Huawei39;s Mate XT garners over 3.6 million preorders in China
Starting price for new model at 2,800
Analysts say it may not significantly impact Samsung and Apple
Huawei leads global foldable smartphone market with 27.5 share

SHENZHEN, China, Sept 10 Reuters China39;s Huawei Technologies HWT.UL on Tuesday unveiled a 2,800 trifoldable phone as it seeks to expand its lead in the world39;s biggest smartphone market and steal the spotlight from Apple hours after it debuted a new iPhone.

The Chinese tech giant showed off its new Mate XT, which users can fold three ways like an accordion screen door, during a launch ceremony in the southern tech hub of Shenzhen.

The device has already received more than 3.6 million preorders, for which no deposit is required, according to the company39;s website. The entire global market for foldable phones was around 4 million units in the second quarter, according to research firm IDC.

Today we bring you a product that everyone can think of but could not make. Our team has been working hard for five years and has never given up, Huawei executive director Richard Yu said at the launch.

We dare to make extraordinary breakthroughs. Today we will once again rewrite the history of the industry, turn science fiction into reality, and lead a new era of folding devices.

The muchanticipated launch comes just hours after Apple unveiled its latest model the AIboosted iPhone 16 with both smartphones due to go on sale on Sept. 20.

The Mate…