China: The newly launched Mate XT2 folds out twice to open into a tablet sized screen and features Huawei’s proprietary Kirin 9050 Pro chip. According to the company, the chip's design allows it to deliver more computing power while consuming less electricity, helping the firm overcome US restrictions on access to advanced technology. Company tests indicate that the new processor, alongside other internal upgrades, delivers 42 per cent better overall performance than its predecessor.
The release comes at a crucial time for the market, as overall smartphone shipments in China fell by 2.4 per cent in the second quarter, according to industry data from Counterpoint Research. Beyond its updated internals, the Mate XT2 includes a redesigned folding mechanism, improved water resistance, upgraded cameras, and an optional privacy screen that prevents onlookers from viewing the display from side angles.
The launch kicks off an intense week of competitive product debuts in China. Xiaomi is scheduled to unveil a rival folding phone later on Monday, while Apple prepares to roll out its latest iPhone series on Wednesday, amidst high expectations that it may also introduce a foldable model.
Despite being unable to sell its devices in the US due to trade sanctions, Huawei continues to hold the top position in China’s overall smartphone market. Figures from research firm IDC place Huawei in the lead with a 22.6 per cent market share in the second quarter, ahead of Apple at 18.1 per cent and Xiaomi at 12.4 per cent. Huawei is even more dominant in the foldable segment, where data from Smart Analytics Global shows it accounted for 68 per cent of all shipments in China during the same period.
