Unraveling Huawei's Innovative Strategy in Foldable Smartphones Market
Huawei's Rise in the Foldable Smartphone Market
Huawei has once again showcased its resilience and innovation in the tech industry, particularly in the arena of foldable smartphones. As experts point out, no other technological brand has displayed such a remarkable ability to adapt and innovate as Huawei has. Their commitment to new technologies has cemented their position among the top contenders in the global foldable smartphone market.
Significant Market Growth
According to Counterpoint Research, Huawei's shipments of foldable smartphones surged by an astonishing 257% year-over-year in the first quarter of 2024, allowing the company to capture 35% of the market share, thereby dethroning Samsung from its leading position. The consistent push for innovation has enabled Huawei to leap ahead of competitors, particularly in portable devices and smartphones.
A Five-Year Journey of Innovation
What contributed to this success? One pivotal factor has been Huawei's early recognition that foldable screens would become a mainstream trend in smartphone development. As long ago as nine years past, Huawei’s BG Chief Technology Officer Li Siao-lung (Bruce Lee) spoke about the concept of a tri-fold smartphone, which has taken several years to develop. The company made a notable impact when it introduced the HUAWEI Mate X at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2019, presenting an entirely new form factor for smartphones.
Transforming Vision into Reality
Over these five years, Huawei has transformed its innovative visions into tangible products by merging its entrepreneurial spirit with cutting-edge technological advancements. Annually, Huawei invests over 10% of its sales revenue into research and development, amassing over 1.11 trillion Chinese Yuan in R&D spending over the past decade—signifying an annual investment of more than 100 billion Yuan. The Boston Consulting Group ranks Huawei as the world's eighth most innovative company, and they hold the fifth position in industrial R&D investments in the EU in 2023.
Each generation of Huawei's foldable devices has showcased remarkable advancements—from the flawless outer fold of the Mate X to the internal folding design of the Mate X2, and the ultra-thin and lightweight versions like the Mate X3/5. Most recently, the launch of the Mate XT marks yet another milestone in Huawei's innovative journey, demonstrating their unparalleled engineering capabilities.
User-Centric Solutions
Huawei’s strategy emphasizes a user-centered approach within its innovation framework. Company representatives highlighted that understanding customer feedback drives much of their motivation. Among consumers, three primary issues emerged concerning the durability of foldable screens, overall device structure, and the weight of the devices, which collectively enhance the experience
To tackle these challenges, Huawei prioritized addressing common user experience difficulties. This led to the creation of innovative solutions, such as a water-drop hinge, an advanced precision hinge system, and the use of resilient Kunlun glass, which improved the user experience while ensuring lightweight designs. The latest Mate XT has garnered praise for its thin profile, rivaling Samsung's dual-folding smartphones in terms of size.
Leading the Foldable Revolution
Huawei unveiled its newest foldable device, the Mate X6, amid much excitement this week in China. Since the grand launch of the brand Mate, official Huawei website reservations have crossed 1 million from November 26th. This overwhelming consumer interest underscores Huawei's established reputation as the pioneer of foldable technology.
As Huawei prepares to launch the Mate X6 beyond China, numerous competing brands are now racing to emulate its tri-fold design. This trend not only reflects Huawei's groundbreaking vision but also underscores a crucial need for innovation within the stagnant smartphone market. The technology introduced by Huawei has positively influenced this landscape, encouraging other brands to adopt user-centered research and development strategies. With their innovative spirit, Huawei continues to lead the charge in reshaping the future of smart devices.