Huawei to Unveil New Tri-Fold Phone Ahead of Apple’s iPhone 17 Launch
Huawei is escalating its push into the ultra-premium smartphone market with a second-generation tri-fold device, positioning the launch just days before rival Apple Inc. is set to unveil its next flagship product.
Huawei Technologies will release its new Mate XTs smartphone on September 4, according to an official announcement by Richard Yu, the company’s Executive Director and CEO of its Consumer Business Group. The event, themed around the new tri-fold device and other "full-scenario" products, is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. in Beijing.
The launch is strategically timed six days ahead of Apple’s planned September 10 event, where the iPhone 17 series is expected to debut. The move sets the stage for a head-to-head competition for high-end consumers and mirrors Huawei's strategy from the previous year, when its first tri-fold phone was launched on the same day as Apple's fall event.
The performance of the Mate XTs will be closely watched by investors as a key indicator of Huawei’s ability to further cement its dominance in the growing foldable market and challenge established players in the premium segment.
An Iterative Upgrade
The upcoming Mate XTs is an evolution of its predecessor, rather than a complete redesign. Promotional materials reveal a "Z-shaped" device that continues the inside-outside bending form factor of the first generation.
According to a teaser video released by Yu, the new model will introduce a white color option and may feature support for a stylus. While the overall design appears largely unchanged, sources suggest the phone may offer improvements in user experience and could be more competitively priced. The device is expected to be available in at least four colors: black, red, white, and purple.
Building on a Premium Predecessor
Huawei introduced the world’s first mass-produced tri-fold smartphone, the Mate XT, in September 2024. The device was positioned as an ultra-premium product with a starting price of RMB 19,999 yuan (US$2,758) and was produced in relatively limited quantities.
The first-generation Mate XT featured a 10.2-inch screen when fully unfolded, shrinking to 7.9 inches in a dual-fold state and 6.4 inches when folded once. It was equipped with a 5,600mAh battery, supported 66W wired and 50W wireless charging, and featured a 50-megapixel main camera and satellite communication capabilities. The device weighed 298 grams.
Dominating the Foldable Market
The launch comes as Huawei solidifies its leadership in China's burgeoning market for foldable phones. In the first half of 2025, shipments of foldable devices in the country grew 12.6% year-over-year, according to data from IDC.
Within this expanding segment, Huawei holds a commanding 75% market share. The company’s cumulative shipments of foldable phones have now surpassed 10 million units, underscoring its strong position ahead of the Mate XTs release.
Expanding the Ecosystem
Beyond the new tri-fold phone, the September 4 event may also feature other hardware. The announcement of a "full-scenario" product launch has fueled speculation that Huawei will introduce the FreeClip 2.
The device would be the company's next-generation open-ear style earbuds. They are rumored to feature significant upgrades in data transmission speed, audio quality, and long-term wearing comfort.