Huawei’s Trifold Phone Captures the Attention of Beijing’s Apple iPhone Enthusiasts

As Huawei and Apple release their latest smartphones on the same day, an interesting dynamic is emerging in China’s tech scene. Despite Apple’s strong brand presence, Huawei’s latest innovation—the trifold Mate XT—is gaining significant attention, particularly among Apple fans in Beijing. This marks a notable shift, with many Chinese consumers exploring the higher-priced Huawei offering, challenging Apple’s dominance in the luxury smartphone market.

A Dual Interest Among Tech-Savvy Consumers

On launch day, CNBC conducted spot checks at several stores in Beijing and found that Apple’s iPhone 16 release attracted early risers, with lines forming as early as 5:30 a.m. eager to get their hands on the new devices. Despite the excitement surrounding Apple, many consumers expressed equal interest in Huawei’s Mate XT. Out of the 10 people interviewed, eight were curious about both the iPhone 16 and Huawei’s trifold innovation. This suggests a growing trend of cross-brand interest, even among loyal Apple users.

Huawei’s Trifold Phone May Be A Pricey Attraction

The Mate XT, Huawei’s latest foray into foldable phones, is priced at a premium, starting at over $2,800. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, by comparison, starts at $1,199, a significant price difference that reflects Huawei’s positioning as an ultra-premium product. This contrast is even more pronounced in the resale market. According to Chinese secondhand platform Xianyu, the Huawei Mate XT was fetching astronomical prices of up to 60,000 yuan ($8,520), while Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro Max was being resold for as much as 16,300 yuan.

Quiet Huawei Stores vs. Early Apple Lines

While Apple’s stores in Beijing saw eager crowds, Huawei’s stores were noticeably quieter on launch day. This wasn’t necessarily an indication of low demand—Huawei’s trifold devices were only available to those who had reserved them, with deliveries starting later in the morning. Despite the quiet atmosphere, a steady stream of people visited Huawei’s dedicated Mate XT area, with many intending to resell the device at a profit.

The first customer interviewed at Huawei’s store, a man named Yang, shared his curiosity about the Mate XT’s innovative trifold design. Interestingly, he’s already an iPhone user but was drawn to Huawei’s offering, noting that Apple’s latest updates didn’t offer the same level of innovation he was seeking. While he hadn’t committed to buying it yet, he saw it as a potential purchase to either use, gift, or resell.

Shifting Market Dynamics in China

Huawei’s resurgence in the Chinese market comes after U.S. sanctions severely impacted its smartphone business in 2019. Despite these challenges, the company has worked to rebuild its brand and now holds the fourth-largest market share in China, according to Canalys. Apple, on the other hand, fell out of the top five, with domestic manufacturers taking the lead for the first time in years.

This changing landscape, combined with the high resale value of Huawei’s trifold phone, highlights a shift in consumer preference. Even die-hard Apple fans like the first person in line at the iPhone store, Wang, admitted that they were also interested in Huawei’s latest device. While Wang purchased the iPhone 16 for its improved battery life, he remained open to trying out Huawei’s trifold Mate XT and potentially switching between the two brands in the future.

A New Era for Smartphones?

The simultaneous release of the iPhone 16 and Huawei Mate XT in China has revealed an evolving market dynamic. With consumers increasingly interested in Huawei’s innovative designs, Apple’s long-standing dominance is facing competition in unexpected ways. Whether it’s the allure of the Mate XT’s unique trifold design or the growing resale value, Huawei is proving that it still has the power to captivate even the most loyal Apple fans. In the rapidly evolving smartphone market, it seems consumers are more open than ever to exploring new options—and that could mark a significant shift in brand loyalties in the years to come.