Huawei Unveils Slim Mate X7 in Global Foldable Smartphone Push

Huawei's Dominance in the Foldable Smartphone Market

Huawei has solidified its position as a leader in the foldable smartphone market, holding nearly 70% of China's market share in the first three quarters of the year, according to research firm IDC. The company is further strengthening its presence with the global launch of the Mate X7, a device that marks a significant step forward in both design and functionality.

The Huawei Mate X7, which was released in China last month, features a thickness of 4.5mm (0.2 inches) when unfolded. The device, including the battery, weighs up to 236 grams. This slim profile makes it one of the most compact foldable smartphones available on the market. The phone was rolled out globally at an event in Dubai on Thursday, where it was showcased alongside other new products from Huawei.

One of the standout features of the Mate X7 is its 5,600mAh battery, which promises "all-day battery life" thanks to a heat-dissipation system. The company also highlighted that the device is the first slim foldable smartphone to offer imaging capabilities comparable to those of a standard flagship phone. Huawei upgraded the "True-to-Colour" camera on the back, delivering a 43% improvement in color accuracy.

Despite being under US sanctions since 2019, the Shenzhen-based tech giant has intensified its marketing efforts overseas. In February, the company launched what was then the world's only trifold smartphone, the Huawei Mate XT, on the global market. This move demonstrated Huawei’s continued innovation and commitment to expanding its footprint in the international market.

The Dubai event also marked the overseas launch of other Huawei products, including the FreeClip 2 earphones with a new rose gold finish for the international market, as well as the Huawei Ultimate Design waterproof smartwatch. These additions highlight Huawei’s diverse product portfolio and its focus on catering to different consumer needs.

According to IDC, the market share worldwide for foldables running Huawei's proprietary HarmonyOS is set to grow to 17% in 2026 from 11% in 2025. However, this does not account for Huawei's overseas sales because those models are built on an Android-based system. Despite this limitation, Huawei continues to make strides in the global market.

Although foldable shipments worldwide were expected to jump 30% next year, the competition would intensify after Apple joins the fray. According to IDC, iOS foldables are expected to boost their share to 34% by 2029, while HarmonyOS would drop to 14%. This shift indicates that the foldable smartphone market is becoming increasingly competitive, with major players like Apple entering the space.

Huawei's latest launch came just one day before Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold, priced at 3,594,000 won (US$2,444), was scheduled to be released in South Korea. That would be followed by its roll-out in other markets including mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the US.

"But the real game-changer for the category comes [in 2026] when Apple enters the foldable space," said Nabila Popal, senior director with IDC's data and analytics team, who expected the new foldable iPhone to be priced around US$2,400.

As the foldable smartphone market continues to evolve, companies like Huawei, Samsung, and Apple are all vying for a larger share of this growing segment. With each new release, the industry moves closer to a future where foldable devices become more mainstream and accessible to a wider audience.