Source: AFP
Chinese tech giant Huawei on Tuesday unveiled its new smartphone, billed as the world’s first triple phone, hours after US rival Apple unveiled its new iPhone built for artificial intelligence.
The Mate XT was officially launched at a keynote presentation by Huawei executive Richard Yu at the company’s headquarters in the southern city of Shenzhen.
Originally designed as a premium phone for a niche audience, over three million people expressed interest in purchasing the Mate XT prior to its launch.
Advertised in a sleek red and gold design, the phone will be officially launched on September 20.
Prices start at 19,999 yuan ($2,800), the company said.
“Huawei has always been a leader in the foldable phone industry,” Yu said at the keynote.
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“This is the world’s first triple-folding phone,” he said.
“We have put a lot of effort into solving the problems related to mass production and product reliability,” he added.
Its launch comes a day after Huawei rival Apple announced its iPhone 16, built for genetic artificial intelligence, as it seeks to boost sales and keep up with the tech race.
Huawei is currently the fourth largest smartphone maker in China, shipping 10.6 million units in the last quarter, according to a recent report by research firm Canalys.
Huawei was once the country’s largest domestic smartphone maker before becoming embroiled in a technology war between Washington and Beijing.
US sanctions cut off its access to American technology and crippled its smartphone business — but it made a surprise comeback last year with smartphones powered by domestic chips.
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It is also the largest seller of foldable phones in China, commanding over half of the domestic market share in the first half of 2024.
Analysts said the launch of its triple phone could further strengthen the company’s “technology leadership”.
“It will strengthen its position as a leader in the foldable phone sector among consumers,” Canalys senior analyst Toby Zhu told AFP.
But another industry watcher said it was unlikely to see a big drop in Apple’s premium phone sales, given the price and initial inventory.
“Its impact on Apple’s market share is likely to be very limited, given Apple’s strong ecosystem and broader reach,” said Ethan Qi, associate director at research firm Counterpoint.
Source: AFP
