Huawei Unveils World’s First Trifold Phone, Touting Technological Leadership
Chinese tech giant Huawei made headlines on Tuesday with the launch of its new smartphone, the Mate XT, billed as the world’s first trifold phone. This innovative device was unveiled just hours after its US competitor, Apple, announced its latest iPhone built for artificial intelligence.
The Mate XT’s sleek red and gold design has generated significant interest, with over three million people registering to buy the phone before its launch. Priced at 19,999 yuan ($2,800), the phone will go on sale on September 20.
Huawei executive Richard Yu emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation during the keynote presentation, saying, “Huawei has always been a leader in the foldable phone industry. This is the world’s first triple-folding phone. We have put in a huge amount of effort into solving the problems regarding mass production and product reliability.”
The Mate XT’s release comes as Huawei seeks to bolster its presence in the competitive smartphone market. Despite facing challenges following US sanctions, the company has made a surprising comeback with smartphones powered by domestically made chips.
Huawei is currently China’s fourth-largest smartphone maker, having shipped 10.6 million units in the last quarter, according to research firm Canalys. The company was once the largest domestic smartphone maker before being embroiled in a tech war between Washington and Beijing.
Industry analysts believe the launch of the trifold phone could further enhance Huawei’s “technological leadership.” “It will fortify its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers,” said Toby Zhu, senior analyst at Canalys.
However, another industry observer noted that the Mate XT’s high price point and initial stockpile may limit its impact on Apple’s sales in the premium phone sector. “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.
The Mate XT’s innovative design and technology may appeal to a niche audience, but its true test will be in the market. Will Huawei’s trifold phone be able to make a significant dent in the competitive smartphone market? Only time will tell.
