Huawei and Xiaomi Debut Premium Foldables Ahead of Apple Event
Chinese tech giants launch trifold and 'medium-fold' devices to set market benchmarks before Apple's expected entry into the category.
Huawei and Xiaomi have launched new high-end foldable smartphones in China, strategically timing the releases just days before Apple's annual September product event. The move signals an aggressive attempt by Chinese manufacturers to dominate the premium foldable segment before the U.S. tech giant defines the mass-market standard.
Around September 7, 2026, Huawei unveiled the Mate XT 2, an ultra-premium trifold device featuring two folding sections. The device enters the market with a starting price of $2,980 (19,999 yuan). Simultaneously, Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold, which employs a "medium-fold solution." According to company specifications, this design ensures the device remains passport-sized when closed while allowing users to run three applications side-by-side when fully unfolded.
The Evolution of the Fold
These launches reflect a broader shift in the foldable market, which is moving beyond basic "flip" or "book" styles toward more complex engineering. By innovating with trifolds and specialized screen ratios, Huawei and Xiaomi are attempting to differentiate their hardware from traditional slab phones. This technical escalation comes as the industry anticipates Apple's first foldable iPhone, which is expected to feature a screen aspect ratio of approximately 4:3 when unfolded.
Strategic Market Positioning
The timing of these releases, occurring immediately before Apple's event on September 9, is widely viewed as a tactical strike. By debuting these devices now, Chinese firms are attempting to establish the technical and pricing benchmarks for the high-end market. In the competitive Chinese premium segment, hardware innovation serves as a primary tool to counter Apple's ecosystem lock-in, forcing the iPhone to compete against devices that offer significantly more screen real estate and versatility.
What to Watch
Industry analysts are now looking toward Apple's event to see if the company will officially enter the foldable space or continue to refine its existing lineup. While Huawei and Xiaomi have pushed the boundaries of folding mechanisms, the long-term success of these complex designs depends on durability and software optimization. Whether Apple's expected 4:3 aspect ratio approach will prioritize stability over the sheer size offered by trifold devices remains a key point of contention for the coming product cycle.