Huawei Seeks To Steal Spotlight From Apple With Tri-Fold Smartphone

China's Huawei Technologies has unveiled a $2,800 tri-foldable smartphone, aiming to strengthen its lead in the world’s largest smartphone market and draw attention away from Apple just hours after the launch of a new iPhone, David Kirton and Hyunjoo Jin reported for Reuters.

Huawei's new Mate XT features a screen that folds three ways like an accordion. I Photo: Huawei

The Chinese tech giant introduced its new Mate XT, which features a screen that folds three ways like an accordion, during a launch event in Shenzhen, the southern tech hub.

The device has already received more than 3.6 million pre-orders, which require no deposit, according to Huawei's website. Research firm IDC estimates that the global market for foldable phones reached around 4 million units in the second quarter.

"Today we bring you a product that everyone can imagine but no one could create. Our team has worked tirelessly for five years and never gave up," said Huawei’s executive director Richard Yu at the launch.

"We dare to make extraordinary breakthroughs. Today we will once again rewrite the history of the industry, turning science fiction into reality and leading a new era of folding devices."

The highly anticipated launch comes just hours after Apple introduced its latest model, the AI-enhanced iPhone 16, with both devices scheduled to go on sale on Sept. 20.