Huawei's new foldable phone has a lot of screens. 2024

Just hours after Apple unveiled its iPhone 16 lineup at its Glow Time event on Monday, Chinese tech giant Huawei announced the Mate XT, the world’s first triple-core smartphone. As the name suggests, the Mate XT, with its three displays, can be folded in three different ways, giving you a bunch of form factors to work with. Or you could just fold the whole thing closed into a Z shape and make it look like a regular planet phone. The Mate XT will go on sale in China for $2,800.

Huawei is really trying to live up to the Mate XT’s otherworldly appeal. According to a Reuters translation, the company’s executive director Richard Yu said, “Today we are bringing you a product that everyone can think of but cannot build […] “

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Huawei is coming at Apple in a very unsubtle way. Announcing the phone just hours after announcing the new iPhone 16, even setting an availability date of September 20 — the same date as Apple, and strategically opening pre-orders on Saturday — I Just two days before the phone’s pre-orders — all point to a clear stab.

Popular Chinese social media platform Weibo was also full of such content. Spotted by Reuters, a video that trended at #2 for 13 hours and amassed 91 million views showed Apple store employees in China heading to a Huawei store to attend its phone launch.

One of the reasons behind Chinese consumers leaning towards the Mate XT is one of the biggest selling points of the iPhone 16, the Apple Intelligence features, which are currently unavailable in China. “Apple has yet to announce an AI partner to power the 16s in China, and Apple Intelligence […] will only be available in Chinese languages next year,” reports Reuters.

That’s why the iPhone 16 news didn’t garner the same response from the Chinese markets as it did elsewhere. The absence of a feature that Apple has talked about the most is too serious to ignore.

Huawei has many AI features on the Mate XT, including AI Senior Editor, AI Information Consultant, AI Translation Expert, and AI Photo Editor. The $2,800 phone ships with 256GB of storage, but you can upgrade to 512GB for about $3,090 (converted to Chinese yuan) or 1TB for $3,371. All variants have 16GB of RAM.

The display measures 6.4 inches when the phone is folded and unfolds to 10.2 inches. A huge 5,600mAh battery powers the device, which is essential with such a large display at 3K resolution. The camera array offers a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 12MP periscope camera on the back, and an 8MP front camera.

While the $2,800 price tag is high, it’s the only triple-A smartphone on the market right now, so it still has a (very) specific target audience. If, for some reason, someone is in the market for a hugely rugged phone, this is their only option. More than five million pre-orders in China further confirm my point.

Huawei’s Bold Move with the Mate XT: What It Means for the Smartphone World

In a dramatic move just hours after Apple’s big iPhone 16 reveal, Huawei introduced its revolutionary Mate XT, a smartphone that’s turning heads with its triple-core design and impressive features. Unlike traditional phones, the Mate XT is unique because it can be folded in three different ways, offering users multiple form factors and functionalities. Whether you’re looking to fold it into a Z shape for a classic look or unfold it to reveal a massive 10.2-inch screen, this device is all about versatility.

Why the Mate XT Is Getting So Much Attention

Huawei’s decision to unveil the Mate XT immediately after Apple’s iPhone 16 launch wasn’t just a coincidence. By choosing to announce their phone on the same day and set a pre-order date close to Apple’s, Huawei is clearly aiming to capture the spotlight and draw attention away from Apple’s new release.

One key reason why the Mate XT might be appealing to Chinese consumers is its impressive AI capabilities. While Apple’s new iPhone 16 boasts advanced AI features, these aren’t yet available in China. Huawei’s Mate XT, on the other hand, comes loaded with a range of AI tools, including an AI Senior Editor, AI Information Consultant, AI Translation Expert, and AI Photo Editor. This makes it a strong contender for those who value AI-powered features.

Huawei's new foldable phone has a lot of screens. 2024 — Screenshot: © Huawei

Price and Availability

The Mate XT comes with a hefty price tag of $2,800, which might seem steep, but it includes 256GB of storage. If you need more space, you can upgrade to 512GB for about $3,090 or even 1TB for $3,371. With 16GB of RAM, it’s designed to handle demanding tasks with ease. The device also boasts a large 5,600mAh battery and a stunning 3K resolution display, making it a powerful choice for tech enthusiasts.

The Future of Foldable Phones

The Mate XT’s innovative design and features are setting new standards in the smartphone industry. While it’s currently the only triple-core phone on the market, its advanced capabilities and unique form factor are likely to influence future smartphone designs. With over five million pre-orders in China already, it’s clear that there’s a strong demand for such groundbreaking technology.

In summary, Huawei’s Mate XT is not just another smartphone; it’s a glimpse into the future of mobile technology. As more consumers seek devices that offer both functionality and innovation, the Mate XT’s cutting-edge features and bold design are making waves in the tech world. Whether or not it will surpass the popularity of the iPhone 16 remains to be seen, but it’s definitely a strong contender in the ever-evolving smartphone market.