Huawei has launched a 3-fold smartphone with 2 hinges called Huawei Mate XT, officially sold in China since September 20. Currently, this product line has received nearly 6.3 million orders with the price 3 times higher than the original price at retailers.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), two Chinese phone companies Xiaomi and Honor are also ready to follow in Huawei’s footsteps by launching their own tri-fold smartphones. Both companies have filed for design patents for a phone with two hinges.
Xiaomi has filed an application with the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) for a design patent for a dual-hinge smartphone with three rear cameras in 2022. According to SCMP, the patent application was made public on September 3.
Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei, has also filed a design patent for a tri-fold smartphone in 2021, according to CNIPA. That patent, published in April, confirms a Z-shaped foldable phone with a dual hinge and a spherical digital camera.
Currently, both Xiaomi and Honor have not determined when they will launch their tri-fold phones. According to experts, targeting tri-fold phones is a way for Chinese brands to compete with Apple's iPhone in the high-end smartphone segment. Especially when China is the world's largest high-end smartphone consumer market.
Foldable phones with artificial intelligence options are expected to drive smartphone sales in mainland China, with total shipments rising 3.1% year-on-year to 279 million units in 2024, according to technology analyst firm IDC.
