Huawei, Xiaomi launch new foldable smartphones ahead of Apple event

The launches come ahead of Apple's unveiling of its latest iPhone series on Wednesday, with expectations high that it could also introduce a foldable phone.

Huawei is currently the only major brand selling a so-called tri-fold phone. The Chinese tech giant is barred from selling products in the U.S., where Washington has deemed it a national security risk.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics, the world's biggest foldable smartphone vendor, launched a tri-fold device in December but reportedly discontinued sales after three months. In July, it expanded its foldable lineup to include a passport-sized foldable phone.

Huawei led China's smartphone market with a 22.6% share in the second quarter, ahead of Apple's 18.1%, according to consultancy IDC. Xiaomi held a 12.4% share.

Huawei was even more dominant in folding phones, accounting for 68% of shipments in China in the second quarter, according to U.S.-based research company Smart Analytics Global.