On September 10, Apple held its autumn product launch event, introducing the iPhone 16 series, the Apple Watch Series 10, and the new AirPods 4. Less than 14 hours later, Huawei officially launched the world’s first triple-folding smartphone. With both product launch events occurring on the same day and both smartphones set to go on sale from September 20, foreign media described the scene on the 10th as “Apple vs. Huawei” and a “Clash of the Titans.” The BBC noted that topics related to Huawei and Apple’s new phones dominated Chinese social media on September 10, one after another topping the trending lists. Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao remarked that for both Huawei and Apple, the launch events on the 10th were not just about the products themselves but also a battle for brand influence. For global consumers, this was a rare opportunity to not only learn about the latest tech trends but also to glimpse the technological power of China and the U.S.
Huawei’s “Disruptive” Product
“It’s Huawei vs. Apple again,” Lianhe Zaobao noted on September 10, as the two companies’ product launch events coincided once again. Apple’s event was themed “Glowtime,” while Huawei had earlier hinted at a “remarkable masterpiece, glowing moments,” making it a head-to-head contest. “Which product will gain more attention? What major announcements are worth noting?” the report asked a series of questions.
“How Huawei is stealing Apple’s thunder in China,” WirtschaftsWoche (Germany) commented on September 10. The iPhone 16 is crucial for Apple’s business in China as Huawei is rapidly gaining market share and has an ace up its sleeve. According to CNN, citing data from market research firm Counterpoint Research in April 2023, Huawei’s success in China’s smartphone market has directly impacted Apple’s performance in the high-end segment.
On September 10, Huawei released its new phone, the Huawei Mate XT Extraordinary Masterpiece. Huawei’s Executive Director, Richard Yu, introduced the phone at the event, stating that it comes with a 10.2-inch screen and, when unfolded, is only 3.6 mm thick. It is not only the world’s first triple-folding phone but also the world’s largest and thinnest folding phone. WirtschaftsWoche noted that the phone’s screen is almost as large as an iPad, but when folded, it can fit into a pocket like a regular smartphone.
Richard Yu stated on September 10, “I’ve brought a product today that everyone can imagine but no one else could create. Our team has worked on this for five years, never giving up. We dared to break through and be extraordinary. Today, we are once again rewriting industry history, turning sci-fi into reality and leading the new era of foldable phones.”
Lianhe Zaobao noted that as a highly disruptive and innovative product, the expectations for Huawei’s phone were extremely high, as reflected in its pre-sale numbers. Deutsche Welle reported that in the three days before the launch, pre-orders for the phone opened on Huawei’s online store. As of the evening of September 10, there were over 4.5 million pre-orders.
CNN quoted analyst Parker, who said that Huawei’s phones are clearly focused on larger screens and longer battery life, “I think this latest attempt may bring significant changes to the size of foldable phone displays.” Reuters cited analysts who noted that with the phone’s starting price close to 20,000 yuan, more than twice the cost of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and with limited production, it is likely to become a symbol of Huawei’s technological prowess rather than a major sales driver. “It tells consumers that Huawei is still a technological leader, and the potential challenge it poses to Apple may go beyond market share.”
Apple’s “High-Stakes Gamble”
“The iPhone has become predictable. Over the past seven years, aside from improvements to the camera, processor, and battery life, it has largely looked the same,” The New York Times stated on the 10th, noting that Apple attempted to change this predictability. Deutsche Welle reported that the iPhone 16 is Apple’s first “AI phone,” equipped with the new 3-nanometer A18 chip and featuring a new “camera control” button on the side. “The next generation of iPhones is designed from top to bottom for Apple Intelligence, marking the start of an exciting new era,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said at the launch.
Apple stated that Apple Intelligence would be released later, subject to regulatory approval. Apple Intelligence will be available as a free software update, with a beta version launching in the U.S. in October, limited to English. In December, it will be available in English in the U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, with support for languages like Chinese, Japanese, French, and Spanish coming next year.
According to Bloomberg, Apple aims to show consumers and Wall Street that it is now a major player in generative AI. The New York Times pointed out that the launch of the new phone comes at a critical time for both Apple and the tech industry. In recent years, as iPhone users have held onto their devices longer, Apple’s business has declined. The company has placed a high-stakes bet, reorganizing its engineering teams to focus on AI, hoping that this technology—capable of answering questions, creating images, and writing software code—will convince people to buy new devices.
