SHENZHEN, China, Sept 20 (Askume) – Huawei and Apple’s latest smartphones went on sale in China on Friday, with many fans of the Chinese company disappointed by its much-anticipated $2,800 model, which is more than twice the price of the iPhone 16 Pro Max – not available to walk-in customers.
At the Huawei flagship store in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, some self-proclaimed “super fans” became angry after being told that only those with confirmed pre-orders could buy the tri-fold Mate XT.
“I have been here since 10pm last night because this tri-fold phone is the first one, and I am very happy to support my country,” said a college student surnamed Ye.
“But it’s very disappointing. They should have made it clear that we can’t buy it.”
A similar situation unfolded at Huawei’s Wangfujing store in Beijing, where the much-hyped Mate XT (which folds three-ways like an accordion screen door) was only available to those with confirmed pre-orders.
Askume saw about 30 people queuing outside a Huawei store in Beijing and a similar number in Shenzhen. About 100 people queued outside a flagship Apple store in Beijing.
“I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, but it’s a bit big and not very practical,” said Rui, who tried out the Mate XT in Shenzhen.
Analysts have warned that supply chain constraints could leave potential Mate XT buyers empty-handed, while others have questioned its high cost amid the economic slowdown.
Although Huawei executive director Yu Chengdong said at this month’s Mate XT launch event that the company had “turned science fiction into reality,” owning one remains a fantasy for many.
At Huawei’s flagship store in Shanghai, Yu said sales were “better than expected” but gave no details. He said the phone sold out in “seconds” and that Huawei was working to expand production capacity.
Pre-orders for the Mate XT have exceeded 6.5 million units, nearly double the roughly 3.9 million foldable smartphones shipped worldwide in the second quarter of this year, according to consulting firm IDC. “Pre-orders” do not require consumers to pay a deposit. Huawei has not said how many phones it has produced so far, nor how many customers will receive a Mate XT on launch day.
Apple did not respond to a request for comment on the number of new iPhones available for sale in China on Friday.
As of Friday afternoon, about 4,760 new Huawei phones were listed on Alibaba’s Xianyu platform, including sales and pre-orders. The average price of a mobile phone on the platform is 50,000 yuan ($7,089).
At Shenzhen’s Huaqiangbei electronics market, a mobile phone seller said she was selling the most expensive version of the Mate XT (the one with the highest memory) for 150,000 yuan ($21,290), while the store sells it for 23,999 yuan. Models cost more than $4,000.
When asked if she would sell, she replied: “A few people have asked, but it’s too expensive.”
Huawei is considering launching the phone in overseas markets in the first quarter of next year, a person familiar with the matter said.
Apple needs a Chinese AI partner
While Apple has for years enjoyed strong demand in China, where the release of new iPhones once caused a frenzy, its sales have declined and its quarterly ranking in the world’s second-largest economy has now slipped to third from last.
Apple’s new smartphone launch has been overshadowed by the fact that it has not yet announced a Chinese artificial intelligence partner to power the 16s , and its artificial intelligence software Apple Intelligence will only be available in Chinese next year.
Some Apple fans say the AI ​​challenge is not a problem.
“The lack of artificial intelligence in the iPhone is not my main concern at the moment, because at this stage it’s more like a gimmick,” said a customer named Xi, who upgrades his iPhone every year.
When talking about Huawei’s new product, Xi said it is too expensive and “not suitable for ordinary customers.”
Huawei enjoys strong patriotic support in China, and fans are impressed by how the company managed to overcome years of US export controls that initially crippled its smartphone business.
“The Chinese people need to support (Huawei). Our Huawei phones are currently behind in terms of technology and chips, but this gap requires our support,” said Jiang, a 60-year-old business owner in Beijing.
Analysts say the launch of the Mate XT, which uses a home-grown chipset, highlights Huawei’s ability to tackle US sanctions, though concerns remain over the company’s mass production capabilities.
Isaiah Research senior analyst Lori Chang said that based on recent inspection, key parts of the Huawei Mate XT, including panels, cover glass and hinges, may be facing production problems.
(1 US dollar = 7.0460 yuan)
(1 USD = 7.0530 RMB)
