Huawei Unveils $2,980 Mate XT2 Tri-Fold as Apple and Xiaomi Join Foldable Race

Key Highlights

• Huawei unveiled the Mate XT2 tri-fold smartphone lineup in Guangzhou with pricing from 19,999 yuan ($2,980)
• The device is powered by Huawei’s innovative Kirin 9050 Pro chip utilizing “LogicFolding” technology
• The phone hits stores on September 12, coinciding with Xiaomi’s competing foldable release
• Apple’s inaugural foldable iPhone is anticipated to debut on Wednesday, September 10
• Huawei commands 68% of China’s foldable smartphone market share in Q2 2026

At a Monday unveiling in Guangzhou, Huawei introduced the Mate XT2, its next-generation tri-fold smartphone. The device features dual folding hinges that expand into a tablet-like display and operates on Huawei’s latest Kirin 9050 Pro processor.

The base model carries a price tag of 19,999 yuan (approximately $2,980), while the premium variant reaches 24,999 yuan, translating to roughly $3,725. Consumers can purchase the device starting September 12.

Richard Yu, Huawei’s Executive Director, acknowledged that escalating memory component expenses combined with breakthrough technology implementation created significant financial challenges throughout the development cycle.

The Kirin 9050 Pro represents the inaugural high-performance processor built on Huawei’s proprietary “LogicFolding” framework. This innovative architecture vertically layers computational units inside a unified chip package, reducing signal transmission distances, minimizing delay, and boosting overall efficiency.

According to Huawei, this approach aligns with the company’s “Tau Scaling Law” methodology, unveiled in May as a strategy to navigate U.S.-imposed limitations on accessing cutting-edge chip manufacturing technology.

Beyond the processor, the Mate XT2 introduces an enhanced hinge system, superior water protection, a built-in privacy display mode, and refined camera technology. Huawei claims the device delivers 42% performance gains compared to the original model.

Foldable Phone Battle Intensifies

Xiaomi plans to debut its own foldable smartphone later Monday. Following Huawei’s announcement, Xiaomi’s stock price declined 3% during afternoon market activity.

Apple’s Wednesday presentation is widely anticipated to showcase its newest iPhone generation, with considerable speculation pointing toward the inclusion of a foldable variant.

Samsung, the global leader in foldable device sales, released its own tri-fold phone in December but allegedly discontinued the product after merely three months on shelves. The Korean electronics giant broadened its foldable portfolio in July by introducing a compact, passport-sized device.

Huawei’s Dominance in Chinese Market

According to IDC data, Huawei controls China’s overall smartphone sector with a 22.6% market share during Q2 2026. Apple trails in second position at 18.1%, while Xiaomi captures 12.4%.

Huawei’s leadership becomes even more pronounced within the foldable category. Smart Analytics Global reports the company represented 68% of all foldable smartphone shipments across China throughout the second quarter.

The Chinese technology giant continues to face a sales prohibition in the United States, where authorities have designated it as a threat to national security.

The Mate XT2 presentation represents Huawei’s first major Kirin processor announcement at a flagship product event since the Mate 40 debuted six years earlier.

As both Apple and Xiaomi prepare their respective announcements this week, the battle for supremacy in the high-end foldable smartphone sector appears poised to escalate throughout the remainder of 2026.