Huawei’s Tri-Foldable Mate XT Phone Sparks National Pride in China, Despite $2,800 Price Concerns
Huawei’s groundbreaking tri-foldable smartphone, the Mate XT, has ignited a surge of nationalistic pride in China, with social media platforms buzzing over its technological innovation in the face of ongoing U.S. sanctions. While many view Huawei’s new phone as a symbol of the company’s ability to out-innovate Apple, the hefty $2,800 price tag has left many consumers questioning its affordability.
Unveiled on the same day as Apple’s iPhone 16 series, the Mate XT is the industry’s first tri-foldable phone and will be available starting September 20, although it’s expected to be sold exclusively in China for now. Huawei supporters were quick to celebrate the new release, with one user on Weibo, China’s version of X (formerly Twitter), declaring, “Apple hasn’t fallen, but Huawei has truly risen again.” Another remarked, “Times are changing. U.S. sanctions have been in vain.”
A video of Apple store employees reportedly visiting a Huawei store during the Mate XT launch went viral, garnering 91 million views and 6,600 comments, becoming one of the top trending topics on Weibo for more than 13 hours.
The Mate XT follows Huawei’s comeback in the 5G premium smartphone market with the release of its Mate 60 series last year and the Pura series earlier this year. Both series feature domestically-produced semiconductors, a move seen as a victory for Huawei as it continues to navigate the U.S. sanctions that have been in place since 2019. These sanctions have prevented Huawei from accessing advanced U.S. chips, but the company’s innovation is widely celebrated in China as a triumph over external pressures.
While Huawei’s advancements have sparked national pride, the Mate XT’s starting price of 19,999 yuan (around $2,800) has raised concerns. At a time when China’s economy is experiencing sluggish growth and many citizens are grappling with financial uncertainty, the phone’s price is seen as out of reach for the average consumer. Some versions of the phone, which come with additional features like increased memory, are priced as high as 23,999 yuan ($3,300), adding to the discontent.
Despite the price backlash, Huawei fans continue to laud the company’s technological superiority over Apple. Many have noted that Apple has yet to announce a Chinese AI partner to power its iPhone 16 series. Meanwhile, Huawei continues to innovate and push forward, with many seeing this as a sign that U.S. sanctions have failed to stifle the company’s progress.
Although the Mate XT’s price may be prohibitive for many, Huawei’s return to the premium smartphone market has been met with enthusiasm, symbolizing its resilience and ability to navigate tough restrictions. The device’s release underscores Huawei’s role as a technological powerhouse capable of standing up to global competitors like Apple, even amid challenging circumstances.
