The Huawei Mate XT, unveiled on September 10, instantly captured the attention of millions, with pre-release bookings soaring. While these reservations don’t equate directly to sales numbers, it’s clear that anticipation in China for the tri-fold flagship model is off the charts. However, enthusiastic customers who flocked to Huawei’s retail stores found themselves empty-handed, facing a frustrating new policy from the company.
Huawei’s anticipated flagship has hit a snag, with sales restricted to pre-order confirmations only. The buzz around the Mate XT coincides with the launch of Apple’s iPhone 16, but some Huawei ‘super fans’ reported disappointment upon discovering the pre-order-only policy. Despite being eager and showing up in person, many were turned away as only those who had secured their units in advance were able to walk away with the device.
For those willing to spend a hefty $2,800 on a base model with 256GB of internal storage, the situation adds salt to the wound. What’s more, Huawei’s supply chain issues have severely hampered production, leading to fewer units available than anticipated. The Mate XT, thanks to its innovative design, is challenging to mass-produce, causing these unforeseen delays. Richard Yu, Huawei’s Executive Director, shared that the device sold out in mere seconds and acknowledged the production bottlenecks they’re working to resolve.
Yu did not disclose the exact sales figures but reaffirmed that Huawei is striving to scale up production. The strong demand and customer loyalty for the Mate XT could spell trouble for Apple, especially given China’s significant contribution to its iPhone revenue. Those eager to get their hands on the Mate XT might have to wait, but their dedication indicates fierce competition in the Chinese market between these tech giants.
