Apple with its iPhone 16 and Huawei with its highly anticipated tri-fold phone, the Mate XT.
The Mate XT, which analysts say has a locally made chipset, underscores Huawei’s ability to weather US sanctions and strengthens its position against Apple in China, where some consumers have criticized the new iPhone 16 for the absence of Apple Intelligence features in the country.
Huawei itself introduced the Mate XT with great fanfare this month. Executive Director Richard Yu even said the company had turned science fiction into reality with a device that can fold three ways like an accordion door.
Pre-orders for the $2,800 phone — more than double the price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max — have so far surpassed 6.5 million, nearly double the roughly 3.9 million foldable smartphones shipped worldwide in the second quarter of this year.
Despite being highly anticipated, the high price and supply chain constraints are expected to hamper sales of the Mate XT.
“While the Mate XT shows Huawei’s innovation in the premium segment, its sales will likely lag behind its predecessor, the Mate X5, which still retails for 11,500 yuan ($1,630) and has sold 2.2 million units in total through the second quarter,” said Amber Liu, an analyst at research firm Canalys, as quoted by Reuters, Friday (20/9).
Liu said that while both are Huawei’s flagship foldable phones, the Mate XT and Mate X5 differ in value proposition, specifications and pricing.
“It’s hard for the Mate XT to replicate the volume of the Mate X5, but the Mate XT marks a significant breakthrough and evolution in all these aspects,” Liu said.
Lori Chang, a senior analyst at Isaiah Research, said that with production yield issues still a problem, in addition to high production costs throughout its supply chain, Huawei may only be able to produce 500,000 units initially.
Based on the latest inspection, he said the Huawei Mate XT’s key components, including the panel, cover glass and hinge, may face production issues.
“There will be challenges to meet the current number of pre-orders,” said Will Wong, senior researcher at consultancy IDC.
