Huawei soon followed Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, ETR:APC)’s iPhone 16 launch with news on a new trifold smartphone.
Following Apple’s latest launch on Monday evening, the Chinese technology giant unveiled a world-first dual-hinged, triple-screen foldable phone overnight.
Dubbed the Mate XT, the device will start at 19,999 yuan (US$2,800), against US$799 for the iPhone 16, or US$1,199 for its Pro Max counterpart.
While more expensive, the latest Huawei model appears to have been launched in direct contention with Apple as both prepare to roll out the new phones in Chinese stores on September 20.
It remains unclear whether the Mate XT will be sold outside of China, with Huawei still reeling from sanctions introduced by the US in 2019.
Apple has subsequently slipped out of the top five smartphone sellers in China, according to figures covering the second quarter of this year from Canalys, with Huawei in fourth.
Both Apple and Huawei’s new handsets are set to be equipped with artificial intelligence features.
Huawei’s latest launch marks a continued persuit of folding phones; a category Apple is yet to explore, with the iPhone 16 presentation largely focussing on AI rather than hardware upgrades.