Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Huawei wasted no time this week rolling out their latest foldable smartphones, strategically positioning themselves just days before Apple is widely expected to unveil its first foldable iPhone.
Xiaomi, the world’s third-largest smartphone maker, introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold on Monday — a passport-sized device that echoes the design of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, which hit the market earlier this year. On the same day, Huawei unveiled the Mate XT2, the third generation of its pioneering trifold smartphone.
These launches are hardly coincidental, analysts say. Apple holds an event on Wednesday, where rumors point to the debut of the foldable iPhone, a landmark product under new CEO John Ternus.
“There is significant pent-up demand for a foldable iPhone within the Apple community,” Neil Shah, partner at Counterpoint Research, told CNBC. “Many have refrained from switching to Samsung. Some have switched, but they might come back if there is an amazing foldable iPhone.”
According to Counterpoint Research, Apple could ship as many as 6 million foldable iPhones this year, capturing a 25% share of the global foldable market. That figure could climb to 40% by 2027, the research firm projects.
The timing of the Chinese launches appears deliberate. “This is not an innocent decision by these vendors,” Francisco Jeronimo, a vice president at IDC covering mobile devices, told CNBC. “They knew Apple was coming up with a foldable, so they’re trying to get ahead and, more importantly, trying to make sure that when the Apple products hit the stores, their product is there so consumers can compare.”
Foldable smartphones continue to experience robust growth, despite being among the most expensive handsets on the market. Globally, Samsung — which launched the category in 2019 — will remain Apple’s primary rival. But in China, Apple will face a crowded field led by Huawei, which currently controls more than two-thirds of the country’s foldable market.
Shah suggested that “aspiring Chinese consumers” are likely to be drawn to Apple’s latest device. “We will see lots of upgrades from the existing install base in China happening toward the foldable iPhone,” he said.
With Samsung’s latest foldable already out since July, consumers will have no shortage of choices once Apple enters the fray.
Both Huawei and Xiaomi also highlighted their self-designed chips in this week’s announcements. Xiaomi said its 18 Fold is powered by the XRing O3, its latest smartphone processor, manufactured on an advanced process. Huawei, meanwhile, touted that the Mate XT2 is the first device to feature a new semiconductor technique called LogicFolding, designed to move electrical signals on a chip.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/09/08/xiaomi-huawei-apple-foldable-iphone.html
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
