Huawei has launched its Mate XT trifold phone in international markets, marking a comeback for the brand after being heavily impacted by US sanctions. The device has a starting price tag of 3,499 euros ($3,660) and is aimed at high-end customers who want to show off their wealth.
The Mate XT features two folding points, allowing it to display content on single, double, or triple screens. This innovative design sets the phone apart from traditional foldable devices, which can only be folded once in half. Huawei’s trifold smartphone was first released in China last year and drew global attention due to its unique feature.
However, despite its promising design, Huawei faces significant challenges in international markets. The company was once the largest smartphone player globally but saw its market share plummet after US sanctions were imposed in 2019. Its smartphone market share outside of China stands at just 0.3%, according to research firm International Data Corporation.
Despite this, Huawei’s market share in China grew significantly in 2024, reaching 17% from 12% the previous year. The company is now focusing on high-end devices and hopes to replicate this success in overseas markets.
Huawei’s latest move has been met with skepticism by some analysts, who believe that the Mate XT may not sell well due to its high price tag and limited app store options. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president for data and analytics at IDC, noted that the device is unlikely to be sold in large volumes and is targeted towards wealthy individuals who want to showcase their status.
Neil Shah, partner at Counterpoint Research, echoed this sentiment, stating that the lack of Google’s Android operating system and some popular apps on Huawei’s app store could be a significant drawback for mainstream international markets.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/18/huawei-mate-xt-trifold-launches-outside-of-china-price-specs-.html