Apple(US:AAPL) Hua Xia Shi Bao·2025-09-05 11:56Core Viewpoint - The foldable smartphone market is becoming increasingly competitive, with Huawei and Samsung leading the charge in the three-fold category, while various domestic brands are actively participating in the two-fold segment. The evolution of smartphone designs is driven by the need for differentiation in the high-end market, particularly against Apple [2][9]. Group 1: Product Launches and Features - Huawei has launched its second three-fold smartphone, featuring the HarmonyOS 5.1 and Kirin 9020 chip, marking a significant upgrade in user experience by integrating PC-level applications [3][4]. - The new three-fold smartphone's starting price has decreased from 19,999 yuan to 17,999 yuan compared to the previous model, attributed to advancements in core technologies and increased production volumes [4][5]. - The device supports PC-level multi-window operations and includes applications like WPS Office and financial terminals, enhancing its productivity capabilities [3][5]. Group 2: Market Dynamics and Competition - The foldable smartphone segment has become a crucial growth engine in the saturated smartphone market, with Huawei leading the domestic market with a 75% share, significantly ahead of its competitors [6][7]. - Despite the growth, the overall market for foldable smartphones is experiencing a slowdown, with a 14% year-on-year decline in Q2 shipments, indicating challenges in consumer adoption due to pricing and quality concerns [8]. - The competition is intensifying as nearly all smartphone manufacturers, except Apple, are entering the foldable market, with several new models launched in 2023 [6][9]. Group 3: High-End Market Competition - The foldable smartphone segment is seen as a key strategy for domestic brands to compete with Apple in the high-end market, with Huawei's new model priced higher than the iPhone 16 Pro Max [10][11]. - Apple is expected to enter the foldable market with its own device by 2026, which could significantly impact the competitive landscape and market dynamics [11]. - Analysts predict that the introduction of Apple's foldable iPhone could lead to substantial market growth, with expectations of around 7-8 million units planned for production [11].