The phone demonstrates Huawei’s continuous ability to achieve self-sufficiency and break supply chain constraints by combining innovative design, powerful hardware, and a local operating system.
Article Index:
- Launch of the second-generation tri-fold
- Kirin 9050 Pro processor and Harmony system
- Giant screen specs and storage options
- Fierce competition with Xiaomi and Apple’s anticipated phone
- Chinese market leadership and Huawei’s record share
- Implications of technical independence and future challenges
- Frequently Asked Questions
Launch of the second-generation tri-fold
Huawei officially launched its advanced second-generation tri-foldable smartphone, the “Mate XT 2,” on Monday during a major official conference in China, thereby reinforcing its leadership and fierce competitiveness in the luxury phone market at a time when Xiaomi and Apple are preparing to unveil their competing foldable devices.
The new phone brings a radical shift in mechanical design philosophy; Huawei abandoned the outward Z-fold pattern seen in the first edition and adopted an innovative U-shaped inward design. This engineering solution allows both side panels to fold inward, providing complete protection for all sensitive screen surfaces when the device is fully closed and reducing the risk of scratches and impacts.
Kirin 9050 Pro processor and Harmony system
The new phone is powered by the locally developed “Kirin 9050 Pro” processor, which the company asserts delivers a noticeable leap in computing and graphics processing capabilities while significantly reducing electric power consumption. This helps Huawei overcome the repercussions and restrictions imposed by the United States on its access to advanced semiconductor technologies.
The device also marks the commercial debut of the new “HarmonyOS 7” operating system, which introduces comprehensive software improvements including deeper integration of generative AI features, unprecedented fluidity in navigating multiple display interfaces, and the addition of a privacy screen feature to prevent shoulder surfing inspired by the latest smart display technologies.
Giant screen specs and storage options
When fully unfolded, the phone is only about 3.5 millimeters thick, transforming the sleek device into a spacious tablet screen that delivers a superior visual experience for multitasking and entertainment. The screen supports smart stylus input and 3D facial recognition features to enhance biometric security standards.
The device comes with up to 16GB of RAM and a giant 2TB of internal storage. The phone is available in three elegant colors including volcanic black, white, and purple, starting at a price of around 20,000 Chinese yuan, which is roughly equivalent to $2,800 USD. The first generation, launched in September 2024, was the world’s first commercially available tri-foldable phone, and its limited quantities at the time caused a crazy surge in its resale prices.
Fierce competition with Xiaomi and Apple’s anticipated phone
This launch kicked off an exceptional and unprecedented week of intense competition in the foldable device sector. During its participation in the IFA 2026 electronics exhibition, Xiaomi confirmed that its new phone, the “Xiaomi 18 Fold,” will arrive in the Chinese market concurrently on September 7, powered by its internally developed “X-Ring O3” chip, and equipped with a 200-megapixel ultra-high-resolution main camera and a giant 6,000 mAh battery.
Conversely, global tech circles are awaiting Apple’s event scheduled for September 9, where the American company is widely expected to unveil the first foldable iPhone in its history, referred to in leaks as the “iPhone Ultra.”
Chinese market leadership and Huawei’s record share
Huawei maintains absolute leadership in China’s smartphone market, with its weekly market share continuously exceeding the 20 percent barrier since the second quarter of 2026, according to data from specialized firm Counterpoint Research. Omdia market research estimates also revealed that Huawei single-handedly captured a 23 percent share of total Chinese market sales during the second quarter.
Nevertheless, this leadership faces real challenges amid intensifying competition as local Chinese companies invest in developing their own chips and Apple prepares to enter the foldable device category for the first time.
Implications of technical independence and future challenges
For Huawei, launching this luxury device is not limited to achieving commercial gains; rather, it represents a strategic showcase of the success of its technological self-sufficiency path. The new chip embodies continuous progress in Chinese semiconductor engineering despite years of strict sanctions that isolated the company from leading global chip factories.
The real test of Huawei’s ability to maintain product appeal and its high price positioning will come in the face of fierce competition from lower-cost devices by Xiaomi and the impending threat from Apple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the main design change in the Mate XT 2 phone compared to the previous generation?
Answer: Huawei adopted a new U-shaped inward folding design to fully protect the screens instead of the outward Z-fold.
Question: What are the processor, memory, and storage specifications in the new phone?
Answer: It is powered by the Kirin 9050 Pro processor and HarmonyOS 7, with up to 16GB of RAM and internal storage up to 2TB.
Question: What competing phones does Huawei face in the foldable device category?
Answer: The phone faces direct competition from the Xiaomi 18 Fold and Apple’s anticipated foldable iPhone Ultra.
