Huawei Makes Waves with Tri-Fold Smartphone as iPhone 16 Approaches

Huawei's Mate XT: A Game Changer

Huawei Technologies is making headlines with reservations for its new Mate XT, the world's first tri-fold smartphone, surpassing 3 million as pre-orders went live on Vmall.com. This remarkable surge indicates that Huawei is capturing the mainland market's interest ahead of Apple's iPhone 16 challenge.

Waiting for Launch: What to Expect

• Reservations concluded on September 19, without a mandatory deposit.
• Grey-market prices escalate, with scalpers listing the device at 20,000 yuan (US$2,821).
• Available in striking color options of red and black with robust storage options of both 512GB and 1TB.

This strategic launch is essential for Huawei, reinforcing its dominance in the foldable smartphone segment. Data from Counterpoint Research indicates Huawei leads the market with a commanding 56% share in the first half of 2023, particularly in the foldable category, further validated by demand for the Mate X5 model.

The Competitive Landscape

As Richard Yu Chengdong, Huawei's consumer group chairman, showcases the new device on social media, the competition with Apple intensifies. Vmall.com reservations indicate that consumer demand for foldable smartphones is on the rise, which reflects significant trends in the Chinese market where foldable shipments surged 114% from the previous year.

According to Canalys, China accounts for half of global foldable smartphone shipments, marking its position as the largest market. This trend underscores a pivotal shift within the smartphone market, challenging industry norms as Huawei prepares to unveil the Mate XT shortly after Apple's event.