Huawei Technologies is expected to debut the world’s first “tri-fold” smartphone within hours of Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event on September 10, teeing up a head-to-head competition as the Chinese technology giant snaps up more market share at home.
Huawei announced the event on Monday with a post to microblogging platform Weibo, featuring a Z-shaped image that resembles the dual-hinged handset it has been developing. Richard Yu Chengdong, chairman of Huawei’s consumer business group, said in a Weibo repost that Huawei’s “most leading, innovative and disruptive product” is coming.
The executive has recently been spotted using the two-creased device in public, according to pictures circulating on Chinese social media.
The launch will take place shortly after Apple concludes the “It’s Glowtime” event it has scheduled that day, when the world’s most valuable company is expected to launch the artificial intelligence-equipped iPhone 16 series phones. Huawei’s competition with Apple in China has taken on new significance as the US-sanctioned telecoms equipment maker has seen its smartphone sales surge while iPhone sales in China have struggled comparatively.
Huawei did not reveal details about the new product in its announcement, and did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.