Huawei’s trifold phone gains popularity among Apple iPhone users in Beijing
BEIJING, CHINA — In China, many affluent Apple iPhone users are showing just as much interest in Huawei’s pricier trifold phone, according to spot checks conducted by CNBC on Friday, the launch day for both the iPhone 16 and Huawei Mate XT. Out of the 10 people interviewed, eight expressed interest in both brands’ new devices.
This reflects a growing curiosity among consumers, even as Huawei continues to recover from U.S. sanctions imposed in 2019. Huawei, which ranked fourth in China’s smartphone market share in the second quarter, saw its Mate XT attract significant attention, despite the iPhone 16 also drawing large crowds. For the first time, U.S.-based Apple fell out of the top five for smartphone sales in China, giving domestic brands dominance in the market.
The price difference between the two devices is stark. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199, while Huawei’s trifold Mate XT starts at over $2,800.
On secondhand platforms like Xianyu, the Mate XT was selling for up to 60,000 yuan ($8,520), far above its retail price, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max was listed for 10,500 yuan to 16,300 yuan. Despite long lines at Apple stores, there were no queues outside Huawei stores in Beijing.
During CNBC’s visit, a few dozen customers visited a reserved area for Mate XT buyers, many of whom were purchasing the device for resale. One customer, Yang, who also uses an iPhone, was interested in trying Huawei’s trifold features, citing Apple’s lack of innovative changes.
Even Wang, the first in line at the Apple store, expressed interest in the Huawei trifold but hadn’t yet received a notification to pick it up.
Peoplesmind