Key Points
- The Huawei Mate XT tri-foldable phone launched in China is available for confirmed pre-orders. At $2,800, it costs over twice the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- Analysts had warned of supply chain constraints, which affected availability at launch; pre-orders surpassed 6.5 million.
- Apple’s iPhone 16 launch in China has been overshadowed by Huawei’s new release and a lack of immediate AI integration.
- Patriotic support for Huawei remains strong as the company faces challenges from U.S. sanctions.
Huawei’s highly anticipated Mate XT, a tri-foldable smartphone priced at $2,800, went on sale in China on Friday, but many fans were disappointed due to limited availability. The phone, which costs more than double the price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, was not available for walk-in customers, frustrating eager buyers.
At Huawei’s flagship store in Shenzhen, users who had waited overnight to purchase the new device were told that only confirmed pre-orders could buy the phone. A similar situation unfolded at the Wangfujing store in Beijing, where access to the Huawei Mate XT was restricted to pre-order customers. While some were excited to see the innovative phone, others who tried the device in Shenzhen found it “big” and “not very practical.”
Analysts had predicted that supply chain issues would limit the number of devices available at launch. This, coupled with the Huawei Mate XT’s high price amid China’s sluggish economy, has raised concerns about its mass-market appeal. Despite these challenges, Huawei’s executive director, Richard Yu, described the sales as “better than expected,” claiming the phone sold out in “seconds,” the company is working to expand capacity.
Pre-orders for the Huawei Mate XT have reportedly surpassed 6.5 million, nearly double the number of foldable smartphones shipped globally in the second quarter of 2023, according to consultancy IDC. However, pre-orders did not require deposits, leaving the true demand for the phone uncertain. As of Friday, Huawei had not disclosed how many phones were produced or how many pre-orders would be fulfilled at launch.
While Apple’s new iPhone 16 also launched in China, the excitement surrounding the iPhone has diminished over the years. Apple’s AI software for the iPhone 16, Apple Intelligence, will not be available in China until next year, and the company has yet to announce a local AI partner. Despite these setbacks, Apple fans appeared less concerned, with some describing the AI feature as a “gimmick.”
Huawei’s new Mate XT has garnered significant patriotic support in China, with many citizens rallying behind the company as it navigates U.S. export controls. The Mate XT’s launch, featuring a locally-made chipset, symbolizes Huawei’s resilience. Still, mass production issues remain a hurdle for the tech giant, including challenges with the panel, cover glass, and hinges.
