Chinese tech giant Huawei has officially launched the Mate XT, the world’s first trifold smartphone, just hours after US competitor Apple revealed its latest iPhone model. The new device was introduced during a keynote presentation by Huawei executive Richard Yu at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen.
The Mate XT, originally designed as a premium offering for a niche market, has already garnered significant interest, with over three million potential buyers registered prior to the launch. Priced at 19,999 yuan ($2,800), the device will officially go on sale on September 20.
“Huawei has always been a leader in the foldable phone industry,” Yu said. “This is the world’s first triple-folding phone, and we’ve put immense effort into overcoming the challenges of mass production and product reliability.”
The unveiling of the Mate XT comes a day after Apple introduced its iPhone 16, which is built for generative artificial intelligence as the US tech giant seeks to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving smartphone market.
Despite recent setbacks due to US sanctions that limited Huawei’s access to American technology, the company has regained momentum with smartphones powered by domestically produced chips. Huawei is currently China’s fourth-largest smartphone maker, shipping 10.6 million units in the last quarter, according to research firm Canalys. It also holds the top spot in China’s foldable phone market, with over half of the domestic market share in the first half of 2024.
Industry analysts predict that the launch of the Mate XT will solidify Huawei’s position as a technological leader in the foldable phone sector. “This will fortify its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers,” said Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys.
However, some experts believe that Huawei’s new device is unlikely to significantly impact Apple’s dominance in the premium smartphone segment. “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.
Huawei’s latest innovation highlights its resilience in a competitive industry and underscores its ambition to remain at the forefront of smartphone technology.
Source: AFP
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