Chinese tech giants Xiaomi and Huawei this week released new foldable phones in anticipation of Apple’s rumored foldable iPhone launch on Wednesday. The moves are seen as an effort to gain market share before Apple enters the foldable market, where Samsung currently leads.
Xiaomi introduced the Xiaomi 18 Fold on Monday, a device similar in size to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8. Huawei unveiled the Mate XT2, its third-generation trifold smartphone, pioneering this form factor. According to Counterpoint Research partner Neil Shah, “There is significant pent-up demand for a foldable iPhone within the Apple community,” with many Apple users potentially switching from Samsung or returning to the brand if Apple’s offering is compelling.
Counterpoint Research estimates Apple could ship 6 million foldable iPhones this year, capturing 25% of the global market. This share is projected to grow to 40% by 2027. While foldable phones are expensive, the market continues to expand. Samsung is expected to be Apple’s primary competitor globally, but in China, Apple will face strong competition from Huawei, which currently holds over two-thirds of the foldable market share.
Neil Shah also stated that “aspiring Chinese consumers” are likely to purchase Apple’s new device, anticipating upgrades from existing Apple users in China. Both Xiaomi and Huawei highlighted their self-designed chips in their new foldables. Xiaomi’s Xiaomi 18 Fold features the XRing O3 processor, manufactured using an advanced process. Huawei’s Mate XT2 is the first device to utilize the company’s new LogicFolding semiconductor technique, designed to optimize electrical signal transmission on the chip. IDC vice president Francisco Jeronimo noted that these launches were strategically timed, stating, “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.”
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