By Aaior K. Comfort

Chinese tech giant Huawei introduced its latest innovation, the Mate XT, on Tuesday, claiming it as the world’s first triple-folding phone. The announcement came just hours after Apple revealed its new iPhone designed for artificial intelligence.

Huawei’s executive Richard Yu showcased the Mate XT during a keynote presentation at the company’s headquarters in Shenzhen. Initially aimed at a niche market, the Mate XT has already attracted over three million pre-registrations.

Featuring a sleek red and gold design, the Mate XT is set to go on sale on September 20, with prices starting at 19,999 yuan ($2,800).

“Huawei has always been a leader in the foldable phone industry,” Yu stated. “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 launch of the Mate XT follows Apple’s announcement of the iPhone 16, which is geared towards generative artificial intelligence to enhance sales and maintain competitive edge.

Despite facing setbacks from US sanctions that cut off access to American technology, Huawei has managed a notable comeback. The company is now China’s fourth-largest smartphone maker, with 10.6 million units shipped last quarter, according to Canalys. It has also become the largest seller of foldable phones in China, capturing over half of the domestic market share in the first half of 2024.

Analysts suggest that the Mate XT’s launch could strengthen Huawei’s position as a technological leader in the foldable phone sector. Toby Zhu, a senior analyst at Canalys, noted that it might reinforce Huawei’s leadership among consumers.

However, Ethan Qi, associate director at Counterpoint, believes the Mate XT is unlikely to significantly impact Apple’s sales in the premium phone market due to its high price and initial stock limitations. “Its impact on Apple’s market share is likely to be very limited given Apple’s strong ecosystem and broader appeal,” Qi said.