Huawei has unveiled its latest foldable smartphone, the Mate XT2, which folds twice to expand into a tablet-sized display and is powered by the company’s new Kirin 9050 Pro chip.
According to Huawei, the new chip is designed to provide greater computing power while consuming less electricity, helping the company navigate US restrictions on access to advanced semiconductor technology.
The launch comes as competition in China’s premium smartphone market intensifies. Xiaomi is set to introduce a rival foldable device later on Monday, while Apple is scheduled to unveil its latest iPhone lineup on Wednesday, with expectations that the company could also announce a foldable model.
The Mate XT2 comes with a redesigned folding mechanism, enhanced water resistance and an optional privacy display designed to prevent people nearby from viewing content on the screen.
Huawei has also upgraded the phone’s camera system and said internal testing showed a 42 per cent improvement in overall performance compared with its predecessor.
Huawei does not sell smartphones in the United States because of sanctions. However, the company remains the leading smartphone maker in China, holding a 22.6 per cent market share in the second quarter, according to consultancy IDC. Apple followed with an 18.1pc share, while Xiaomi accounted for 12.4pc.
Huawei has an even stronger position in China’s foldable smartphone segment. Research firm Smart Analytics Global said the company accounted for 68pc of foldable phone shipments in the country during the second quarter.
