Both Huawei and Apple’s latest smartphones are set to hit Chinese stores on Friday, with Huawei’s eagerly awaited tri-fold Mate XT debuting at a price more than double that of Apple’s premium iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, concerns over supply shortages loom over the release of Huawei’s $2,800 device.
[ngg src=”galleries” display=”basic_slideshow” maximum_entity_count=”500″]
Huawei and Apple’s Latest Smartphones Hit the Chinese Market
On Friday, September 20, 2024, both Huawei and Apple launched their latest smartphones in China, with Huawei’s highly anticipated $2,800 tri-fold Mate XT priced at more than twice that of Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Despite the excitement surrounding Huawei’s innovative foldable phone, analysts caution that supply chain issues could leave many eager buyers without the device.
The introduction of the Mate XT, which reportedly features a domestically produced chipset, highlights Huawei’s resilience in overcoming U.S. sanctions. It also strengthens the company’s competitive stance against Apple in the Chinese market, where some consumers have expressed disappointment in the iPhone 16’s limited AI capabilities.
Huawei’s executive director, Richard Yu, praised the Mate XT at its launch, likening the device’s revolutionary tri-fold design to something out of “science fiction.” The phone, which folds in three sections like an accordion, has garnered significant attention.
Pre-orders for the Mate XT have already exceeded 6.5 million, nearly doubling the estimated 3.9 million foldable phones shipped worldwide in the second quarter of this year, according to IDC. However, it’s worth noting that pre-orders do not require an upfront deposit from customers.
Although the Mate XT showcases Huawei’s technological prowess in the premium foldable market, it may not surpass the sales of its predecessor, the Mate X5, which is still priced at 11,500 yuan ($1,630) and has sold 2.2 million units as of Q2 2024, said Amber Liu, an analyst at Canalys.
While both the Mate XT and Mate X5 are flagship foldables, they differ in terms of value, specs, and pricing, Liu explained. “The Mate XT may not achieve the same sales volume as the Mate X5, but it represents a major leap forward in innovation.”
Powered by the Kirin 9010 5G chipset, the same processor used in Huawei’s Pura 70 series launched earlier this year, the Mate XT is seen as a symbol of Huawei’s defiance against U.S. tech restrictions, noted Lori Chang, a senior analyst at Isaiah Research.
However, Huawei may face difficulties in meeting demand. Production challenges and high costs throughout its supply chain mean that the initial batch may be limited to 500,000 units, according to Chang. Key components, such as the phone’s display, cover glass, and hinges, are reportedly experiencing production bottlenecks.
Will Wong, a senior researcher at IDC, believes that while supply limitations may hinder initial sales, they could also work in Huawei’s favor by generating heightened demand for the Mate XT. “This scarcity could spark even more excitement for the brand,” Wong said.
