On September 10, Huawei officially launched the world’s first consumer foldable smartphone, the Mate XT. This product is currently only available in the Chinese market, priced between $2,809 and $3,371 (approximately 69.3 to 83.16 million VND). Not only is this a groundbreaking technology, but it also marks a significant step forward for Huawei in competing with formidable rivals like Apple.
The Allure of Huawei Mate XT
Pre-orders for the Huawei Mate XT began on September 7 and are expected to hit shelves in Chinese stores by September 20—coinciding with the global launch of the iPhone 16. According to Huawei’s official website, as of noon on September 10, over 3.5 million pre-orders had been placed, quickly rising to more than 4 million after the launch event.
With its innovative design and flexible folding capabilities, the Mate XT offers an unprecedented multi-screen experience. When unfolded, it boasts a slim profile of just 3.6 mm and a wide 10.2-inch display, including a battery thickness of 1.9 mm. The device can display content across one, two, or three screens simultaneously, and it is compatible with a convenient foldable keyboard.
AI Technology and Unique Features
The Mate XT impresses not only with its design but also with its advanced AI features. The phone supports instant text translation and cloud-based content creation, optimizing user experience. Huawei CEO Richard Yu revealed that the development team spent five years perfecting this product.
The Mate XT offers three storage options priced from $2,809 to $3,371 (approximately 69.3 to 83.16 million VND), available in two elegant colors: red and black. Although Huawei has not disclosed details about the processor, it likely uses a custom Kirin chip developed by the company. However, this chip may still fall short compared to Apple’s A18 Bionic, the latest processor on the iPhone 16, manufactured using a 3nm process and offering superior performance.
Market Context and Challenges for Huawei
Since 2019, Huawei remains on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s restricted list, significantly impacting its supply chain and international market access. Despite these challenges, Huawei continues to innovate. In August 2023, the company quietly launched the Mate 60 Pro, equipped with a 7nm chip manufactured by China’s SMIC.
According to Canalys data, Apple fell out of the top 5 smartphone manufacturers in China for Q2 2024. This was the first time Chinese companies dominated all five leading positions in the market. Among them, Huawei ranked fourth, shipping 10.6 million smartphones. The launch of the Mate XT is seen as a strategic move to reclaim market share and assert Huawei’s position against heavyweights like Apple.
Conclusion
The Huawei Mate XT is more than just a technological product; it represents Huawei’s ambitious push to rise in the global smartphone industry. With its unique design, intelligent AI features, and well-executed market strategy, the Mate XT promises significant changes in the global tech race.
For those interested in securing this cutting-edge device, detailed information can be found on Huawei’s official website or authorized retailers in China. Stay tuned for the latest updates to keep up with the trends shaping the future of technology!
References
- Huawei’s Official Website
- Canalys’ Q2 2024 Smartphone Market Report
- TechInsights Analysis of Kirin and A18 Processors