China is feeling a surge of pride in itself after Huawei unveiled the Mate XT, a tri-foldable smartphone that many see as proof of the nation’s technical adaptability. There has been much celebration for Huawei’s ability to push boundaries and compete with global heavyweights like Apple, even in the face of persistent U.S. sanctions that have made access to cutting-edge processors difficult. Many expressed admiration on Weibo, the Chinese equivalent of Twitter (formerly known as X). One comment said, “Huawei has truly risen again, but Apple hasn’t fallen.” Someone else asserted that the penalties had not worked. The Mate XT, touted as the industry’s first tri-foldable phone, was unveiled just hours after Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup, setting the stage for a high-stakes tech rivalry. Both devices will go on sale on September 20, though Huawei’s Mate XT will be available exclusively in China. A viral video, showing Apple store employees allegedly visiting a Huawei store to witness the Mate XT launch, further fueled the excitement, becoming a trending topic with over 91 million views.
Huawei’s re-entry into the premium 5G market has also been marked by its successful Mate 60 and Pura series, featuring domestically produced semiconductors. These achievements have been hailed as victories against U.S. sanctions. However, Huawei’s loyal fans are not all rushing to purchase the Mate XT, with its price starting at 19,999 yuan ($2,800). Many Weibo users criticized the price as unrealistic for ordinary consumers, especially during China’s economic slowdown.
A Weibo poll revealed that while there is enthusiasm for the Mate XT, many are deterred by the steep cost. “No matter how much I like the product, the price tag just sounds crazy to me,” said a Huawei loyalist in Beijing. As impressive as the technology is, the high price remains a sticking point for many.
