
However, Toby Zhu, a senior analyst at Canalys, said that the Mate XT could bolster Huawei’s reputation as a leader in the foldable phone sector. “It will fortify its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers,” Zhu explained. He added that despite the current economic climate, the purchasing power of China’s affluent consumers could still support the Mate XT’s high price.
