Huawei launches Mate XT 2 tri-fold phone as Apple, Xiaomi prepare foldable rivals

Huawei launched its second-generation tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT 2, on Monday at an event in China, stepping up competition in the premium handset market as both Xiaomi and Apple ↘ 1.17% prepare their own foldable devices.reuters+1

The Mate XT 2 features a new inward-folding U-shaped design — a departure from the Z-shaped fold used in its predecessor — and runs on Huawei's Kirin 9050 Pro chip, which the company says delivers more computing power with lower energy consumption, helping it work around U.S. restrictions on access to advanced semiconductor technology. The device also debuts HarmonyOS 7.mashable+3

A Tri-Fold Refined

The new design folds both screen panels inward, protecting all display surfaces when closed. When fully unfolded, the device measures just 3.5mm thick and opens into a tablet-sized screen. It comes with up to 16GB of RAM, up to 2TB of storage, stylus support, and 3D face recognition. The phone is available in Obsidian Black, White, and Purple, with pricing expected to start around 20,000 yuan ($2,800).androidheadlines+1

The original Mate XT, launched in September 2024, was the world's first commercially available tri-fold phone, and its limited supply drove resale prices far above its 19,999-yuan starting price.reuters+1

Three-Way Foldable Showdown

Monday's launch set the stage for an unusually crowded week in foldable devices. Xiaomi confirmed at IFA 2026 that its Xiaomi 18 Fold would also launch in China on September 7, powered by the company's in-house XRing O3 chip and featuring a 200-megapixel main camera and 6,000mAh battery. Apple is expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone, widely referred to as the iPhone Ultra, at a September 9 event.economictimes+3

Huawei has maintained its lead in China's smartphone market, holding over 20% weekly market share since the second quarter of 2026, according to Counterpoint Research. In Q2 2026, Huawei captured 23% of the market, according to Omdia. But the competitive landscape is shifting as domestic rivals invest in their own chips and Apple prepares to enter the foldable category for the first time.huaweicentral+1

Stakes Beyond Hardware

For Huawei, the Mate XT 2 is as much about demonstrating technological self-sufficiency as it is about selling phones. The Kirin 9050 Pro represents continued progress in chip development despite years of U.S. sanctions that cut the company off from leading chipmakers. Whether the device can maintain its predecessor's novelty appeal while fending off more affordable competitors from Xiaomi — and a looming challenge from Apple — will test whether Huawei's premium strategy can hold in an increasingly crowded field.reuters