Chinese tech giants Huawei and Xiaomi have both launched new flagship foldable phones. They did this just days before Apple’s big “Surprise and shine” event on September 9.
Apple is expected to show its first foldable phone soon, rumored to be the iPhone Ultra. Because of this, the new Chinese phones create a big battle for premium buyers in China. Huawei and Xiaomi want to set the standard for foldable phones before Apple enters the market.
The smartphone market is expected to drop by 14% this year. Because of this, companies are focusing on expensive, high-quality phones to make a profit.
The cost of phone parts is also going up. Experts say memory prices could rise another 40% by early 2026. Bosses from both Huawei and Xiaomi said these high costs are the reason their new phones are so expensive.
Huawei Mate XT 2: A New Tri-Fold Phone
Huawei’s Mate XT 2 has a very special design. It folds in two places using a dual-hinge system. It can open up to become a large 10.2-inch tablet. When closed, it works as a normal 6.5-inch phone with a very bright screen.
The phone uses a new inward-folding design. This new shape helps protect the screen better when the phone is closed. It has a large 5,600mAh battery but is only 3.5mm thick when fully open.
The high-end 1TB version also has a special privacy screen. This stops people sitting next to you from seeing what is on your phone. The phone also has four great cameras, including a 50-megapixel main camera.
The Custom Kirin 9050 Pro Chip
The Mate XT 2 runs on a new Huawei chip called the Kirin 9050 Pro. Huawei made this chip using a new method called “LogicFolding”.
Because Huawei cannot buy certain advanced chip-making tools from the US, they designed the chip differently. Instead of making the parts smaller, they stacked them vertically like floors in a building.
This makes the chip work faster and use less power. Because of this, the new chip crams 55% more parts into the same space and gives the phone a 42% boost in overall speed.
| Feature | Huawei Kirin 9050 Pro | Xiaomi XRing O3 |
| CPU Cores | 9-Core | 10-Core |
| Top Speed | ~3.1 GHz | 4.35 GHz |
| Design Method | LogicFolding (3D stacking) | TSMC 3nm |
Xiaomi 18 Fold: Thin Design and Custom Power
Xiaomi also launched a new foldable phone called the Xiaomi 18 Fold. It looks more like a passport when closed, which is similar to Samsung’s folding phones.
When opened, it has a 7.58-inch screen where you can use three apps at once. Xiaomi’s CEO, Lei Jun, said their phone is better than Apple’s in some ways. For example, it weighs just 219 grams, making it lighter than Apple’s iPhone Pro Max.
The phone comes in a bright red color. It also has a powerful 200-megapixel main camera made in partnership with Leica.
Xiaomi’s XRing O3 Processor
The Xiaomi 18 Fold uses Xiaomi’s own chip, called the XRing O3. By making their own chip, Xiaomi can make the phone run smoother.
This chip supports a very fast new type of phone memory, which is great for running many apps at once. In early speed tests, this chip scored very high, even beating some of Apple’s newest phone processors.
| Feature | Huawei Mate XT 2 | Xiaomi 18 Fold |
| Folding Style | Tri-fold (two hinges) | Medium-fold (passport style) |
| Inner Screen | 10.2-inch | 7.58-inch |
| Main Camera | 50-Megapixel | 200-Megapixel |
| Starting Price | ~$2,980 (19,999 yuan) | ~$1,540 (10,999 yuan) |
What This Means for the Market
These new phones show that Huawei and Xiaomi are ready to fight Apple in the premium market. Currently, Huawei is the top smartphone brand in China.
Huawei also controls 68% of the folding phone market in China. Right now, Huawei is the only major brand selling a phone that folds twice. Samsung stopped selling its own tri-fold phone earlier this year.
The Huawei Mate XT 2 costs around $2,980, and the Xiaomi 18 Fold starts at about $1,540. Both companies hope buyers will pay these high prices for their new features and fast speeds.
FAQ
When is Apple’s new phone event?
Apple is holding its “Surprise and shine” event on September 9, 2026, where it might show its first foldable phone.
How much does the Huawei Mate XT 2 cost?
The Huawei Mate XT 2 has a starting price of about $2,980 (19,999 yuan) in China.
What is special about the Huawei Mate XT 2?
It is a tri-fold phone, meaning it has two hinges and opens up into a massive 10.2-inch tablet.
Is the Xiaomi 18 Fold lighter than an iPhone?
Yes, Xiaomi stated that the 18 Fold weighs 219 grams, which makes it lighter than Apple’s iPhone Pro Max.
Why are these new foldable phones so expensive?
The cost of phone parts, especially memory chips, is getting very high. Companies also spent a lot of money to create these new folding designs and custom computer chips.
