Chinese smartphone company Huawei has announced the launch of its trifold smartphone, the Mate XT, which will start at over $2,800. Pre-orders for the phone began on Saturday, and in-store sales are set to start on September 20. This launch coincides with the release of Apple’s new iPhone 16 series, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max starting at $1,199 and the iPhone 16 at $799. The new iPhone models are set to be available for pre-order starting Friday, with in-store sales also beginning on September 20. Both Huawei and Apple are incorporating artificial intelligence features into their new devices to enhance user experience.
Huawei’s Mate XT is equipped with artificial intelligence features such as text translation and cloud-based content generation. The phone comes in red and black color options with three storage options available, ranging in price from $2,809 to $3,371. The Mate XT features a 10.2-inch screen when unfolded and is just 3.6 millimeters thick. It also has the ability to display content on a single, double, or triple-screen and comes with a foldable keyboard for added convenience. More than 4 million pre-orders for the Mate XT had been recorded by the end of the launch event, indicating strong interest from consumers.
Apple, on the other hand, announced the release of its iPhone 16 series, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max starting at $1,199 and the iPhone 16 at $799. The new phones will feature advanced artificial intelligence capabilities through Apple Intelligence AI, with the first set of features set to be included in an upcoming software update. Apple also unveiled a new A18 chip for its phones, which utilizes highly advanced 3-nanometer technology to make the devices significantly faster than previous models. This announcement marks Apple’s latest offering in the competitive smartphone market.
Huawei has faced challenges in the smartphone industry following U.S. sanctions in 2019 and subsequent restrictions on American sales of advanced chips to Chinese businesses. Despite these setbacks, Huawei has continued to innovate and recently released the Mate 60 Pro, featuring a chip manufactured using a 7-nanometer process by Chinese chipmaker SMIC. Huawei’s determination to overcome challenges has been evident in the launch of the Mate XT, which has garnered significant interest from consumers in China. The company’s resilience in the face of adversity has been crucial to its success in the market.
In contrast, Apple has faced challenges in the Chinese smartphone market, falling out of the list of top five smartphone vendors in the second quarter of this year. Domestic players have taken the top five spots, with Huawei ranking fourth in market share with 10.6 million smartphones shipped. Apple shipped 10 million phones in the first quarter, highlighting the fierce competition in the Chinese market. Despite this, Huawei’s focus on innovation and new product offerings, such as the Mate XT, has helped the company maintain its position in the market and attract a strong customer base.
Looking ahead, both Huawei and Apple are set to compete in the smartphone market with their latest offerings. Huawei’s Mate XT and Apple’s iPhone 16 series represent the companies’ commitment to innovation and technological advancement. With strong pre-order numbers and technological advancements, Huawei and Apple are poised to capture the attention of consumers and maintain their positions in the competitive smartphone market. The ongoing rivalry between the two companies will continue to drive innovation and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of smartphones.
