In a bold move that challenges Apple’s dominance in the smartphone market, Huawei has unveiled the world’s first commercial tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT, just hours after Apple’s iPhone 16 series launch. The Mate XT, featuring a 10.2-inch screen when fully unfolded, AI-powered functions, and satellite connectivity, has garnered significant attention with over 4 million pre-orders in China alone.Priced between 19,999 yuan ($2,800) and 23,999 yuan ($3,650) depending on storage capacity, the Mate XT boasts a sophisticated triple-layer screen that expands users’ multi-tasking capabilities. The device can be used in three modes: as a 6.4-inch phone, a 7.9-inch screen, or a 10.2-inch tablet. Huawei’s CEO, Richard Yu, stated that the company has ‘turned science fiction into a reality’ after ‘struggling for five years’ to bring the trifold model into production.Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 16 launch has been met with mixed reactions, particularly in China. The lack of immediate AI functionality and restrictions on its use in the country have sparked criticism among Chinese users and analysts. Apple’s stock price decreased by 1% in pre-market trading following the announcement.The contrasting launches highlight the shifting dynamics in the global smartphone market, especially in China. Huawei has seen a resurgence in its home market, with smartphone sales in China rising by 69.7% in the first quarter of 2024. Conversely, Apple has struggled, falling to sixth place in smartphone sales in China during the first half of 2024.As both companies prepare for their respective product releases on September 20, the smartphone industry watches closely to see how these contrasting strategies will play out in the competitive global market. The success of Huawei’s Mate XT and the lukewarm reception of Apple’s iPhone 16 raise questions about the effectiveness of the U.S. campaign to prevent China from accessing advanced technology, as Huawei demonstrates rapid progress in semiconductor technology.
Key points
- Huawei launched the world’s first commercial tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT, receiving over 4 million pre-orders in China.
- Apple’s iPhone 16 faced criticism in China due to lack of immediate AI functionality and usage restrictions.
- The contrasting launches highlight shifting dynamics in the global smartphone market, especially in China.
- Huawei’s success raises questions about the effectiveness of U.
S.
efforts to prevent China from accessing advanced technology.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of pre-orders for the Huawei Mate XT, with some sources citing ‘over 3 million’, while others mention ‘over 4 million’ or even ‘4.
9 million’.
