Huawei Introduces Global First Mass-Producible Tri-Fold Smartphone, Engages Leading A-Shares Firms in Key Supply Chain
3 April 2025 · Uncategorized ·
Source: · https://www.cnr.cn/tech/techxp/20240911/t20240911_526898447.shtml
On September 10th, Huawei held its Extraordinary Brand Grand Ceremony and HarmonyOS Intelligent Travel New Product Launch Event at Shenzhen Bay Sports Center's 'Spring Cocoon' stadium. At the event, Richard Yu,常务董事、终端BG董事长兼智能汽车解决方案BU董事长 of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., announced the official launch of Mate Xs2 - the world’s first mass-produced triple-foldable phone.
"This move marks another significant breakthrough in folding screen technology for Huawei and represents a new starting point for the entire smartphone supply chain," said Liu Xingliang, member of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Telecommunications Economic Expert Committee. "As tri-folding screens mature and markets expand, more brands are expected to follow suit with innovations that will bring fresh opportunities to related suppliers."
The full-channel pre-orders have exceeded 45 million units.
Yu introduced the phone as a result of Huawei’s continuous breakthroughs in various folding forms such as inward foldable, outward foldable, and vertical foldable. The new model offers single-screen mode, dual-screen mode, and triple-screen modes with an expanded screen size up to 10.2 inches thin down to just 3.6 millimeters.
In fact, news of tri-folding phones has been circulating in the market for over three years; however, most have remained as concept devices until now. The launch of this phone by Huawei signifies that triple-foldable smartphones are finally entering consumer markets.
Hinge design and glass material pressure resistance were considered key challenges to bringing such a device into reality. Yu mentioned that behind its first release is the company's continuous deep research in imaging technology, folding hinges, basic materials science fields, achieving industry-leading technologies like next-generation dual-rotary water drop hinge, ultra-reliable Kunlun Glass, and non-newtonian fluid inner screen.
Yu admitted: "It’s very difficult to make a single piece of glass bend both inwardly and outwardly. Ensuring it can withstand pressure while remaining robust is even more challenging." Huawei's unique Tian Gong Hinge System has achieved precise hinges and ultra-shape triple-fold large screens for the first time through comprehensive breakthroughs in core components such as hinging mechanisms and displays.
At this event, Huawei officially announced that Mate Xs2 would be priced starting from 19,999 yuan. This makes it not only one of the most expensive phones ever launched by Huawei but also currently among the highest-priced smartphones on the market.
"Huawei's early release of a commercial tri-folding phone aims to solidify its position in the global high-end smartphone market and will further attract other manufacturers' pursuit of folding screen technology," said Wang Haoyu, CEO of Merit Asset Management Co., Ltd.
According to data from iResearch Consulting Group, as of this year's first half, Huawei has captured 42% of the foldable phone market share with its earliest coverage across all forms including horizontal inward and outward folds and vertical folding phones. In markets above one million yuan (approximately $150k), Huawei’s market share is even higher at 67%. Currently, users are increasingly leaning towards top-tier brands when switching to a new foldable smartphone.
In terms of pre-order performance for the phone, supply chain insiders revealed that as of now, full-channel pre-orders have exceeded four and half million units.
Notably, according to data released by research firm IDC, total shipments in the folding screen market were around 40 million units this second quarter alone.
Additionally, before opening reservations, Huawei had prepared approximately five hundred thousand units for Mate Xs2. Although actual sales are often lower than pre-orders due to various factors, based on current reservation trends, it is expected that there will be a shortage of supply in the early stages after official release with some suppliers already receiving additional orders from Huawei.
'Currently, dual-folding phones have matured both technically and application-wise; tri-foldable ones are an iteration thereof. The sales performance of this phone mainly depends on market acceptance as well as whether core components and materials can keep up,' said Lin Zhi, chief analyst at WitDisplay Research Institute.
Supply Chain Benefits
In the A-share market, with Huawei's triple-folding smartphone launch on September 10th, stocks related to it have been active. By closing time that day, over ten individual shares such as Dafu Technology and Changshan North Bright had reached their daily limit up.
On a supply chain level, the release of this phone has also attracted investor attention towards relevant listed companies who stated they are part of its core supplier network.
For instance, Blue Sapphire recently said it has long been involved in manufacturing processes for UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) and CPI (Colorless Polyimide), forming deep strategic partnerships with leading consumer electronics brands to become key suppliers. Similarly, Innovation Millennium indicated on September 10th that their drilling machines can be used for processing metal components like the casing or hinges of tri-foldable phones.
Moreover, multiple listed companies have participated in research and production related to this phone such as BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Visionox which are involved with flexible display screens while Kesen Tech and China Glass Holding Company focus on hinge technology advancements.
