In a fold move to outshine Apple’s iPhone 16 launch, Huawei has unleashed the Mate XT— the world’s first tri-fold smartphone— onto the Chinese market, with an eye-watering price of 19,999 yuan (US$2,812). Sporting a futuristic 10.2-inch screen and a remarkably slim 3.6-millimetre profile when fully opened, the Mate XT isn’t just a phone; it’s a flex, literally and figuratively. Available in black and red, the model promises to turn heads with its mix of AI functionality and satellite connectivity, designed to stand shoulder to shoulder with its Apple rival.
But what really sets this phone apart is what’s beneath the surface— or rather, behind the hinges. Huawei’s top brass, Richard Yu Chengdong, revealed that perfecting the Mate XT’s dual-hinge technology took years of painstaking effort. With the ability to fold inward and outward simultaneously, Huawei claims they’ve cracked a major engineering challenge that could redefine the way we think about foldable devices. “Mass production? We’ve got that covered,” Yu said, exuding confidence as Huawei takes the fight directly to Apple’s doorstep.
With 4 million pre-orders already in the bag ahead of its official September 20 launch— coinciding with Apple’s iPhone 16 release— the Mate XT’s entrance is more than just a product debut; it’s a declaration. Market analysts believe the scarcity and high price tag will only fuel consumer desire for the Mate XT, appealing to those looking for an air of exclusivity. For Apple, whose grip on China’s premium smartphone market has started to slip, Huawei’s resurgence couldn’t come at a worse time.
As Huawei stakes its claim with a device that seems to defy hardware limitations, questions remain on the software front. Adaptation of apps to this new form factor may be tricky, and with Huawei tight-lipped about the processor inside the Mate XT, speculation is rife. However, with Huawei’s market share in the high-end segment climbing, and Apple’s dipping, the battle between these tech giants has only just begun— and the Mate XT could be the spark that shifts the balance in Huawei’s favor.
(Source: Phone Arena | CNET)
