Chinese tech giant Huawei on Tuesday launched an industry-first tri-fold smartphone in south China's Shenzhen, securing over four million preorders by the afternoon.
The new product, Mate XT, attracted thousands of industry analysts, suppliers and distributors, as well as enthusiastic customers to its launch event.
Yu Chengdong, Huawei's executive director, displayed the groundbreaking product at the event, highlighting its achievement as the first mass-produced phone of its kind globally.
"This is the world's first tri-fold mobile phone. We have made great efforts to solve its mass production and reliability. We can see that it is a 10.2-inch mobile phone," Yu said.
In the foldable screen smartphone market, Chinese manufacturers have shown strong competitiveness. According to a report by the International Data Corporation (IDC), the market more than doubled year on year in the second quarter of 2024, with Huawei leading with a nearly 42 percent share, followed by Chinese smartphone makers Vivo and Honor.
Some industry insiders at the launch event shared their thoughts on the future of foldable screen phones.
"The era of folding screens has arrived, and I think it will replace single-screen devices. People prefer larger screens for watching videos and working," said Sun Chaozheng, general manager of Linyi Datang Communication Equipment Co., Ltd.
"In terms of innovation, we previously had double-fold phones, but now we have tri-fold phones that can fold in multiple directions. This requires higher screen quality," said Huang Haifeng, a tech industry observer.
China's foldable mobile phone market saw a growth of 114.5 percent in shipments in 2023, with the number of shipments surpassing 7 million, according to IDC. Global shipments of foldable phones are projected to grow from 18.6 million units in 2023 to 101.5 million units by 2027, according to Counterpoint Research.
Industry insiders believe that the future growth of the foldable smartphone market will depend on manufacturers' ability to address challenges such as pricing, durability, and improving user experience with AI technology.
Huawei unveils world's first tri-fold phone, drawing over four million preorders
Huawei unveils world's first tri-fold phone, drawing over four million preorders
The rising popularity of Guochao, also known as the trend of "China-chic", has contributed to a consumption boom and more diversified consumption scenarios ahead of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
China-chic refers to fashion trends native to China, which incorporates unique native cultural elements into the latest trends.
For this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, the brand-new event "The Empress's Mid-Autumn Feast" at the Mingtang Tiantang Scenic Area in the National Archaeological Site Park of Sui-Tang Luoyang City in central China's Henan Province has attracted many visitors.
Through interactive experiences such as the performance of court music and dance, and the Empress Wu Zetian bestowing incense, it recreated the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) palace, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of the holiday.
The "Hanfu craze" in Luoyang City has led to an increase in the number of tourists visiting scenic spots and has extended the overall economic chain. This trend has boosted the popularity of services such as Hanfu rental, makeup and styling, and professional photography, making them widely popular.
In Luoyang's Luanchuan County, activities such as the "Fairy Palace Moon Viewing Party" at the peak of the Laojun Mountain, which stands over 2,000 meters above sea level, have driven a surge in business for the Hanfu stores at the mountain's summit, leading to a peak in consumer activity.
"This year's Mid-Autumn Festival is witnessing an increase of over 50 percent in Hanfu rentals and sales, as well as travel photography services, compared with the same period last year. With such beautiful scenery as a backdrop, the demand for traditional China-chic consumption remains strong," said Jin Ge, owner of a Hanfu store atop the Laojun Mountain.
Driven by the rise of China-chic, creative cultural products are continuously updated with new offerings.
At a glazed glass workshop in Zibo City, east China's Shandong, skilled workers were busy crafting creative glassworks featuring lively jade rabbits, a symbol of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
As soon as the products hit the market, they quickly became popular both online and offline.
"While inheriting tradition, we've been exploring something new, developing creative products that better meet current market demands, thus winning the favor of a wide range of consumers," said Liu Jianhua, deputy general manager of Xiye Workshop.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese lunar calendar, is a cherished occasion for family reunions in China. It falls on September 17 this year.
China-chic boom fuels consumption for Mid-Autumn Festival
