Huawei Mate X Series Achieves Remarkable Success, Solidifying its Leading Position in the Foldable Phone Market!

Huawei Mate X Series Achieves Remarkable Success, Solidifying its Leading Position in the Foldable Phone Market!Yesterday, Huawei's latest foldable phone, the Mate X series (hereinafter referred to as Mate X), officially went on sale. Despite its nearly 20,000 RMB price tag, it sold out in mere seconds

Huawei Mate X Series Achieves Remarkable Success, Solidifying its Leading Position in the Foldable Phone Market!

Yesterday, Huawei's latest foldable phone, the Mate X series (hereinafter referred to as Mate X), officially went on sale. Despite its nearly 20,000 RMB price tag, it sold out in mere seconds. Both Huawei's offline stores and online mall showed the phone as out of stock, with restocking seemingly a distant prospect. Online rumors even claimed scalpers were reselling the phone for over 300,000 RMB. This starkly contrasts with the same day launch of the iPhone 16, whose highest price point started at only 9,999 RMB. While Apple stores also saw lines of eager fans, iPhone 16 first-day sales dropped 12.7% compared to the iPhone 15 launch last year, with scalpers adding only 500-600 RMB, and the iPhone 16 Pro remaining virtually untouched.

Some attribute the iPhone 16's lukewarm reception to the recent Beirut explosion. Terrorists used smartphones, including iPhones, in the attack, raising public concerns about electronic product safety. Previously, data breaches were the primary worry; now, personal safety is paramount. In short, Huawei is the clear winner in this market competition. The successful launch of the Mate X has undoubtedly created a buzz in the mobile phone industry, with news about the new phone flooding major social media platforms.

Huawei's choice of launch timing clearly signals a challenge to iPhone. But this is more than just market competition; it's a technological "show of strength." Developing foldable phones has been a significant hurdle for phone manufacturers. Achieving a crack-free screen that maintains a smooth user experience is a massive technological challenge. Furthermore, flexible OLED screens have inherent flaws, and overcoming them tests manufacturers' technological capabilities.

Huawei's ambitions go beyond this. This foldable phone not only holds an advantage against traditional smartphones but also aims to disrupt the business and office market. With the rise of the smart era, phones have become indispensable, and work is increasingly mobile. The Huawei Mate X combines the functions of a phone and tablet, a highly appealing design that attracts consumers despite the near-20,000 RMB price tag.

This move also solidifies Huawei's leading position in the high-end smartphone market. iResearch data shows that Huawei held a 42% share of China's foldable phone market in the first half of 2024, making it the domestic market leader. In the over-10,000 RMB high-end market, Huawei's market share is even higher at 67%, while Apple hasn't entered this segment; its main competitor is Samsung. The launch of the Mate X is a crucial strategic move for Huawei to expand its foldable phone market share and consolidate its high-end market position.

With numerous Chinese phone manufacturers entering the foldable phone market, will foldable phones be the next big thing? Market trends and consumer data seem to suggest so. IDC data shows that China's foldable phone shipments reached approximately 7 million units in 2023 but experienced explosive growth in 2024, with a growth rate of 49%, and a staggering 104.6% year-on-year growth in the second quarter. Not only are shipments increasing significantly, but consumer acceptance and the features of foldable phones are constantly improving.

Lightness and thinness have become key battlegrounds for manufacturers. Products like the Huawei Mate X5, vivo X Fold 3 series, Xiaomi MIX Fold 4, and Honor Magic V3 all highlight thinness and lightness as major selling points. Weight and thickness have always been deciding factors for consumers, making this a crucial area for manufacturers to compete for market share.

Furthermore, thinner charging ports, wireless charging technology, and battery technology are constantly evolving. The maturity of wireless charging is becoming a trend, while the high power consumption of large screens is being addressed by the advancement of new silicon-carbon anode battery technology.

Progress in AI is also bringing new opportunities for foldable phones. AI penetration in phones is expected to reach 17% this year and further increase to 30% by 2025.

Overall, the mobile phone industry is moving towards greater intelligence and personalization. However, despite continuous technological updates, consumer replacement cycles are declining. Canalys reports show that since 2017, China's smartphone shipments have been steadily declining, with consumers keeping their phones for over 31 months.

This is due to both a global economic downturn, reduced consumer purchasing power, and severe industry involution and insufficient technological innovation. From screen to pixel, from camera count to fast charging speeds, almost all technical parameters have been maximized, leaving consumers feeling numb. Furthermore, extended phone performance and system lifespans lead many to keep their old phones.

Even Xiaomi founder Lei Jun has publicly stated that the declining replacement cycle gives him a headache. At the Xiaomi 13 launch event, he jokingly asked, "Is anyone still using a Xiaomi 6? I recommend upgrading to a Xiaomi 13."

This phenomenon extends even to young consumers. iResearch data shows that 79.5% of Gen Z consumers replace their phones every 1-3 years, and 75.9% prefer phones in the 2,000-6,000 RMB price range. Young consumers are dissatisfied with the current homogeneity of phones, and a lack of innovation discourages them from upgrading. Additionally, the need to reorganize photos and important information with each upgrade adds to the burden.

The mobile phone consumer market has shifted from chasing trends to pursuing value for money, entering a new developmental stage. How long has it been since you last changed your phone? Share your thoughts in the comments!

References: Global Times: One phone for three generations, why are young people not changing their phones?; Huashang News: The future form of foldable phones, only Huawei dares to think! Author: Shiling Editor: Liuyedadao

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