Huawei’s unveils the Mate XS foldable smartphone with stronger screen and improved hinge at a virtual launch.
Huawei has launched its new foldable smartphone, Mate XS, with a stronger display, faster performance, and a huge price tag of Rs 1.95 lakh. The Chinese tech giant is aiming to take on Samsung and other rivals in the premium smartphone market, even though it still faces US restrictions that block Google apps.
The phone was revealed at a virtual event streamed from Barcelona, after the Mobile World Congress was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Mate XS is the next version of Huawei’s folding phone, launched last year. It keeps the same 8-inch screen but comes with a tougher hinge and a more durable wraparound display. Huawei says the phone offers faster downloads, better performance, and longer battery life compared to Samsung’s Galaxy Fold.
Huawei’s top executive, Richard Yu, said during the launch: "We believe technology should be open and available for everyone."
ALSO READ: Motorola Moto Edge 60 Neo Launched in India - Check Price, Availability & More
The Mate XS will be priced at 2,499 euros (about Rs 1.95 lakh or $2,710), making it one of the most expensive smartphones in the world. It will roll out globally next month.
Huawei is gauging user willingness to pay for cutting-edge design and futuristic features by charging such a premium price, and the business is establishing itself as a player in the ultra-premium smartphone segment.
Samsung introduced its first foldable phone last year but faced durability problems with the screen, and now Huawei is pushing harder in this category with the Mate XS, which it says is stronger, more reliable, and has better battery life.
Huawei believes its wraparound foldable design gives users a more futuristic experience compared to Samsung’s approach.
Like Huawei’s earlier Mate 30 phone, the Mate XS does not come with Google apps due to U.S. trade restrictions. Instead, Huawei has built its own AppGallery as an alternative.
ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 FE Launching on Sept 4, Ahead of Apple iPhone 17
Still, Huawei says it hopes to continue working with Android and U.S. partners in the future, showing its plan to build its own ecosystem while keeping doors open for collaboration.
Apart from the Mate XS, Huawei also introduced its first Mate tablet, new Matebook laptops, and a smart speaker developed with French audio company Devialet. Huawei also announced that it will host another launch event in Paris next month for its upcoming P40 5G smartphone.
