Huawei has officially started shipping its latest Mate XT Ultimate smartphone, just 10 days after unveiling the world’s first tri-fold smartphone.
Those who pre-ordered the device are set to be the first recipients, while open sales have yet to commence. Reports from China confirm that the phone is not currently available for direct in-store purchase, leaving eager customers waiting for the chance to buy it off the shelves.
According to reports, large crowds gathered outside Huawei stores in major Chinese cities such as Shenzhen, only to be informed that the device was not available for purchase.
The overwhelming interest comes as no surprise, considering the cutting-edge technology featured in the Mate XT Ultimate.
The tri-fold design and state-of-the-art specifications have garnered significant attention, with registrations for the phone hitting a staggering 6.5 million. This figure surpasses the 3.9 million total foldable smartphone shipments worldwide in the second quarter of 2024.
However, these registrations are not commitments, as no payments have been made yet, indicating that only a portion of the interest may convert into actual sales.
Despite the enthusiasm, Huawei faces logistical challenges in fulfilling orders. While no official production figures have been released, industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted that Huawei could produce up to 1 million units of the Mate XT Ultimate.
This is double the company’s initial plan of 500,000 units. However, production challenges may arise due to the complexity of manufacturing the world’s first tri-fold phone, potentially impacting the company’s ability to meet this target.
The Mate XT Ultimate starts at CNY 19,999 (around $2,800 or €2,500) for the base model, which includes 256 GB of storage. Powered by Huawei’s in-house Kirin 9000S chipset and HarmonyOS 4.2, the phone notably lacks any U.S. components or software, positioning it as a symbol of Huawei’s drive toward technological independence.
As Huawei continues to fulfill pre-orders, the global tech community watches closely, anticipating the future of foldable smartphones and Huawei’s next moves.
