Huawei, Apple, Xiaomi intensify foldable smartphone battle

Huawei has launched its latest tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT2, as competition for China's premium foldable phone market intensifies ahead of expected moves by Apple and Xiaomi. The launch comes just days before Apple is expected to unveil its latest iPhone lineup, including its first foldable iPhone, while Xiaomi is also preparing to introduce a new foldable device. The developments point to a growing battle among major smartphone manufacturers for a segment that was once dominated by Samsung but is becoming a key growth area for Chinese brands. Huawei's Mate XT2 builds on the company's tri-fold design, which allows the device to open into a tablet-sized screen. The company has also upgraded the hinge and display technology while introducing a new Kirin 9050 Pro processor. Huawei said the new device delivers a 42 percent improvement in overall performance compared with the previous generation. The Mate XT2 starts at 19,999 yuan ($2,980), with the top model priced at 24,999 yuan ($3,725). Sales in China are scheduled to begin on September 12. Huawei seeks to strengthen foldable lead The launch is significant for Huawei as it seeks to consolidate its position in China's premium smartphone market while facing growing competition from both domestic and international manufacturers. Huawei accounted for 22.6 percent of China's smartphone market in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of Apple at 18.1 percent and Xiaomi at 12.4 percent, according to IDC. The company's position is even stronger in foldables. Huawei accounted for about 68 percent of foldable smartphone shipments in China during the quarter, according to industry data. Its tri-fold technology has helped differentiate the company in a market where manufacturers are competing on screen size, device thickness, durability and software rather than conventional smartphone specifications alone. Apple entry could reshape the market Apple's expected entry into the foldable market could further increase competition. The company has so far stayed out of the foldable smartphone segment while Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and other Asian manufacturers have experimented with different form factors. An Apple foldable iPhone could bring the segment to a much larger mainstream audience and pressure existing manufacturers to compete on pricing, design, software integration and ecosystem capabilities. For Huawei, the challenge is more complex outside China. US restrictions continue to limit the company's access to key technologies, and the absence of Google services on its smartphones has constrained its competitiveness in some international markets. The push by Huawei, Xiaomi and Apple suggests foldable smartphones are moving from a niche premium category into a more important battleground for the global smartphone industry. Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date Open In Whatsapp