Huawei, Xiaomi launch premium foldables ahead of Apple's event

On Monday, Huawei and Xiaomi unveiled their latest flagship foldables in China, making a calculated move to dominate the premium handset market before Apple takes the stage later in the week. The timing was deliberate—a show of strength in their home territory ahead of what many expect will be Apple's own entry into the foldable space.

Huawei's new Mate XT2 represents the company's most ambitious engineering yet. The device folds twice, transforming from a phone into something closer to a tablet when fully opened. Inside sits the Kirin 9050 Pro chip, a processor designed using what Huawei calls LogicFolding architecture, part of a broader strategy the company outlined in May as it works to circumvent U.S. technology restrictions. The company claims the chip delivers more computing power while consuming less electricity. The phone also features a redesigned hinge, improved water resistance, and a privacy screen that blocks the view of anyone looking over your shoulder. Pricing starts at 19,999 yuan—roughly $2,980—with the top model reaching 24,999 yuan, or about $3,725. Sales begin Saturday. At the announcement, Huawei Executive Director Richard Yu acknowledged the financial pressure behind these devices. "Memory costs have risen sharply," he said. "We adopted a lot of new technology, and the cost pressure has been enormous."

Xiaomi took a different approach with its 18 Fold, unveiled at a separate event. Rather than chase the tri-fold concept, the company engineered what it calls a "medium-fold solution"—a phone that stays roughly passport-sized when closed but opens to display three applications side by side. CEO Lei Jun made direct comparisons to Apple's offerings, noting that his device weighs less than eight ounces and measures less than a quarter-inch thick when unfolded, making it lighter than Apple's iPhone Pro Max. The 18 Fold runs Xiaomi's in-house XRing O3 AI processor, which Lei claimed outperforms Apple's A19 Pro in responsiveness. The phone also uses DRAM memory chips from CXMT, a Chinese chipmaker, further reducing reliance on foreign suppliers. Pricing ranges from 10,999 yuan ($1,540) to 14,999 yuan ($2,100)—significantly less than Huawei's offering. Lei echoed Yu's point about cost pressures, saying memory remains expensive but that Xiaomi's pricing represents good value.

These launches underscore a broader reality in the Chinese tech industry: both companies are building supply chains designed to withstand U.S. sanctions. Huawei, barred from selling in America and deemed a national security risk by Washington, has become increasingly reliant on domestic chip design and manufacturing. Xiaomi's choice to use Chinese memory chips signals a similar hedging strategy. The market data backs up their confidence. In the second quarter, Huawei commanded 22.6% of China's smartphone market, edging out Apple's 18.1%, with Xiaomi holding 12.4%. In foldables specifically, Huawei's dominance is even more pronounced—the company shipped 68% of all foldable phones sold in China during that same period.

Samsung, the world's largest foldable vendor, has struggled to maintain momentum. The South Korean company launched a tri-fold device in December but reportedly halted sales after just three months. In July, it pivoted to a passport-sized foldable design, essentially following the path Xiaomi is now taking. The competitive landscape is shifting, and the Chinese companies are moving faster.

Apple's announcement on Wednesday will test whether the American company can reshape this market the way it has reshaped others. The expectation among analysts and observers is that Apple will introduce its own foldable phone. If it does, it enters a space where Huawei and Xiaomi have already established themselves, refined their designs, and built relationships with consumers who have grown accustomed to the form factor. The question is no longer whether foldables will succeed—the Chinese market has already answered that. The question is whether Apple's entry will accelerate adoption globally or whether it will simply validate what Chinese manufacturers have already proven.