Few tech brands demonstrate resilience and innovation as effectively as Huawei. Renowned for its pioneering designs and relentless drive for innovation, the company has emerged as a formidable force in the foldable smartphone market. While the broader smartphone industry stagnates, Huawei continues to excel, making significant advances in foldable technology.
According to Counterpoint Research, Huawei’s global shipments of foldable smartphones skyrocketed by 257% year-on-year in Q1 2024, capturing a 35% market share and cementing its position among the top three foldable brands worldwide. With such achievements, Huawei is redefining the future of foldable devices.
The HUAWEI Mate X3: Setting New Standards for Foldables
In 2024, the HUAWEI Mate X3 set a new benchmark in foldable smartphone design. However, this success is no accident—it’s the result of a visionary strategy and years of relentless innovation.
Five Years of Innovation: A Strategic Leap Forward
Huawei’s leadership in the foldable market is the culmination of a decade-long commitment to pushing technological boundaries. Nine years ago, Huawei BG CTO Li Xiaolong (Bruce Lee) introduced the concept of a tri-fold smartphone, setting the stage for what would become a game-changing development.
In 2019, Huawei made history with the launch of the HUAWEI Mate X at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, pioneering a new smartphone form factor. Five years later, Huawei remains a disruptive force, with the launch of the HUAWEI Mate XT in China, showcasing its ability to transform bold ideas into reality.
Huawei’s progress reflects its unwavering dedication to innovation. The company allocates over 10% of its annual revenue to research and development (R&D), investing more than CNY 1.11 trillion over the past decade. Ranked as the 8th most innovative company globally by Boston Consulting Group and 5th in the 2023 EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard, Huawei’s achievements underscore its leadership in technology development.
Revolutionizing Foldable Technology
Each generation of Huawei’s foldable smartphones has delivered groundbreaking innovations:
• The Mate X introduced seamless external folding.
• The Mate X2 perfected internal folding.
• The Mate X3 achieved unparalleled thinness and power.
• The latest Mate XT tri-fold smartphone raised the bar yet again, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in foldable design.
Addressing Real-World Challenges
Huawei’s success is not just about innovation for its own sake but solving real-world problems. The company identified key challenges in foldable smartphones—screen durability, device weight, and creasing from repeated folding—and tackled them head-on.
Through breakthroughs such as the water drop hinge, the precision hinge system, and the integration of Kunlun Glass, Huawei has significantly enhanced the user experience. The Mate XT exemplifies this ethos, boasting an ultra-slim design comparable to traditional bi-fold smartphones.
Excitement for the Mate X6
Building on its momentum, Huawei recently launched the Mate X6 in China, garnering over a million reservations on its official online store by November 26. As anticipation grows for its global debut, Huawei is set to showcase the Mate X6 at a major event in Dubai on December 12, along with other innovative products.
As competitors scramble to replicate its success, Huawei continues to lead the foldable revolution, setting new standards for what is possible in smartphone design.
