Huawei has officially launched its highly anticipated Mate XT trifold smartphone outside of China, marking a bold move to reestablish its presence in global markets. This device, which comes with a starting price of €3,499 ($3,660), is the first of its kind in the world, featuring a revolutionary trifold design. Huawei hopes the Mate XT will signal a comeback after years of setbacks caused by U.S. sanctions.
A Revolutionary Trifold Design
The Mate XT is unlike any other foldable smartphone on the market. Most foldable devices can only fold once, either horizontally or vertically. However, the Mate XT features two folding points, allowing users to switch between single, double, or triple screens. This innovative design has drawn significant attention from tech enthusiasts and industry experts alike.
The handset was initially launched in China last year and garnered global intrigue for redefining foldable smartphone technology. Now, Huawei aims to bring the same excitement to international markets, although it has yet to announce the full list of countries where the device will be sold. As of now, the Mate XT is reportedly listed for sale in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Huawei’s Comeback Journey
Once a dominant player in the global smartphone market, Huawei was severely impacted by U.S. sanctions that began in 2019. These sanctions cut off Huawei’s access to advanced chips and the Google Android operating system, leading to a sharp decline in its market share outside of China. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), Huawei’s market share in global markets has plummeted to just 0.3%.
Despite these challenges, Huawei has seen a resurgence in its domestic market. The company’s market share in China grew from 12% in 2023 to 17% in 2024, thanks to the release of new smartphones featuring advanced chips manufactured within China. Huawei is now leveraging this momentum to re-enter international markets, focusing on high-end devices like the Mate XT.
A Luxury Device for Wealthy Consumers
The Mate XT is not targeted at mass-market consumers. Instead, Huawei is positioning it as a luxury device aimed at affluent individuals. Francisco Jeronimo, Vice President at IDC, noted that the Mate XT is more about making a statement than offering the best user experience.
“I think what they [Huawei] believe is that the trifold can be a unique value proposition. Because it is very expensive, they aim to target wealthy individuals who are more keen on showing off they have the money versus having the best experience you can get,” Jeronimo explained.
Even with modest sales projections, the Mate XT could prove lucrative. If Huawei sells just 500,000 units, it could generate approximately $1.5 billion in revenue.
Challenges Ahead
While the Mate XT’s design is groundbreaking, it faces significant hurdles in international markets. One major drawback is the absence of Google’s Android operating system. Huawei’s app store lacks popular Google apps like the Play Store, YouTube, and Netflix, which are essential for many users outside of China.
Neil Shah, a partner at Counterpoint Research, emphasized this challenge, stating, “Lack of Google still is a ‘gaping hole’ for the mainstream international market, especially those who will pay top dollar for a trifold hardware but want to run Netflix or Google’s Play Store or the latest cutting-edge GenAI Google Gemini features.”
A Test for Huawei’s Global Appeal
The Mate XT represents a critical test for Huawei’s ability to regain its footing in global markets. While the device’s futuristic design and premium positioning may attract a niche audience, its success will largely depend on how well Huawei can address the limitations imposed by the lack of Google services.
With the Mate XT, Huawei is signaling its ambition to challenge the status quo in the smartphone industry, even as it continues to navigate the complexities of international competition under U.S. sanctions.
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