GUANGZHOU/BEIJING | Huawei has launched its latest flagship foldable smartphone, the Mate XT2, as competition in China’s premium handset market intensifies with Xiaomi preparing a rival device and Apple expected to enter the foldable segment this week.
The Mate XT2 folds twice to open into a tablet-sized screen and is powered by Huawei’s new Kirin 9050 Pro chip. Huawei says the processor delivers greater computing power while using less electricity, an important development as the company continues to operate under U.S. restrictions on access to advanced semiconductor technology.
Huawei said the new phone has a redesigned folding mechanism, improved water resistance, upgraded cameras and an optional privacy display designed to prevent people nearby from viewing the screen. The company also says the device delivers 42% higher overall performance than its predecessor based on its internal testing.
Prices for the Mate XT2 range from 19,999 yuan, about $2,980, to 24,999 yuan, or roughly $3,725. Sales in China are scheduled to begin September 12. Huawei executive Richard Yu acknowledged that rising memory costs and the expense of developing new technology have put pressure on pricing.
Xiaomi is launching its own foldable smartphone as the competition heats up, while Apple is scheduled to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on September 9. Expectations are high that Apple will introduce its first foldable iPhone, although the company has not publicly confirmed the product.
Huawei currently holds a strong position in China’s foldable market. Smart Analytics Global estimates that the company accounted for 68% of foldable smartphone shipments in China during the second quarter. In the broader Chinese smartphone market, Huawei held 22.6% in the same period, ahead of Apple at 18.1% and Xiaomi at 12.4%, according to IDC.
The launch also highlights how Huawei has adapted to U.S. technology restrictions. The Kirin 9050 Pro incorporates Huawei’s LogicFolding architecture and its so-called Tau Scaling Law, which the company says can improve computing efficiency without relying on unrestricted access to the most advanced foreign chips.
Foldable smartphones remain a relatively small part of the global handset market, but the entry of Apple could significantly raise their visibility. Samsung pioneered the modern mainstream foldable-phone push with its Galaxy Fold and Galaxy Z Flip lines beginning in 2019, helping establish a category that Chinese manufacturers have since expanded with increasingly sophisticated designs.
Huawei’s latest launch therefore comes at a pivotal moment. With Xiaomi competing directly and Apple potentially entering the market, the premium foldable segment is becoming a new battleground for technology, design and market share.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
