Huawei and Xiaomi unveil foldable phones ahead of Apple's expected debut

Huawei has launched its second-generation Mate XT 2 tri-fold smartphone as Apple prepares to enter the foldable-phone market, while Xiaomi is introducing the competing 18 Fold. The Mate XT 2 opens into a tablet-sized display and features a redesigned hinge, improved durability, upgraded cameras and Huawei’s Kirin 9050 Pro chip, which uses the company’s new “logic-folding” design to improve performance and efficiency. Xiaomi’s device similarly emphasizes domestic technology, using the company’s Xring O3 processor and locally sourced memory. The launches highlight how U.S. technology restrictions have pushed Chinese manufacturers to develop increasingly sophisticated homegrown chips and components. Huawei remains the leading Chinese smartphone and foldable-phone vendor, but Apple’s expected premium foldable could quickly reshape the segment by bringing its large high-end customer base to the category.