Huawei launches new foldable smartphone as competition with Xiaomi, Apple heats up

Guangzhou, Sep 7: Huawei unveiled its new flagship foldable smartphone series on Monday as it battles against Apple and Xiaomi for the premium handset market in China. The Mate XT2 series, which can unfold twice to reveal a tablet-size screen, is powered by Huawei's cutting-edge Kirin 9050 Pro chip. However, these smartphones come at a hefty price, starting at 19,999 yuan (US$2,980) with the priciest variant reaching 24,999 yuan (US$3,725).

The launch of the new phones is set to commence on Sep 12. Executive Director Richard Yu admitted that the rising memory costs have posed a significant challenge for the company. Richard Yu noted that the company has incorporated advanced technology into the production, which has resulted in considerable cost pressures. Huawei claims the Kirin 9050 Pro chip delivers enhanced computing power while consuming less electricity.

This is made possible through the LogicFolding design architecture, an innovation unveiled by Huawei in May. The principle behind this design, known as the Tau Scaling Law, is aimed at helping the company overcome US restrictions that limit access to advanced technology. Xiaomi is set to release a rival foldable phone later that day, while Apple is expected to announce its latest iPhone series on Wednesday.

Huawei holds a dominant position in China's smartphone market, with a 22.6% share in the second quarter, followed by Apple at 18.1% and Xiaomi at 12.4%, according to consultancy IDC. The Chinese tech giant is the only major brand to sell a tri-fold phone. However, Huawei faces restrictions and cannot sell its products in the United States, as Washington has labeled the company a national security risk.

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics, which is the world's largest seller of foldable phones, introduced a tri-fold model in December, but later discontinued sales after just three months. In an attempt to stay competitive, Samsung unveiled a range of new foldable devices in July, including a passport-sized foldable phone.

The new Mate XT2 models feature a redesigned folding mechanism, improved water resistance, and a screen that prevents others from viewing the displayed content. They also boast upgraded cameras and deliver 42% better overall performance compared to their predecessors, based on company tests. Shares in Xiaomi dropped 3% in afternoon trading following Huawei's announcement of the new series.