Huawei and Xiaomi Launch Foldables Ahead of Apple Event

Huawei Technologies Co. and Xiaomi Corp. launched premium foldable smartphones on Monday in China, preempting the expected debut of Apple Inc.'s first foldable iPhone on Wednesday. Huawei unveiled the Mate XT 2, a luxury tri-fold device that unfolds into a 10.2-inch tablet. The phone is powered by the Kirin 9050 Pro processor, the company's first flagship chip unveiling in six years, which utilizes a LogicFolding architecture to bypass U.S. semiconductor restrictions. Huawei claims the chip delivers a 42% performance increase over its predecessor.

The Mate XT 2 features a redesigned inward G-shaped hinge, a hardware-based privacy screen, and runs HarmonyOS 7. Prices range from 19,999 yuan (approximately $2,980) to 29,999 yuan for the 2 TB Special Edition. Simultaneously, Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 18 Fold, a medium-fold device powered by a self-developed Xring O3 processor and memory from CXMT Corp., priced between 10,999 and 14,999 yuan.

Both companies are targeting the premium segment to offset a projected 14% decline in the global smartphone market and rising component costs. Huawei currently leads the Chinese market with a 22.6% share and dominates the domestic foldable segment with 68% of shipments. This aggressive launch strategy aims to maintain dominance before Apple's rumored iPhone Ultra enters the market, with some forecasts suggesting Apple could capture 41% of the worldwide foldable market by next year.