Wang Haoyu stated: 'If the tri-folding phones sell well, it will benefit folding screen hinges, assembly & testing processes, titanium alloy materials among other related segments of foldable smartphones. Relevant companies could secure more orders and market share as a result.' The release of new products coupled with an upcoming phone sales peak season is expected to stimulate consumer markets in some degree.
Overall, the smartphone industry may see moderate recovery this third quarter.
"This move marks another significant breakthrough in folding screen technology for Huawei and represents a new starting point for the entire smartphone supply chain," said Liu Xingliang, member of China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology Telecommunications Economic Expert Committee. "As tri-folding screens mature and markets expand, more brands are expected to follow suit with innovations that will bring fresh opportunities to related suppliers."
The full-channel pre-orders have exceeded 45 million units.
Yu introduced the phone as a result of Huawei’s continuous breakthroughs in various folding forms such as inward foldable, outward foldable, and vertical foldable. The new model offers single-screen mode, dual-screen mode, and triple-screen modes with an expanded screen size up to 10.2 inches thin down to just 3.6 millimeters.
In fact, news of tri-folding phones has been circulating in the market for over three years; however, most have remained as concept devices until now. The launch of this phone by Huawei signifies that triple-foldable smartphones are finally entering consumer markets.
Hinge design and glass material pressure resistance were considered key challenges to bringing such a device into reality. Yu mentioned that behind its first release is the company's continuous deep research in imaging technology, folding hinges, basic materials science fields, achieving industry-leading technologies like next-generation dual-rotary water drop hinge, ultra-reliable Kunlun Glass, and non-newtonian fluid inner screen.
Yu admitted: "It’s very difficult to make a single piece of glass bend both inwardly and outwardly. Ensuring it can withstand pressure while remaining robust is even more challenging." Huawei's unique Tian Gong Hinge System has achieved precise hinges and ultra-shape triple-fold large screens for the first time through comprehensive breakthroughs in core components such as hinging mechanisms and displays.
At this event, Huawei officially announced that Mate Xs2 would be priced starting from 19,999 yuan. This makes it not only one of the most expensive phones ever launched by Huawei but also currently among the highest-priced smartphones on the market.
"Huawei's early release of a commercial tri-folding phone aims to solidify its position in the global high-end smartphone market and will further attract other manufacturers' pursuit of folding screen technology," said Wang Haoyu, CEO of Merit Asset Management Co., Ltd.
According to data from iResearch Consulting Group, as of this year's first half, Huawei has captured 42% of the foldable phone market share with its earliest coverage across all forms including horizontal inward and outward folds and vertical folding phones. In markets above one million yuan (approximately $150k), Huawei’s market share is even higher at 67%. Currently, users are increasingly leaning towards top-tier brands when switching to a new foldable smartphone.
In terms of pre-order performance for the phone, supply chain insiders revealed that as of now, full-channel pre-orders have exceeded four and half million units.
Notably, according to data released by research firm IDC, total shipments in the folding screen market were around 40 million units this second quarter alone.
Additionally, before opening reservations, Huawei had prepared approximately five hundred thousand units for Mate Xs2. Although actual sales are often lower than pre-orders due to various factors, based on current reservation trends, it is expected that there will be a shortage of supply in the early stages after official release with some suppliers already receiving additional orders from Huawei.
'Currently, dual-folding phones have matured both technically and application-wise; tri-foldable ones are an iteration thereof. The sales performance of this phone mainly depends on market acceptance as well as whether core components and materials can keep up,' said Lin Zhi, chief analyst at WitDisplay Research Institute.
Supply Chain Benefits
In the A-share market, with Huawei's triple-folding smartphone launch on September 10th, stocks related to it have been active. By closing time that day, over ten individual shares such as Dafu Technology and Changshan North Bright had reached their daily limit up.
On a supply chain level, the release of this phone has also attracted investor attention towards relevant listed companies who stated they are part of its core supplier network.
For instance, Blue Sapphire recently said it has long been involved in manufacturing processes for UTG (Ultra-Thin Glass) and CPI (Colorless Polyimide), forming deep strategic partnerships with leading consumer electronics brands to become key suppliers. Similarly, Innovation Millennium indicated on September 10th that their drilling machines can be used for processing metal components like the casing or hinges of tri-foldable phones.
Moreover, multiple listed companies have participated in research and production related to this phone such as BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd. and Visionox which are involved with flexible display screens while Kesen Tech and China Glass Holding Company focus on hinge technology advancements.
Wang Haoyu stated: 'If the tri-folding phones sell well, it will benefit folding screen hinges, assembly & testing processes, titanium alloy materials among other related segments of foldable smartphones. Relevant companies could secure more orders and market share as a result.' The release of new products coupled with an upcoming phone sales peak season is expected to stimulate consumer markets in some degree.
Overall, the smartphone industry may see moderate recovery this third quarter.