Apple’s latest iPhone 16 launch is struggling to impress investors, while Chinese tech giant Huawei has ramped up competition with the introduction of the world’s first triple-fold smartphone. On Tuesday, Apple shares dropped 1.7%, reflecting concerns over the delayed rollout of anticipated artificial intelligence (AI) features.
The new iPhone 16, which integrates hardware to support AI-driven applications, offers enhancements like improved Siri functionality and an upgraded camera system. However, these AI features, branded as “Apple Intelligence,” are still in beta and won’t be available on U.S. models until next month. This delay and limited design changes have dampened enthusiasm for Apple’s latest offering. Some analysts, like Laura Martin from Needham, believe Apple’s message for the iPhone 16 is essentially, “Next year will be better.”
Apple has yet to provide a clear timeline for moving past the testing phase or reveal any partnerships in China to bolster its AI ambitions. The lack of immediate AI features in China has sparked criticism on social media, where the hashtag “iPhone 16 Chinese version doesn’t support AI yet” garnered over 11 million views on Weibo.
Huawei Steals the Spotlight with Triple-Fold Mate XT Smartphone
Just hours after Apple’s iPhone 16 launch, Huawei unveiled the Mate XT Ultimate Design, the world’s first triple-fold smartphone. This new device, which features an innovative design allowing it to fold into three different modes, is aimed at outshining Apple, especially in the Chinese market, where competition is fierce.
The Mate XT’s foldable display can transform from a 6.4-inch phone to a 7.9-inch tablet and even a full 10.2-inch display. This versatility caters to users who want a compact device that can also handle multitasking, reading, and gaming on a larger screen. In addition to its unique form factor, Huawei’s new phone boasts a powerful quad-camera system, led by a 50-megapixel primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). The device has 16GB of RAM, offers up to 1TB of storage, and supports 5G connectivity, making it a formidable competitor in the high-end smartphone market.
The Mate XT comes with a hefty price tag, with the base model priced at approximately $2,800. While this may limit its appeal to a broader audience, Huawei’s focus on innovation positions it as a leader in the foldable phone segment.
The Foldable Phone Race Heats Up
Huawei’s aggressive push into the foldable phone market is paying off. The company recently surpassed Samsung to become the global leader in foldable smartphones, holding a 27.5% market share. Meanwhile, Apple’s first foldable device isn’t expected until 2025, giving Huawei a significant lead in this rapidly growing sector.
Industry experts predict that foldable phone shipments will increase by 37.6% in 2024, reaching 25 million units worldwide. Huawei’s Mate XT Ultimate Design is expected to drive this demand, even as Apple faces mounting innovation and market positioning challenges.
Sources: Reuters.com, businesstoday.in
