Huawei has launched its new tri-fold phone called the Mate XT. It costs $2,800. This release happens alongside the launch of the iPhone 16 by Apple.
Although the hype is all about the "Glowtime event," Huawei hopes to get more attention in China's huge smartphone market.
Huawei Mate XT: A Foldable Phone Like No Other
At an event in Shenzhen, China, Huawei showed its Mate XT. This phone folds in three parts and looks like an accordion. Already, around 4 million people have put in pre-orders for this phone without needing to pay anything upfront, as per Reuters.
"Today we bring you a product that everyone can think of but could not make. Our team has been working hard for five years and has never given up," Huawei executive director Richard Yu said during Mate XT's debut.
According to research from IDC, about 4 million foldable phones were sold in the world in the second quarter of 2024. Now the Mate XT enters this growing market with its unusual design, signaling a new step for mobile technology.
AI-Powered Features: Breaking New Ground
The Mate XT doesn't just fold. It also has powerful tools run by AI. These include things like summarizing text, translating words, and editing pictures. Kylin chips from Huawei are at the heart of these features. The photo tools are especially cool. They let people cut out unwanted parts of their pictures with ease.
Just hours after Huawei's launch, Apple introduced its iPhone 16 with its own AI features. Both phones arrive for sale on Sept. 20. Many will now wonder who comes out on top as the battle between these two big names heats up.
Design and Pricing: The Slimmest Foldable Phone in the World
Huawei's Mate XT has a 10.2-inch screen and measures just 3.6mm thick. Claimed to be the slimmest foldable phone by Huawei, it comes in red and black. A small keyboard accessory fits right in a pocket, making it easier to carry around.
The starting price is 19,999 yuan (about $2,800) for the version with 256GB storage. Two more memory options are priced at 21,999 yuan and 23,999 yuan, placing the Mate XT in the higher price range for foldable phones.
For reference, it costs more than the 16-inch MacBook Pro, according to The Verge.
Huawei's Rise in China's Handset Market
Despite US trade restrictions which cut off some important chip suppliers, Huawei proves that its new releases could only go far. The company keeps creating advanced technology, and the Mate XT proves it's still one of the top companies in expensive smartphones.
Huawei shocked experts with the Mate 60 Pro, catching the attention of US government officials and showing the company's skill even with fewer resources.
At the same time, Apple has been losing its grip on Chinese customers. The iPhone 16 was criticized for lacking AI features, and Apple has dropped in rankings from third to sixth place in China. Huawei's success at home has given it an even stronger advantage over other big brands like Samsung.
Problems With the Mate XT
The Mate XT has impressive technology, but its expensive price and lower production could stop it from reaching many buyers globally.
Will Wong from IDC points out that these issues may stop the phone from becoming a top seller. Still, the Mate XT marks Huawei's ability to push the tech forward and stay a leader in the industry.
Foldable Smartphone Market Growing
Worldwide demand for foldable smartphones jumped 57% compared to last year in the second quarter. A total of 3.9 million units went to market, according to IDC. Despite this jump, these folding phones only represent around 1.3% of all smartphone sales, while 292.2 million standard phones were sold at the same time.
Huawei stood out as the top seller in foldable smartphones, holding 27.5% of the global market.
In China, Huawei's presence is even stronger with 42% of the market, surpassing companies like Vivo and Honor.
Does Huawei's success hint at something bigger? Maybe the Mate XT will help solidify its position, not just in China but around the world too.
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