Huawei's Mate XT: Innovation Amidst Sanctions

Huawei unveiled its groundbreaking tri-foldable Mate XT smartphone, stirring nationalistic pride in China despite a steep $2,800 price. Launching amid U.S. sanctions, the phone is seen as a technological leap over Apple's iPhone 16. However, the high price has drawn criticism amid economic uncertainties.

Huawei's latest innovation, the tri-foldable Mate XT smartphone, has reignited nationalistic fervor across China. Supporters view the device, unveiled Tuesday, as a testament to Huawei's technological prowess, even as it faces stringent U.S. sanctions. While the Mate XT is hailed for outpacing Apple's artificial intelligence-enhanced iPhone 16, its steep price of $2,800 has sparked widespread debate.

Scheduled to launch on September 20 exclusively in China, the Mate XT has already generated significant social media buzz. Comments on Weibo, China's social media platform, showcased a mixture of pride and skepticism, with many users celebrating Huawei's resurgence. A video showing Apple store employees visiting a Huawei store for the product launch became the second most trending topic on Weibo, amassing 91 million views and 6,600 comments.

While the Mate XT's advanced technology captures attention, its prohibitive cost has invited criticism. A Weibo poll revealed that only 966 of 9,200 respondents plan to purchase the phone, citing financial concerns. A Beijing Huawei store visitor summed it up: 'No matter how much I like the product, the price tag just sounds crazy to me.'

(With inputs from agencies.)