However, during the launch, Apple’s stock price briefly dropped by 1%, which The Wall Street Journal interpreted as reflecting market skepticism about AI-centric products. Reuters noted that some analysts believe the delay in new iPhone features has led many potential buyers to initially take a wait-and-see approach.
“The question is, how good will Apple Intelligence be?” The New York Times quoted Bob O’Donnell, chief analyst at TECHnalysis Research, who said, “We’ve seen impressive demos from Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI, but when you start using these services, you realize a lot of them are gimmicks.” O’Donnell believes that only by helping ordinary people do useful things daily will people feel, “I need a new iPhone.”
According to reports from Nikkei and Lianhe Zaobao, due to regulatory restrictions, the launch of Apple Intelligence in the EU is expected to be delayed. With ChatGPT unavailable in China, the market is also watching closely how Apple will introduce AI features there. Nabila Popal, senior research director at IDC, noted that “the spread of the iPhone 16 in China will depend on how quickly Apple can establish partnerships with local generative AI developers.”
“A New Round of High-End Competition in China’s Smartphone Market”
Lianhe Zaobao commented that the simultaneous product launches of Huawei and Apple became the “real focus” on Chinese social media. Many users saw Huawei’s new phone as another breakthrough for China’s technological prowess, with some enthusiastically stating, “The more China’s technology is suppressed, the stronger it becomes.” However, other users noted that although the triple-folding phone is “truly impressive,” Huawei cannot be said to be directly competing with Apple, as the target user groups for the two products are entirely different.
Xiang Ligang, president of the Zhongguancun Information Consumption Alliance, told Global Times on the 10th that Huawei and Apple’s product launches not only attracted industry attention but also sparked international media debate, reflecting the significant standing and influence both companies hold in the tech world. He believes that the simultaneous launches showcase each company’s latest technological advancements in the smartphone industry, offering more diverse options for the consumer market. This highlights not only the intense competition between domestic and foreign manufacturers in technological innovation but also the relentless efforts of Chinese tech companies to meet the growing demands of consumers.
Deutsche Welle noted that according to IDC data, Apple’s smartphone sales in China fell to 6th place in the second quarter of this year, while Huawei ranked 2nd. Some U.S. media reported that Huawei’s foldable phone sales have been strong in China, prompting the company to surpass Samsung Electronics in the second quarter to become the world’s largest foldable phone supplier, with a global market share of 27.5%, ahead of Samsung’s 16.4%, and a 42% share in China. According to IDC data, the global foldable smartphone market grew by 57% year-on-year in the second quarter, with shipments reaching 3.9 million units, driven primarily by Chinese smartphone manufacturers expanding into overseas markets. However, foldable phone shipments only account for 1.3% of the overall smartphone market.
Reuters commented on the 10th that since last year, Huawei has launched a series of new smartphone products, which have performed well in the market. This not only highlights Huawei’s ability to cope with U.S. sanctions but also reflects its solid position to compete with Apple in China’s market. Lianhe Zaobao noted that in late August of last year, Huawei launched the Mate 60 Pro, equipped with a domestically produced 7-nanometer chip with 5G-level speeds, sparking huge interest and being seen as a significant breakthrough in U.S. technological blockades.
CNN stated that the Shenzhen-based company has been at the center of the escalating tech competition between Washington and Beijing. Huawei has launched popular models like the Mate 60 Pro and Mate X5. The media outlet described Huawei as undergoing one of the most shocking comebacks in tech history. Huawei reported double-digit growth in revenue and profits in August. Canalys analyst Yixuan Liu said, “The close launch dates of Huawei and Apple products mark the beginning of a new round of competition in China’s high-end smartphone market.”
CNN noted that some analysts had predicted that due to U.S. sanctions, Huawei’s phones would become “bricks.” But today, the company has returned to its peak. It is also expanding into new business areas such as electric vehicles. Huawei has ambitious goals in AI. Earlier this year, Nvidia listed Huawei as a top competitor in several fields.
Experts pointed out that China’s open ecosystem and highly efficient collaborative industrial chain are further driving the rapid development of the AI smartphone market. As one of the world’s largest smartphone markets, China has a massive user base and abundant data resources, providing unique conditions for the research and application of AI technologies. Apple’s strong competitive position in China stems from relentless innovation, continuous market openness, and industry upgrades, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
Leave a comment