Apple and Huawei are two of the biggest players in the smartphone market, constantly battling for the attention of consumers. On the day of the iPhone 16 and Mate XT launch in China, CNBC conducted spot checks at stores in Beijing to gauge interest in both brands.
It was found that many affluent iPhone users in China were equally intrigued by Huawei’s pricier trifold phone. Out of 10 people interviewed by CNBC, eight expressed interest in both the new Huawei and Apple phones. This indicates a high level of competition and interest in both brands within the Chinese market.
Huawei, a Chinese telecommunications giant, has been working to rebuild its smartphone business following U.S. sanctions in 2019. Despite these challenges, the company ranked fourth in China’s smartphone market share in the second quarter, according to Canalys. On the other hand, Apple dropped out of the top five, allowing domestic players to secure the top spots for the first time.
The price point of the new devices also played a significant role in consumer interest. The iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199, while the iPhone 16 starts at $799. In comparison, Huawei’s trifold Mate XT comes with a hefty price tag starting at over $2,800. This price gap was evident on online platforms selling secondhand goods, with the Mate XT selling for much higher prices than the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Interestingly, on the day of the launch, there were long lines outside Apple stores in Beijing as eager customers waited to get their hands on the new iPhones. In contrast, there were no lines outside Huawei stores in Beijing and Hefei. The Chinese company opted to deliver the new phones to customers who had reserved the trifold device.
During CNBC’s visit to the Huawei store, several people were seen on the second floor in an area designated for Mate XT buyers. While it was unclear how many of them made a purchase, many appeared to be buying the device for resale purposes.
One customer, surnamed Yang, arrived at the Huawei store to try out the trifold phone before making a decision. He expressed interest in the new features offered by Huawei, noting that Apple didn’t have much to offer in terms of innovation. Even customers waiting in line at the Apple store expressed interest in the Huawei trifold phone, highlighting the competition between the two brands.
Overall, the launch day of the iPhone 16 and Mate XT in China showcased the fierce competition between Apple and Huawei in the smartphone market. With consumers showing interest in both brands and their latest offerings, it will be interesting to see how the competition unfolds in the coming months.
This article was written with reference to the original CNBC article and aims to provide a unique perspective on the launch day events in China.
