- Huawei has unveiled the Mate XT 2, the first triple-folding smartphone powered by chips that are free from U.S. supply restrictions, just days ahead of Apple's annual launch of its flagship iPhones.
- Xiaomi has debuted the 18 Fold, which features domestic memory from CXMT Corp and a self-developed Xring O3 processor.
- The foldable iPhone from Apple is expected to launch on Wednesday, with a price tag of over $2,000.
- The Mate XT 2 is the successor to the original Mate XT released two years ago, advancing the complexity of engineering by combining a regular smartphone and a large-screen tablet into one.
- Huawei and Xiaomi are raising the stakes in China's smartphone arena just days before Apple Inc's first foray into the foldable category.
- Apple could capture a quarter of the global foldable market this year and is projected to claim the No.1 spot with a 41% market share next year.
- Huawei has seen its profit decline in the first half of this year, partly due to hoarding components to fend off rising memory costs.
- Xiaomi's profit has declined for three consecutive quarters as the company works to reduce shipments of unprofitable low-end devices.
Huawei Technologies has unveiled its first tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT 2, featuring a new LogicFolding chip design, just days before Apple's anticipated entry into the foldable market. This device, powered by U.S.-free chips, highlights Huawei's strategy to innovate amid supply chain challenges.14567
Meanwhile, Xiaomi debuted the 18 Fold, which utilizes domestic components, including memory from CXMT Corp and Xiaomi's own Xring O3 processor. This launch reflects a growing trend among Chinese manufacturers to rely on local suppliers as they prepare for increased competition from Apple.28
Analysts predict that Apple's foldable iPhone, expected to be priced over US$2,000, could capture a significant share of the global foldable market, potentially reaching 41% market share next year. Counterpoint analyst Ivan Lam noted, “Apple has the world’s biggest premium device installed base. Its foldable will sell well and rapidly grab market share.”3
As Huawei and Xiaomi navigate their own challenges—Huawei facing profit declines due to rising memory costs and Xiaomi working to reduce low-end device shipments—their latest offerings underscore the competitive landscape in the premium foldable segment, which Apple is poised to disrupt.
“The Mate XT 2 is the first to feature Huawei's LogicFolding chip design, combining a smartphone and tablet. Xiaomi's 18 Fold uses CXMT memory and its own Xring O3 processor, with Apple's foldable expected to cost over $2,000 and grab 41% market share next year.”
