Huawei and Apple’s new cell phones go on sale in China on Friday, with the Chinese tech firm’s much-anticipated $2,800 Mate XT tri-foldable phone offered at more than double the iPhone 16 Pro Max price.
Huawei and Apple’s latest smartphones officially went on sale in China on Friday, with Huawei’s highly anticipated Mate XT tri-foldable phone grabbing attention due to its steep price tag of $2,800, more than twice the cost of Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Huawei’s Mate XT: A $2,800 Tri-Fold Innovation
The Mate XT is a symbol of Huawei’s technological advancement, showcasing the company’s ability to develop cutting-edge devices despite US sanctions.
The phone, which folds three ways like an accordion, has stirred excitement among consumers, with pre-orders reaching over 6.5 million. This number is almost double the total foldable smartphones shipped globally in the second quarter of 2023, according to IDC.
Huawei Executive Director Richard Yu described the device as turning “science fiction into reality” during its unveiling. Despite the overwhelming pre-orders, analysts warn that supply chain constraints could result in limited availability, leaving many buyers empty-handed.
Navigating US Sanctions
The Mate XT is equipped with Huawei’s locally made Kirin 9010 5G processor, the same chipset used in Huawei’s Pura 70 series launched earlier this year.
This chipset represents a defiant step in Huawei’s fight against US technology curbs, further cementing its competitive stance in China’s premium smartphone market.
Challenges Ahead for Huawei’s New Flagship
While the Mate XT boasts significant innovations, analysts are cautious about its potential sales volume. The Mate XT is priced significantly higher than its bi-fold predecessor, the Mate X5, which has sold 2.2 million units as of the second quarter of 2023.
Amber Liu, an analyst at Canalys, pointed out that while the Mate XT marks a technological breakthrough, its higher price may limit its success in matching the sales volume of the Mate X5, which still retails for 11,500 yuan ($1,630).
Apple Faces Criticism for Lack of AI Features
Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max, though competitively priced compared to Huawei’s offering, has faced criticism from Chinese consumers for lacking advanced AI features, leaving some underwhelmed in a market that increasingly values cutting-edge technology.
In the battle for dominance in China’s premium smartphone market, Huawei’s Mate XT is a clear showcase of innovation, but challenges in production and high pricing could impact its ability to outperform previous models or significantly challenge Apple’s market share.